Naia
My hands tremble as I grip my keys, waiting for Cole's reply.
I can't believe I was so bold as to invite him in. What am I thinking? I barely know the man.
Though he did save my life, so perhaps it's not such a strange invitation.
Cole raises a brow and nods quickly, "Yes, that would be nice. Thank you, Naia."
Slipping the key into the lock, I open the door, motioning for Cole to follow me inside.
I flick the light switch on and glance around the room, remembering I've only just moved to town.
"I apologize; I don't have much in the way of furniture yet." I tuck my head in embarrassment as I look around my empty apartment.
Cole waves a dismissive hand.
"It's a nice place," He says as he grins, walking over to the window and looking out over the town. “And with a great
"Yeah, it's not too bad. . . ” I nod awkwardly, trying to remember my manners. “Um, can I get you something to drink?"
Suddenly, I remember that my kitchen is actually pretty sparse at the moment. I haven’t exactly settled in yet, so my fridge and pantry are a far cry from stocked.
"Sure, I could use a drink." Cole walks up behind me as I open the fridge.
All but bare. . .
“Well, I’ve got some bottled water,” I offer, an apologetic smile on my face. “Sorry, I have yet to get to the grocery store.”
He walks over to me, his smile making my knees weak. “Water is perfect,” He says, taking the bottle from me.
Before I can open my bottle, he takes it from me and loosens it, handing it back to me.
My face flushes at his simple yet chivalrous act. “Thank you.”
Surely, he's just being nice after finding me in the park in such a terrible state; I try not to read too much into it.
Something that I can’t ignore is the obvious sparks that seem to erupt between us. There’s no way I’m the only one who feels this.
Maybe it’s the way he moves around me, or how his eyes always seem to find mine, or the way that he can’t help but smile, showing little hints of dimples on his cheeks. Something about him is so captivating, and he’s already got me under his spell.
He's a work of art.
Cole leans forward, tucking my hair behind my ear, sending chills all over my body, "You're welcome, Naia."
The tone of his voice thrills me to the core. How can one man be so seductive, alluring, and sexy?
I shiver as his eyes bore into mine; I'm definitely not imagining his flirtations or lingering touches. The way his fingers rubbed against mine as he handed me the bottle of water.
No matter how innocent, his every touch sends fire through my veins.
This isn't in my head. His smile is contagious, and I find myself grinning like a fool as I sip my water.
A moment of silence washes over us, and I worry I should say something to strike up a conversation. Usually, you can’t get me to stop talking. I suffer from word vomit. Cole though? It seems the man renders me speechless.
Which sucks, considering I’ll need to actually talk to him if I want to keep him around.
Maybe it has something to do with having this very hot man in my kitchen, or it could be that I was just attacked hours ago.
My mind goes blank as I search for something, anything. I'm a smart girl; I've read many books, seen many films, and been to various plays. I should have something to talk about.
The more I try and think, the longer it’s quiet.
Oh God! You’re blowing it!
Awkwardly, I look up at his extremely handsome face, my face heating up once more as his eyes bare into my soul.
"What is it?" Cole raises a brow in question.
"Oh, nothing. I was just admiring your dimples." A bead of sweat forms on my brow as I try not to show how visibly mortified I am by confessing that.
I don't usually flirt like this, and I certainly don't tell men I like their dimples. What has gotten into me?
Cole's smile widens, showing his brilliant white teeth. "Why, thank you." His cheeks redden, and I realize I've flattered him, which only makes me blush further.
Okay, how did that work for him? Either he’s embarrassed and just being polite, or he’s actually into me too.
As the minutes roll on, our bodies keep moving closer and closer to one another, as if something magnetic connects the two of us.
Cole gives me a knowing smile as if he can read my mind, and I glance away, embarrassed.
The silence swells, and my palms sweat as I search for something clever to say,
The way he captivates me is something completely new to me. How do I pull out of this?
We’ve only just met, but the way he looks at me makes my heart want to jump right out of my chest.
Am I moving too fast? How does one even define ‘too fast?’
I wonder if his mind is racing like this? Does he feel as nervous as I do?
Imagining that anything could make him nervous is silly. He's so commanding and confident.
Cole clears his throat, pulling me back to the present and out of my own head. "So, other than being mugged and beaten, how are you liking Reece Point?"
His sense of humor catches me off guard, and I shake my head, letting out a soft laugh, "Well, it's been pretty great until last night, of course."
Cole's expression grows serious, and I reflect on what happened in the park. It's so crazy that I don't remember the details.
