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“The cracks are all still there, and it’s not quite right in some places, but I fit it back together,” Cole says, dropping down beside me in front of it. “I wish I could have made it perfect.”
The note of apology in his voice resonates through me, hearing all of the things he’s left unsaid.
“Thank you,” I whisper, touched by how much time he must have spent piecing this back together. Reaching out, Cole grasps my hands, giving them a squeeze and I twist a bit to face him, staring into his shining emerald eyes.
“Look, I know it isn’t enough. Making Christmas vomit all over your living room won’t change what I did. But I want to apologize, and I hope you can take a chance on forgiving me. There is literally nothing I won’t do to fix this thing between us. You make me laugh when I want to snarl, you make me comfortable in a way I’ve never felt before. Sloane, you’re smart, and beautiful. Fierce and kind. You’re it for me. Imagining a life without you makes me feel physically ill…” he trails off after spilling all of that and I’m too stunned to formulate a real reply. I need a moment to think; a second to adjust.
“Mistletoe,” I gasp, leaping up from the floor and rushing into my bedroom; closing the door softly behind me.
The whole world spins and tilts, leaving me breathless as I walk into the bathroom to splash some cold water on my face. The cool liquid feels nice against my skin and it steadies me, almost as much as seeing all of the items that I left behind when I fled the cabin. He brought it all back. My shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and each one has a little post it note stuck to the front.
I’m sorry.
I’m an asshole.
You’re a better dog trainer then me.
You were right—I need to get over my shit.
Please give me another chance. I’ll do anything.
Swallowing hard, I take a moment to look at myself in the mirror, my silver-grey eyes stare back at me. Daring me to take a leap. Could he hurt me? Absolutely. But if I really consider the situation has he done anything besides send my brother a stupid text?
“He barely even knew me before the cell reception went out,” I rationalize to myself, wondering for the first time if I’ve seriously overreacted. We were at each other’s throats. Saying cruel things and nasty barbs.
Quickly releasing my hair from its braid, I pick up my brush and comb through the tangled mass when my eyes catch on another pink post it that had fallen to the floor.
I love you.
Striding quickly from the room grasping the notes, my gaze falls to where he’s sitting on my couch, head clasped between his hands.
“Did you seriously just tell me you love me on a post it?” I snap, amused as he leaps up with his eyes as wide as saucers.
“Yes.” He takes a step toward me, arms outstretched.
“That’s a really lame way to do that,” I complain, crossing my arms over my chest and trying for sass while my heart is secretly leaping in excitement. “I think you should try again.”
He comes closer, running his hands up and down my arms, spreading goosebumps everywhere as electricity crackles between us.
“I love you Sloane. With everything I am—I never knew what it meant until you. And I’ll do anything for a second chance,” he breathes.
“Do you really mean anything?” I ask Cole, unable to withhold a saucy smirk.
“Yes, Fireball. Anything. I fucking love you. If you want me to quit my job and move here I will. If you want to come back and work with me on the SAR team, we can do that. If you want me to run down the street naked screaming ‘I love Sloane Sully’ I will. I even already apologized to your brother,” he answers, hope lighting his eyes.
“What if I want you to go sing Christmas carols with me?” I ask.
“I’ll feel bad for those poor people’s ears, but absolutely.”
“What if I want to spankyou?”
“I’ll lay over your lap with my bare ass toward the sky,” he gulps.
“Hummmm, I may like this newfound power,” I say, uncrossing my arms and reaching out to him for a hug.
“Anything you want, it’s yours. Forever. You own me—body and soul,” he says, and the sincerity in his voice rings true. My lips slide against his hungrily for a moment, and he pulls back to look at me with a question in his eyes.
“I love you too,” I say, leaning up for another kiss. Pointing toward the ceiling, I show him with a big grin, “Mistletoe.”
