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forty-three

Rory

Nothing is better than waking up wrapped in Cole’s arms.

He held me even tighter last night, like he feared I’d slip out of his grasp after being away for so long.

But if I have it my way, I’ll stay in his arms for the rest of my life, happy and loved and completely fulfilled. It’s all I want.

I press back against him, enjoying the contact between our bodies. Cole lightly groans as I do, finally starting to wake up.

“Good morning, Starlight,” he says gruffly, voice still rough from sleep. The deep timbre is so sexy, and need immediately floods through me.

“Good morning, Sparrow.”

He slips his hand under the hem of my tank top, splaying it across my stomach. I was too cold to sleep without clothing last night. He presses a gentle kiss on my shoulder. “I missed waking up with you in my arms.”

I can’t help but smile as I roll to my back, turning to face him. His blue-gray eyes sparkle even more in the morning light, and I’m lost in their beauty. He’s absolutely beautiful, inside and out.

“Well, you’re back now,” I say, kissing him softly. “You won’t have to wake up without me again.”

“Perfect,” he murmurs, lips brushing mine before capturing me in a searing kiss. “How are you feeling today?”

“I’m sore,” I admit. “But I figured that would happen.”

“The more we do that, the less sore you’ll be, I’m sure.”

“Give me a few days, buddy,” I laugh. “Let me recover first.”

“Of course, baby.” He pecks my nose. “Take all the time you need.”

And just like that, I melt.

Cole is the most considerate man I’ve met. Where other guys would try to pressure you, he just takes a step back, letting me decide what I’m okay with and when I’m okay with it.

God, I love him.

“What time do you have practice today?” I ask, tracing my fingers over his bicep.

“Not for a few hours. Got something in mind?” Cole raises his eyebrow as if he knows exactly what I’m thinking.

“You’ve got some strong hands. I’m sure you can figure out what to do with them.”

His smile is devious as he leans in for another kiss, this one more desperate than the others this morning. This one owns me, claiming my entire body. It flows through me, heating me up from the inside out.

Cole slips his hand from under my shirt and into the waistband of my leggings. When he slides under my panties, he brings his fingers right to my entrance, tracing along my slit.

“Mmm, fucking love when you wake up this wet for me.”

“Because I dream about you, baby.” I tease my tongue over his lips, asking for entry that he eagerly provides.

With his tongue stroking mine, he slips a thick finger inside me, and I moan into his mouth.

He quickly adds a second and third finger, never slowing his pace as he fucks them in and out of me.

Our kiss becomes sloppy, so frantically full of need. The need to have him closer to me, though he can’t physically be any closer than he is right now as he’s inside me.

I love this feeling of being so full of him. I’ve never felt this with anyone but Cole, and I’m so addicted to the way it feels. I’m addicted to the way he feels.

He starts teasing his thumb over my clit, causing me to cry out again. He swallows my moans for himself as he strokes his fingers inside me, curling them and hitting the perfect spot.

The same spot he found during the video we recorded.

I can feel my orgasm building, and I quickly tip over the edge, thankfully not gushing like before. Just a normal orgasm that doesn’t drench my leggings.

As I try to catch my breath, I’m startled by a loud knock at my door.

“What the fuck?” I groan. “Who the hell is here right now?”

“Better answer that, Rory girl. And try not to look like you just screamed out as I got you off.”

I playfully shove him. “You’re annoying.”

“And you love it.”

He just grins at me smugly when I can’t even deny it.

I shake my head and climb out of bed, heading straight to my front door. I swing it open before my visitor can knock again, and my heart falls into my stomach when I see my dad on the other side.

“What are you doing here, Dad?” I ask, trying to mask my unease. My boyfriend is literally still half naked in my bedroom while my dad now stands in my entryway. This has the potential to get very bad.

“I haven’t seen you in weeks, Rory. Wanted to drop in and see my baby girl before I head in for practice today. Is that okay?”

“Oh, sure,” I stammer, knowing damn well that if I try to just shove him out the door, he’ll have too many questions I don’t want to answer.

“Did you have fun with Sage?” he asks, heading into my kitchen.

The same kitchen Cole fucked me in last night.

Thank God I cleaned up already.

“Of course. Lo came over and had a dance party with us yesterday.”

My dad chuckles. “I’m sure she’s happy Knox is home now.”

“She sure is,” I laugh. “She missed him like crazy.”

He smiles before his eye catches my arm. “What’s that?”

I look down at my newest tattoo, and I can’t help but smile, though I try to hide it. “I got a new tattoo a few weeks ago.”

“And you went with the Big Dipper?” he asks curiously.

“It’s the Little Dipper, actually.”

