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We stay frozen in the moment until he interrupts our leveled breath with, “Well, sweetheart, I think we christened the fuck out of this bathroom.” I laugh, only to jump from the smack landed on my ass. “Sorry, I can’t resist,” he winks.
We clean up and walk back downstairs, lost in each other and in our joint happiness over our new home. I feel like I’m living in a dream and just like that, the fear comes creeping back. Where the hell is that other shoe, because I know it’s bound to drop any minute.
When my alarm beeps in the morning, I reach to hit snooze, but Cole nuzzles my neck, nipping at my earlobe.
“Come on, sleeping beauty, didn’t you say you had a meeting this morning? It may not be the right time to start saying ‘screw off’ to whole department meetings.” I feel him smiling against my cheek.
“Ha, aren’t you funny. Fuck me, I don’t want to get up!” I pretend to cry hoping to gain sympathy.
Before I know it, Cole straddles my body, holding my arms above my head. “Your wish is my command!”
“Quit!” I giggle and try to wriggle free without success. “Seriously, I have to get ready as you so sweetly pointed out.”
Letting go of my hands, Cole leans down and kisses my lips and looks at me with the cutest pouty face ever.
“Oh my God, you are not trying to make me feel bad now! You can put those puppy dog eyes and that lip away, it’s not working.” Leaning in, he starts kissing my cheeks and my neck. “Ugh! Cole, I’m not falling for this. Ahh, yes, right there. I mean, what the hell? Goddammit, I QUIT! Fuck ‘em!”
Cole bursts out laughing and rolls off of me, setting me free. “Go, woman, before I change my mind.”
Once I’m dressed and ready to head out, I peek out the bedroom door and see Cole sitting in the living room, barefoot and shirtless, reading the paper. I’m going to need a full tank of resolve to combat this damn man. I walk out, grabbing my bag and a banana, calling out a goodbye as I rush toward the door to make my great escape.
“AMELIA PARKER.” Cole’s voice booms through our hotel room stopping me in my tracks.
“Aw shit,” I’m caught, turning and wrinkling my nose like a little kid in trouble.
“I expect a kiss goodbye,” he booms, keeping his eyes on the paper.
“No funny business, Parker, I’m serious. I want to make a good impression. If I don’t, I’ll be forced to sleep my way to the top!” I yell out with melodramatic flare as I near the back of the couch. As soon as I say it, Cole grabs me and pulls me over the couch onto his lap. I scream out with laughter as he pins me into his arms.
“If you are going to sleep your way to the top, just switch companies first.” He smirks, going along with my joke. Dazzling me with his smile, he leans forward kissing the tip of my nose.
“I love you,” I smile sweetly.
“I love you back,” he whispers before annihilating my lipstick.
Walking into the building with a spring in my step, I couldn’t wipe the grin off my face from this morning. I wave hello to Jules and grab my laptop off my desk as she approaches.
“Hey you, ready for snacks?”
I laugh. “Funny, but I think we should maybe focus on the meeting more than the muffins? You know just to pretend we like to work.”
Jules makes a face of horror when I say the last part and we both laugh, walking toward the conference room. I like Jules, but she makes me miss Alex. I realize making work friends is important, but I can’t help but feel guilty.
Shaking off my feelings of guilt, I try to refocus, “So, what should I expect at these meetings? It’s just our department?”
“It’s ads, us and the heads of the other departments. It’s mostly us taking notes on how to promote their stupid ideas, I mean, some of the marketing ideas are just insane!”
I smile and just nod my head, secretly I’m super excited like a kid for the first day of school. As we walk through the doors, I look around at the growing number of people filling up the room and Jules points to our seats.
I’m pulling out my seat when I hear, “Sam, nice to see you! I heard you were out for a while, I hope everything is okay.”
Immediately, my eyes scan the room to find Sam Johnson, then I hearherrespond and realize Cole and Foster are correct. I feel even more confused now, how the hell does this lady know me? Old teacher maybe? I think I would remember Sam, though. She is tall, very blonde and her looks are striking, angular and powerful, but she still manages beauty. I realize I’m staring at her when her eyes meet mine, questioning my look. That is until she leans over to someone whispering in her ear and then smirks in my direction. My gaze drifts toward the whisperer and my heart stops and for every reason, I am mad. Really fucking mad.
“Hello stranger.” Jack casually strolls over to me.
Of all the people, here’s my fucking shoe. It has been dropped.
“Hello Jack, fancy seeing you here.” Sarcasm fills my voice like a hurricane.