I shake my head, dismissing the thought, and lean against the kitchen sink. Cole notices my discomfort and reaches a hand out, placing it on my shoulder.
"I'm so sorry for what happened to you, Naia. I wish I could have found you sooner." Cole's eyes are filled with sadness and regret.
"It's not your fault; you had no idea I was going to be out for a run. I'm just glad you found me when you did. Thank you for all you've done to help me." I sip from my water bottle as Cole assesses me with thoughtful eyes.
"Of course, anytime." Cole gently pats my shoulder; even that slight gesture sends chills all over my body.
I've never known anyone to affect me like this. It’s all new and exciting, and if I’m being honest, I’m fighting the urge to pounce on his sculpted body.
Okay, maybe that is rushing into things a bit. Maybe I just need sleep.
There's something about him that I can't put my finger on. He's mysterious, handsome, and likely has plenty of women knocking down his door.
But he probably saved my life—I could have died if he hadn’t found me in the park. I think I’m entitled to a little hero worship.
Cole's eyes glisten in the overhead light, and I'm smitten.
"Tell me about your family." Cole leans back against the kitchen counter.
Oh, that’s right. With all that happened, I almost forgot the reason I actually left my apartment in the first place.
My family is something that I would really rather not get into right now.
"Oh, that's a long story. I’d rather keep the mood light tonight." I sigh, hoping that I didn’t just ruin the mood anyways.
Sometimes stuff like that just slips out. And It was the truth. Years and years of gambling and struggling and using me, that doesn’t really scream date me.
"Ah. Well, I’m enjoying the mood, so I won’t push any further tonight" Cole winks at me. “By the way, no family is perfect, I get it. Mine act like a bunch of wild animals.”
"Don’t they all?" I laugh nervously. “Thank you for understanding.”
"No problem. So, listen, now that you're home safe and settled in, I was wondering if maybe you'd like to go out sometime?" His words fly out so fast I barely catch them. I can sense how nervous he is.
Was he silent that whole time trying to figure out how to ask me out? How sweet. He just keeps racking up
"Go out?" I repeat, making sure I heard him correctly.
I was not imagining things; he really was flirting with me.
"Yes, out, on a date." Cole grins, and my knees feel weak.
"Absolutely!” I say, a little too excitedly. “I mean, yeah, sure. . . I'd like that," I say, dialing it back.
"Wonderful." Cole leans closer to me, and his body heat radiates toward me, pulling me closer before I realize what I'm doing.
Our lips draw dangerously close to one another, and my heart pounds like a drum.
This is it. I’ve been wanting to kiss him since we were in the coffee shop.
Cole's eyes look deep into mine as he softly strokes my cheek.
My hands tremble slightly as I wait for his lips to touch mine.
Anticipation surges through me as my body temperature rises. His lips look so soft and inviting as he gently bites the bottom one.
Something deep within
I don't know that I've ever wanted someone so bad.
Just as our lips are about to meet, Cole jerks his head back, shaking his head. "Oh, god, I'm so sorry, but I've just remembered I have to be somewhere.
My heart sinks as I take a step back. "Oh, right now? Okay."
Disappointment consumes me as Cole turns away from me.
"I'm truly sorry," Cole calls as he rushes to the door, yanking it open. “This has nothing to do with you, I seriously have to be somewhere. But we are still going on that date, right?”
“Yeah, definitely,” I barely get out before he’s on his way.
In an instant, Cole
A slight
Did I misread things? No, we almost kissed, and he did tell me he still wants to take me out. Then why leave right that second?
Ugh. . .
As I walk back into the living room, I can still smell his cologne, an earthy scent of oak and sandalwood, lingering throughout the
I stare around the empty room, looking at my front door, where Cole just barged away in a hurry.
"Okay, well, bye, I guess." I shrug, still feeling the sting of disappointment and head to the bathroom to change.
Slinking on some sweatpants and a hoodie, I discard my filthy clothes. Blood and mud are smeared across my shirt and leggings. I'm not sure I'll be able to get rid of the stains.
I wash my face, looking at my reflection, and my mind turns back to Cole.
This powerful connection is intense, and he has to feel it too.
Cole is mysterious in a way that is borderline irritating but also incredibly alluring.
It makes me want to know more about him, to break down his walls, and to see the man he is inside.
The fact that he has me like this already is incredible, if not a little scary.
Turning off the light, I head to my room and hop into my bed, my head feeling so much better as it’s relaxing against my pillow.
My thoughts instantly rush back to Cole. No matter what I do, I can’t fight these thoughts, these feelings.
I close my eyes, hoping to find him in my dreams.
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