Beautiful Mess(68)

Without warning, Cole pulled her in and crushed his lips to hers, almost angrily. Bri was so surprised that she couldn’t move for a second. Then, utterly insulted, she jerked back, breaking out of his grip. She eyed him, outraged.

“That doesn’t prove anything,” her anger and venom dripping from each word. She tried to turn away, but Cole caught her and pulled her in again.

“I wasn’t finished,” he whispered, and kissed her again.

This kiss, though, took Bri’s breath away, decimating her resistance. There was no anger or frustration, just a deep, almost desperate need. It overwhelmed her. Cole’s arms circled her, his hand cupping the back of her head, holding her gently. He kissed her with a tenderness and intensity that had her trembling. He poured out all of his longing, need, and desire into that one gentle kiss.

And suddenly, something unlocked inside her, and everything changed. It was as if the world had shifted, and Bri knew it would never be the same. There was no fighting it anymore.

She felt herself crumble beneath the weight of Cole’s emotion, and her own emotions rose to meet his. His hands moved up to cup her cheeks, and the defenses Bri had so carefully constructed to keep him out, crumbled. With a delicious shiver, she stopped fighting and gave in.

She moved to deepen the kiss, and felt Cole’s joy as he responded, eagerly but still gently. Bri arms wound around him and pulled him tighter to her. She poured out everything inside her, as she kissed him desperately. It was like she was drowning, and Cole was the oxygen she couldn’t live without. It was the most wonderful, exhilarating, terrifying experience of her life, and she was reveling in it.

A car drove past them, and she jumped back startled. She had completely forgotten where they were, making out on the side of the road where anyone could see them. She giggled nervously as her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

Cole looked up and down the street. “Um, would you like to come back inside?” He gave her a half smile.

“Yeah, I think that’d be a good idea.” Bri took Cole’s outstretched hand and let him lead her back to the house. Awed, she couldn’t stop staring at him as they walked. He somehow looked different to her. Everything seemed different, better. She’d always been attracted to him, though she’d tried to deny it, but now she let herself fully appreciate how irresistible he really was.

Cole let her in and closed the door behind him. He stood there, hands in his pockets, looking like he wasn’t sure what to do next. His uncertainty melted Bri’s heart.

“So, I guess this means we should probably talk,” he smiled sheepishly.

“Probably.” Her eyes travelled over Cole’s body, and her pulse picked up. “But, is there any way you’d be willing to postpone the talking for a little bit?”

“Have something better in mind?” Cole’s eyes darkened with desire.

“I have an idea or two,” she whispered.

Then suddenly, as if a signal passed between them, Bri and Cole rushed towards each other, their bodies and lips colliding.

This kiss was nothing like the emotional, tender kiss outside. This kiss was a hot, raging inferno. This was months and months of repressed desire finally given the freedom it had longed for. There was nothing soft or delicate about the way Cole kissed her, and there was no hesitation on Bri’s part as she matched his intensity. Cole’s tongue found hers, and proceeded to do things that made her knees weak.

He effortlessly lifted her, and never breaking their kiss, skillfully and smoothly maneuvered them onto the couch. His hands grabbed her hips, pulling her closer. Her fingers swam through his soft, dark hair, as they’d been itching to do since she’d met him, trying to pull him as close as she could. But it wasn’t close enough. She needed more of him.

As if sensing her thoughts, Cole laid her back on the couch and covered her with his body. Bri reveled in the feel of his warm, hard chest pressed against hers, their intertwined legs, the way they seemed to fit together perfectly. Their kissing intensified, neither of them wanting to let up. Cole’s fingers tangled in her hair, and Bri’s dug into his back, holding him tightly, determined never to let go. They kissed each other hungrily, until Bri thought she’d pass out from lack of oxygen. Heart pounding, she pulled back slightly, finally breaking the kiss.

“Okay,” she panted, “maybe we’d better get to the talking now.” At Cole’s dubious expression, she continued. “If you keep kissing me like that, you’re going to put me into a coma or something.”

“I’m not the one with the lethal mouth, baby,” he smiled down at her. “I don’t know who taught you how to kiss like that, but I’m torn between hunting him down and killing him, or sending him a thank-you fruit basket!