I pressed my fingers into my hips. What did he see when he looked at my figure? Did he remember how tiny I’d been and wish that my body had not filled out into womanly curves? No, don’t do that, I told myself. Cole thought I was attractive. That much was obvious. There had always been an electricity between us, even back when we were kids. Now it seemed to have gathered speed and weight, like the storm outside.
I sat on the toilet seat for a moment to gather myself. Was I ready for all of this? Two nights in a row, I’d stayed over but we hadn’t done anything but kiss and talk. If I stayed over tonight, we would not be able to resist. At least, I wouldn’t be able to. A twinge of guilt hit me. Was it right to enjoy myself after the disconcerting conversation with Thea?
I couldn’t do this and then walk away from him again. This could never be only a casual fling or a walk down memory lane to satisfy a fantasy. I’d known it when we were kids, and I knew it now. Cole Paisley was the one. He belonged here in Logan Bend. I belonged wherever he was.
All of the ugliness of my sister’s murder could be pushed away for tonight. I’d been waiting for Cole to return to me my entire life. Too much of my life had been about tragedy. This night, with Cole, was just for me. No obligations. No guilt. No trying to compensate for Beth’s loss by being the most devoted daughter in the history of all daughters.
He’d poured us both a glass of red wine by the time I returned with my wet clothes in my hands.
“Let me put those in the dryer for you.” He directed me to sit on the couch and start on the wine. I did as he asked and curled up on one end of the couch. Moonshine had gotten over her fears and was now on the dog bed with Duke.
“You warming up?” Cole asked as he joined me on the couch.
“All but my feet.”
He patted his thighs. “Give them here. I’ll rub them.”
I hesitated. On his lap? There was something so intimate about a man holding bare feet in his hands. Feet were almost as vulnerable as the spot between my legs. They told the story of a life. Would he feel the calluses and dry spots?
“Come on now,” he said. “Your feet are pretty like the rest of you.”
“How did you know what I was thinking?”
“Because I would never let you see my feet this close up.”
“I’m sure they’re fine.” I swung my legs onto the couch and let him take my feet into his hands. He held them between his palms before pressing his thumb into my arch. I almost moaned with pleasure. Who knew that a foot rub could waken all the other parts of a body too?
“Ford’s going to bring Thea in for questioning,” I said. “Do you remember who she dated back then?”
He shook his head. “Honestly, I barely remember her.”
“Never mind,” I said. “I promised myself I wouldn’t talk about all of this tonight. I want to focus on you.”
His eyes were serious as he leaned closer and brushed his thumb across my bottom lip. “I like that idea.”
Goose bumps traveled up my arms. “I’d like to stay tonight. Not to sleep.”
His eyes darkened. He trailed a finger over the sensitive skin on the top of my foot and spoke softly. “I’ve been daydreaming about the future.”
“And?”
“This is going to make me sound like a total sap, but I’ve been thinking about the holidays. Having everyone here for Christmas dinner. My brothers and nieces. Brooke and your mom and Joseph. The big family gatherings I always wanted.”
“I want that too.”
His forehead wrinkled as he reached for his glass of wine. “Staying here for me—is that the right reason?”
“What could be a better one?”
His mouth slowly curved into a smile. “Actually, I don’t know.”
“I want to be where you are. It’s been long enough. Brooke loves to ski.” I filled with joy at the thought of my daughter being here with us for Christmas. Us. I was already thinking about everything as an us.
“Do you think she’ll like me?” Cole asked.
“How could she not?”
“What about me with you? Will she like that?”
“She wants me to be happy. You make me happy. End of story.”
“If you say so,” he said.
“Let’s go upstairs. I’m ready.”
“Before dinner?”
“Dinner can wait.” I stood, tugging his T-shirt down over my hips.
He rose up from the couch. “Listen, you should know, I haven’t done this for a while. And you’re…so beautiful. The woman of my dreams. I’m not sure how much stamina I’ll have.”
Laughing, I put my arms around him. “Then we’ll just have to work toward some stamina. Like exercise. We’ll grow stronger over time. Daily practice is key.”
“I always like daily exercise,” he said.
“Lead the way.” I followed him upstairs, enjoying the way his jeans hugged his backside. Moonshine and Duke followed behind. “Do they sleep in your room?”
“Yeah. They have a bed on the floor.”
“Will we scar them for life?”
“I hope not. They haven’t seen much action. Actually, no action. So we might.”
When we reached the hallway to the second floor, he took my hand and drew me into the dark bedroom. The animals came too but went immediately to their bed.
Cole turned on one bedside lamp and the gas fireplace. I’d slept here with him the first night, but somehow the room seemed different to me. Decorated simply, the
