Why Him | Book 2

Chapter 1

Emily

His voice is above a soft whisper, one that you don't hear if you're not listening close enough. I search his face for any sign that he's just playing around with me. But the moment I look into those baby blue eyes and his pupils dilate, almost hiding his blue irises my heart starts pounding like crazy. He meant every single word he said.

"Peach, I-"

I don't know what he was about to say, but my brain seemingly had a Server shut down and put my body on autopilot, because I instantly lean forward. The moment my lips meet his, I feel like my insides are going to burst.

The butterflies in my stomach that I kept at bay the entire time are going wild, trying to escape.

My actions take him off guard, but he quickly collects himself again and kisses me back. Our lips find a rhythm, dancing a fiery Tango. When he licks the seam of my bottom lip, I open for him. He tastes of hazelnut, coffee and mint, making me melt in his arms.

Our tongues tangle, he leads the kiss and I get lost in the moment. Forget that we are at the beach. Forget why I came here. Forget that I swore myself to never start anything with a friend of my brother again.

I don't need any drugs when I'm around him. He is my greatest high. He takes all the pain away. He makes me feel safe.

When I pull away, I slowly open my eyes, catching a breath. Not because we made out like wild animals, but because this was the hottest, deepest kiss I've ever shared with someone. Even though we're at a public place, this felt even more intimate than sex.

It's called love, stupid.

I start smiling at my own thoughts. Yes, yes, I guess it is. Cole's lips form a smile as well and I kiss him one more time. 

"Thank you for saving me," I whisper against his lips, now glad that he came to look for me. He carefully puts me onto my feet again, keeping his arms securely around my waist.

"I meant what I said. If you die, a part of me will die too. Tucker will probably kill me for this, but I like you. I like you more than I should, Emily." Cole's eyes jump between mine, looking for any sign that I feel the same.

"Well, then he better not find out that we both broke a promise," I cheekily reply, running my fingers through his short hair at the back of his neck. 

"If this is suppose to work between us, you have to promise me to stop doing drugs and take your therapy seriously." Cole's eyes pierce through mine, his hands tucked into my jeans back pockets. We all know how bad I'm at keeping promises, but I'll try. For him and for mom.

"I promise," I finally break the silence, causing him to smile.

"Whatever it is on your mind. Whenever you feel down. It doesn't matter how dark your thoughts are, I want to know what's going on in your head. No secrets," he lifts his pinkie finger as he says the last part, making my laugh softly. 

"No secrets."

He pulls me in, our fingers still intertwined, kissing me softly on the head before pulling away again. "Wanna get some food?" 

Without waiting for an answer, he opens the passengers door for me and gets in next to me. We stop by at Subway and he drives us to his apartment afterwards. He didn't want me to be alone in my condition. And since nobody's home anyways, it doesn't matter where I stay tonight. 

°°°

Cole disappeared into his office just a few minutes ago, because his sister had called, leaving me sitting at the kitchen island.