Assured (Soul Serenade #2)(9)

Throwing the covers off, I see that I’m still in my dress from the wedding. Well, at least there’s that. Good to know I more than likely slept alone last night. Slowly, I pull myself to a sitting position. UGH! I need the bathroom, a bottle of water and some headache medicine, stat.

I wince at a sudden knock on the door. Glancing at the clock on the bedside table, I see that it’s still early. Too early for the newlyweds to be out and about. Gingerly, I lower my feet to the floor and pad my way to the door. I don’t bother asking who it is; at this point, whoever it is will be shot down. I’m in need of some hygiene attention, right after that headache medicine.

I pull open the door and cringe when I see Cole standing there.

“Well, that’s not a greeting I’m used to getting.” He smirks.

Shit. I look like I’ve been rode hard and put up wet. Well, at least once he gets a good look he’ll stop with this “you will be under me” bullshit. He’ll know exactly what he would be waking up to. Then again, I can’t see Cole as the “let’s spend the night and cuddle” type. From what I’ve heard, he’s more of a “let me rock your word and then roll out” kind of guy.

“What the hell are you doing up so early?”

Cole steps in, crowding my space, inviting himself into my room.

“Come on in,” I say dryly.

“I helped you back to your room last night. I knew you would be feeling like . . . well, how you look this morning, so I brought supplies.” He holds up a tray with two coffees and a bag from the bakery downstairs.

I take the offered bag and peek inside. Fresh doughnuts. Yum!

“Oh, and this.” He reaches into his front pocket and pulls out a small bottle of Advil.

“Gimme.” I hold out my hand for the bottle. Cole Hampton is a lifesaver. Never thought I would be saying that.

He chuckles and hands it over. “Safe to say I made a good decision?”

“Yes. Thank you.” I swallow three pills and chase them with coffee, burning my tongue in the process. “Thanks for stopping by, but I have to pee, shower and scrub my mouth for at least an hour. Make sure the door is locked when you leave,” I call over my shoulder. It’s a bitchy thing to do, but he smells incredible. His tight jeans and that messy bun have him looking all sexy, and I look and feel like death warmed over. The self-conscious part of me kicked in, and in turn bitch mode broke loose. I feel a little guilty, but Cole is a big boy—he can handle it.

To be honest, I’m a little disappointed that this cat and mouse game we’ve been playing has come to an end. He’s seen me at my worst; no way he’s going to continue the pursuit. It’s better off that way, but damn if it’s not fun going back and forth with him. Yesterday was the exception. Usually I’m not so . . . close, and no hands are involved. Dancing so close to him just about had me breaking my resolve.

Stripping down, I start the shower; I need the water nice and hot to break away this funk. I spend several minutes brushing my teeth before submerging myself into the hot spray, moaning at the feel of it against my sore muscles. I must have slept in the same position all night.

I take my time, enjoying the warm water against my skin. Whoever invented the shower was a pure genius.

Stepping out, I wrap my hair in a towel and wrap another around my body.

“That’s a good look for you.”

I scream at the sound of Cole’s voice. Shit! “I thought you were leaving?” I tighten my hold on the towel.

“Why would I do that? I’m glad I didn’t, seeing as how I get to see . . . this.” He points from my head to my toes. “This is definitely not something I would want to miss out on.”

Well, I guess seeing me look like death didn’t deter him. “There’s nothing to see here.”

“Oh, sweets, I beg to differ.”

Gah! This man is so damn frustrating. “You can go now. I survived the shower.”

“Nope, you go on ahead and do your thing. Pretend I’m not even here.” He smirks.

Right. Cole Hampton being within a hundred-mile radius is hard to ignore. Sitting in my hotel room, with me in nothing but a cotton towel? Impossible.

“What are you doing here again?”

“Besides bringing you the hangover cure, I’m your ride home, remember?”

Shit! Now I do. I rode over in the limo with Logan, so Kacen arranged for Cole to take me home since he and Logan would be off on their honeymoon.

“Let me get dressed.”

“Don’t do that on my account. I’ve got nothing but time.”

Still holding the towel, just in case, I quickly grab my clothes and rush into the bathroom, this time locking the door. Not that I think he’ll come busting in or anything. I was naked and he didn’t try, so my guess is that I’m good, but it’s not worth the chance. But Cole is deliciously tempting—all six-foot-four of him. There needs to be safeguards in place.





Restraint. I need a f*cking medal or something. I could hear her moan when she stepped into the shower. It took more willpower than I knew I possessed to not bust into the bathroom and take her. I’m out of my element here. I don’t want to treat her like a good time and then toss her—I know she’s better than that. Besides, Kacen’s warning keeps ringing in my damn ears. Fuck! He needs to get out of my head.