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It was so unfair that men grew more attractive with age. Laughter lines, gray hair, salt and pepper stubble, they were like an advert that said, "I've been around long enough to know exactly what women want."
We parked outside the bar, and Cole didn’t suggest getting iced coffees today. Just as well, really, as I wasn’t ready to face Lily yet. I hadn’t answered any of her questions about the interview, and I definitely didn’t want to tell her how difficult things were with Cole.
We paused outside the bar door. “You ready to see this?” Cole asked.
"Uh-huh."
"When's your realtor friend arriving?"
"About twenty minutes," I replied. Jenna was coming to take some updated photos of the refurbished space.
"Plenty of time. So. This is it. The big moment. Come on in." Cole opened the door for me, ushering me inside.
My hand flew to my mouth. The transformation was stunning. With the old fittings gone, the space felt so big and so clean. Full of potential. And the floor—oh, the floor! The antique tiles shone brilliantly, fully restored to their brilliant luster, a testament to Cole's dedication and hard work.
"Wow,” I said, choked up with tears. “It looks incredible. It’s the best spot on the street."
"A lot of the work was yours, of course," Cole replied modestly, a hint of pride in his voice. "We wouldn't be anywhere near ready without your steaming and painting." He sighed and placed a hand on a white wall. "I hope whoever buys it treats it with respect."
"Me too.”
"Hey," Cole said gently, placing a hand on my shoulder. "You okay?"
"Of course," I lied, forcing a smile. "Just nerves about the selling process. It feels like I've been through so much upheaval already, and things are about to get even crazier."
"Understandable," he said, giving my shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "But everything will work out for the best. Hey, for the moment, this place is still yours. You're in control."
"Maybe."
"Kind of feels like our place, in a way," he admitted with a soft smile. "I don't think I'll ever forget how sweaty you got when that steamer attacked you."
I laughed, feeling my cheeks warm at the memory. "I’ll never forget you spanking my ass in here." How was it possible to feel so sad and so horny at the same time? Last night, I hadn't been expecting to sleep with Cole, but it was like every single cell in my body was screaming at me to do it.
"I think about it every day," said Cole in a low, lusty voice. His hazel eyes sparkled as he leaned in closer, his breath warm against my cheek. And just like that, the anxiety, the panic, the fear, it all quietened. There was nothing except this moment. Our lips were inches apart, my pulse quickening—
A knock shattered the tension. We both jumped, startled.
"Twenty minutes?" Cole asked.
But it wasn’t Jenna at the window—it was Lily.
“Coffee delivery!” she said, through the letterbox. “Vital medical supplies, coming through!”
Nuts. I wasn’t ready to speak to Lily yet. I barely knew how I felt about anything, and I knew that she was going to want details.
“How convenient,” Cole said, through gritted teeth. "Good thing I wasn’t in the middle of spanking your ass again,” he growled. Then, more loudly, he said, “Well, I guess I better get going to Goldharbor Bay, anyway."
As he left, Lily came in. She gave Cole a cursory “Hi, bye,” then put the coffees down and hugged me. “How did it go?!”
I glanced at the door, making sure that Cole was out of earshot. “I fucked it.”
Lily’s eyes widened. “You did?”
“Yup.” I sighed. “Well and truly fucked.”
“You didn’t get in?”
“I don’t know. They didn’t say.” I filled her in on the confusing events of my day in New York City. To her credit, she listened carefully to the long, sorry story.
