Chapter 119: Chapter 13

LEXI

I wake up to Cole pressed tightly against my body, his arm draped across me. Is it possible to fall in love after just twenty-four hours? Because I’m pretty sure I have.

There isn’t a single thing about him that I don’t like. I especially love how comfortable it is to be with him. Even sharing my bed with him, I’m completely at ease.

It’s later than I thought, but we stayed up late watching an old black and white movie. I almost fell asleep, but I managed to make it through and he carried me to bed.

He changed into his own basketball shorts to sleep in, but this time he took off his shirt. I turn over so I can admire his sculpted torso. I’m dying to touch every inch of him.

His skin is lightly tanned and his happy trail is a dirty blonde, just like his hair. My fingers itch to tangle in the hair just under his belly button.

I look over his abs, then up to his chest, then to his face and gasp. His eyes are open and he’s watching me check him out. He gives me a smile but doesn’t speak.

I bite my lip, which he quickly pulls out.

“That turns me on. Every time you do that, I imagine what it would feel like to have your mouth wrapped around my cock… just so you’re aware.”

I gulp and make a mental note to stop biting my lip.

“I’m sorry to be so blunt. I’m not trying to make you uncomfortable.”

I shake my head.

“No, it’s good to know.”

He gives me his approving smirk. He still hasn’t moved, so I take the chance to touch the hair under his belly button. I look up to see if it bothers him, but he doesn’t seem to mind, until I trail my fingers lower.

He hisses then grabs my hand.

“You don’t want to know what that makes me think about.”

I look back up at him and pull my hand away.

“I’m sorry.”

He kisses my forehead.

“There’s nothing to be sorry about. I love it when you touch me. You can do it all you want, just know that it affects me.”

I feel my cheeks warm up.

“I’m going to take a shower and get dressed.”

He gives me a nod and I roll out of bed. I take my time in the shower, letting the water settle me. This morning’s conversation has me reeling.

I turn him on and he likes it. News flash big guy, you turn me on too. If things keep going the way they are, he might just be the one I give myself to.

Past boyfriends have never made me feel the way he does, and he’s not even my boyfriend. I got close once to losing it, but I chickened out. It was a good thing because he dumped me the very next day.

Cole doesn’t seem to be that way. I rinse up and step out. Crap, I forgot to grab my clothes before taking my shower.

Cole isn’t going to freak out about seeing me in a towel. I make sure I’m covered then peek out.

“Forget something?” he teases from the bed.

He’s laying on his side with his head rested in his hand. I stop myself from biting my lip and buck up. I open the door and walk out.

As I expected, he looks me over.

“The water stays pretty hot, if you want a shower.”

He gets to his feet and stalks toward me. I watch him until he takes my waist. He kisses my nose.

“Thanks, baby.”

I scrunch my nose.

“Honey?”

I shake my head.

“Mine?”

That makes me smile. His left hand caresses my jaw.

“Thank you, my Lexi.”

He kisses me softly then takes my place in the bathroom. I get into my closet and quickly slip into a pair of shorts and a T-shirt.

I’m towel drying my hair when he opens the door with a towel low on his hips. He chuckles as I check him out before he slips into the closet.

I make breakfast for him since he made breakfast yesterday. He walks out also in shorts and a T-shirt. He heads straight to the fridge and grabs his coffee.

He has to reach beside me to grab the glasses.

“Chocolate milk, Lexi?” his gruff voice whispers in my ear.

He smells so good. I reach up on my toes and place a kiss to his lips.

“Yes, please.”

He sets the glasses down then reaches for plates which he places on the counter then holds me from behind as I finish cooking. His chin rests on my shoulder.

It feels so nice to be in his arms. I close my eyes and lean into him. His nose runs up my neck then he stops with his lips at my ear.

“Don’t burn the food, Lexi.”

I jump to attention. Nothing is even close to being burned. He chuckles as he takes the left seat at the island. Again, he holds my hand as we eat.

“So what’s the plan for today?” I ask between bites.

He shrugs his shoulder.

“Don’t know, I hadn’t planned anything. Do you know what you’ll wear to your graduation?”

I shake my head. I haven’t even thought about it. My phone rings and I’m brought back to reality for a minute. Janine reams me for not calling yesterday.

When I tell her that Cole is still here she gets giddy.

“Call me when Mr. Sexy finally leaves. Have fun!”

I roll my eyes and hang up the phone.

“What is she going to do if Mr. Sexy never leaves?” Cole smirks then drinks his iced coffee.

I can’t believe he heard that. Janine wasn’t very loud.

“You have to leave sometime. We both have lives.”

He has a disappointed look on his face. I laugh and kiss his cheek.

