Mended(53)

“You screwed your way up the political ladder,” I continue firmly but loudly, “and for what, Lynn? A cell block, a roommate, and shitty food?” The judge is yelling, but I don’t care, raising my voice louder. “You may have taken my life from me, but I found a hell of a lot better one. You’re pathetic. I feel nothing but pity for you!”

“Order! Recess!” The judge bangs his gavel loudly. The clerk helps me up and I hold the bottom of my stomach. Cole rushes to my side, wrapping a protective arm around my waist and yelling at Morgan that I’m done, no more. They got what they needed from me.

Once we round the corner and are away from the rush of people, Cole turns to check me over. His hands are everywhere. “Are you all right? What can I do? Should I call the doctor?” His words are frantic until he sees my face. “Why are you smiling?”

“Just call me a good actor.” I shrug.

“You’re not hurting?” He looks a little pissed.

“No, I am, but I knew we’d have to break soon, and there’s no way I’m going back into that room. So I did what I had to, to make sure I got to tell Lynn what I wanted to say.”

“Which was?”

“Which is no matter what, I’m still coming out of this on top.” I pull him into me, resting my head on his shoulder. “I didn’t mean to scare you, but I needed this to be over.”

His hand wraps around my hair and tugs my head backward to look at him. “I couldn’t handle sitting there for too much longer anyway.” He kisses my lips and takes my hand. “Come on, let’s see if we can get an early flight back home.”



***



Frank shakes his head at me and smiles. “I guess it could have been worse.” He holds the car door open for me. “Thanks for not getting held in contempt this time.”

“No problem,” I joke, settling into my seat and feeling a mixture of things. I know it will take some time to work things out, but now this chapter can be closed, at least for me.

Cole settles in next to me, placing his warm hand on my leg. Suddenly, my hormones kick in full throttle. I casually slip my hand on his thigh, dipping low and feeling him immediately spring to attention. He shakes his head, laughing under his breath.

“You’re killing me, baby.” He leans down and gives me a quick kiss, pulling back slightly with his mouth hovering near my lips. “Oh, the things I’d do to you if we were alone.”

My body hums with excitement. “Oh, the things I’d let you do to me if we were alone.” I bite my bottom lip playfully.

“Frank, get out,” he jokes as we pull into traffic. Poor Frank just shakes his head and turns up the radio.

“I love you, Cole,” I whisper, nuzzling into his neck and seeking his comfort.

“Is that so?”

I kiss my favorite spot along his jawline. “It is.” I doze off, and savor the fact that I’m finished with my part of the court proceedings.

I manage to get a little sleep on the plane as Cole rubs soothing circles over our little Fritter, relaxing my sore muscles as I think about my mother and what she’d think about this entire situation. The only upside to her not being here is she can’t be affected by any of this. I only hope she can see I love someone who loves me as much I do him.

I wiggle my fingers, moving the heavy diamond and relishing its feeling and what it represents. Cole lifts my hand to his mouth and kisses the ring; he is so tuned to my thoughts.

“Cole?” I turn to look up at him. “I want to go home.”

“That’s where we’re headed.” He brushes my hair off my face.

“No,” I shake my head, “I want to come home.”

His eyes sparkle as his finger traces along my brow, down my cheekbone, and stops at my lips. “Yeah, baby, let’s go home.” He leans down, sealing his mouth over mine and our words into a promise. I doze off, comforted by the warmth of his hand on my thigh.

The North Dakota airport is quiet. There are very few people around, as it’s the middle of the night. I’m not looking forward to the long drive home, but I know I won’t have to return to Washington for a very long time. If ever.

As we step outside into the fresh air, my fingers slip on the strap and I drop my bag, tripping over it and nearly falling flat on my face. Cole catches me in time and tugs me close to him. He checks me over, hands everywhere. I bat them away and tell him to stop fussing. I laugh when he starts in harder, clearly making fun of the situation. He suddenly pulls me in for a kiss, chuckling while his tongue plays with mine. A gust of wind whips my hair wildly around my face.