Addison (The Mitchell/Healy Family #6)(29)

I could tell Cole was intrigued by the massive size of the house. It was extremely large, built by my grandfather as a home he could pass down to his family. My father built his own home, and so did my brother. Now my sister was doing the same. With thousands of acres in our name, it wasn’t hard for people to want to spread out. Eventually I’d be living here, alone, and overwhelmed. If it weren’t for our forever visiting family, I didn’t see my Gram living in it much longer. It was too much to keep up with. Most of the rooms never even got used, and when they did it was only for a place to sleep.

I took my time showing Cole around the place, explaining how the one wing was where my Gram resided. The other section was basically unused. People had lived there in the past, but now the rooms sat dormant.

I opened one of my favorite rooms that overlooked the pool. “This will be where you sleep tonight. There’s a bathroom in there if you need to shower.”

“Wait. Where are you sleeping?”

I pointed to the room across the hall. “This is where I always stay. It’s the same as the room you’re in.”

“This is a test, right? You’re trying to see if I’ll be cool about staying separately?”

“It’s not a test. I’m sleeping in my room, and you can have the one across the hall. Driving you home is out of the question. I plan on watching movies with you until I get tired, and then I’ll go to bed. If you’re a gentleman I may let you kiss me goodnight.”

“Fine. I’ll play along, just to prove to you that I can withstand.”

“No doubt, Cole. I’m sure you will.”

“Hey,” he grabbed my arm and pulled me close while still standing in the hall between the two rooms. “If you want me to find a ride home I will. You don’t have to make room for me.”

“I think we’ve proven how much I like having you around.” I looked down at his crotch as I said the next phrase. “Especially after seeing what you have to offer.”

“Mmhmm, I wanted to leave a lasting impression, precious.”

I couldn’t resist this man, even when he acted full of himself. He was so casual. I envied his ability to be that way; to not dwell on what could be happening in my life and living each day to the fullest. I was drawn to it, needing to learn how to express myself in that same lifestyle.

“What would you say if I asked you to camp out in my room and watch movies until it’s time to go to sleep? My gram always has ice cream and popcorn.”

“You know I only want to be close to you, so I’m game.”

He was also sweet, an irresistible trait I couldn’t ignore. Did I want to sleep with this guy?

Hell yes I did.

The only thing keeping me from jumping his bones was the walk of shame I knew I’d take when I awoke the next morning. I wanted the timing to be right. If he really enjoyed my company the way I did his, he’d wait. “Go climb in bed, with your clothes on, by the way, and I’ll go make us some snacks.”

He yanked me backwards by the hem of my shirt. “Don’t go without saying goodbye. You really need to practice that.”

I kissed him tenderly on the mouth. “You should put a shirt on.”

“Not happening. I like how I make you drool.”

I shoved him in a playful way. “Go away. You’re terrible.”

I didn’t wait for Cole to say something else. Instead I hurried downstairs to make us some snacks. There was no need to dirty up the living room. We could watch anything up in the room I was staying in.

Since she’d gone out of town last minute, I didn’t have time to consider I might be entertaining anyone, especially a sexy guy. I scavenged through the cabinets looking for something interesting. I made popcorn and grabbed a bunch of waters. Then with my teeth, I held a quart of ice cream and carried it upstairs.

Cole was lounged back on the bed, flipping through the channels. He turned on his side as he saw me walking in the room with my hands full. “Did you bring the whole kitchen?”

I handed him the items and got the rest situated on the bedside table. “I didn’t want to go back down.”

He patted the spot beside him. “Get in here with me.”

“I want to get a shower first.”

“Alone?”

My hands went to my hips. “Absolutely.”

“How sure are you of that decision? I mean, is there room for change?”

“Give me your best argument why I should shower with you. I want to hear it.” This was going to be good.

Cole sat on the edge of the bed and cracked his knuckles like he was warming up. “Okay, here goes nothing.” He looked up at me while taking my hands in his. “You say we’re still strangers, right?”

“I’m listening.”

“What better way to change that then to get naked and discover every unknown inch of each other?”

In a completely twisted way it made sense, though he wasn’t going to win so easily. “You’re crazy if you think I’m falling for that.”

“Tell me you’re not attracted to me. Say you don’t like what you’ve already seen.”

“Why would I say that? You know it’s not true.”

“Addison, I’m just a man, who is seriously attracted to you. All I’m asking is to be able to show you just how much. What would it hurt if we took our clothes off and climbed under the shower together? I’ll wash your back, and you can wash whatever your heart desires of mine. There are no off limit areas.”