“You can always come back. I usually just come home and study. I’m not much of a party girl, unless it’s a celebration.”

Cole loads the dishwasher then takes my hand and leads me outside.

“Do you drive?” he asks as I lock up.

“I have a license, but I don’t have a car.”

He opens the truck door for me then takes his seat.

“Why do you ask?”

He starts the truck then drives off.

“Just curious, Lexi.”

“You’re the only one that has ever called me that,” I inform him. I actually like it coming from him, it feels special.

He gives me a wink. How did I get so lucky to grab his attention? He could have any girl he wants. I clear my throat and slide my hair over my ear.

“I never asked if you had a girlfriend. You are single, right?”

Cole reaches out to take my hand. He kisses my knuckle.

“Not anymore.”

I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face.

“Does that mean I’m your girlfriend now?”

Stopped at a red light, he turns to look at me.

“Most definitely, at least for now.”

A subtle “oh” escapes me. I guess this is fun time for him.

Cole looks at me, his brows scrunched.

“Lexi? Is something wrong? Do you not want to be with me?” he asks.

“For how long?” I ask the question, wondering why the idea of being short term bothers me so much.

Realization lights up his face.

“I didn’t mean we’re only together for now. I meant hopefully we can become much more. This might sound fast, but I want to bring you home with me. I want you to meet my family.”

I relax, chiding myself for how pathetically clingy I’m becoming.

“I would like that… eventually.”

His lip pulls up on the side and the light turns green.

Holy Goddess, I have a boyfriend and he is gorgeous. My last boyfriend was in my junior year and he wasn’t even close to being as good-looking as Cole.

I’m not unattractive, just a bit nerdy. I wonder what Cole sees in me. He could be dating supermodels.

Oh Goddess, the thought turns my stomach and now I’m dying to know about his past relationships. I bet he’s had many beautiful women.

“Lexi?” He grabs my attention.

I look up at his concerned eyes.

“Yes?”

“You just got really quiet. Is everything all right?”

“Um, yeah. I was just thinking. It’s no big deal.”

He squeezes my hand gently.

“Tell me. I don’t want you to be afraid to say what’s on your mind.”

I’m not about to go there, but Cole presses the issue.

“Lexi, talk to me.”

I bite my lip then remember to stop before he pulls my lip from my teeth.

“I was just thinking that you look like you should be dating supermodels, not fresh out of college nerds.”

Cole chuckles.

“You’re more attractive than any model I’ve seen.”

I roll my eyes at the compliment. I do have self-confidence and I know I’m pretty, but he is gorgeous.

“So have you dated many?”

“Models? No, not at all. In fact, I’ve never really dated.”

“Oh, so you’re the love ’em and leave ’em type,” I state, just to see what he says.

He tilts his head and is quiet for a moment.

“Only once, but we didn’t have sex.”

“Okay, now I’m curious. What does that mean?”

“It means I’m still a virgin, but I did give a lady her first experience with orgasms. It was just before I came here.”

My mouth drops open.

“Just before? Like a few nights ago?”

Oh Goddess, where does that leave me?

“Yes, Lexi. I fooled around, but didn’t have sex. Afterward, she and I agreed to part ways.”

He looks at me, and I’m pretty sure I’m scowling.

“Have you ever fooled around?” he bluntly asks.

“Well, yeah, but it wasn’t a few days ago,” I point out.

“You and I didn’t even know each other a few days ago,” he says as he pulls into the parking garage of the mall.

I guess he’s right, but that wasn’t very much downtime. He parks, then takes my hand.

“Lexi, it was one time. I’ve never really been with anyone else. I’m with you now. You’re my ma... my girlfriend. You’re stuck with me for a while.”

We end the conversation and head into the mall to begin the search for a dress to wear under my graduation gown.

After searching in three different stores, he holds out the perfect dress.

“Lexi, how about this one?”

It’s a 50’s style A-line with cap sleeves in a pale blue. I take the dress, then find the tulle slip that hides under it to give it the fuller skirt.

“I think it’ll be perfect. Wait here while I try it on.”

He kisses me, then takes a seat in front of the dressing room. The dress is perfect, and I look myself over in excitement.

He looks up at me with heated eyes when I step out of the dressing room. He stands to give me a kiss.

“You look so beautiful. I really like that color on you. Let’s find shoes and accessories for your dress.”

He returns to his seat to wait for me to change. I get my regular clothes back on, then come back out of the dressing room.

Cole sincerely looks happy to see me. He takes the items, and we continue shopping.

We stop for a late lunch with my bags at his side. He refused to let me pay for anything, so I insist on buying lunch.