Fighter {Completed}

Chapter Thirty-Seven: It Was a Miscommunication {Ellie}

Chapter Thirty-Seven: It Was a Miscommunication {Ellie}

The familiar melody begins floating through the air as I smile, relaxing instantly. His presence warms the area beside me as he steps closer, giving me a playful grin that sends butterflies stirring in my stomach.

"I'll be right back," he says, placing a bowl on the counter to put all the ingredients in. "I'm going to change before I get anything on these clothes." I nod, remaining quiet as he heads for the hallway to my right.

My heart stops, shocks dancing through me as he scoots past me, dragging one hand across my lower back softly. A knowing smirk rests on his lips as I look at him, flustered.

Left alone, the music seems to wrap around me, bringing a peace I didn't know was possible. Hell, I didn't think any of this was possible before meeting Cole. Despite a rough beginning, Cole has changed the world for me. Suddenly, it's not so dark and gray any more. Not so rough anymore.

As 'Stone' ends, a new beat begins drifting through the speakers, an alternative beat that has a strangely seductive sound, one that gets me feeling as through I'm being wrapped in the music itself.

I don't bother stopping my hips from swaying slightly, mixing the cheese and Rotel in the bowl as it heats on the stove.

Between the music and the smell of the food, I feel like I could stay here forever.

The only thing missing is-

Warm hands land on my hips, making me jolt as my heart tattoos a rhythm on my ribcage. Squeezing softly, he releases me afterward, hands on the counter instead, trapping me against the marble surface.

His chest touches my back, making me feel hot.

He says something but it doesn't register, not until he laughs against me, taking the spoon from my hand softly, his other palm resting on my hip again as he begins stirring the Rotel on his own, a playful smile on his lips as I raise my eyes to him.

He bites his lip, peering over into the large pot, focused. His jawline is sharp, set as he mixes. Gray eyes darken slightly, his jaw grinding quickly before he clears his throat, swallowing harshly. Fingers curl into my skin where he holds me, pressing tightly.

"You keep looking at me like that and I'm not responsible for what happens next, Ellie."

The world stops turning, and I almost choke.

Good God, how am I supposed to control myself around this man?

Suddenly, all I can think about is Cole.

His hands on me, arms around me, lips on mine. My hands in his hair, on his back. He must read my mind because when I look back at him, meeting those steadily darkening eyes, he curses.

Abandoning the food, he pulls me toward the island, pushing my back against it as he takes my lips in a bruising kiss. I don't hesitate to kiss him back, feeling his hands grip my hips hard, keeping me against him as he claims my lips.

My heart races in my chest, my entire being feeling as though I'm being electrocuted from the outside in. I let my hands move to his hair, feeling the dark strands run through my fingers.

His lips begin to drift, his hands starting to wander as well. Cole's lips do things to me that I've only dreamed about. With a pounding heart and a wave of heat flooding over me, I feel the tips of his fingers skimming the flesh just above my jeans, slipping beneath my shirt.

It's a wake-up call for me to make a choice.

Do I really want to sleep with Cole tonight? I'm a virgin, and we haven't been dating that long...