Page 108 of When We Fall: Part One

“It is, though. I get what you’re saying about wanting to have your own shit, but Rosalie, everything we’re doing is so you don’t have to do any of that. We want to take care of you. You’re our girl. This decision affects us all. What if you’re hurt while you’re there? What if someone finds out and fucking takes you from us? Just… no. This is something we should all decide. What happens to you affects us. Take the money. Please. I’ll get you more tomorrow.”

“I don’t want it.” I sat up, frustrated out of my mind.

He followed and moved to sit beside me on the edge of the bed.

“I don’t want to fight,” he said softly. “Please. Let’s not fight. I’m tired of fighting.”

“It’s not a fight.” I sighed and let my head hang. “I just don’t feel like I’m my own person anymore. I’m an item you guys possess. If it’s like this with me wanting to work at a music store, what if I ever make my career happen? Will I not be allowed to tour the world?”

He said nothing as he sat beside me for a long time.

Finally, he spoke. “Please. I don’t want you to work.”

“I don’t want to leech off you guys,” I whispered. “I want my own things. I live in your shadows, and it’s overwhelming. I need this, Cole. I-I have to feel like I’m doing something useful.”

“You are. You’re studying. Practicing. Taking care of Cotton. If you work, then I won’t get to see you as much, and shit’s already bad with our schedules.” He gave me a pleading look. “I’m asking you to let me take care of you.”

“And I’m asking you to let me take care of myself.”

He licked his lips. “If you take care of yourself, you won’t need us anymore.”

“I’ll always need you.” I looked at him.

“I don’t want you to do this,” he whispered, a look of desperation on his face as he slid off the bed and kneeled between my legs. “Please, Rosalie. My dream is to take care of my family. My girl. My kids. I want you to focus on achieving your career dreams. I’ll be able to handle that because I know it’s your endgame. Working in some dead-end job isn’t where you belong. Please. Let me take care of you so you can continue to focus on doing what you love.” He placed his hands on my hips. “I want this. I’m begging you.”

I stared down at him for a moment before letting out a sigh. I knew that my working would stress them out. He was right. Someone could hurt me.

“OK,” I said, giving in.

He looked at me, clearly surprised I’d relented.

“Really?”

I nodded. “Really. I can probably budget a little more and not get coffee. Maybe I can make my own lunches and bring them with me?—”

I was silenced with a gentle kiss from him. “When I take care of my girl, I take care of all aspects of her. Your bank account will have money in it when you wake up in the morning. You’ll want for nothing. Ever. And when my baby is growing in your belly, she will want for nothing. Tell me, Rosebud.”

“You’ll take care of us,” I murmured.

“And you’ll fucking let me.”

I nodded, but he reached out and gripped my face. “Say it. Tell me.”

“I’ll let you. Until I make it on my own, and then I’ll pay you back.”

He stared me down for a second before kissing me again. “Fine. I agree, but I get to decide how I’m paid back.”

I sighed, knowing it was a losing battle. Instead, I pulled him close, letting his hands explore my body as his tongue slid along mine in a deep kiss. He pushed me back onto the bed and climbed up so we were both lying on the mattress, him over me.

The way he kissed was different. It was slow. Deliberate. Careful. It wasn’t how it usually was with him. Cole tended to be rough and wild, but this was out of character.

He carefully undressed me, drinking me in, so much adoration in his eyes, it made my breath catch. Cole Scott truly did love me, and I loved him. In that moment, I felt like anything was possible for us.

He kissed his way down my naked body before teasing my clit with his tongue. Usually, he just dove in and ate me until I was screaming. This time, he was slow. Teasing. Tasting. Torturing.

He sucked against my clit, making tingles rush through my body. One finger inside me. A second. His mouth never disconnected from my clit as he licked and sucked.

The orgasm was slowly torn from my body, lasting longer than anything I’d ever felt before as he continued the same pace on me.