“Of course.”
“Care to share it?”
“Hmm... I think not. I fear it might make you think you can get away with anything.”
He gave me a grin that I could only describe as... cheeky.
“You having a list already accomplished that.”
“Wait a second... does that mean you don’t?” I pressed my lips in fake mutiny.
“Course I do. And unlike Ms. Secretive here, I’m more than happy to share it. I like that you’re fierce and smart and a fighter.”
I sighed, lacing my hands around his neck. “Damn. How’s a girl supposed to keep her guard up when you say things like that?”
“You don’t need that guard with me, Laney. I promise you don’t.”
I licked my lips, looking him straight in the eyes. “I’m sorry... it’s just habit.”
“Do you trust me?” he murmured.
I nodded. “Completely.”
“Then don’t try too hard to keep that guard up, okay?”
I nodded, my throat clogged with emotions. God, how did he know just what to say to put me at ease? I wasn’t feeling scared, or uneasy. Just happy to be here with him.
He led us out of the building, and I tried not to blush too much at how close he kept me with his arm around my waist. Luckily, we only encountered one person, and he was looking at his phone, so he didn’t even notice us.
“Where are we going?” he asked once we were outside.
“The High Bridge Park in Washington Heights.”
“Lead the way.”
According to Google Maps, the park was fifteen minutes away from the Upper West Side, so we Ubered there. I debated asking him about the mediation this morning, but then figured he’d talk about it if he wanted to. I held one of his hands in my lap, palm up, drumming my finger on his skin. When I looked sideways, I was startled to find him watching me intently. I’d intended to help him relax, but he was on fire.
As soon as we got out of the car, Cole pulled me flush against him. His lips covered mine in a ferocious kiss. He pressed his thumb just under my chin; the rest of his fingers were on my neck. Then he slid his hand to the back of my head, holding me in place. He explored my mouth like he was starved for me. He twined our tongues again and again, until I rocked back and forth. Oh God, that tension building inside me was unbearable. I pressed my thighs together—most of the tension was focused there. The way he kissed me just reached deep inside me, past any barrier and guard. Oh, this man. He was going to change me completely; I could feel it in my bones. From the moment I’d met him in Rome, I’d wanted to do things differently with him.
We laughed when we both gasped for breath. He still had one hand buried in my hair, the other firmly on my waist, brushing his lips against my forehead. My entire body was humming.
“Let’s go,” I said. I took two steps forward before stopping, looking around with a frown. “Wait... I think this is the wrong direction.”
Next to me, Cole was flashing me his cheeky smile again.
“You could find the most obscure street in Rome without a map but get lost in New York?”
“Your kiss was just too...”
“Disorienting?” he suggested. I pinched his arm, laughing when he affectionately pulled me sideways to him.
“Yup. That kiss was so hot it made me forget my sense of direction.”
“I know where the entrance to the bridge is. Come on.”
The High Bridge was the oldest one in New York, and it used to be an aqueduct. It was even more romantic than in pictures, with the wrought iron railing along it and old-fashioned lampposts. The park was at the other end of it, a sea of green with the water tower on top. When we reached it, we searched for a bench that was a little out of the way. We had a gorgeous view of the park.
“Now, let me get out the goodies.” I put everything between us on the bench.