Making My Way to You

Chapter 7

The waiting room was empty and Delilah was dozing in a chair when  a guy stepped off the elevator. He was carrying coffee and he approached her ." Lila."

Her eyebrows shot up. "Cole...what are you doin here?"

"I tried to call you. It went to voicemail. So I called the store. They said you had a family emergency. I called Luke. He told me about your grandpa. So I jumped in the truck. I thought you could use a friend." He handed her a cup of coffee.

"Thank you." She took it gratefully. "I appreciate it."

"Anytime."

A couple of hours later her head was on Cole's shoulder and Luke nudged her. "Go to mama's, Lila. I'll call you if anything changes."

"No...I'm ok." She shook her head.

"No you're not. Go. Go shower and get a couple of hours sleep. I promise to call."

"Fine." She stood up. "But I'm comin back."

Cole stood up. "I'll drive you."

"Keep her there." Luke whispered. "She needs sleep."

"Will do."

Delilah was silent on the way to her mom's. She was staring out the window and Cole thought she might have dozed off. "Lils?" He asked as he pulled into the driveway and cut the engine.

"How could this have happened?" She looked at him with tears in her eyes. He swallowed hard. "I don't know, darlin, but he's gonna be ok."

"You don't know that." She shook her head and opened the truck door. "Don't say that."

He followed her into the house and watched her head up the stairs. Delilah shut the bedroom door and collapsed against it. She let the tears stream down her face.  She didn't know how long she sat there but it was until she couldn't cry anymore.  She turned on the shower and let the hot water rush over her. She felt so alone. She knew she wasn't... the man she was in love with was downstairs. She wanted his arms around her. She wanted to feel his mouth on hers. She wanted to hold him close.

She showered and wrapped a towel around her before going down the stairs. She was in search of something to make her feel loved and make everything ok.... even if it was only temporary.

Cole was leaned against the counter in the kitchen on his phone. "Yea. She's extremely upset but I'm just hoping she's gonna let me in." He told Joel.

"Just be there. She will. Give it time."

Delilah stepped around the corner in nothing but a towel and Cole nearly choked on the water he had just swallowed. "Listen, Joel, I gotta go...." He hung up before he could say anything else. There was no denying she still had an affect on him when he felt the familiar pull building in his belly.

She crossed the room and pulled his head down as she pressed her mouth to his. He instinctively pulled her closer. "Cole." She whispered against his lips.

"What?" He leaned his head against hers.

"I want you to take me upstairs....."

"Lila..."

"I need this, Cole. I need to feel something real. Even if it's not forever. Just for tonight. Let me be with you...."

He searched her eyes and saw the pain and hurt. He did the only thing he could do. He lifted her off her feet and wrapped her legs around his waist. He kissed her softly and headed for the stairs.

He set her on her feet by the bed and toed off his boots. She slid her hands under his tee shirt and pulled it over his head. He found the spot on her neck that made her breath catch. It had been too long since he had touched her like this.  Her eyes closed as he eased her back onto the bed.

Cole pressed tiny heat filled kisses on her bare skin as he made his way back to her mouth. "God, you're beautiful...." His breath was soft.

"Cole." She pleaded. "Just love me..."

"Baby, I do." He answered as he rolled over. "You have to know that."

He loved her slow and easy, making sure she was comfortable and enjoying it as much as he was. The feel of him was too much and she let the stars explode in her head before he joined her. They made love three more times before she slipped into a peaceful sleep curled into his side. Cole laid awake thinking about what they had just done.

Part of him wanted to just enjoy the moment but her words echoed in his head. "Just for tonight" she had said. Nothing had changed. She was hurting and she just wanted him to make her feel better.

The next morning Delilah opened her eyes and stretched.  The bed next her to was empty. Cole was gone. She knew it. She could feel it. Tears sprang to her eyes before she could stop them. She had pretty much thrown herself at him. He gave her what she wanted. One night of sex. No strings. But deep down she wanted those strings. She wanted him.  She showered the smell of him off her.

As she was dressing for the day she smelt bacon. She braided her hair and head down the stairs. Luke was at the stove. "Mornin." He grinned.

"Papaw?"

"He's awake. He woke up this morning. Mama said to let you sleep. We'll go after you eat." Luke put a plate in front of her. "Now eat."

"Where's Cole?" She pushed the eggs around on her plate.

"He said something about he had to get back because of a writing session." Luke leaned against the counter and sipped his coffee.  His sister was still in love with Cole. He knew it. And Cole was still in love with her. But both of them were too stubborn to admit it.

Tears filled her eyes again as she walked into her grandffather's hospital room. He smiled. "I'm fine. Wipe those eyes."

"You scared me." She whispered as she hugged him tight.

"I'm sorry. But you know I'm to stubborn to leave you."

"Ain't that the truth."

He knew something was wrong with his granddaughter. "Ya'll give me a minute with Delia."

She grinned at his pet name. He was the only one who could call her that. "What's up?"

"Where's Cole?"

"Back in Nashville by now I guess."

"Are you ever gonna forgive that boy?"

"Pap..."

"No you listen to me... he loves you. And you love him.  I've seen the way he looks at you. I recognize that look. It's the one I give your mamaw. The one that says she's the only one for me."

"He cheated." She said softly.

"People make mistakes, Delia. You can't compare your parents relationship to the one you have with Cole.  Love like that.... it comes once in a lifetime. You don't want to miss out, do you?"

She shook her head. "No."

"Then tell him you forgive him. Give me another chance." He squeezed her hand.