Page 20 of Cole
“I think you’re right,” she said, standing and smiling at her. “Get some rest. I’m about to test a theory.”
“What theory is that?” asked Hala.
“I’m about to see if Angus feels the same way about me as I feel about him. If he does, we need to be prepared for the family.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
“Hey,” she smiled, taking the seat beside him. His long legs were stretched out, his hands folded across his mid-section.
“Hey, yourself,” he grinned. “Everything okay back there?”
“Yes,” she nodded. “At least I think so. She’s confused about her feelings for Cole.”
“Ah,” laughed Angus. “The Belle Fleur love train is coming into the station.” Bailey smiled, looking down at her own folded hands.
“Is it?” she whispered. Angus sat up, leaning forward on his elbows. He turned toward her, staring at her face.
“Bailey.”
“It’s okay. I’m being silly.”
“Are you? Tell me you haven’t felt something from the moment we saw one another in that damn hotel. Tell me you didn’t enjoy those kisses as much as I did. Tell me that, and I will walk away.”
“No!” she said sharply. “No. You can’t walk away, Angus. Not now. Not now that we’ve found you again. That I’ve found you.”
“Did you find me?” he smirked.
“Well, technically you found yourself. I mean, rescued yourself and the others. But, we bumped into one another and I want to do that again.”
“You want to bump into me again?” he grinned.
“Angus, you’re making this very hard for me,” she said shaking her head. She started to stand but he gripped her arm,pulling her onto his lap. He wrapped his arms around her body, holding her firmly against his own.
“That is the last thing I want to do. I never, ever want to make anything hard for you. I want to make everything easy for you, Bailey. I want to get to know the woman that you are. I want to marvel at that magnificent brain that’s determined to negotiate hostage exchanges and rescues. I want to know your favorite foods, color, and music. I want to work my way, at your pace, to seeing your beautiful body next to mine in the morning when we wake up. Together.”
She stared at him, almost not believing what he was saying. When he didn’t budge, didn’t laugh, didn’t sway from his statement, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders, kissing him softly.
“I want that too, Angus. It was such a surprise to see you, and to see how different you looked and how I reacted to that. I don’t care about our age difference. It means nothing to me.” He kissed her quickly, nodding.
“Let’s just hope it won’t mean anything to your parents. I’m not sure what I’ll do if it matters to them,” he said shaking his head. “You know, I was at Belle Fleur for a year or two and I saw it with others. The instant, crushing, love ball that rolls toward you and you can’t escape it.
“I didn’t believe it at first. I mean, how could you fall in love so quickly? When I left for my parents, I was determined to return and then my ex showed up and I was so confused, so desperate for companionship I mistook loneliness for love.”
“I’m so sorry, Angus,” she whispered.
“All things led me to where I am. Right here. With you,” he said. “I’m going to bet that Mama Irene would say this is how it was always meant to be.”
“I’m sure she will,” laughed Bailey. “Angus, don’t think I’m foolish but I truly believe I’m in love with you.”
He smiled, holding her tighter, kissing her nose, her neck, her sweet lips over and over again.
“You’re not foolish and if you are, I am too. I can’t explain it Bailey, and I’m pretty sure I’m not supposed to, but when I saw you in the hotel I knew you were the reason I was in Syria.”
“Actually,” she smiled, “I think you were the reason that I was in Syria.”
“Fine,” he chuckled. “I don’t care. We found one another and I don’t want to leave. Ever again.”
“Then don’t,” she whispered against his lips.
