Page 94 of Stolen Summer

Was that why I was so drawn to him?

Huffing at my reflection, I stared into my eyes while battling my inner demons. Screw it. I’d already taken so many chances with Cole. Mistake or not, what did it matter? At least this time when I left, I wouldn’t be riddled with regrets and pondering what-ifs.

What if I slept with Cole? What if I let myself just feel? What if I fell in love? I’d already lost my heart. How much more damage could one night in his bed do? I didn’t believe in that kind of love. I believed lasting love was built over time.

Time Cole and I didn’t have.

We’d both go back to our lives soon, and this would be nothing but a stolen summer. He’d become that rich boy who stole and broke my heart. A story I could tell my daughters about that one time I’d followed my heart.

I made up my mind.

The house was hot as balls as I left my room, padding into the hallway like a woman on a mission. I wore only a loose tee that grazed the tops of my thighs because it was too humid to put on clothes or have fabric touch my skin.

I halted outside Cole’s door. It was open and I just had to walk through. I still had time to change my mind and turn around. Or…I could take a risk and go after something I wanted. And with all the chaos lately, what I wanted was to feel something good.

Stepping forward, I lingered in the doorway, my gaze panning Cole’s room until I spotted him lying on his bed. His head twisted to the side, and our eyes latched. At that moment, any uncertainties I had about what I was about to do vanished. I knew what I wanted…knew I’d made up my mind. I wasn’t leaving this room unless Cole rejected me, which was always a possibility but seemed unlikely given the weeks of sexual tension buzzing like a disturbed beehive.

I pulled my lip between my teeth, my eyes drifting from his face. Perhaps I should be grateful the AC went out instead of cursing it. Cole’s abs glistened from sweat, and my fingers pressing into the door frame itched to touch him.

Damp dark hair curled against the white pillow as if he’d recently showered to cool off, not that it did much good. He’d been scrolling through his phone, which he dropped beside him.

With his eyes on me, I sauntered to the bed, my steps slow but deliberate. Without speaking a word, I climbed onto the mattress, straddling Cole. His eyes never wavered from mine, and his hands instantly went to my hips as if he feared I would change my mind and leave.

There was no chance of that happening.

I wanted this.

I fucking wanted him.

Just once.

Then I could forget him.

No regrets.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Sheer white curtains danced in the breeze blowing off the ocean, the only saving grace in this godforsaken heat. Things were about to get hotter.

My heart beat so fast as I watched the gold flecks in Cole’s eyes flare. This was the moment where he either took me to heaven or kicked me to hell.

The air grew thicker, and for once today, it didn’t bother me, not when my body buzzed with desire. And he hadn’t even touched me yet.

I wanted to forget that a world lived outside this room. And I wanted to forget all the problems that existed beyond this bed.

“What are you doing?” Huskiness edged his voice.

I trapped him between my thighs, and the loose shorts he wore hid nothing of his arousal. My insides stirred awake. “Whatever you want.”

His hands splayed on either side of my hips moved to the small of my back in an unhurried caress. “Do you know what you’re doing?”

The air was thick with the hum of cicadas, the distant sound of waves lapping against the shore, and the sweet fragrance of wildflowers carried on a gentle breeze. “Honestly, no, but I don’t care anymore. I want this. I want you. Even if it is just for today.”

His fingers glided down to the side of my upper thighs, radiating a trail of tingles, as he sat up on the bed, bringing our bodies flush. “There’s no going back, Killer,” he whispered.

My arms wound around his neck, and I pressed further into him, my eyes darting to his mouth, to the lip ring taunting me. “I don’t want to think. Can you handle that?”

His lips curled. “That’s like asking if I can breathe.” The pad of his thumb brushed the inside of my thigh. “I warned you,” he murmured.