Page 37 of Unbreakable Bonds (The Boston Romance #2)

With wide eyes and a slack mouth, I stare at my parents, who gawk at each other like two lovesick teenagers—even after all these years.

"So, Alex. Wanna go on a date with me?" Cole repeats.

Unbelievable. He won over my parents with his gentlemanly ways, and to be honest, I can't blame them.

Asking me on a date in front of my parents shows balls, and it has turned me on like crazy.

But I'll keep that to myself, because that million-dollar smirk on his lips tells it all.

So, instead of giving him a swooning stare or answer, I shrug and say, "Fine, I'll go out with you, but it better be fantastic, Walker.

Otherwise, I'll give Steven a call afterward. "

"Don't worry, by the end of our date, you will have forgotten all about Steven."

Damn! That pure confident tone releases another shot of pure lust, and I lick my lips as he holds my gaze.

My mom clears her throat. "Okay, enough with the introductions. Cole, would you like a drink?"

"Yes, please."

"Okay, then why don't you take a seat, and Alisha and I will be right back."

"Huh?" Before I can respond further, my mom grabs my hand and pulls me towards the kitchen. The moment we stand by the counter, she turns around and glances at me with a grin. "What, Mom!"

"What? My lord Alisha, that is quite a man you've introduced us to. Not only does he have a handsome physique, but from what I've seen, he's a genuine man with manners. And this is the second time you've had this twinkle in your eyes."

"A twinkle?"

My mom's smile widens. "Oh, yes. It reminds me of when I met your father. The energy between you two says enough."

I lift a brow.

"Alisha, you gaze at him as if you want to eat him."

"Oh, god, Mom!"

She giggles and makes the drinks, but when I place them on a tray, she lifts her head and spills. "I'm sorry, but I can't shake the feeling I've seen Cole before. It's so weird."

"Honestly," I sigh. "Where could you possibly know him from?"

"That is what I'm wondering myself," she mumbles as she makes her way to the living room with a plate of cookies. I take the tray with drinks and follow her. After placing the plate on the table, I sit next to Cole on the leather couch by the window.

My mother offers him a cookie, which he takes and places next to his drink.

"So what were you two talking about?" I ask.

"I was telling Cole about our cruise and the things we've done and seen," my father explains with a content smirk. "And you won't believe this, honey," he says, looking at my mother. "Our daughter is dating a man who knows his classical music."

"Oh, really?" My mom's eyes shine like glass that is bathing in the sunlight.

"Yes. I told him about the classical music night on the cruise and how you are in love with the piano."

My heartbeat pivots into a higher gear. I glance over at Cole and place my hand on his thigh. He puts his hand over mine and sends me a reassuring smile.

"So, Cole, since you like classical music, do you have a favorite instrument?"

"Oh, yes. I share your love for the piano."

My mom's face beams, but mine doesn't. I'm too worried about how this conversation might affect him.

"Oh my god, that is amazing. Isn't it the most beautiful instrument ever?" My mom squeals.

"It sure is."

Suddenly she sits up straighter. "Now I know who you remind me of. It's that pianist who died years ago. Oh god... I can't remember his name." She taps her fingers on her legs as she tries to recall the name.

"Oh, you're right, he does," my dad adds.

My heart hammers, and my stomach turns when my mother starts to throw out random names. Shit... I have to stop this.

"Enough. Stop it!"

My parents fall silent at my outburst. Cole rubs his hands over mine. "Alex, it's okay." I look at him and find his eyes are like a calm ocean on a bright summer's day.

"I'm so sorry," I whisper.

"Don't be. They don't know, and they mean well."

My mom and dad stare at us with confused faces. "Uh... What don't we know? What's going on?" my dad asks.

Cole pulls out his phone, and when he opens his photo album, I let out a small gasp.

He gives me a quick wink before turning his full attention to my parents, who are still watching us.

"Do you mean this man?" He shows them the picture of him with his dad sitting on the piano bench. I bite my lip, awaiting their answer.

