Page 39 of Unbreakable Bonds (The Boston Romance #2)

ALISHA

"Samantha, we're leaving in ten minutes," I call out. "Okay, I'll be there in eight."

I chuckle, wandering onto the balcony. The morning sun bathes Boston in golden light, and I find myself gravitating to Cole's spot—where he stands each morning with his espresso, finding his peace before the day begins.

Since we admitted our deeper feelings for each other a month ago, I've joined him here often, my back against his chest, sharing the silence and the view.

My phone's "Talk With Your Body" ringtone pulls me from my thoughts. My heartbeat skyrockets when I answer the video call and see his face. I wish I could stick a hand through the screen and touch that stubble.

"Since when do you video call Mr. Walker?" "Damn, red lipstick?" he says, staring at my lips.

"Oh, that's not the only thing red." I giggle while tilting the camera to show my new red, strappy, lace-up stiletto heels.

"Jesus Christ, woman. I'm going to be in a meeting with a hard-on," he growls.

I turn the camera back and grin at him. "How is the business trip going?"

"Fine. How are you and Samantha doing?"

"Good, she's been a sweetheart all week. School is going well, and I believe she's making new friends. She asked me if she could hang out at the ice cream shop with some friends from school, and I let her."

Cole nods in agreement.

"Today Samantha's going with me to the store. They have a day off from school."

"I can't thank you enough for watching her, Alex."

"Oh, I can think of a few ways you can thank me when you come back, Mr. Walker."

His jaw clenches, and his eyes get that fierce, sexy stare. "Shit, I miss you, Alex."

A damn orchestra sets in motion when he says this in that deep baritone. "I miss you too."

"Have you been sleeping well?" he asks, while inspecting my face.

Shit, that extra layer of concealer didn't fool him.

"Are the nightmares back?"

Not wanting to hide the truth, I answer. "Yeah." "I'm sorry."

"Why, it's not your fault?" When Cole told me Nick asked him to attend four of the most important business meetings, so he could stay with Emma, I told him to go.

But the moment he left, my night terrors returned in all their glory—accompanied by Mr. Anxiety.

Three hours of sleep is the best I've had in the last seven days.

"Is that you, Cole?" Samantha chirps as she strolls in and stops behind me. His lips curl up seeing his daughter.

"Hey, you. Are you having fun with Alisha?"

"Yep. Today I'm going to help at the clothing store," she sings.

Cole chuckles, seeing Samantha's excited face. "Sounds like you've got a wonderful day ahead of you."

"Yeah, speaking of which, we have to go; otherwise, we'll be late."

Cole nods. "If everything goes well, I'll be back soon. So have fun. See you later."

Samantha waves and walks away to get her handbag, and before I hang up, I send Cole a brief air kiss.

In return, his lips turn into that crooked sexy grin, and right before he hangs up, he whispers in a deep, sensual voice. "Bye, Alex."

I let out a yearning-filled sigh when the screen turns black. Never did I know you could miss a man so much. I thought it was ridiculous, but it's true.

* * *

Music blasts through the speakers of my BMW as we cruise through the city.

Samantha has hooked up her iPhone to my car radio, and we're singing along to "Perfect" by Ed Sheeran.

The sound of an incoming text cuts through the music.

Samantha grabs her phone, and a smile appears as she reads.

Seconds later, her fingers fly over the screen as she reacts back.

I assume it's her best friend in Los Angeles, but when she bites down on her bottom lip and blushes, I realize it might be someone else.

Oh, my god. What if it's a boy?

I decide not to ask questions. A conversation about boys with a teenager while driving isn't a smart idea. But god, I was fifteen when I got interested in boys.

Shit, why does she have to be fifteen already?

Don't freak out. Maybe he's just a friend. And friendships are essential—especially when you're in your teens, I remind myself.

When I was her age, I had Bella and Emma in my life. We shared everything. Even today, they're the people I turn to when my head is a mess or when I need a second opinion. I smile as I park the car behind the store.

"Samantha, we're here."

She puts her phone down and smiles.

