Don't Tell (Don't 1)

Cal winked at me from under his hat. “He is definitely trying to impress you.”

I smiled, but tried to ignore the comments and what Cal was insinuating. I wasn’t interested in Lance like that. Both of the boys were sweet, but playing pool was enough for me.

After three rounds, I mastered enough of a stroke to sink a few shots. Cal and Lance were fun to hang out with. I learned that they attended the local community college, and spent much of the graduation season at Lance’s parents’ beach house. They had been best friends since the age of five. I also learned Cal was short for Calhoun, a family name that had been passed down for four generations.

“Looks like we taught Carolina here how to play eight ball.” Lance slapped his friend on the back before taking a sip from a longneck bottle.

“I think I have a long way to go.” I handed the pool cue back to Lance. “But, thanks for the lesson. I had fun.”

“Anytime. Wait. Can I buy you a drink before you leave?” Lance’s expression turned sheepish and his gaze hit the floor.

I looked at him and knew then Cal had been right, Lance was crushing on me. “Thanks, but I’m pretty tired. Long day with the flight and the lost luggage, you know? Maybe another time.” I didn’t want our fun night to turn awkward. I was hoping he had put me in the friend zone from the beginning.

“Sure, darlin’. We’ll do it another time. Good night.” Lance grinned. If he was disappointed, he didn’t show it. He leaned over and tucked a folded napkin in the crease of my fist.

I didn’t need to open it right now to know what was on it.

The guys tipped their hats in my direction as I waved goodnight.

I walked across the street, and headed down the few blocks to the Dune Scape. The vacancy sign flashed in the office window. On the other side of the glass, Cole was sitting at the desk facing stacks of receipts and paper. An opened beer rested next to him. His hands were grasping either side of his head, and he was lost in a mound of paperwork. I noticed the clock above his head read almost 1 a.m. My pool playing with Cal and Lance had lasted longer than I realized.

I paused for a second in front of the window, watching Cole sort through the piles and punch figures into a handheld calculator. It looked like he carried the weight of the world on his shoulders. I hesitated. I wanted to walk inside and tell him all the things weighing on my heart for over ten years.

But it would be the confessions of a margarita.

I walked past the office, knowing I never had a chance with Cole.

“Wake up, baby,” his voice growled in my ear.

“I can’t,” I whined.

“This will help.”

I felt a wide hand slide between my legs and begin to work over my clit.

“Ohh.”

“You awake yet?’

I nodded. “God that feels good, Cole.”

“How many times can I make you come tonight?” he teased.

I shook my head. “I keep losing count.”

His thumb pushed inside me. “Fuck, you’re wet. You like it when I come to you at night to fuck you, don’t you?”

“Yes,” I answered. It was why I slept naked.

He pumped in and out of me. “Good. Because it’s my favorite part of the day. Now spread those gorgeous legs and let me fuck you until you wake up from this dream.”

Dream? I moaned. I sat forward. The air conditioner hummed in the wall and I reached down, my panties were soaked. Shit.

I fell back on the bed. It wasn’t the first time I had dreamed about Cole and it wasn’t going to be the last.

8

Cole