Page 64 of Shelter
I matched his frown. “You heard me. I don’t want to wait. I want to touch you.”
Cole stared at me, mouth open, for a full three seconds, and then he was laughing again. He grabbed my other hand and hauled both my arms over my head and pressed them into the cushion behind me — all the while shaking against my body as he laughed almost silently.
It would have felt amazing if it hadn’t pissed me off.
Okay, that’s not true. It felt completely amazing, even though it pissed me off. He was still anchored between my thighs, his chest pressed to mine, and his lips against my neck. With each laugh, his hot breath gusted against me.
But I was still pissed.
“Don’t laugh. Why are you laughing?” I hissed.
He released my arms. “Because,” he said, pulling back from my neck to pin me with his gaze, “you’re so real. You ask for exactly what you want. I don’t know anyone else like you.”
Still irritated, I nodded. “Yes. And I want you to stop treating me like a child. You want to know how to repay me for saving your ass time after time? Well, that’s how.”
I didn’t really want him to feel he owed me anything for helping him and Ava over the years. I’d always wanted to help them. But I’d never needed him to see me as a kid, someone young and helpless, and he always had.
“I’m not helpless,” I said aloud.
Cole’s chin tucked back like I’d struck him. He shook his head. “I know you’re not. That’s the last thing I’d think of you.” Above me his chest rose and fell, and a look of regret stole over his features. “But youareyoung. And I need to leave you alone.”
His last words were like a blade in the stomach. I’d been alone one way or another my whole life. Of course, I had Mama, but beyond her, I had no family. I didn’t even know my own father. For years, I’d been alone at the bottom of my class, never as smart or promising as my peers. And I’d always been the odd one out in the Whitehursts’ home. Growing up watching Ava and Cole had taught me again and again that I didn’t belong.
But in Cole’s arms and beneath his kiss, I’d forgotten that feeling completely. Here, I was known. Here I belonged, and I wasn’t about to let him take that away from me. I gripped the fabric of his sweater in both hands. Maybe I’d just make a fool of myself, but I was used to doing that in front of Cole Whitehurst, so what did I have to lose?
“You say youneedto leave me alone. But what do youwantfrom me?”
Fire lit his eyes. “I want a chance.”
His answer surprised the hell out of me, and judging by the look on his face, I wasn’t alone.
I released his sweater with one hand and brought my palm to his cheek. “So, take one,” I said, my voice going soft.
Cole held my gaze for a moment, looking stricken. “Elise, if you’re talking about sex, you need to stop because I can’t—”
“Jesus, Cole. I’m not talking about sex. What kind of girl do you think I am?”
He stilled above me. “Not that kind of girl.” His voice came out rough and raw. “But if you were that kind of girl, I’d have a hard time being honorable.”
“Well, I’m not,” I said, unable to fight my grin at his confession. “So you get to be honorable…mostly.”
His left brow shot up. “Mostly?”
Heat rose to my cheeks. “Well, I’m a virgin, but…” How was I supposed to finish that sentence? I’d told Cole I didn’t want him to treat me like a child, but all of a sudden, I felt pretty childish. And inexperienced.
He lowered his chin and surveyed me under his brows. “But?” I could have been wrong, but Cole suddenly looked ready to pound flesh. “Do you have a boyfriend?”
“No, I’d—”
“Good,” he said, cutting me off. “You’re too young to have a boyfriend.”
“What?!” My voice disappeared in an incredulous laugh. “Are you serious?”
“Absolutely,” he said, and he looked serious.
I gave him my best glare. “For your information, I’ve had plenty of boyfriends.” Okay, so that might have been a little misleading since I’d only had two. But two boyfriends had been plenty. I didn’t need any more like them.
Cole’s eyes narrowed, displeasure simmering behind them. “Plenty?” His voice had become a growl.
