Page 108 of L.O.V.E

Foreboding silence ticked like a doomsday countdown. The organ in my chest boom-boom-boomed to the grim rhythm.

Cole was my one. Extraordinary circumstances brought us together. If my fears were confirmed, if Victoria was alive, a thousand and one horrible things could tear us apart. My time with Cole was possibly limited, and I couldn’t end our conversation on a negative note. “Are we having our first fight, Cole?” Dreadful silence. My heart beat faster, louder. “Because if we are, I can’t wait for the makeup sex.”

A huff, followed by a chuckle. I pictured his dimples and sighed, my muscles uncoiling.

“Jesus, Natalie. I’m sorry.”

“Forgiven.”

An engine roared to life, loud music blared then diminished. Cole huffed. “I really have to go. Need to be across town in twenty minutes. I’ll call you as soon as I get home.”

“I like fighting with you, Cole Adams. Talk to you soon.”

“Natalie?”

“Yes.”

“Be naked when I call.”

Another sigh, and I hitEnd, curling deeper into my down comforter.

I must’ve nodded off because I woke myself up screaming when my nightmare hit too close to home, a hooded figure with blond hair, long sharp nails, and a distorted face dragging me through a dusky, wet forest.

My room was dark, the windows offering no illumination. I fumbled for my phone, searching the rumpled bedding. It buzzed at the same time my fingers came in contact with the cold metal.

“Cole,” came out more a plea than a greeting.

“You naked?”

Shaken by my dream, overwhelmed with need, and desperate to keep Cole as long as possible, I blurted, “I live in Whisper Springs, Idaho in a secure building, but I don’t feel safe, and I don’t wanna play this game with you anymore. Testing fate was a stupid idea.”

No hesitation. “You’ve been crying.”

Fuck fate and fuck Victoria, and girl power could suck it for a while. “Yes. And I—”

“Natalie.” A dark voice cut me off. “I’ll be there in six hours.”

The call ended.

“You’re here.” I jumped, knowing he’d catch me and curled around his big strong body, hooking my ankles behind his perfect ass.

“I’m here.” Cole kissed me long and hard, then spun, backing through my door, one hand supporting my butt, the other pulling his suitcase inside.

God, I loved his strength.

“Did you drive all night?”

“Yes,” was his simple reply.

I peppered his face with kisses of gratitude and didn’t let go until he’d walked me through the hallway, past the kitchen, and into my living room where he sat on the couch with me in his lap, then gave me a lip-lock for the ages, full of heat and tongue and teeth and groans of appreciation.

Deft fingers made their way under my sleep shirt and worked my nipples to tight peaks.

I rolled my hips, his erection nestled in the sweet spot, rubbing the ache, erasing the fear.

Cole cupped my cheeks, gold eyes assessing. “I’ve missed you more than you can imagine.”

That perfect face, those sleepy eyes, that lazy grin. Heaven help me.

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