AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Cole pulls a blanket off the back of the sofa. He lays us down covering us, entwining his body with mine. Cole whispers those three little words over and over as I drift off to sleep; “I love you.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
I wake up with my head in Cole’s lap. He’s gently stroking my hair, his laptop propped on the armrest. I sit up, glancing at the clock on the wall. “It’s twelve thirty in the afternoon?” My voice is rough, my throat feels dry and raw.
Cole smiles at me. “Yes, but it’s Sunday, so that makes it all right.” I curl up next to him, resting my head on his shoulder. I inhale, taking in his clean scent. His shirt is off, but he’s showered and wearing jeans. He moves his hand to my bare back, scratching it lightly, and goes back to reading something on his computer. I don’t know what Cole’s thinking, if he’s still upset about last night, but I don’t want to disturb this precious moment between us. I sigh, letting my eyes flutter closed, contentment wrapping me in its warm blanket. “I love you.” The words flow without thought, a melody, a confession of my soul.
“I love you,” Cole whispers, placing a kiss on my forehead.
The elevator dings, I glance at Cole, who’s looking up at the elevator. “Who’s here?”
“I don’t know.” He pulls the blanket up over my shoulders, tightening his grip around me.
“I thought you needed the code to access the elevator.”
Cole’s jaw tenses. “You do.” I lean closer into him.
The elevator doors slide open, and Preston walks out, peering down at us. “Do you two ever make it to the bedroom?”
“Every so often.” Cole kisses me again, then stands. “Did you pass security?”
“Yes, the front desk punched in the code for me. The woman working said she’d call and let you know I was coming.”
“I put the phone on silent.”
Preston holds up a large manila envelope. “I brought the papers for you to sign, thought I would drop them off. I’m on my way to St. George for some golf.”
Cole pulls his t-shirt on. “Sounds good. What time will the attorneys be here tomorrow?”
“Their flight comes in at noon. I’ve scheduled the meeting for two,” Preston says.
Cole nods. “That will work. I’ll walk you out.”
“It’s good to see you, Katherine.” Preston waves to me.
“Enjoy your golf game.” I smile back. I curl up under the blanket, closing my eyes.
After a while, I hear the familiar dinging of the elevator announcing Cole’s return. I peek out from under the blanket and watch him descend the steps toward me. Cole bends down next to me. “What would you think about taking a drive out towards the Hoover Dam in the 458?”
“All right.”
“When you’re ready, we’ll go.” I sit up, stretching, letting the blanket fall to the floor. Cole parts my knees and kneels in front of me, his eyes turning dark. His hands stroke blithely across my shoulders, his fingers trace my collarbone, then trail down between my breasts. “Cookie,” he whispers. “Your chest is all blue.”
His touch warms my body, almost erasing the sting of my awful night, making me smile wryly at my alcohol memento. “Yeah, do you like it?”
Cole cocks an eyebrow. “Very much.” He kisses my neck, trailing loving warm kisses down it, grasping my arms to push me down on the sofa and I cry out in pain. “Kate, I’m sorry baby, what’d I do?”
I touch my right arm. “My arm.”
Cole tenderly examines my arm. “My…” A string of obscenities leaves his mouth with a rush. I roll my arm over to see. There are several black and blue bruises on my upper arm with a very distinct pattern, where someone gripped me too tightly. Cole cups his hands around my face. “Who did this to you?”
For as much as I fought to keep this moment intact, it’s gone. Tears prick at the back of my eyes. “I don’t know. It was some sleazy looking man. He found me coming out of the Golden Nugget, he grabbed me and said ‘you’re coming with me’. He started dragging me along by the arm. I pulled my arm out from his and manage to get away from him.” Cole encases me in his arms, and I wrap mine around his neck.
“Cole, I’m sorry. I thought he was with Luke’s security, but then I realized he wasn’t.”
Cole rests his forehead against mine. “Why don’t you go get ready?”
A lump forms in my throat and I can only nod.
