Chapter 11

CHAPTER 11

AINSLE Y

I’m glad I spent the day doing laundry and tidying the house. My hard work of unpacking and getting everything sorted out is now paying off with Cole coming over. Not that I’m a messy person, but it takes time when you’ve just moved to get everything in its place. I fling my meeting notes on the kitchen table and quickly check my appearance in the hall mirror, smoothing my hair out before pottering around the kitchen. I grab out my nice pottery coffee mugs. It’s like my version of breaking out the good China when someone important comes over. And Cole is someone special.

My fingers absently find my lips again, tracing them over while I think back to that kiss under the moonlight earlier before dinner — my golly, his lips are spectacular. And the way he kept looking at me with those intense, liquid honey eyes over the table at the meeting. I’m sure Pastor Rick cottoned on to what we were up to, but I can’t be certain. I can’t help my reaction to him; accelerated breathing, pebbled nipples and heat pooling between my thighs. I had to clench them together under the table.

There’s nothing that this man can’t do. I can’t even imagine what it would be like to be with him for real… in bed. I mean, I can because I’ve been thinking about it, but it’s also an intimidating thought. I haven’t had much experience, and things weren’t exactly passionate with my ex. In fact, I’m not even sure I like sex. Which is pretty dumb, sex is pretty basic, right?

It takes a while for me to get to know a guy and feel comfortable. Cole just seems so wise in the ways of the world, and so experienced. I don’t know if I’d even measure up to his expectations — or even what those expectations are?

I mean, I know now that he’s into me, that much seems certain. He was certainly acting like it in the restaurant, and he didn’t have to touch me or call me babe.

I just never thought I’d be his type… I’m still struggling with that part.

A knock at the back door has my body stupidly jumping, sending my wayward thoughts on their way. I know it’s him, but that firm rap on the wood seems to jolt me out of my reverie and back to the present moment. My heart flutters and the butterflies dance in my stomach. I smooth out the top of my hair again, still tied up in a high pony, and I move to the door to let him in.

My pulse continues to strum when he’s standing in front of me with that cheeky smile playing around his lips. He leans against the doorjamb.

“Any chance of a cup of sugar from my sexy little neighbor? I seem to have run out.”

I laugh and hold a palm up to my face to hide my embarrassment. I don’t know if this will get any easier with him. “Always with the sugar, huh?”

He laughs too, as I invite him in with a flick of my wrist. “I bet you don’t even have any, do you?” he says.

“Some would say I’m sweet enough.”

His eyes dance with amusement as he glances around when I welcome him inside. “I like what you’ve done with the place.” My kitchen is compact, with a round pine dining table over to one side and white timber cabinets lining the walls. There’s an old-fashioned dresser next to the table storing all my pottery and special things.

“I’m trying to make it my own.” I feel comfortable in this space. It’s cozy. It’s even cozier with Cole in my home, taking up all the space. All six feet of him in his dark jeans and navy blue flannel shirt. He’s so damned sexy and smells like a dream.

“You’ve achieved that. Mr. and Mrs. Curruthers liked clutter, and those little porcelain dolls from the home shopping channel. Used to scare the heck out of Fudge.”

I laugh. “Help yourself to a seat. How do you like it?” I gesture to the coffee machine.

When he doesn’t respond, I turn and look over my shoulder at him as he leans back on the table with a grin, holding my notes. “How do I like it?”

I feel the heat in my body rising again, spreading to not just my face, but everywhere . Jesus, will the blush ever stop returning around him? “Your coffee,” I say, meekly.

“I like it strong and in your face, with a little hint of sweetness.”

Trying not to balk at his words seems like an impossible task right now. This man! “Milk or cream?” I ask, trying desperately to concentrate on the coffee making.

“Cream.”

I gulp as he smiles lazily. I see him glancing down at my notes from the meeting. “What about foam?” I ask. “I can whip milk into a frenzy.” I’m also wondering how he makes coffee sound lik e the sexiest thing in the universe.

He chuckles. “I’ll bet.”

I lose grip of the milk carton as it drops onto the counter, spilling all over the place. “Shoot.” I quickly grab a dishcloth, my back to him. “Did I mention I’m a klutz?” I turn and he’s already behind me.

“Allow me.” He grabs the cloth and wipes up the milk on the countertop. “It’s my fault for tryin’ to make you flustered.”

I smile when I say, “You never fail to do that.” All it took was innuendo around dairy products to get me all fired up. My body’s reaction to Cole is palpable. It’s no secret he sets my heart racing at the smallest things.

I grab the milk jug and start frothing, thankful for a moment’s distraction.

“I think Pastor Rick is onto us,” Cole says out of nowhere.

“I was trying so hard not to laugh at the meeting,” I admit. “Though if we are fake dating, then it’ll corroborate the story.”

He leans on the counter when he’s done cleaning my mess. “I’m not so sure we can call it that anymore, can we, babe?”

I press my lips firmly together, afraid of any words coming out in a squeak. Why do I love it when he calls me that? “I admit, the lines are getting a little blurred.”

“The blurrier, the better sometimes.”

