Page 77 of Ice Cold Heart
Cole cupped my neck and kissed me like I’d been missing for years. I curled my fingers around his wrist, willing him to keep kissing me forever. He eased back to rest his forehead on mine.
“Hi,” he whispered. “You scared me.”
“Told you small towns were dangerous,” I retorted.
He chuckled, shaking his head. “You ready to go, city girl?”
“I love you.” I wasn’t waiting a second longer because with my luck I’d be hit by a bus.
Cole’s brow quirked as pleasure filled his eyes. “Does this mean I win the argument?”
I choked out a laugh, absurdly happy to have him holding me. “Sure.”
He dropped a gentle kiss on my lips. “I love you too.”
“Promise?” I asked, holding up my pinky.
Without hesitation, he linked his finger through mine. “Promise. Are you okay?”
The last little bit of my heart fell, and I accepted I’d never get it back. Every part of it belonged to Cole.
I nodded against his shoulder, wiping my face on his shirt. “Yeah. I think he roofied me. I’m still loopy, and I’m trying really hard not to pass out right here.”
“Did he touch you?” This question came from my dad, who was standing guard over Scott’s crumpled form.
“I don’t think so. I’m still wearing my boots.” I wiggled my foot to prove my point, then giggled.
Now that I wasn’t in imminent danger, I felt slightly drunk. I snuggled into Cole again, ready to sleep for a week.
“Can we go now?”
Cole brushed a kiss over my temple, lifting me into his arms as he stood. “Yeah. Marco, can you call the cops and wait for them to get here?”
“Already done,” he answered.
“I’m taking her to the hospital.” We shifted forward, then stopped abruptly as Dad blocked our path.
“The hell you are,” rumbled my dad. “She’s my daughter. I’m taking her to the hospital.”
Cole tightened his grip on me. “With all due respect sir, she’s my everything. I’m not letting her go. Ever.”
It was the same thing he’d told me last night, but today, all I felt was excitement. Cole was mine, and I wanted all those promises I’d thrown back at him.
“We’re going to talk about this later,” Dad said with a deadly calm.
I felt Cole nod, but I was drifting again. The room was moving, or maybe we were. Someone patted my arm, and I realized I’d closed my eyes. I blinked up at Marco, who gave me a soft smile.
“Call me when you come out of it,” he said, then stepped back.
I nodded, aware I’d probably forget the whole exchange. “Cole can remind me.”
His chest rumbled with a laugh under my cheek. “Your dad is here too.”
“Him too,” I mumbled.
“I’ll drive,” Dad said from somewhere by my feet.
We moved again, and I didn’t bother trying to open my eyes. Cole would take care of me. He’d always take care of me, as long as I let him.