CHAPTER 27
Cole’s phone chimed with a new message. He untangled his arm from around Savannah and punched in his security code to unlock it. Shit. It was a text from Sali.
Up for hanging out later?
Savannah lifted her head from his chest and he dropped the phone onto the coffee table in front of them. When he dared a glance down at Savannah, he could have sworn he saw tears swimming in her eyes, but she blinked and the effect was gone, making him wonder if he’d only imagined the tears. They’d been in a state of bliss for weeks—having regular sex and sleeping together in Cole’s bed every night. Damned if he’d let Sali ruin it.
He cupped her cheek in his palm. “Hey, I’m staying in tonight. Just you and me.”
She managed a smile and he leaned in to kiss her. “Okay,” she breathed.
He guided her head back to its spot in the crook between his shoulder and neck. Sali had texted him a few times over the past couple of weeks, and he’d tried to let her down gently, but apparently it was time for brutal honesty. He wasn’t interested. But he didn’t want to respond right now. Seeing the hurt in Savannah’s eyes was too much.
He still didn’t know what this thing was with Savannah, but he knew these past few weeks with her had changed him. She’d given herself up so willingly; she was so vulnerable and giving, it tore him open. He was just waiting for her to see through him. There were times when she looked at him, really looked at him, and he wondered if she saw his need to keep everyone at arm’s length, unable to love after so much loss. They had yet to have any sort of relationship discussion, but Cole had no intentions of dating anyone else right now. And though his head continued to be at war with his heart, he justified his relationship with Abbie. It wasn’t really cheating since he wasn’t sleeping with her. Was it? F*ck.
He knew Savannah was too young for him, that she’d need to spread her wings and explore, but for now, he was happy that he was part of the growth. And more than that, when he got too close, he hurt people. Abbie was the perfect example of that. He couldn’t live with himself if he did to Savannah what he did to Abbie. He would do everything in his power to shield Savannah from his past, even if it meant concealing the truth from her. For now. He also didn’t know how Abbie would react to him having someone else in his life, and he wasn’t looking forward to having that particular conversation. When had his life gotten so complicated?
He pulled Savannah closer and tried to push everything else from his mind. Lingering fears over that weirdo Dillon kept him on edge, but Savannah’s sweet presence in his life eased some of his tension. He didn’t want to worry just now. He smoothed a hand over Savannah’s arms, caressing her lightly. He would handle it and keep her safe one way or another. He had to.
“Cole?” She lifted her head.
“Hmm.” He absently trailed his fingers along her arm.
“Can I ask you something?”
The hair on the back of his neck rose. Crap. He knew that this conversation was going to be about more than which movie to watch next. “Of course.”
“What’s going to happen to us?”
He hadn’t been prepared for question. Though any other topic was fair game between them, they’d refused to talk about the future, sticking to topics no further ahead than what to do for dinner, next weekend’s plans, or at the furthest—when Cuddles’ next set of puppy shots were due. They’d existed in their own little bubble, taking pleasure from each other’s bodies and living comfortably together. But Savannah’s whispered conversations on the phone with Marissa about apartment décor were not lost on him. He wondered if she was still planning on moving out, despite the intimacy of their new relationship. Which was for the best, he told himself. He had no delusions of true love, soul mates, marriage or kids. It was easier, and a hell of a lot safer, to be on his own. He couldn’t accept just yet that Savannah might be the one to change his mind.
“What do you mean?” he asked, stalling for more time.
“I just wonder sometimes what you…want.” Her expression was so open, so honest, he could read her like a book
He turned to face her, holding her jaw in his hand. “I’m not going anywhere, Savannah.” He pressed a soft kiss to her mouth. He knew it wasn’t exactly the declaration of love and commitment she probably wanted, but it was as close as he could get. There was still too much she didn’t know about him, too much she wouldn’t understand. This is what he had to offer — protection, devotion and mind-blowing sex. He hoped it was enough. Because, damn it, he couldn’t offer her more. Not with his spectacular track record for botching the shit out of relationships.
She nodded, seeming to accept his non answer, and leaned in for another kiss. If the physical was all they would share, neither of them seemed willing to squander it. Their kisses turned heated, and he pulled her into his lap, his mouth moving down her throat as her hands worked their way under his shirt, tenderly massaging the muscles in his back and reaching around him to run along his tense abs. He yanked his shirt off over his head and her shirt and bra soon followed, landing on the floor between the couch and coffee table. She rocked her hips against his, discovering he was already hard. Watching her confidence grow, seeing the look of desire reflected in her eyes, sparked his own need. He gripped her arms, pinning them to her sides. He’d discovered that just as much as he liked taking charge, Savannah enjoyed being man-handled. She folded her arms behind her back, interlaced her fingers and thrust her chest out. He held her hands with one of his and worked his other into the front of her jeans. He feasted on the warm tip of each breast until Savannah was crying out and had worked her hands free to tug on his hair.
Cole shifted her on his lap — providing just enough room between them to undo his jeans and free himself. Savannah crouched in front of him and peeled off her jeans. Cole assisted, tugging the material down her legs until she could kick the jeans to the floor. She watched as he made quick work of putting on a condom, then sunk down onto him without hesitation, surrendering as he filled her.
“God, you’re tight.” He pressed a kiss to her mouth. She gripped his shoulders, her nails biting into his skin, and began to rock against him.
Watching her move above him, testing and finding her rhythm, was the hottest thing he could’ve ever imagined. Her tight body riding his was too much. His head dropped back against the sofa and his eyes drifted closed. She placed a palm on either side of his face and he opened his eyes. She leaned in to kiss him, their tongues colliding and breaths mingling.
“Cole…” she grunted, bracing her hands on his thighs as she lifted up and down.
“You feel too damn good. How is this even possible?” “Because it’s us,” she said simply.
He believed her assessment. Wholeheartedly. But wouldn’t deny the fact that scared the shit out of him. He had never known a better lover, which made no sense, considering Savannah’s lack of experience. Their bodies fit together like two halves. There hadn’t been any hint of a fumbling, awkward stage like he’d known with previous lovers. Their bodies were so in-sync, they seemed to anticipate each other’s movements and respond in turn, bringing pleasure that he hadn’t known could exist before Savannah.
Her flesh gripped him from the inside out, and he felt her begin to tremble. She rode him fast and hard as she reached climaxed, whimpering a series of tiny moans then fell forward onto his chest, completely spent. Watching Savannah orgasm quickly brought him to his own climax. She no longer seemed capable of moving against him; he gripped her waist and lifted her up and down on him a few final times until he followed her over the edge.