It was well past midnight when Cole came back. He undid the lock and quietly entered the room. It was dark except for a little moonlight coming through the windows that framed either side of the bed. He’d half expected to find Angel gone when he got back. Figured maybe she’d try to climb out the window and take off. But she was lying in the bed sound asleep.
Cole looked down at her as he pulled his cut off and tossed it on the back of the chair. He pulled off the shoulder holster he wore and set it down on the table next to the bed. Then he stripped off his clothes and took a shower.
Ten minutes later, he walked out of the bathroom holding a towel around his waist. He walked over to the stereo and flipped it on, the volume turned low. He rolled the dial to his favorite blues station. The mellow rich music flowed out of the speakers. He had to have music on at night or he couldn’t sleep. He wasn’t even sure when it had become a thing for him, but he accepted it. It just was.
Tossing the towel on the floor, he climbed into bed.
She was facing the opposite side of the bed. He put his arm around her and pulled her back against his chest. It felt like she belonged there. Her body was warm against his bare skin. She had stripped down to her bra and panties, and his hand rested on her bare stomach. Her hair smelled clean and fresh, and he leaned over and kissed her behind the ear.
“Night, Angel,” he whispered, wondering at this unfamiliar feeling of contentment seeping into him.
It wasn’t long before he drifted off to sleep.
***
Sometime during the night Angel woke up. The first thing she noticed was the soft blues music playing on the stereo, a stereo that hadn’t been on when she’d lain down. She turned her head and realized Cole was in the bed with her. He was turned on his side facing away. The covers were riding low on his hip, and she took in the beauty of his bare muscular back. She could see, even in the moonlight, the paler skin at the covers edge and knew he was naked beneath them. She moved closer and slid her arm around his waist, drawn to the warmth of his bare skin.
A moment later he took her hand in his, brought it to his mouth and kissed her palm. Then he gave her hand a squeeze and set it back at his waist.
She snuggled closer, her breasts pressing against his back.
***
After a few minutes, Cole felt her lips on his skin where his neck met his shoulder. A shy, tentative kiss at first, and then, after a moment, another, this one open-mouthed. He lie there with his eyes closed enjoying the soft touch of her mouth on his skin. He groaned softly and murmured, “Mmm, that feels nice, baby.”
Angel rose up on her elbow and looked down at him.
Cole felt her move and turned his head to look at her.
They stared at each other in the silvery moonlight.
He slowly rolled to his back.
Her hand reached out hesitantly and ran up his muscled chest, her fingertips coasting lightly over his skin.
His eyes followed their movement and then darted to her face. He watched as she slowly leaned over him, lowered her head, and then her mouth was on his.
The kiss was soft and gentle, barely brushing his lips, but it kindled a fire in him like nothing else would have. Her mouth moved to his neck. Soft, tender kisses trailing down to his collarbone. He felt her tongue dip into the hollow at the base of his throat, and desire shot through him. And then her mouth moved down farther to his chest. His little wildcat was all soft, purring seduction now.
Cole slid his arms up, cupping her face in his hands. Applying gentle pressure, he brought her face back up to his, and his eyes searched hers. He needed to be sure this time. “You don’t have to do this,” he whispered. “It’s not part of the deal, sweetheart.”
“I know.”
“Do you?”
She nodded.
“Angel, after everything you’ve been through, I don’t think you’re ready—”
She cut him off. “You don’t want me then?” she whispered, starting to pull back, and he knew she was wondering if it was because of what had been done to her, wondering if any man would ever want her after what she’d been through.
Cole’s hands tangled in her hair, holding her there. “No. You couldn’t be more wrong. I want you, babe.” He glanced down his body at the proof making itself very evident. “There’s no denying that.” His mouth curved into a grin. “It’s just…” he broke off, his eyes studying hers, his hand reaching up to tuck a lock of hair behind her ear, and then his hand slid back to her cheek as he cradled her face in his hands. “Are you sure this is what you want, Angel?”
She nodded again, leaving him stunned.
He moved one hand to her back and ran the tips of his fingers lightly down her spine, watching her reaction to his touch. Was she sure she could handle it?
She slowly arched her back as his hand moved over her, and her eyes slid closed.
“Then say it,” he whispered.
Her eyes opened, and she looked down at him.
“I want to hear you say it,” he insisted softly. “You asked me to stop last night,” he reminded her. “And I did. But I don’t think I’ve got it in me to stop this time. So be sure.”
“I want this. I want you.” Her hands ran over his hard muscled arms.
He rolled her over onto her back, moving over her. Bracing himself on his elbows above her, he looked down at her, letting her become accustomed to his weight on top of her. He knew after what she’d been through, that having a man on top of her might bring back all the feelings of fear again. He brushed her hair back from her face, and his mouth covered hers.
***