I roll my eyes and grab his hand.His orbs skim mine before they land on my cast.His jaw clenching intensifies as various emotions flash over his face.The moment the elevator door opens, he hurries out, but when he's midway down the hall, I stomp my heel on the ground.
"Cole Walker!"I yell."You haven't spoken a full sentence to me since we left the hospital."I shrug when he faces me."Did I do something to upset you?"
"What?"His head shoots up, and his eyes pierce mine."I'm not mad or upset with you.I'm furious at myself, and you should be too."
"Huh, why?"I ask, blinking.
"Jesus Christ, Alex, have you seen yourself?"He points to the white cast and the scratches on my body before roaming his hand through his locks.
"I should have protected you, and I fucking failed."He paces through the hall, ruffling his hair."I wasn't in time to stop that bastard from hurting you.Have you any idea what scenarios crossed my mind when I caught him racing towards you?What if you hadn't jumped away in time?What if he hit you or had a gun and used it, for God’s sake, Alex," he says, tugging on his hair."You could have been..."
He stops his sentence and walks away, bridging the gap to his front door.I'm nailed to the floor as he disappears into his penthouse.My brain activity is through the roof, reciting his words, and when they land, my mouth drops.As fast as my feet can go, I rush inside the apartment, and after closing the door, I note the
entrance to the balcony is open.I dash outside where a warm breeze brushing along my skin welcomes me while patches of shadow arise as the sun is retreating.
The magnificent beach scene is still intact, waiting for action.My insides flutter as I reminisce about how incredible our date has been so far.I don't want this stupid incident to overshadow our perfect day.I won't let that asshole stain these memories for us.
My heart aches as I witness Cole standing at the baluster— knuckles white from clutching the railing while his head is hanging between his arms.
My tear ducts fill themselves, and as I walk his way, drops of water flow over my cheek.I wrap my arms around his waist, ignoring my cast and placing my head against his back.
Howcanheblamehimselfforthis?He isn't superman, maybe my personal Thor.But even so, he forgets that what he has done for me so far is incredible.
"Cole, please.This accident isn't your fault.It's the bastard's fault," I hiccup with tears spilling.
He lets go of the baluster and turns.His electric blue orbs penetrate mine as his thumbs remove my tears.The care in his touch embraces my heart on its deepest level."Please don't cry, sweetheart.My goal today was to give you the perfect day.And it ended up in a disaster.I wasn't in time to stop him from hurting you, and it drives me nuts.I can't bear to lose you.Alex, I..."
Gazing back into his stormy clouds, a profound realization hits me."Don't you understand?You gave me the perfect day.Simply being with you is what it takes to make my day complete.With you, I'm the old, confident me and not the terrified woman who’s afraid to go out of the house and who jumps up every time someone touches her.You helped me with that.You pulled me through some hard moments."I lift my hand and stroke my fingers over his beard."I love you."
He lowers his head and places his forehead against mine.The
warm, masculine fragrances—sandalwood and cedar—from his cologne encircle me as the cyclone in his eyes intensifies into a full-on tornado.
"Say that again," he whispers."I love you, Cole Walker."
With a smile warmer than the sun that shone upon us during our mind-blowing 'tie me to the bed' session hours ago, he whispers back, "I love you, too."
He claims my mouth—hot, fiery, passionate, and demanding.These overwhelming emotions spread through every inch of my body as I give in to them.
Minutes pass before our lips part.
"Your words made it official.You're mine and only mine.All rights reserved."
My heart palpitates at his dominant confession—I love it.Not considering my injury, I lift my arms, and instead of swinging them around his neck, I bang my plastered hand against the side of Cole's face.I curse as spears of pain jolt through me.
He chuckles at the flow of swear words leaving my lips and places a soft kiss on my forehead before picking me up bridal style and setting me on the four-poster bed.He fluffs two red pillows and gestures for me to take a seat against them.Once I'm leaning into them, he removes my shoes.
"Now wait here," he commands, while disappearing into the house.Whatisheupto?
A few minutes later, I get my answer, and my mouth waters witnessing a bare-chested Cole coming my way with a sexy, devious smile on his face while holding a plate with a slice of chocolate Boston cream pie in one hand and a glass of water in the other.A draped red blanket is hanging over his right shoulder.
He takes a seat on the bed and places the plate in between us and the blanket near my feet.I take the glass from him, but huff as he opens his hand, showing two tablets.
"Oh, that isn't necessary," I protest.
"Yes, it is.I don't want you to be in pain.The other painkillers will wear off soon.So be my good girl, and take these," he comments in a steady lower-pitch voice.
I raise my chin and roll my eyes at his set jaw and furrowing brows.When he sees my defiance, he lifts his eyebrows.
