Page 67 of Love Me Again

“Liar.” Cole grins, tilting my head and pressing his lips to my jaw, deliberately missing my lips.

* * *

Later that night,Aimee, Josh, Cole, and I walked through winter wonderland together on our ‘date’. Alaia was at home with her two grandmothers, who were excited to be babysitting her. The weather was freezing as it usually is in December in London. It was so magical; everything was lit up beautifully, Christmas music playing as couples and families get together to soak up the enchantment of Christmas.

“God, I love Christmas.” I sigh excitedly, looking around feeling like a kid again. I watch Cole as he looks around in amazement. “Don’t tell me you’ve never come to Winter wonderland?” I ask, astounded, and he shakes his head, looking at me.

“Neither have I.” Josh pipes up, wrapping an arm around Aimee, who grins and nestles into him. Aimee and I look at one another and smile.

“Well, Aimee, Jo, and I come religiously every year. It’s one of our favourite traditions. Be prepared to have your socks blown off, boys.” I tease. Cole laughs while lacing his fingers with mine, and he pulls me close.

“Mm, sounds promising.” Cole drawls, wagging his brows suggestively, a sinful glint in his eyes.

I feel my cheeks flush under his gaze. “You have a one-track mind Cole Hoult,” I utter impishly, and he grins, gazing into my eyes.

“Only with anything and everything that involves you, baby.” Cole drawls playfully, leaning in to kiss me, but I pull back, and he groans. “Kiss me, baby. My lips are cold.”

“You have to earn that pleasure,” I quip and pull him along to the roasted chestnut stand. We all buy hot chestnuts and walk to the Ferris wheel. I peel the chestnut and feed it to Cole, who, surprise, surprise, has never had roasted chestnuts before.

“Ow hot, hot!” Josh grumbles and spits it out, fanning his mouth while Aimee laughs hysterically. “I don’t know why you’re laughing. If anything happens to this tongue, you’re the one missing out, baby— Ow!” Josh laughs, rubbing his arm when Aimee punches him, her blue eyes wide. “Look how pleasantly Shayla is feeding her man, and I’m over here getting abused,” Josh complains, pointing at us while I feed Cole chestnuts, who beams, chewing happily, and wraps his arms around me.

“That’s because there is no other like her, and she’s mine.” Cole burrs, looking down into my face.

I raise my brow at him, intrigued. “Yours? How very presumptuous of you.” I scold him mockingly, and he smiles, feigning innocence.

“Oh, really?” I watch as he bites his lip and trails his thumb along my jaw gently while staring into my eyes. “Are you saying you’re not mine?”

I shrug indifferently, all the while fighting the urge to smile when he narrows his eyes at me. “This is only our first date. It’s a little early to be making stakes, isn’t it?” Cole’s lips curl into a gorgeous smile, and he shakes his head, eyes never leaving mine.

“I married you the day I met you. I made my claim on you back then.” Cole tells me while he slowly walks me back as the queue moves. “I asked you to be mine forever, and you agreed, did you not?”

I lick my lips, smiling, and resist the urge to roll my eyes when he smirks. “I might not remember every detail, but I just know you stole my heart that very first day, Shayla Hart.” He lovingly expresses as I look up into his eyes. “I love the person I am when I’m with you. If having more than one lifetime was possible, I know I would find you and love you with every single one, sweetheart.” Cole declares sweetly, and I feel my heart quake at his words. For the first time in months, I see a glimmer of that love I was searching for in his eyes.

“Cole,” I whisper, closing my eyes as he leans in to kiss me.

“Hey! Kiss in your own time, move with the queue—”

“Shhhh!” Aimee shushes the obnoxious man behind them, complaining that we were slowing down the queue. “Don’t interrupt the big romantic kiss, you moron.” She scolds him and turns to look at us as Cole brushes his lips over mine, kissing me slow and deeply. I moan and kiss him back just as fervidly.

Aimee sighs, watching us, and hits Josh’s arm. “Why don’t you ever say romantic shit like that to me?” She pouts while Josh rubs his arm, scowling.

“Ow! Could it be because you keep hitting me?” Josh complains, laughing when she sulks, crossing her arms over her chest. “Come here, my tough cookie.” He grins, wrapping his arms around her from behind. “I may be bruised from all your punches and slaps, but I’ll gladly take each one and be beaten black and blue than spend one day without you in my life, baby.”

“Aww, babe.” Aimee coos bashfully and turns so he could kiss her. The date honestly turned out better than I could have ever imagined. Cole and I spent the entire Ferris ride kissing passionately without a care in the world. We still had a long way to go—but I was excited to see a glimmer of my Cole, however small.

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