Page 73 of Love Me Again

“Oh, really? You think my lips are irresistible?” Cole questions, intrigued, grinning from ear to ear. I let my eyes drift down to his lips and bite my own.

“I mean...” I sigh longingly, looking at his full lips. “They’re all right. I've definitely seen better.” I tease.

Cole’s brows go up to his hairline, “Is that right? And who might I ask is this person whose lips you find more irresistible than mine?”

“Mine,” I whisper cockily and grin when he laughs deeply. “If only I could kiss myself, I’d have a grand old time, I think.” I laugh when Cole pokes my sides chuckling.

“It surely is a shame you can’t, baby, because you kiss so fucking good. Lucky for me, you can’t kiss yourself, and you still need me. Now, show me what these perfect lips can do.” He smiles, leaning down and brushing his lips over mine. I pull away before he could kiss me, and he blinks down at me.

“And what makes you think you get to kiss these lips whenever you want, Hoult?” I question, raising a brow daringly, and he gives me a devious smirk. One that silently informs me he’s up to no good.

“Nah-uh. Don’t you look at me like that. Cole...” I warn him grinning, and he lifts my arms above my head before he kisses me hard and hungry. After a very long, extremely heated make-out session on the floor in the middle of our kitchen, I managed to put a stop to it before we got carried away and had sex again, which is where things were heading. So much for not giving into him. God, I’m so weak when it comes to him.

Cole watches me as we clean up the mess the popcorn made all over the kitchen. Maybe this was a good time to bring up the whole playdate with Blake tomorrow. “So, Alaia and I are going to a parent and toddler class tomorrow,” I say hesitatingly while sweeping the floor, and Cole smiles and leans against the island in the middle of the kitchen.

“Yeah?”

I nod and chew on my bottom lip, “Blake goes there too. He’s actually the one that told me about it.” I watch the smile disappear from his face, and a deep scowl takes its place.

“Come again?” He utters agitation evident in his tone as he steps closer to me. “When did you see Blake?”

“Today. I ran into him at the mall when I was shopping. He told me about this parent-toddler class and said it would be good for Alaia and me if we attended and invited me to go.” I explain and observe Cole pace back and forth.

“You’re not going.”

I scowl up at him, “Excuse me? You cannot tell me where I can and cannot go. I’m a fucking grown woman.” I hiss hotly, and Cole glares at me.

“You’re not going!” He shouts angrily, stepping closer to me.

“Don’t fucking yell at me! I’m trying to communicate and be honest with you here, Cole. What the hell is your problem?!” I shout back angrily.

“What’s my problem?” He mutters acidly while rubbing his chin with a bitter laugh. “My wife is telling me she’s going on a fucking play date with a guy she was sucking faces with a couple of months ago, and you’ve got the cheek to stand there and ask me what MY problem is?”

“Jesus Christ, Cole, he’s just a friend, and that kiss meant nothing!” I explain, and he shakes his head, biting his bottom lip.

“It sure as shit didn’t look like nothing to me, Shayla! It looked like you were both fucking enjoying it from where I was standing.” He vents hotly as he glowers at me. I rake my fingers through my hair and close my eyes.

“It’s just a class for new parents and their babies. You’re acting like I'm going on a date with the guy. You do realise I’m going to have to see him eventually Cole. We work together—

he’s one of our biggest investors.”

“I don’t give a shit who the fuck he is, Shayla. You’re not going to see him. End of!”

“No, it’s not the end of anything. Do you not trust me?” I question, taking hold of his arm and looking up at him expectantly. Cole looks at me silently for a painfully long moment. “You don’t, do you?” I let go of his arm and take a couple of steps back. “Well, that’s rich coming from you. I’ve never given you a reason not to trust me, Cole.”

“How the fuck am I supposed to trust you when you’re standing there arguing with me about going off and seeing a guy you were in a relationship with and fucking kissing not that long ago? Would you trust me if I told you I was going off to dinner with Sophie?”

“That's different!” I shout.

“How?!” He retorts back irately.

“You can’t compare Sophie to Blake, Cole! He’s just a friend, that’s all. We have no interest in one another like that. He’s only offering to support me as a new parent because he understands how difficult and scary it is to be a new parent.” I explain, backing away from him as he takes a step toward me.

“I’m a new parent too! If you want support or you’re struggling, why didn’t you come to me? If it’s support you need, I will arrange the best instructor money can buy for you. You don’t fucking need him!”

I groan and shake my head. “It’s not about that, Cole! It’s not about him at all. It’s about being around other women who are going through the same things I am. I didn’t come to you because you don’t understand.”

“Oh, but fucking Blake does?! What did he suddenly sprout a fucking vagina that I wasn’t aware of?” He snaps irritably. “Jesus, you know what, it seems you’ve already made up your damn mind, so arguing is just fucking futile at this point,” Cole adds, walking out of the kitchen.

“Cole, where the hell are you going?!” I ask, following him and watch as he grabs his keys and storms off toward the door.

“Out!” Cole grits through clenched teeth. “Maybe I’ll go pay Sophie a fucking visit!” He throws back irately before he slams the door shut. I stood staring at the door, motionlessly.

Did he seriously just say that to me?

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