He nods and slides closer."I'm here."When his thumb touches my wet cheek, I grab his hand and press my face against it.The warmth of his skin and his familiar scent ground me.Desperate to stop this raging fear, I crawl up and snake my arms around his neck, clinging to him like he's my lifejacket.
With my face snuggled into the crook of his neck, I close my eyes and whimper, "P-please, make it stop."
"Keep breathing, Alex."
He scoops me up bridal style and carries me to the couch."You're safe.He will never hurt you again.I promise," he says, stroking my back with his palm.
"But he already is.How can I forget when he keeps tormenting me like this?"
"We'll find him and put a stop to it.I'm calling the cops."
When he reaches for his phone, I tug at his shirt and lift my head to look at him."N-no, please.I can't do that now."Another tear falls, landing on his pristine white shirt.
He lets out a tense exhale."Okay...but we'll go to the police first thing tomorrow morning.And I'm coming with you."
Too tired to argue, I nod and rest my head back against his torso."God, I hate being weak."
A strong finger lifts my chin."Look at me," he says in a soft but serious tone.As I stare into his stormy skies, his thumb caresses my skin."Showing your emotions doesn't make you weak.It strengthens you.You learn how to deal with them through experience.So I never want to hear you call yourself weak again.Am I clear?"
"Yes, sir," I answer with a weak smile.
I place my head back on his chest."Thank you, Cole."
"You're welcome, Alex."
His hands return to my back, caressing my skin in circular motions, and I love it.Being in his embrace, surrounded by his warmth and scent while listening to his steady heartbeat, makes me feel safe and secure.This is the only place I want to be at this moment.I need him.
The realization hits me like a thunderbolt.
My body tenses, and Cole must feel it because his hands still on my back."What's wrong?"
"Nothing," I lie, burying my face deeper into his shirt, inhaling his scent.But my mind races.This isn't part of our agreement.These feelings weren't supposed to happen.
His arms tighten around me, and for now, I let myself pretend this is more than just a contract between us.Just for tonight, I'll allow myself to need him this way.
Tomorrow, I'll be strong again.Tomorrow, I'll face the police and deal with my stalker.Tomorrow, I'll remember this is just business between us.
But tonight, in Cole Walker's arms, I'm exactly where I need to be.
18
COLE
Chapter 19
The pink and purple sunrise bleeds across the Boston skyline as I stretch on my balcony, savoring my morning ritual.Frantic footsteps and muttered curses shatter my peace.Inside, Samantha's throwing books and lunch into her backpack like she's racing against a ticking bomb.
"Good morning, Sam.What's the rush?"
"Late."She barely spares me a glance, jamming another book into her already bulging bag."So late."
I check my watch—8:25 a.m."Didn't class start an hour later today?"
"Yes, but—" She huffs, wrestling with her zipper."I'm meeting a friend at 8:15.He's waiting."
My eyebrow arches."He?"
Samantha freezes, her throat working as she swallows."Oh, I mean she.A girl from school."Her laugh comes too quick, too high."Trying to make new friends, you know?And now I'm totally blowing it."
