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He nods.
"Cole, please. I beg you. Don't leave me," is the last thing my mother calls out as I open the door and slam it shut behind us.
37
ALISHA
The silencein the car is deafening. Cole's face is void of any emotion, while Samantha stares outside, wiping silent tears that keep falling on her pale skin. As we enter the apartment, Samantha and I watch how Cole walks and freezes midway through the living room. He lets out a long sigh, and his shoulders fall. No words, no movement, just a silent statue. Samantha moves towards her dad, and I hold my breath when she wraps her arms around him from behind.
"Dad? I know why Mom accepted the check from Carmen. Can I tell you?"
He turns and nods.
"Mom told me she found out grandma was sick when she was pregnant with me. Nanna needed medication, but her insurance didn't cover it. Mom said she made an arrangement to get the money to pay for the medicines."
Cole grabs Samantha's face between the palms of his hand. They glance into each other's eyes, and another tear rolls down his cheek. "I'm sorry, Sam. If I—"
"Dad, it's okay."
And with that, they hug each other tightly. "I love you, Sam."
"I love you too, Dad." They keep hugging, but when Samantha speaks, he lets go of her. "Do you mind if I go to my room to call Rachel?"
"No, go ahead."
As Samantha walks away, Cole glances my way. I part my lips to speak but close them when he turns and hurries out of the room. I narrow my eyes but wait. When he reappears a few minutes later, he's wearing his grey baggy workout pants and a white t-shirt. He speaks while striding to the front door. "I'll be in the gym. Don't stay up for me." And with those words, he leaves, slamming the door behind him.
I let myself fall into the nearest chair and sigh. I'll let you cool off before going downstairs, but I'll not be pushed away that easily, Cole Walker.
I slip into the gym—dressedin sweatpants and a hoodie—and make my way through the dark. The only light comes from the back area and when I arrive there, my eyes fall on Cole. The swishing noise of his breath and swinging arms are repetitive. Streams of sweat run down his chest, while his fists hit the punching bag with such force, I'm surprised it hasn't ruptured. God, even furious and tormented, he's one sexy man.
His face is grim as he fights the emotional torment of his mother's betrayal. The capable man he is, he's trying to cope with the issue by himself. But I will not stand by and watch him struggle with this giant beast by himself. With this one, he's got me at his side. I close the distance between us with careful steps until I'm sure he can see me.
"Go to bed, Alisha."
I place my hands on my hips. "No."
He lets out a huff. "Don't go stubborn on me, Alex."
"I won't if you stop shutting me out."
He grabs his water bottle, and while taking a few sips, he swipes a towel over his chest. Sensing him ogling me through the mirror, I lift my chin and stare into his eyes.
"Talk to me, Cole."
He straightens his back. "Fine, you wish to hear the truth. I'm fucked up, Alex. I'm a raging sea of anger, and I can't get it to stop." He throws the towel aside and walks to the bag and hits it repeatedly. His chest rises and falls at an intense rate. "My insides are burning like hot magma, and it's consuming me." The punching bag swings as he kicks it full force with his leg. "I'm staying away from you because I don't want to hurt you by saying things I don't mean."
He stops kicking and strolls back to the mirror, where he pushes his fingers through his locks. The pain and agony that radiates off him brings me into motion until I'm standing behind him.
"Cole."
I tiptoe to his front and place my hand over his racing heart. A sharp breath leaves his lips as I stroke his clenching jaw with my fingers. With his eyes closed, he leans his face into my palm.
"I love you, and I'm not going anywhere."
Before I can react, he bends and crashes his mouth onto mine. Like fire and gasoline, the raw passion between us inflames. Desire circles through me as I touch his warm, sweaty body. And with the sheer need to be closer to him, I press myself hard against him and match his inferno kiss.
My legs wrap themselves around his waist as if it's their home, the second he lifts me off the ground. Within two steps, he has me pinned against the cold mirror. His lips leave mine and start a fiery trail of wet kisses from my jawline to my neck. Our panting breaths flow through the room like a song as Cole shifts my hoodie over my head and throws it to the side.
