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Cole rests his head on my chest, the gentle rise and fall of his body against mine. There's an undeniable urge pushing me to voice the thoughts that have been swirling in my head. It was an idea that came to me after Ryan left, as Cole looked at me, strong yet broken, hurting yet looking at me like I’m the panacea to his pain.
"How about a fundraiser?" I suggest, glancing down at Cole, his head nestled against me. Suppressing the fluttering in my chest from the sight, I focus on my words. His sister still needs help. "I have a couple of friends who can throw a party at a club, we can use it to raise funds, there's a process behind it but if it comes down to it, I can get started as soon as I can." His head shifts slightly on my breasts as he listens.
"I mean, truth be told, I don't think my next plan would be particularly legal,” he mutters, his arm resting above his head. “I still want to hurt Ryan, badly.”
A wry smile tugs at the corners of my lips as I tease him, my fingers lightly flicking his arm. "You can't fuck me in jail, Cole," I playfully retort, emphasizing the absurdity of the situation. “Come on, let me try. You have nothing to lose."
I really don't want him to end up locked up before I figure out what exactly is happening between us. Actually, I don't want him locked up at all.
He goes silent for a minute. "Alright then," he concedes.
* * *
I never imagined my suggestion would actually come to life.
A week later, here we sit, surrounded by the electric energy of the ongoing rave. The music reverberates through the expansive space in sync with the beat of our hearts. The pulsating bass shakes the very foundation of the open building. The air is thick with the mingling scents of liquor and a kaleidoscope perfumes, creating a heady sensory overload.
I still can't believe I managed to pull off the event in such a short amount of time. The fact that I'm doing it to help my captive's sister adds an unexpected layer of significance. But amidst the excitement, questions linger in my mind. What does this mean for me? What does it mean for us?
Glancing at Cole beside me in the lounge area of the club, I notice his gaze fixed on the board displaying the running tally of funds raised. He appears lost in thought, his features clouded.
Leaning closer to his side, I whisper softly, “Are you good?“
His response is immediate as he turns to face me. Under the dim lighting of the club, his gray eyes appear darker, holding a hint of intensity and glimmering as he nods slowly, “Yeah, I just can't believe this is happening,” he says, his words heavy with something I can't put my finger on.
"The party? Don't you like it?" I inquire, fear gripping my nerves. Doubts start to surface, wondering if I've made a mistake or if this event isn't enough to truly help.
But there's something more. I've been feeling a set of emotions when it comes to Cole, and I can't shake the feeling there's something between us, waiting to be explored. It shows in different ways, the gripping of my heart, the fluttering in my gut, the electricity of my skin under his touch, and I'm never sure how to fully process them.
"The party? Oh, I love it. It's just... I just can't seem to understand why you're doing this for me of all people.” He reaches for my hair, tucking the strand behind my left ear.
And there it is again—the fluttering in my stomach.
“I stalked you,” he says, his voice low.
“You did,” I reply.
“I tricked you.” His mouth twists. “I also kidnapped you.”
“Yeah, I remember,” I say, letting a smile tug at my lips.
“After all that, you're here helping me raise money for my sister.” He glances at the screen again before looking back at me. “Why?“
The question strikes me and maybe a week ago, I would have hesitated but right now, an answer echoes in my mind, begging to be spoken.
"Because," I begin, feeling a rush of heat spreading across my cheeks. "You captured more than just my body, Cole.”
He blinks at me, sweet tenderness softening his eyes.
I lean forward. “And that part of me wants you...out of jail." I laugh lightly, realizing the sounds is a little breathless.
My confession hangs in the air, a vulnerable admission of the feelings that have blossomed for him, defying logic and circumstance. But there was an attraction since the very first time I saw him and despite the imperfect journey that followed, that’s only grown into something else, something more delicate and warm.
Suddenly, a burst of raucous cheering rips through our moment, snapping us out of our reverie. I glance around the club, searching for the source of the commotion until my gaze lands on the screen displaying the money count.
My breath catches in my throat as I witness a staggering surge in the total. The numbers have practically doubled in an instant.
I hurriedly reach out to my purse to grab my phone and investigate the generous donor behind this unexpected boost. Fingers trembling with anticipation, I swiftly unlock my phone and navigate to the donation records. I scroll through the list until I find the most recent contribution. My eyes widen as I read the name displayed on the screen. "The Fox?"