He opens his mouth to say something else—likely to ask who has the Big Dipper if mine is the little one—but he’s silenced by a loud crash in my bedroom.

My eyes grow wide with fear as he looks at me. “Do you have someone over, Rory?”

“What?” I say dismissively. Or what I hope is dismissive. “There’s no one here. That’s just my… cat.”

He eyes me. “You’re allergic to cats.”

Why did that have to be the first animal I thought of? The only one I’m allergic to?

I sigh, defeated. “Yes, I have someone over.”

“Is it the guy you’re seeing that you won’t tell me about?” He crosses his arms.

“Maybe it is,” I say defiantly. “Maybe we were in my room before you got here.”

My dad throws his hands up. “I don’t need to know what was happening. But I don’t understand why you won’t tell me about him.”

“You know exactly why, Dad. I told you I’m keeping things to myself as long as you try to control my love life.”

“I could walk into your room right now, Rory, and find out who he is for myself.”

“You could,” I relent. “But you know I’d be pissed at you if you did, so I know you won’t.”

He sighs and shakes his head. “I wish you felt like you could tell me things again.”

“And I wish you’d back off. As soon as you do, I’ll be an open book.”

“I see you’re busy, so I’ll be on my way. Maybe I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Before he slips out the door, I tell him I love him, and he says the same thing to me.

I hate this so fucking much. I just want to be able to share how happy I am with him, but if I do that, Cole’s career is at risk because my dad is too overprotective.

I make my way back to my bedroom, finding Cole sitting on my bed, now in the T-shirt and jeans he came in yesterday.

“Please tell me he didn’t hear that,” he pleads nervously.

“I think the whole building heard it, Cole,” I groan. “Of course, he heard it.”

“Fucking hell,” he grumbles, falling back onto the bed with his hands covering his face.

“He doesn’t know it was you. But I did have to finally admit that I was seeing someone. I tried to tell him it was my cat, but he had to remind me that I’m allergic.”

He can’t help but laugh. “Only pussy in this apartment is yours.”

I cackle. Cackle . It sounds ridiculous, but I can’t control myself.

I grip his shirt and rest my head against his chest. “Why do I get the feeling we’re on borrowed time right now?”

Cole sighs. “We might be. But we’ll deal with it. It’ll all be okay, Rory girl.”

Even though I know it won’t be easy, I believe him.

Rory

I know Lucia is working, but can you two meet me at Urban Grind?

I need a moment with my girls

Harlow

Is everything okay, babe?

Rory

Yes?

No?

I don’t fucking know

Ella

We’ll be there then

See you soon, Ror

I inhale the scent of my favorite chai latte to try to settle my anxious nerves. Unfortunately, it isn’t much help.

“What’s going on, Rory?” Lo asks, pushing her hair behind her ear.

I let out a breath. “My dad heard your brother at my apartment this morning.”

“Oh shit,” Ella remarks. “What happened?”

“Cole and I were… hanging out… in my bed this morning-” Ella smirks as Harlow grimaces. “-and my dad dropped by unannounced. I’m just glad he didn’t get there thirty seconds sooner because he would’ve heard things he wasn’t meant to hear.”

“I’m brushing past that,” Harlow says uneasily. “I do not need to know what you two were doing. But what exactly happened?”

“I was talking to him in my kitchen, trying not to seem like he was the last person I wanted to see. I think I was doing a decent job, but then your brother apparently fell over while he was getting dressed. There was no mistaking that someone was over.”

“Does he know it was Cole?” Ella questions.

“No,” I breathe. “He doesn’t. But he now knows for certain that I’m seeing someone and hiding it from him. I don’t know how much longer it will be before he figures it out.”

Harlow grabs my hand reassuringly. “Your dad likes my brother. Maybe it won’t be as bad as you think.”

“You don’t know my dad like I do.”

“What will happen between you two if he finds out?” Ella looks concerned.

“Hopefully, nothing. I love Cole, and I’m not letting my dad get in between us.”

“You love him?” Ella says sweetly.

“I didn’t realize I said that,” I laugh uneasily. “But yes, I love him. I haven’t told him yet, but I do.”

Ella smiles at me. “Love conquers all.”

“Do you guys really think everything is going to be okay?” I ask them.

“I do,” Harlow states. “My brother is crazy about you. He has been for four years. He’ll do everything he can to keep you.”

“Well, he has me. And I’m not going anywhere.”

“Then I know you and Cole will get through this together,” Ella reassures.

“Thank you, girls. I’m feeling a lot better now.”

“That’s what we’re here for,” they both reply at the same time.

I will be forever grateful for my group of friends, but especially my girls. We have each other’s backs through thick and thin, and nothing will ever change that.