Once inside, Amanda shows Sam around while I help customers. When Sam gets bored, Amanda tells her she can chill in the office. I try to focus on work, but I can't help noticing how Sam's constantly on her phone, smiling at whatever messages she's receiving.

At lunch break, Amanda and I find Samantha lying on the office couch, still texting while a half-eaten club sandwich rests on her lap.

"Who are you texting?" Amanda asks while walking in.

Samantha jumps up, startled by our sudden appearance. I narrow my eyes when she shows the deer in headlights expression.

"Who are you texting?" I repeat. "You've been at it the whole morning."

When her cheeks flush, she quickly lowers her head and takes a bite of her sandwich. Amanda and I exchange a look. I stroll towards Samantha and park my butt on the chair next to the couch. Amanda takes her office chair, crossing her right leg over her left.

"Okay, confession time," Amanda states. "Tell us who the boy is that you are texting."

"God, Leo isn't some immature boy. He's a guy."

Samantha's eyes spread even more extensively when she realizes she fell straight into her trap. Smooth Amanda.

We chuckle. "Isn't Leo the one you told me about in the elevator a few weeks ago?"

I get my confirmation when her cheeks turn a deep crimson color.

"You can tell me, Sam. I'm your friend."

"And I'm your friend, too," Amanda adds with a smile.

Samantha glances through her lashes at both of us while taking another bite of her sandwich. Then she sits up straight and speaks.

"Yeah, it's him. He's an excellent listener, and he's hilarious," she rambles with a sparkle in her eyes.

Her phone beeps, and when she reads the message, her eyes dart my way.

"What's the matter?" I ask when she frowns.

"Uh, Leo asks if I have time to meet him for a drink. He's in the neighborhood. Could I, Alisha? Please. We'll even stay here on this street; there are enough places where we could have a drink together."

Her eyes are pleading with me while she pulls her bottom lip back between her teeth. I pull on my earlobe, contemplating what to do and say.

"Please, I beg you," she pleads, while adding a pouty lip.

I hate to admit it, but that hopeful expression of hers is getting to me. I scan Amanda, who shrugs. I pull in and slowly release a deep breath before making my decision.

"Fine. But..."

Samantha's brows raise. "But what?" "I want to meet Leo first."

"But Alisha," she protests.

"No buts, Sam. Take it or leave it. I want to know who you're hanging out with."

Samantha chews on the nail of her thumb, overthinking my ultimatum. "Okay," she mumbles, while grabbing her phone. "I'll text him and ask if he wants to pick me up here so you can meet him."

Within a minute, her phone beeps. "He'll be here in twenty minutes," she replies with a beaming smile.

Twenty minutes later, the store's doorbell rings.

A youthful man walks in. He's around five foot seven with short brown hair, his clothing style casual, preppy—a white dress shirt with rolled-up sleeves, a green-grey tie, and dark blue jeans with brown leather sneakers.

His eyes travel through the store, and when they land on Samantha, his face lights up. "Hey, Sam."

Samantha flies through the room and stops in front of him. "Hello, Leo," she chirps.

Adrenaline rushes through my veins when Amanda stops next to me, articulating my inner thoughts.

"Oh. That isn't a fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy."

They come our way, and when they're in front of us, Samantha introduces him.

"Alisha, this is Leo. Leo, this is Alisha and Amanda."

Leo sends Amanda and me a sunny smile while his hazel irises take me in. When he holds out his hand, I shake it as he introduces himself.

"Hello Alisha, it's nice to meet you. Samantha speaks highly of you. She told me you're worried about my intentions. But you can relax. I just love to hang out with her. She's cool and a talented young lady."

I give him an intense stare, and when I let go of his hand, I cross my arms in front of me and fire my burning question. "Leo. How old are you?"

Samantha gasps and shakes her head. "Alisha!"

"Don't worry, beautiful. They're just protective of you," Leo notes while giving Samantha a wink before returning his eyes to mine and answering.

"I'm twenty."

Amanda clears her throat as I narrow my eyes at Samantha, who is now looking at the floor.

"Would you excuse Samantha and me for a moment, Leo? I need to talk with her in private."

