31. Cole

Ididn’t want to waste the very blatant opportunity her father had given us both to be alone. I got up, found a bowl, put a brownie, as well as a scoop of ice cream in it, and handed it to Anya.

”Go enjoy this out on the porch with Tolstoy. I’ll come and get you when this mess is cleared up,” I said.

She grinned happily and hurried out through the back door. The moment it was shut, I turned to look at the woman standing before me.

”Successfully gotten rid of all external parties, I see?”

I laughed and started helping her gather the dirty dishes. ”One of the joys of being a parent is never having to clear up, especially when you cook dinner. Too bad I won”t get to enjoy that from Anya today. All because of you.”

Her mouth opened. ”You”re blaming me? I”m not the one who sent her out to share her dessert with the cat.”

”But we need to be alone, don”t we?” I asked. “Even if it’s just doing the dishes.”

She said nothing and silently we cleared the table and she joined me at the sink. Soon enough, all the dishes were done, and the rubbish bag was tied and ready to be taken out to the trash can.

”What next, Montana?” I asked.

She shrugged. “You tell me.”

“About time we talked, huh?”

I held her gorgeous Montana gaze. ”How about we skip the talking and … um … have some fun one more time?”

I was surprised to hear this, but at the same time, curious as to why she would say that. She read my expression and instantly provided an answer.

”I don”t know, I feel as if you”re not really ready for something serious right now, and I don’t want to force or trick you into anything you’re not 100% into. I don’t do casual relationships, but that one time with you ... apparently wasn’t enough to get you out of my system, so I’m proposing maybe we hook up and fuck like rabbits until we don’t want to anymore.”

I grinned at her. She couldn’t have said anything more perfect. Little sweetheart had no idea that I had plans for her, for us. I couldn’t tell her yet, but the day would come when I would claim her for my own. She was already mine. She just didn’t know it yet.

“Deal,” I said.

”I didn’t imagine it would be so simple to talk to you.”

”I”m a pretty simple guy.”

She shook her head in disagreement and disbelief. ”For some reason, I find that very difficult to believe.”