Beautiful Mess(28)

Bri was nervous at their closeness. Her heart beat faster, her face was flushed, and she became acutely aware of the feeling of his body against hers.

Cole chuckled and leaned into her ear. “Relax, Bri. Let go a little. Don’t think, just feel.”

Obviously Cole had no idea to whom he was talking. His advice went against every instinct she had. But, as she looked into his sparkling gray eyes, she found that she wanted to let go. To stop worrying about, and analyzing everything, and let her body take over. It was a risk, but it was a risk she wanted to take. Nodding, she shut her eyes and took a deep breath, letting the music flow through her. She smiled at Cole, who pulled her in tighter.

Bri reveled in his closeness. All her senses were tuned into him. His smell, a mix of his leather jacket and a subtle, but tantalizing, cologne. The way the lights danced off his dark hair. The deep abyss of his eyes as he looked at her. The feel of his hands on her back and hips. His chest pressed against hers. It was intoxicating, and she wanted more.

As the music switched to a slow song, Cole’s arms circled her waist again and he pressed his cheek against hers. Bri closed her eyes and melted into him, completely content. As the song ended, he pulled back slowly. His eyes held hers, and she couldn’t look away. For one exhilarating, terrifying moment, Bri was sure he was going to kiss her. His eyes dropped to her lips, and her breath caught. His eyes returned to hers, and he began to lean in. Bri felt her eyes widen in fear, even though a big part of her wanted this more than anything.

Seeing the apprehension in her eyes, Cole pulled back. He gave her a lopsided grin, before leaning into her ear.

“Let’s get out of here. There’s one more place I wanted to take you tonight.”

Relief and disappointment flooded through her as she nodded. Cole grabbed her hand again and led her out of the club and to his truck. They drove in silence, both thinking about what had almost happened. He parked at the beach by Bri’s house and turned off the truck.

“Take a walk with me?” he asked softly.

“Okay,” she replied. He came around and opened her door.

As they hit the sand, Bri slipped out of her heels and carried them as they walked along the water.

“Bri,” Cole sounded hesitant. “If I ask you something, will you give me the answer?”

She considered this a moment. “Yes, if I can.”

“Will you tell me what happened with the guy who broke your heart?” Cole kept his eyes straight ahead.

Bri was stunned. She hadn’t expected that question. She thought for a moment, and decided that if anything was going to happen with Cole, this was a conversation they needed to have. And she wanted to tell him. She wanted him to know her. So, taking a deep breath, she began.

“His name was Jeremy.” Out of the corner of her eye, Bri saw Cole’s eyes dart to her, as if he hadn’t expected her to tell him. “He was a year older than me in school, and was the star wide receiver on the football team. I spent my whole sophomore year crushing on him, but I don’t think he even knew I existed. Then junior year started, and I was so excited because Jeremy was in my chemistry class. Knowing I was smart, he asked if I’d be his lab partner, of course figuring I’d do all of the work for him. I knew that was why he chose me, but I didn’t care. I was just so excited he’d asked.

“We got to know each other, and about a month later, he asked me out. It was seriously the best day of my life.” Bri remembered her excitement and shock. “I mean, the guy I freaking worshipped actually asked me out! I couldn’t believe it. We started dating, and pretty soon we were officially a couple. And I was oh so blissfully happy. Blindly, naively, stupidly happy. We would hang out at his house a lot, and we went to a couple dances, but looking back, I realized that he didn’t really take me out a lot. Instead we would go to one of his friends’ houses, or, if my dad and Summer were gone, we’d hang out at my house. But we didn’t really go on actual dates. It was like I wasn’t worth the effort or money, or something.

“Anyway, we’d been together about three months, and for New Year’s Jeremy and his friends decided to go to the big party in downtown Dallas. They’d all gotten hotel rooms and were going to make a whole night of it. When Jeremy asked me to come with him, I was a bit hesitant. I didn’t want to stay in a hotel room with him. He had started getting pushy about the whole sex thing, and I knew it’d be a bad idea to share a room with him. But, he promised he’d get me my own room if I’d just please come with him. And since I could never really say no to him, I agreed.” Bri paused to take another deep breath.