Darkness Before Dawn

work? Do you realize that every time I know you're out I think of a hundred different things that can happen to you and relive that day all over again? Every. Single. Goddamn time. So when I find out that you're WITH one of the guys responsible..."
    I take a step back so that I don't have to tilt my head as much to look at him. "I didn't ask him to meet me there. I haven't spoken to him since...in a while," I reply, reaching up to caress both sides of his face, the stubble along his jaw tickling my palms. "He happened to be there and we had lunch. I know you don't like him and I get why you don't, but you weren't there, Cole. If it weren't for him..." I shrug, dropping my hands from his face, unwilling to finish my sentence.
    He pulls me into his chest and cloaks me in his arms, resting his head above mine. "I don't understand it, baby. I really don't. And I don't want you to see him. I get that he protected you and got you out of there, but I hate the way he looks at you. And knowing that he was with you that whole time...when you were...I just can't deal with it. I can't even stand the thought of someone else being there for you when it should've been me."
    I snuggle into him, closing my eyes to savor his touch. "I'm yours, Cole. Only yours."
    He lets go of me and holds me at arms' length, grazing over my face with the tips of his fingers as he looks at me adoringly. I close my eyes and part my lips slightly when he brushes over them, continuing down my bare shoulder and gently down my arm, stopping over the ring that adorns my index finger. He turns it on my finger a couple of times before adjusting it back in place. My eyes flutter open when the smell of his minty breath hits my face and we lock gazes again.
    "You are," he replies quietly. "Mine."
    I yank his tie, bringing his face close to mine until we're nose to nose. "Forever," I say, looking into the deep green eyes that make my head spin.
    "Forever," he growls against my lips before crashing his mouth against mine.

 

    I run my fingers under my eyes in an effort to perfect my eyeliner and take a breath as I wipe the foggy bathroom mirror with my hand towel. I dab on some light lip gloss with the tip of my finger and smack my lips together a couple of times before deciding that I look as good as I can make myself look. Running my hands through my loose waves, I take a deep shaky breath and plaster on a smile.
    My heels clink on the hardwood floor as I walk to the living room to wait for Cole who's in what is now known as his home office, doing an interview. I sag down on the couch and switch on the television and find that it's already tuned in to Cole's segment. My mouth dries when the camera goes from the guy he's interviewing back to Cole, already dressed in his tuxedo for tonight's event and looking damn good. After a couple of seconds listening to them ramble on about the Miami Dolphins' new team, I switch it off and walk to the mirror to look at myself again. I thought I looked fine, but seeing how great he looks makes me want to fix up my hair a little more. I grab my soft curls with one hand and bring them up to the back of my head, trying to figure out how to clip them there and drop them, letting them cascade over my shoulders, when Cole's reflection appears in the mirror.
    His eyes blaze as they rake slowly over my body, and he runs his tongue between his teeth before moving it over his lips. I pivot around and look down, suddenly feeling shy under his gaze. The sound of his dress shoes patter against the hardwood floor as he walks toward me. I bring my face up slowly, breathing in a whiff of his scent when he's close enough for me to revel in it. I tilt my head, my lips parting slightly, and my body heating up from the desire in his eyes as he lets his eyes roam over me once more.
    "You look...amazing," he finally says hoarsely. "That dress-"
    "You really like it?" I ask hopefully. "I loved it when I saw it. I figured I would go with black since it's an evening thing, but I've never really been to anything like this-"
    "Stop. You look beautiful. Beyond beautiful. You look fucking edible in that dress."
    A small smile touches my lips and my heart swells in appreciation for this man, who could make me feel sexy in just about anything. Still not at eye level with him despite my five-inch heels, I lean up to kiss him, but he holds my arms and takes a step back, shaking his head slowly.
    "Let me see the back of that dress again," he says in a low