AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"Good." I grinned, stealing a quick kiss from his lips before adding teasingly, "I'm only asking you to stay because you're so warm. That's the only reason."
"Is that right?" Cole chuckled, wrapping his arms around me even tighter. "Well, I'm happy to be of service."
We talked for hours that night. About his girls and my dad. About the past and the future. About the choices we make and the choices we have no choice but to make.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Cole
We barely slept, but somehow, I woke up feeling totally refreshed. My sleep had been shit for years. Worries—about work, my daughters, whether I was living up to my potential—kept me tossing and turning all night long.
But here, with Elara by my side, those cares seemed to melt away.
When I woke up, I instinctively reached out for her, hoping for a cuddle. But to my surprise, she was already up.
"Damn," I grumbled. “What time is it?”
I reached for my phone but it wasn't on the nightstand. I was about to curse some more, but I found myself shrugging.
So what if I’m a little late? Considering I spent the night at my boss’ place, I'm betting on a free pass.
Sunlight streamed through the star-patterned curtains as I took in Elara's room, noticing with pleasant surprise that my usual morning aches and pains were absent. I felt like a new man.
I loved being here. The whole place smelled of her, that beautiful citrus and jasmine aroma that did something primal to me.
I was about to haul my ass out of the bed when I heard the click of the door. As it opened, a snatch of music drifted in. It was “Love is a Long Road” by Tom Petty, one of my favorite tunes.
Elara stood in the doorway, legs peeking out from an oversized Strokes T-shirt, eyes wide. "You're awake!"
"Sorry it's so late. My alarm didn't go off."
"Actually . . . it did. In the other room. On silent," she admitted sheepishly.
"You took my phone?"
"Mmhmm. You looked so peaceful! Like a baby. A muscly, hairy baby. I thought you deserved a lie-in."
“What time is it?”
“Gone ten,” she said with a grin.
“Shit. Can’t remember the last time I did that.” My nose twitched. "What's that smell?"
Elara pulled the door closed with a giggle. "What smell?"
"That delicious, salty, smoky smell?"
"I don't know what you mean."
"It's bacon, Elara. I can detect a rasher of bacon from over a mile away. I'm like a shark."
"A bacon shark."
"A very hungry bacon shark."
"It was supposed to be a surprise." She pouted.
"Hey, it's still a surprise. Look at me. I’m shocked."
