Broken Silence (Silence, #2)(30)

“No, the other bit.”

“Oh very funny?”

He chuckled. “Where are you gonna go now? There’s only one thing left you said.”

“I love you, Cole.” I whispered. “You know that.”

“Yeah, well it wouldn’t hurt you to say it once in a while.” I laughed, shaking my head.

“I love you too,” he said.

I closed my eyes, overwhelmed by emotion. Those words were worth coming back for.

“So you’re really not coming over to spank me? You’ve got me all hot.”

Aaaand, moment gone!

“Good night, Cole.” I hung up the phone and smiled to myself.





Chapter Ten


Cole




I didn’t see Oakley the day after that phone call. She spent the day shopping with her mum and then had dinner with her grandparents. We had spoken on the phone and texted, but it wasn’t the same as seeing her. I was very quickly getting used to being around her all the time.

The following day was dragging like a bitch. Every time I looked at the clock, only a few minutes had ticked by. I used to love my job but right now it was just a pain in the arse. It wasn’t like I could just take the day off either. I now had a house to pay for!

As soon as it turned one o’clock, I left the office and made my way to the diner, where Oakley had informed me we were meeting for lunch. Tomorrow, Max’s trial was starting. I was only working a half day so I could spend the rest of it with her, but I was running low on holiday.

I parked outside the diner, smiling like an idiot as I saw her already sitting at a table inside. I opened the car door but instead of getting out I sat for a moment, staring at her; enjoying seeing her, completely un-self-conscious, unaware I was looking. People walking past would probably think I was a stalker. Her long blonde hair fell down her back in big loose curls. She turned to the side and started talking to the waitress.

When it got to the point that my obsessiveness was even worrying me, I forced my eyes off her and got out of the car.

“You’re early,” I said and sat down.

She jumped, and spinned around to greet me.

“Sorry. I’ll go away for a bit shall I?”

“So dramatic,” she grinned and threw a menu at me.

“I already know what I’m having.”

“Burger and chips,” Oakley stated.

I smirked, “No, actually. I’m having the chicken salad.”

Her eyebrows rose quickly, but she quickly recovered a poker face.

“You’re going to have to go through with that now, or I’ll know you’re lying.”

Damn!

“You could always admit I know you that well and have the burger,” she sang, pretending to look at the menu.

“I’m having the salad.” And stopping at McDonalds on the way back to work.

“Great, I’m having the burger.”

“Of course you are,” I said, resigned to being tormented.

Ten minutes later a plate of rabbit food was placed in front of me, while Oakley received a large cheeseburger and fries. Why did I always have to win? This wasn’t even winning. I should have just admitted it, and I would be munching on a juicy cow sandwich right now.

Oakley popped a chip in her mouth and sighed, “Mmm.”

I glared. Why did lettuce have to taste of nothing?

“You’re really enjoying this, aren’t you?”

She nodded. “You have no idea how much. Don’t forget your tomato.”

“If you’re not careful I’m going to throw it at you.”

And then inevitable – she broached the event looming on the horizon.

“So you’re coming over at one tomorrow?”

“Yep, unless I can get off any earlier,” I reassured her.

Then just as abruptly, she shut down the topic: we ate lunch, and chatted about everything but the start of the trial tomorrow. If she wasn’t going to talk about it, then I wouldn’t bring it up. I didn’t feel like I needed to start a conversation about it any more. If she wanted to talk, she would come to me.

“So, you gonna call me again tonight for some more naughty time?” I asked, leaning against my car as we waited for Jasper to pick her up.

She blushed, shaking her head and grinning.

“Shut up, Cole.”

Trying not to laugh, I placed my hands on the glass, either side of her body. Oakley took in a shaky breath as I stared down at her.

“Sure you don’t want to?”

Whatever she came back at me with, I knew she wanted to, her eyes gave her away.

She gripped a fistful of my shirt and pulled me closer, so our chests were touching. I reminded myself that taking her in a public place would get us arrested.

“What if I do?” she whispered, her voice sounded even more husky than usual.

My heart hammered in my chest. Every single part of my body was screaming out for her. I pressed my forehead to hers and tried to control my heavy breathing.

“Then call me. I really don’t mind.”

Oakley grinned and ran her finger along my bottom lip. Self-control, Cole. Don’t grab her.

“I bet you don’t mind.”

My eyes wandered down to her lips. There was nothing I wanted more in the world than to kiss her.