Page 54 of Honey Bee Library
If thinking about Willow in my swim trunks sent my body into hyperdrive, the thought of her sitting next to me, wet, in her bra and underwear almost eviscerated me. But I was a weak man, and I wasn’t ready for this night to end.
“Um, okay,” I said, my voice low and deep.
She paused and then nodded. “I can do that,” she said before she turned and headed toward the hallway bathroom. Her hand was on the doorknob when she turned around. “I’ll meet you at the hot tub?” she asked.
I feared what I would say if I opened my mouth, so I just nodded. She held my gaze for a moment before turning the handle and slipping inside.
Now alone, I dropped my gaze to the ground. Was this real life? Was Willow actually going to join me in the hot tub? I wanted this. God, I wanted her.
I just hoped that she wanted me too.
17
WILLOW
What on eartham I doing?
I stared at my reflection in the mirror. My hair fell in soft waves around my face, framing my bright pink cheeks. I was standing in Cole’s bathroom in my bra and underwear. Thank goodness I’d worn a cute set today—a black lace bra with nude padding and a pair of black panties with lace trim—and not the holey, sweat-stained underwear I wore most days.
My heart was pounding as I turned slowly from side to side. I appreciated what I saw, I just hoped that Cole would as well.
I closed my eyes at that thought. “This is such a stupid idea,” I whispered before I opened my eyes and turned until I was facing the mirror head-on. I glared at myself, fear gripping my chest as my brain screamed at me to put my clothes back on, head back to my room, and neverevercome back out.
But my body seemed to have a different plan. One that included grabbing a towel, wrapping it around my body, and heading out to the hallway with one goal in mind: Cole.
I tiptoed through Cole’s house in my bare feet as I headed to the large sliding doors that led out to his deck. I’d seen his covered hot tub this afternoon when we first got here, so I figured that was where he would be.
My stomach flip-flopped when I saw Cole standing next to the now uncovered hot tub in his swim trunks. His large, muscular back was to me, and I took a stolen moment to watch his muscles ripple as he moved to set down two wine glasses next to the dark bottle of wine on a small platform attached to the left side of the hot tub.
I pressed one hand to my warm cheeks, cursing myself for being so transparent. I liked Cole. Ireallyliked Cole. And ever since Maddie told me that Cole was available, the dam that I’d built inside of myself had imploded, causing those feelings to flow freely like a river inside me.
I wanted him, and I wanted him to want me.
Was that possible?
“No one will ever want some washed up single mom.”Harold’s words ripped through my mind, as poignant as the day he said them.
Fear. Doubt. Self-consciousness pierced my soul as I dropped my gaze down to the towel wrapped around me. What was I doing? Was I foolish enough to think that Cole would want me?Me?I was a washed-up single mom. I couldn’t even afford a motel for Jasper and me to stay at much less whatever five-star hotel Cole was used to.
I was thrift stores and Hamburger Helper. Cole was Michelin star restaurants and celebrity best friends.
I shook my head as my eyes filled with pity tears. I was a fool to think that water and oil would ever mix. I wasn’t destined to be with Cole, and he wasn’t destined to be with me. It would be better for me to turn and walk away then to play the fool and join him.
If I had any hope of saving face, I needed to leave. Now.
I turned and tiptoed back toward the bathroom. I’d gone five steps when I heard the sliding door open. I closed my eyes because I knew what was coming.
“Willow?” I’d been caught. Cole’s voice was smooth and deep. It reminded me of the dark chocolate sea salt caramels I love.
I didn’t turn around. “Yeah?” I asked, hoping my voice sounded calmer than my body felt.
“Everything okay?” his voice was closer now.
Every nerve in my body heightened from his proximity. I wanted to be touched by him. I wanted to feel his hands on my body. His lips pressed to mine. It had been so long since a man had been this close, and every part of me ached for him to reach out and take me.
Knowing I couldn’t walk away now, I forced a smile and turned to face him. “Yep, I’m good.”’
Cole was just a foot away. His eyebrows were drawn together as he studied me. His hand was outstretched like he’d thought about touching me but had decided not to. My skin tingled from the anticipation.
