Chapter 35

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

Cole

Adriana is shaking like a leaf when we get into my house. I put her bags down in the hall and turn around to face her.

“Baby, come here.” I say as I open my arms for her.

She walks straight into my arms and wraps hers around me. I don’t know how long we stay like this, but I know my girl needs it.

“Let’s go get you settled and changed. Then maybe we can eat if you are hungry.” I say to her.

“Okay.” she answers just above a whisper.

I pick her bags back up and lead the way to my bedroom.

“Did you want to stay in here or in a guest room? It’s up to you.”

“I don’t think I’d feel safer anywhere else.” She answers me.

“Good, cause I wouldn’t be able to sleep with you in the house and not next to me to know you are okay.” I tell her.

She comes and kisses my cheek.

“There is space in the closet and the drawers. I’m going to grab a change of clothes and head to the bathroom. Take your time, okay?” I tell her.

I walk ahead of her into the closet to grab shorts, a t-shirt and socks. As I walk out as Adriana is walking in and head straight to the bathroom.

I get changed and go back to the bedroom to wait for Adriana. It doesn’t take long before she is coming out.

“Do you want to shower or maybe take a nice hot bath?” I ask her.

“A hot bath actually sounds amazing.”

“One hot bath for you coming right up.” I tell her.

I go back into the bathroom and start the bath for her.

“Do you have your stuff for the bathroom, babe?” I ask her as I come back into the bedroom.

“Yeah, let me grab my traveling case.” She says as she goes back to get them.

“You know where the towels are. Take your time. Are you hungry? I can order food while you’re in there.”

“I guess I should eat. Can we have Italian, please?” she asks me.

“Of course. Want your usual?”

“Yes, please.”

“You got it, babe. Go enjoy your bath. I’ll be downstairs. Shout if you need me.” I tell her.

I turn and go to close the door, but Adriana stops me with her words.

“Can you leave it cracked?”

I nod and leave the door half opened. I head downstairs and call in our order to be delivered.

With that done, I text Ty to say thank you for being there today before I go sit on the couch in the living room, and turn the tv on.

“What are we watching tonight?” Adriana asks as she is walking into the living room.

“Whatever you want.” I tell her and hand over the remote to her.

She flips through channels and lands on Jurassic World, the one with Chris Pratt.

She drops the remote to the side of her on the couch and snuggles up next to me. As I go to put my arm around her, the doorbell chimes.

“That’s the food.”

I go to the door, sign the receipt, and walk back to the living room. I unpack our food, and we dig in and watch the movie.

Adriana is actually still awake after the movie ends.

“I’m surprised you are still awake. Thought I was going to have to carry you to bed.” I tease her.

“Haha. Hilarious. But I’m ready to go lay down.”

“Go head to bed. I’m going to lock up the house and I’ll join you.” I tell her.

She gets up and heads upstairs while I go around to the doors and make sure all the locks are engaged.

I turn off all the lights and make my way to the bedroom. Adriana is on the side she slept on last time. As soon as I get under the covers, she’s moving over to me.

“You okay?” I ask her.

I didn’t mean to wait this long to check in with her again, but I wanted her to have time to decompress and get some food in her stomach.

“Honestly, I don’t know. I didn’t think I would see Toby, so the shock was there. I knew the company he works for, but it didn’t even register that there was even a possibility he would be one of the employees coming for them.”

She takes a moment as if she’s thinking of what she’s going to say next.

“But when I got over the initial shock of seeing him, it didn’t matter to me that he was there. I was polite and greeted him and his co-workers just like everyone else. His presence doesn’t affect me.” She informs me.

“That’s a good thing, right?” I ask her.

“Yes, Casanova. I wouldn’t be here with you if it did. I’m over him. The only person who has an effect on me is you.”

“I like how that sounds, Sugar.” I tell her.

“Good, because you are the only man in my life that matters. You and that sweet talking mouth have made it impossible not to fall for you. You have broken down the walls I put up and the ones I didn’t even know were there. So while tonight has made me extremely uncomfortable and scared right here, I know I’m safe because I’m with you.” she tells me honestly.

I can’t help but kiss her. I know I can’t let it go past that because I would feel, in a sense, like I was taking advantage of the situation and I’m not that guy. But how could I not kiss her at this moment? She just gave me everything I needed to know that my gut was right about her.

I pull back and look her in her eyes.

“Baby, I feel the same way. I’m glad you’re here with me now. If you weren’t here, I wouldn’t know how to protect you. I will do whatever I have to to make sure you always feel safe.” I say.

“I know that, babe. Trust me when I say I do.” she almost pleads.

“I do.” I confirm.

She kisses me, and I feel a wave of emotions with this kiss. This woman has me tied in knots.

It doesn’t feel like it’s only been months since I’ve met Adriana, let alone weeks of actually dating. The ease of being with her is more like we’ve been in each other’s lives for decades. If something were to happen to her, the devastation would be comparable to the loss of my parents.

I have never cared about anyone the way I do her. It’s never been this deep of a connection. Not with Layla or any other woman before her.

I pull back from her kiss.

“How about tomorrow we stay in bed and finish the rest of the HP movies?” I ask.

“Woah, look at you using the initials like a true Potterhead. But that sounds amazing.” She answers.

“Tv on or off for bed?”

“On, please. If the volume could be lower.” She responds.

I nod and put the tv on. I scroll through and find that Twister is just starting, so I put that on and put the remote on the bedside table.

I bring her in to snuggle with me. Breathing her in because right here I know she feels safe with me.

I wait for her breaths to even out before I even think of closing my eyes and allowing myself to sleep.

I wake up before Adriana. Quietly and quickly as possible I get out of bed, letting her sleep and pad down to the kitchen.

I’m making my girl breakfast in bed. I just need to be quick so that she doesn’t come downstairs. Pancakes, bacon, and scrambled eggs are what I make. Plus, I cut up some strawberries too.

I get all of this done and go back upstairs before she wakes up. I put everything on the bench at the end of the bed and get back in bed.

I slowly trace my fingers up and down her arm. She stirs, and I lean down and kiss her cheek.

“Good Morning, Sugar.” I say.

“Mmmmmm. Good Morning, Casanova.” She replies.

“I made breakfast.” I tell her.

Adriana sits up and rests her back against the headboard and pillows. I go to the end of the bed and bring our plates and the bowl of strawberries back to the bed.

Sitting down, I grab the remote to start the fifth Harry potter movie before eating myself. Once we are done with breakfast, I pause the movie to bring the dishes down to the kitchen.

When I get back to bedroom we cuddle and finish the next three movies. We order lunch and eat in bed again. By the time we finish, it’s dusk.

“Let’s go for a swim. It’s still warm out and after I’ll grill up dinner.” I offer.

“Sounds good.” Adriana replies.

We both get changed and head out back to the pool. It’s still in the 80’s and the pool is the perfect way to keep cool. It’s also a little exercise after being in bed all day.

We swim and play around for a few hours before I hear Adriana’s stomach growl.

“Alright gorgeous, I think you are hungry.” I say with a laugh.

“Yeah, I think I am. What’s for dinner?” she asks.

“How about a grilled chicken salad?”

“That sounds good. I have a dress to fit into tomorrow.”

“Baby, you always look amazing. I can’t wait to see this dress.” I tell her.

“Sweet talker.”

I give her a kiss and head out of the pool to go cook dinner.

I need to make sure Adriana eats and gets a good night’s sleep because tomorrow is going to be a big day for her and us.