29. Cole

Chapter 29

Cole

“Oh, thank god.” Relief flooded my veins, and it was twofold.

One, Madi was here, and she was okay. Two, she bid on me, which had to mean she still cared. Maybe I still had a chance with her after all.

Okay, my reasons were threefold. She was stunning tonight. I stared at her without words, my heart beating straight out of my chest. She was gorgeous in a russet-colored dress, with her beautiful chestnut hair flowing in waves over one shoulder. The dress hugged her curvy hips, and the strapless sweetheart neckline revealed just enough of her cleavage to make me lose what was left of my mind.

Nervously, she bit her lip and ran straight to the platform—to me, where Abigail and Riley quickly joined her.

“Thank you,” I mouthed, smiling when she gave a subtle nod.

“Would anyone else like to place a bid?” Monica asked.

I squinted into the lights, scowling into the crowd with a silent warning to let it go.

“Do not even think about it,” Abigail warned Mrs. Hadley, who glared at her as she shrugged, picking up her glass and sipping it with deliberate nonchalance.

Maybe she was over her preoccupation with me now that Madi was here, and she would be risking the embarrassment of being shot down in public. One could only hope.

“Going once, twice, Cole Sutter is sold to Madison Winslow for five hundred dollars! We’ll see you two tomorrow night at dinner.”

I hopped off the platform, and we all hustled over to the side of the room.

Monica moved on to start the bidding on Pace. Lucky for me, he was a handsome motherfucker because no one except for the town’s hardcore gossips paid me any mind when I left the platform.

“Don’t worry, Madi.” Abigail pulled her in for a hug. “I wasn’t buying him for myself. Riley said to get him for you no matter what it cost. We were thinking of him as an early Christmas present. For once, we knew what you wanted.”

“You’re a nut.” Madi laughed. “But I appreciate it.”

“Oh, good lord, Abigail,” Riley burst out, shaking her head.

“What? I couldn’t let that old cougar get him either,” she muttered under her breath. “I’ve seen her in action at Bookers. She doesn’t understand the word no and can’t keep her hands to herself. It’s not okay for women to be that way either, you know. Everyone deserves to have boundaries.”

“Thanks, Abigail.” I smiled at her. “You had me worried for a minute there.”

“Sorry about that. I mean, yeah, I flirted with you that one time”—she aimed a glare toward the Hadleys at their table before turning back to me—“but unlike some people, I know how to take a damn hint. Friends?” She held her hand to me, and I shook it with a grin.

“Of course.”

“Let me know if you need help with that old horndog.”

“I hope I won’t have to take you up on it. I only have eyes for one woman in this town.”

“Aww! I love this.” She waved her hand between Madi and me. “It would be my pleasure. All it will cost you is a margarita at Bookers and you making my baby sister smile again.”

“Abigail! Jeez,” Madi muttered.

“Okay, okay,” Riley interrupted. “The Winslow sisters have your back, Cole. And, Mom, it took you guys long enough to get here. I thought Abigail would end up having to actually buy him.”

“Traffic was terrible,” her mother answered. “And parking was ridiculous. We should have had plenty of time. I’m glad to see you, Cole.”

“You as well. Thank you for coming.”

“Okay, okay.” Gigi clapped her hands, taking control of the situation. “Come on, girls. Let’s go to your table and leave these two alone.”

I stopped her to ask. “Gigi, can you ask Quinn to drive the kids home and watch them for me? Evan is with him, and Nat is with Dexter’s family at their table. I have to talk to Madi.”

She grinned hugely. “Absolutely, and if he can’t, I will. Go. Take as long as you need.”

They went back to their table.

Madi was mine. We were meant for each other, and it was time to tell her exactly how I felt about her.

I pulled her into a dark corner. “It looks like you were the one to rescue me tonight.” When our eyes met, I knew everything would be okay. “Thank you.”

She broke into a slow, sweet smile. “You’re welcome.”

I was hers, heart and soul. No doubts were left in my mind.

“Will you forgive me for last night?”

“Yes, of course I will.” Her eyes brimmed with tenderness as she ran her hands up my chest to rest on my neck. “And I’m sorry too—for pushing you. I shouldn’t have done that. You weren’t ready.”

“No, it’s okay. You told me what you needed, and I should have taken a breath and done the same. I was just stuck in my head and convinced I couldn’t give it to you. A lot has hit me in the last few months, and I was overwhelmed. I should have been honest with you about what was happening instead of letting it build up in my mind.”

“I understand. And I know what we have is new. But I’ve never felt this much for someone this fast. It was like I met you, then all at once, I had these out-of-control feelings building up, and I didn’t know how to handle it either.”

“You said you wouldn’t beg for scraps of what you deserve. I want you to know you’ll never have to—not with me.”

“I love that.” Her expression grew serious. “And I want to be that person for you too, Cole.”

“I never should have let you go. I’ll burn my entire life down before I let you leave it again.” I pulled her into my arms, whispering into her ear, “I’m falling in love with you, Madi.”

She tilted her head back to meet my eyes. “I want you, Cole Sutter. I want to be with you more than anything, and I’m falling for you too. Can we get out of here?”

I grabbed her hand and led her through the tables to the exit.