Page 42 of Jagger
Molly was quiet for several long, agonizing minutes, still staring at the damned coffee table. Just as I was about to concede defeat – at least for tonight – she looked up and met my eyes.
“I met Brad in college, and I knew from the first day that he was gay. He doesn’t hide it. We moved into an apartment off-campus a year later and ended up sharing an apartment for a little over four years before he moved in with Drew over the summer. I actually introduced them. Emma lived with us for a year or so, too, before she met her now-husband,” she explained quietly. “There has never been any kind of romantic or sexual attraction for either of us.”
“I understand that now, and I’m glad you have such good friends to stand up for you against an asshole like me.”
“My last relationship lasted for about three months and ended just over a year ago when I found out he’d cheated. I actually haven’t dated anyone since then, not because I was heartbroken or anything. I was just burned out, I guess, and really started doubting my own judgement when it came to men. The guy before him had turned out to be a real winner, too. He bought me a gym membership for my birthday and kept suggesting that I cut down on sugar and carbs.”
“Fucking idiot,” I muttered, unable to believe that any man would think Molly needed to change her body in any way. She flashed me a grateful smile, and I grabbed on to the little bit of hope that flared inside me at the sight of it.
“I’ve been with youbecauseyou’re different, not in spite of it, Cole.”
The relief I felt at hearing my real name fall from her lips was almost overwhelming, as was the urge to go to her and pull her into my arms. I forced myself to sit still on the damned couch, ignoring the need to be close to her that was buzzing in my veins.
“I like hearing that, Molly, and I especially like hearing you say my name. Do you suppose I can call you Angel again?” I dared to ask with a hopeful smile, which turned to an outright grin as she rolled her eyes at me, then picked up the throw pillow behind her in the chair and chucked it straight at my head. I ducked instinctively, barely catching it as it bounced off my shoulder.
“There you go with those lightning-fast moves again,” I teased as I tossed the pillow down toward the other end of the couch.
“Could I talk you into letting me hold you for a little while, Angel?” She gave me a wary look, so I tried again. “Nothing more than that, I promise. I just want to be close to you for a bit before I head home.” She nodded and stood up, walking over to the end of the couch where I sat. I reached for her hand, pulling her down onto my lap. She held herself stiffly as I circled my arms around her and drew her closer.
“I’m so sorry, Angel. Please tell me you forgive me for being such a stupid sonofabitch tonight?” I whispered as I buried my face in her hair. She hesitated for a second before I felt her nod, and then slowly relax against me.
“I forgive you, Cole, but you need to know that I don’t give second chances very easily, and third chances don’t happen at all.”
I cupped her face and tipped it up so I could look into her beautiful deep-blue eyes. “I know. Thank you for believing that I can do better.”
We sat like that for another ten minutes or so, neither of us saying a word, before I placed a soft kiss on her forehead and told her goodnight.
She shifted off my lap and watched as I walked to the door. I turned with my hand on the doorknob, knowing that I needed to give her some space tonight but hating it like hell.
“Can we have dinner tomorrow night?” I asked softly, and she gave a small laugh.
“Sure, but let’s plan on someplace other than the Italian restaurant. We haven’t had the best luck with that place.”
I chuckled and agreed. “OK, you pick a place and let me know tomorrow. Now, come lock up behind me, and don’t forget to set your alarm.”
Chapter 11
Molly
The next week and a half went by in a whirlwind of school, and dates with Cole. We went out for Mexican food Thursday night, then stopped by the bar for a bit before he drove me home. I met a couple of the other club members and got to know Trick and Lucky a little better. Both were terrible flirts, and it was clear they loved getting under Cole’s skin. I quickly shot them down, which they accepted with good humor. For his part, Cole made an effort to ignore them, and they soon lost interest in flirting with me in favor of hooking up with women who were actually interested and available.
Cole walked me to my door at the end of the evening, leaving me with a panty-melting kiss before he wished me goodnight. During dinner, he had sprung the idea on me that we should take our time and ease back into a physical relationship, which shocked the heck out of me.
“Angel, you have no idea how much I want you, but after last night, I want to prove to you that I want the real thing with you, not just a hook-up.”
“So, no sex?” I asked incredulously.
“I can’t believe I’m fucking saying this, but no sex. For a little bit, at least.” He clarified.
Friday night had found us hanging out at my place with Brad and Drew. Brad wanted to see for himself that things were OK between Cole and me now. We ordered Thai food for dinner and watched a movie. Conversation was stilted and awkward for the first twenty minutes or so, before Drew broke the ice as he regarded Cole walking into the kitchen to grab extra napkins.
“You know, Jagger, you have a really nice ass. I’m glad to see your head is no longer lodged up there,” he remarked idly as he scooped more Pad Thai onto his plate. Cole missed a step as his head whipped around to stare at Drew in surprise, I choked on my Diet Pepsi, and Brad’s jaw dropped before he laughed and warned Drew to keep his eyes off Jagger’s butt.
After that, Cole and Brad found common ground by talking about football. I found out that Cole and his brother had both played baseball in high school but were avid sports fans in general. Drew had complimented the tattoo on Cole’s arm, which covered him from shoulder to elbow on that side. Cole couldn’t hide his surprise when the buttoned-down, conservative looking Drew had whipped off his own shirt, showing off the huge chest and back pieces he had. Brad had noticed Cole’s reaction of course, and gleefully commented on it.
“If those tats surprise you, you should see his pierced co – “ Brad’s voice was cut off when Drew clapped a hand over his mouth and hissed at him to shut up, or Brad wouldn’t ever get to see it again himself.
Cole’s eyes were wide as they found mine, and I struggled to keep my composure, grateful that at least the bleached butthole hadn’t been mentioned again.
