Seductive Chaos
Page 73

“You were right,” Cole said suddenly and without preamble.
“I usually am, but what specifically was I right about?” I asked, giving up on trying to hide my braless boobs behind my arms and opted for letting the puppies fly.
And I was also feeling extremely magnanimous so I moved aside, giving Cole silent permission to step inside.
He walked across the threshold and stopped. He looked around, taking everything in.
“This is my first time in your apartment,” he said.
I nodded. “Yes it is,” I agreed.
“We’ve known each other for over two years and I’ve never been here before. Why is that?” he asked as if genuinely confused.
“Because you’re a self-centered jackass,” I offered.
Cole smiled in that sexy, heart-melting way of his and I had to take a deep breath to calm my racing pulse.
“I think you might be on to something there,” he said, dropping the bags onto the coffee table. He took in Romeo and Juliet paused on the television and the three empty ice cream tubs on the floor.
“Shit, you weren’t lying,” he remarked.
“I told you I was having a hot night,” I said dryly, my vanity already kicking me in the ass for choosing comfort over cuteness.
Always prepare for hot guy visits, Vivian! You know better!
Cole seemed entirely too interested in his surroundings. He took a slow perusal of the knick-knacks and framed photographs, stopping to pick up one from my senior year at Rinard. A Chi Delta sister had taken it of Maysie, Gracie and myself when we had dressed as flappers for a mixer.
“Cute,” he said, putting it back. I couldn’t tell if he was being serious or not. He was making me uncomfortably edgy.
“So what was I right about?” I prompted, getting back to the point of his impromptu visit.
Cole stopped circling the room and came back to stand in front of me. My entire body started to buzz with awareness. It was as though my cells were beating against my skin, demanding that I touch him.
It was so freaking annoying.
“When you said I didn’t know anything about you. I think it’s time I changed that,” Cole said, surprising me.
What was he talking about?
Cole reached out and gently pulled down the stretched out neck of my T-shirt. I tensed up, not sure what he was going to do. He slowly and carefully traced the line of my scar that ran between my br**sts.
“You told me I didn’t know how you got this scar. You were right. I didn’t know. And I should have. We have spent the last two years learning every inch of each other’s bodies but I know nothing about who Vivian Baily is. I didn’t think I even wanted to know. But I was wrong. I want to know everything.”
I shivered involuntarily as he lazily traced the puckered skin.
I chuckled nervously. “That will take a while,” I said a little breathlessly.
Cole dropped his finger and smiled. “I’ve got all night. If Leo doesn’t mind, of course,” he grinned.
Did I want him to stay?
I didn’t know!
I was so confused!
My sagging pants slipped below my hips and I hastily pulled them up before Cole got an eyeful of my granny panties.
Oh shit, I was wearing granny panties!
Just more incentive to keep my pants on!
“Why?” I asked, not entirely trusting his motives.
Cole sighed and that vulnerability I had only just become acquainted with made itself known.
“Because it’s lonely thinking and worrying only about yourself. I’ve missed out on a lot. One of the biggest is getting to know you. We’ve f**ked but we’ve never really hung out. I’ve told you my shit but you’ve never told me yours. This has been a purely one-sided relationship for entirely too long. I know you kicked me out of your life. I know you’ve made it clear you want nothing to do with me. But please, Viv, just give me one night to know you. To figure out what’s going on inside that beautiful head of yours. I want to show you that I’m not all bad. That I can be a nice guy. And if at the end you still want me gone, I’ll leave. You’ll never have to see me again.”
It sounded simple enough, but nothing with Cole was ever free of conditions.
“No sex,” I said firmly, pointing at him in warning.
Cole held up his hands. “No, sex. Well, not unless you ask nicely,” he teased and I groaned, rolling my eyes.
“Can I put this stuff in your kitchen?” he asked, holding up the plastic bags.
“Sure, it’s through there.” I pointed him in the right direction. I followed him into the brightly lit room.
“This place makes mine look like a shithole,” he said, taking in the soft green walls and bright white wooden cabinets.
“That’s because your place is a shithole,” I responded.
“True,” he agreed, getting out the ingredients needed to make drinks and setting them out on the counter.
“You’re making me Lemon Drops? You really are trying to get on my good side,” I stated, watching as he found the low-ball glasses and mixed my favorite drink.
“We’re not having sex,” I felt the need to reiterate.
Cole traced an x over his chest. “Cross my heart, I won’t get in your too big for you pink sweatpants. I won’t take advantage of you. But if you come on to me, I can’t be sure of the consequences.”
I snorted. “I think we’re safe then.”
Cole gave me a look screamed liar!