Without looking back, I walk straight into Amanda's office and turn to wait for the teenager to enter. She shuffles in—looking at the floor—fumbling with the hem of her shirt.

After a few moments, she slowly tilts her head up and mumbles, "I'm sorry."

"You lied to me, Samantha. Why?"

Her eyes skim mine before they go back to the ground.

"Because I knew that if I'd told you I'm hanging out with a guy who's twenty, you wouldn't agree.

" When her eyes meet mine, I see they're glassy with upcoming tears.

"I'm sorry that I lied, Alisha, but I like him.

He's the only genuine friend I've made in Boston. "

"But what about the friends from school you were hanging out with this week?" When her eyes avoid mine, I have my answer. "So there are no other friends. You've been hanging out with Leo this entire week."

She nods, and her clear blue irises pierce mine. "Making new friends here in Boston is hard, and when I hang out with him, I feel less alone."

My heart constricts, hearing she's been dealing with loneliness. This girl has experienced so much change in her life these last few months that I understand it must feel wonderful to meet someone that she feels she has a connection with.

"I'm sorry, Sam. But it's a no. First, I want you to tell Cole about Leo when he returns from his business trip."

She takes a step back. "He needs to know, Samantha. He's your father, and this isn't something you can hide from him. If he finds out before you tell him yourself, I doubt he'll be very understanding. Tell Leo you'll be in contact with him after you tell your father."

She lets out an exorbitant long huff. "Can I go now?"

I nod. She turns and hurries out.

Amanda whistles when I stop beside her. "Oh, boy. That girl is head over heels, and can you blame her? He is a good-looking twenty-year-old."

I roam my hands over my face. "Now the number one question is how to bring this news to Cole."

A headache wants to emerge when I imagine his reaction.

Amanda's eyes expand. "Oh, dang it. Daddy Cole will lose his shit."

"Yep." I quickly push the thought of a grumpy bulldozer back when customers walk in. Perfect distraction. Cole is still on his business trip. I'll break my brain cells thinking of a pleasant way to bring the news later.

It's midnight when I'm gazing at the grazing moon, hoping its brightness will rub off on my brain.

"I could use a bright idea."

A soft breeze plays with my loose locks. Suddenly, I sniff and pick up on a familiar scent. I bring Cole's sweater I'm wearing to my nose and inhale deeply. That's weird. I can swear I smell his cologne. I glance over my shoulder. No one else but me.

My phone beeps, and I smile at the word on my screen.

Hey.

My fingers glide over the screen as I answer.

Hey you.

I bite my lips, seeing the dots in the corner blinking, telling me he's typing.

You look a little lonely. Want some company?

It takes a moment to realize the meaning, but when it does, my heartbeat shifts up as I slowly turn in my seat.

"Cole?" The sound of someone tapping their feet on the tiles makes me squint my eyes. Slowly a large silhouette materializes out of a dark corner of the balcony.

"Did you miss me, Alex?"

Shivers run through me, hearing his deep, warm baritone voice.

Dressed in a tailor-fit black suit with a black dress shirt underneath, he strolls towards me with the grace of a panther.

My entire body tingles, and my nails dig into the seat's arm, trying to prevent me from jumping up and running into his arms. His lips curl into that sexy, confident smirk.

And when he stops in front of me, I can't hold my composure and launch myself at him.

He chuckles and lifts me up in his arms. God, I've missed this man.

Once my legs are around his waist, I stop thinking and smash my mouth on his. Our deep moans fill the air as our hands wander and inspect the other; his unique scent fires up my libido while the feeling of his robust body holding me tight relaxes my anxious brain.

He places his forehead against mine when our lips detach. "How are you?" The sincere concern that I read in his eyes makes my heart leap. I brush my hands through his now tousled locks and grin.

"Much better, now that you're back. I've missed you like crazy. I'm in desperate need of some attention. So why don't you start walking to your bedroom?"

"Your wish is my command."

For a moment, Samantha and Leo pop into my conscious mind, but when I dive my face into the crook of his neck, I push it away. That's for another time. Now I'm going to concentrate on getting my well-deserved and highly needed Walker fix.