My mother's eyes enlarge as she investigates the picture. "Yes, that's him. Now I remember, wasn't his last name Walker?"

Cole clears his throat. "Yes. His full name was Gregory Walker."

My mom's eyes dart between the photo and Cole. "See, you look a lot—" She stops her sentence midway as she puzzles the pieces together.

"What is it, Clair?"

Cole chuckles, seeing my father's confused face. "Your wife just figured out who I am." My father is still mystified, so Cole continues. "My full name is Cole Walker."

Now it's my father who stumbles on his next words. "You're... Gregory Walker's son?"

Cole nods.

Silence falls, and Cole swallows and takes a deep breath in and out as my parents continue their stare-down. I can't believe he just opened up to my mom and dad. I grab his hand and intertwine my fingers with his. When the shock wears off, it's my mother who speaks up first.

"Oh, I can't believe it. We have Cole Walker sitting in our home." She squeals now with excitement.

"Calm down, honey. He might not like this attention."

But my mom ignores it, leans towards Cole, and grabs his hand. "Oh, we were enormous fans of your father's work. But then we heard you play. Your talent being so young blew our mind." She places her free hand on her heart.

"Mom, stop it…"

"It's okay, Alex," he says, focusing on my mother. "So you have seen me play?" he asks.

"Oh, yes, we did."

"What? You two have seen him play?" I ask.

My mom nods. "Yes, we have. We've seen his father play many times until he injured his hand. Then, a little while later, he introduced his talented son. God, Alisha, this man is a magician on the piano."

Cole chuckles, hearing my mother's worshipping reaction. "Well, thank you. Glad to hear you enjoyed it."

"Oh, I can't believe it," my mom mumbles again.

"Okay, Clair, our daughter doesn't seem very amused by your groupie reaction."

Cole glances my way and throws his head back and lets out an astonishing deep laugh that resonates through my entire body. Butterflies do a backflip in my stomach, seeing that bright smile on his face. My god, when this man laughs, I want to rip my panties off and say, 'Here I am, take me.'

For the next forty-five minutes, we talk about other things. Cole asks my parents many questions about their cruise, and I know it's his way of preventing the conversation from going back to the piano. He's had enough for today. Thank God, my parents get the hint.

After a late lunch we say goodbye to them as we're standing on the porch.

"Okay, honey, drive safely, and if there is anything wrong, you call us," my mother says, touching my arm.

"Give me a hug, ladybug," my dad calls out while opening his arms.

I chuckle and hug him. "Ladybug, Dad? I'm twenty-eight."

My father crosses his hand over his chest when I let him go. "You'll always be my sweet ladybug, Alisha."

After kissing him on his cheek, he lets go and turns his attention to Cole. "It was very nice to meet you. Thank you for giving my daughter a safe place to live. It's a huge relief for us, knowing she has a man like you watching out for her."

"No problem, Jim. I'll do everything in my power to protect your daughter," he says, while pulling me to his side. "I've been teaching this powerful woman different self-defense techniques, so when anyone touches her without permission, she can inflict actual damage."

My smile widens when my mother hugs Cole. The twinkle in her eye says enough. She adores him.

I call Cole as we drive our cars back to the city. It only takes a second for his voice to fill my car.

"Did I ever say that you look hot driving that red BMW of yours?"

"No, you haven't, but thank you. I love my red baby."

"So what's up, Alex?"

"Follow me and find out." And with that, I end the call.

I leave the busy road and tour through green fields.

Eventually, I park on an abandoned back road near the forest, and I lean my back against my car as soon as I step out.

Cole parks his big black Range Rover next to mine, and the moment he's out and our eyes lock, we move.

Our bodies and lips find each other and start a hungry ballad of touching, sucking, licking.

We stumble back until I'm pressed between him and the car.

Streams of heat come together in my abdomen, creating a pool of pure lust and need that is crazy making.

"Fuck me, right here and now, Walker."

His head lifts. "I love it when you go naughty on me."