I can’t help but laugh at his nonchalant attitude. He just has this easy way about him that I think is starting to rub off on me.

“I’m glad I make you laugh. Life can be way too serious.”

“There’s no fear of that with you around. ”

He walks back over to the table where I left my notes and pulls out a chair. What was it he liked? Strong, bold and in your face? Something about a hint of sweetness… The gauntlet has been set as I do my best to make our drinks without any further fumbling.

“I think you definitely shocked the hell out of Cassie,” I say as I busy myself.

He pinches the bridge of his nose. “I have no words. But despite that, I enjoyed myself tonight.”

“Me too.”

“And it’s clear your note taking is top tier,” he says, his eyes lifting from the pages when I place his coffee in front of him. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome. I didn’t want you to miss out on any itty bitty details. I’m surprised Mayor Lockwood is even considering the snowball fight. Though, she’s outvoted, and even she can’t deny the money we’d raise with the entry fee. It’d be hard to pass up.”

“Oh, I know. I love how she sits there all smiles for Pres and Trav, but looks down her nose at us. Like it isn’t the best idea in a long time. Okay, it’s not a forty-foot snowman or an ice skating rink, but it won’t cost much, just some free snow.”

My shoulders shake with a little laugh as I pour my latte. “She’s going through a divorce. She’s usually a pussycat.”

He takes a sip as I slide into the seat next to him. “Mmmm,” he hums appreciatively. “This is good, Shorty.”

My insides cave in at his words; they reverberate deeply from his throat.

Has his voice always been that deep? I know it has, but it’s all that more confronting in the tiny space of my kitchen. He waves my notes in front of me as I settle in.

“I see they proposed the snowball fight in the main park, next to the Rockefeller Center ice skating rink. Nice.”

“Travis made me pull out all stops to make sure his vote was in for a similar theme to last year, given its popularity.”

“I’m one of the suckers that helps build the thing,” he announces. “As well as put up that giant Frosty. It’s a pain in the ass to assemble, not to mention, having to take it down and store it away for the other eleven months of the year.”

“Oh my, it caused such a stir that first year when he waltzed in with his fancy ideas. He really gave Pres a run for her money, schmoozing the council and Mayor Lockwood.”

“Yeah, come to think of it, they seemed fine about all those changes that year. Remember when all we had was decorating the town Christmas tree?”

“Trav definitely changed things up,” I agree. “I think Jessica is just worried about public liability, but I mean, it’s just snow. How much trouble could one really get in?” When I glance at him over my coffee cup, he smiles and gives me a wink.

“You’d be surprised.”

I laugh a little nervously. I hear it in my own voice.

“You know I wasn’t kidding the night at the dance,” he says, taking another appreciative sip of his coffee. I don’t mean to watch his lips linger at the rim of his mug, or how when he pulls them away and sets his mug down, he licks his bottom lip.

“Which part?” I ask on a shaky breath.

“All the parts.”

“I thought you were just acting like you are into me for my ex’s sake, but tonight in the parking lot… and then in the restaurant. ”

He laughs quietly under his breath. “None of it was acting, trust me. I like you, Ainsley. Really like you. I’m just sorry that I took this long to do something about it.”

I blink a few times and focus on the top of my mug… since when did that get so damned interesting? I open my mouth but no words come out.

“You’re doing it again,” he says softly.

I raise my eyebrows in question.

“Going all quiet when I say something nice to you.”

“Occupational hazard,” I joke.

“I get it, if you’re not ready?—”

“No!” I start. “It’s like what I was saying before, I’m not used to it. And you’re you and I’m me . I’m fine with who I am, really. But I know I’m never gonna be tall, blonde or curvy.”

“You don’t have to be. I like you just how you are.” He sighs and sits back in his chair. “I’m not putting any pressure on you, Ainsley. I would never do that. All I know is I’ve liked you a lot since the speed dating thing last year.”

That was almost a year ago and now I think about it, he has been quiet on the dating scene for a while. I mean, has he not seen anyone since then? “I liked the way you jumped in to help at the last minute and kept the crowd under control. You took control and I find that really admirable. Smart is sexy to me, always has been,” he goes on.

I adjust my glasses, trying to structure my next words. “Well, when I have my mind set on something, I kinda just go for it.”

“What about when it comes to men?”

I try not to choke on the hot liquid as I sip. Holy heck . Nope, definitely not with men. “Not exactly.” I pause, it’s like my brain is running in slow motion. “Wait. You’ve reall y liked me since nearly a year ago?”

He pops a shoulder. “I enjoyed myself that night, and not because of the other speed daters.”

“Why didn’t you say something?”

“Well, like you said, you were on and off with Drake at the time, and I didn’t know if you were into me. That’s the thing, usually I can tell with women, but you’re a little harder to figure out.”

I press my lips together. “I am?”

“Yes, and I’m not saying it’s a bad thing.”

“I just didn’t think I’d be your type,” I say honestly.

He bites his lip and my eyes watch the indent it makes as he releases it. “You’re forgetting one crucial thing about me, Ains. I don’t have a type.”

If that isn’t music to my ears, then I don’t know what is. I also don’t want to act like I’m some dowdy nerd with no chance in Hell with a guy like Cole. I’m pretty around the edges, I can appreciate that. I’m small and keep myself fit and healthy enough with a decent-ish body underneath. I’ve learned to tame my wild hair; to the best of my ability, anyway.

He also likes the strong, bold type. I tell myself. I just don’t know if I am at that point. He’s giving me compliments left, right and center and it’s taking everything in me to accept them.

“Do you?” he asks. “Have a type?”

“No, not really. Though, my past taste in men leaves little to be desired, as you now know. I don’t run to the bad boys, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

He chuckles. “Hey, I don’t think that. People pretend to be good all the time. They put their best foot forward, but it’s all fake once you’re past the honeymoon period. Dating is about putting the effort in, regardless of how long it’s been. ”

“That’s so true. And, I don’t mean to bring it up, but you have quite the reputation with the ladies of Silver Pines and beyond,” I say.

He folds his arms across his chest, settling into his seat like I’m about to tell him some interesting good night story. “Is that so?” He piques a brow.

“Yes, it is so.” My lips quirk. “I’m not saying it’s a bad thing. But a bad-boy construction worker doesn’t exactly pair with a small town librarian. Some would say.”

He laughs heartily, so much so, I put my mug down and glare at him. “Cole! Are you laughing at me?”

He waves his arms in front of him. “Not at you, baby girl ; at the situation. And for the record, I don’t care what other people say or think. Contrary to popular belief, I’m no bad boy — I mean, I can be as bad as the next guy if it means protecting a woman’s honor.”

The way he says baby girl . Oh my, that sounds hot. And I can be as bad as the next guy… “I’m grateful for you saying that, and for what you did. I was contemplating kneeing Drake in the nuts as a Plan B.”

“That I’d pay money to see.”

“I like the way you say, baby girl,” I whisper.

He glances up at me and our eyes lock. The chemistry dances around us again, touching the edges and making me feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside… and tingly on the outside. The rush of blood pounds in my ears, and the heat between my legs is making me dizzy.

“It suits you.”

“Better than Shorty.”

He chuckles. “Don’t touch Shorty, that one’s mine.”

Is it just me, or is he leaning closer as I in advertently move toward him? He’s like a magnet pulling me in.

“Yeah,” I whisper as his fingers touch me on the arm. Light strokes dance along my skin, causing gooseflesh all over me. I cinch closer still, our faces an inch apart, but he doesn’t kiss me. He leans right in, pulling his chair toward me and breathes into my neck.

I sigh, feeling his warm breath skating along my heated flesh, his nose brushing over my jaw.

“You smell good,” he whispers against my neck. “Good enough to eat.”

Thank God for my marshmallow fragrance. It’s a sweet scent, which skirts around a sugar magnolia, vanilla and rose combination, with top notes of marshmallow.

My heart rate skips a beat at hearing his words and my body floods with warmth. “Cole,” I murmur. “You’re so sexy.” Other than his mouth ghosting my neck, he’s still not touching me and my insides are literally humming with anticipation.

“ You’re sexy.” His lips brush against my pulse point as he plants soft, sweet kisses down my neck. He lights up the fire inside me that I’m struggling to contain. I squeeze my thighs together, hoping that might help.

“This bodysuit is driving me crazy.”

“You like it?” I murmur back, wanting to grab him and pull him closer to me, but I keep my palms firmly pressed together in my lap where they’re safe.

“Oh, I love it, baby girl.”

He lifts his mouth to just under my ear lobe, making a noise that shoots straight to my core, and I can no longer keep my paws off him. I slide my hands up his arms and squeeze his biceps as he trails kisses all the way along my jaw. Then he finds my lips, pressing his to mine.

He kisses me with slow intenti on, like his mouth is making love to mine. It’s sensual, sexy and oh, so Cole.

Everything about him is like this.

I move my mouth against his as he switches sides without losing connection. I slide my body closer to his, realizing I’m almost in his lap as our thighs touch and my hands continue to slide up to his shoulders.

I love kissing him. A whole other world awaits where his lips are concerned. As for the rest of him? My God.

I pull back to look at him after a moment. The heat rushing to my face, my body is practically on fire.

“You okay?” He raises one hand to smooth back a flyaway piece of hair from my ponytail.

“Perfect,” I murmur. “But I need you to touch me, Cole.”

“Yeah?” He tilts his head. “Is that what you need?”

“Mmm hmm.” I’m lost again as he leans back in, the same time his hands run over my shoulders and then down my sides. The light touch of his fingers grazes my hips, then travels back up and finally he moves his hands to the front, cupping my breasts. My nipples are taut and needy.

I nearly buck off the seat when I feel his warmth against them. His palms rubbing over and over, then he gently tugs on both peaks with his thumbs and forefingers.

I moan out incoherently and I’m about to crawl into his lap when a loud crash behind us, followed by a loud meow, makes us both jump about ten feet in the air. He releases his touch and we pull apart, glancing over to the cat flap.

Neither of us can contain our amusement as we burst into laughter, seeing Fudge standing there looking at us pointedly. I don’t know why he came crashing in like that, but here he stands.

Perfect timing, Fudgey.