Silence (Silence #1)(35)

“It took so long for me to even consider there might even be a tiny chance that you liked me too. I’ve never slept with anyone because I’ve only ever wanted you.” he whispered, unashamed. Wow. Me?

I felt a warm tear roll down the side of my face, which Cole wiped away with his thumb.

“I love you. Always have. Always will.” Closing my eyes, I smiled. Hearing that was almost too much. I didn’t deserve him to love me like that.

I felt a gentle pressure on my lips. I kissed him back, showing him how much I loved him too.





Chapter Eleven


Cole




I lay perfectly still so I wouldn’t wake her and watched her sleeping in my arms. She was so beautiful, and so out of my league I couldn’t believe she agreed to be with me. I was the luckiest bastard alive. As soon as I had admitted I loved her it felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I had been holding it in for so damn long, scared that it would put her off. It was so good to finally say it out loud.

Oakley didn’t think that much of herself and I had no idea why. To me, she was perfect. It didn’t matter that she wouldn’t talk, or our relationship wouldn’t be ‘normal’ because of that: I was in love with her.

When she first stopped talking, everyone thought it was a fish bone that she’d choked on. We waited patiently for a few days, and then it became obvious that something else was wrong.

At one point, Jasper thought she was doing it for attention, but that wasn’t like her at all. I wanted to help her so badly. I wanted to make it better so she could talk. I wanted to hear her say my name and laugh again. Would she still sound similar? I sighed and kissed the top of her head, hoping that one day she would trust me enough to let me help her.

It was almost six in the morning, and I needed to sneak back to my room soon, but I was too comfortable, even with her sprawled out on my chest. I doubted anyone would be up at this time, but I couldn’t risk getting caught and not being able to sleep in her bed again. Waking up next to her was amazing and I only had five more days to do it.

After another ten minutes of just staring at her like a crazy stalker, I gently rolled her over and got out of bed. She sighed deeply as I moved her and settled back into the pillow. Stop being a creep and leave! Throwing on my clothes, I took one last look at her and left.

Last night was incredible, without a doubt the best night of my life. I’d had a couple girlfriends before, but nothing serious; it didn’t last long with either of them. Every time I got close to a girl, I would pull back, always comparing them to Oakley. Although there was nothing wrong with them, they were not her. Now I was so glad that I never had sex with them. Oakley being my first meant so much more than it would have with one of my exes.

I got back to my room and headed for the shower. There was no way I could fall back to sleep now so I might as well just get up properly. As I looked at my reflection in the mirror, I froze. Damn it, should I have left a note for her? She would wake up alone. That was what had been happening the whole time, but it was different now. Idiot! Glancing at the ceramic clock on the wall, I saw that it was now six-forty-five. Too late to sneak back. If you hurry up, she might still be asleep when you go back.

She set her alarm for seven-thirty, so I had to be quick. Rushing around, I had a shower and clumsily got dressed. I was in such a rush I kept stumbling around and shoved my leg through the wrong hole in my shorts. Just calm down, I demanded from myself. I was worse than a pre-teen at a boy band concert!

With just minutes to spare, I was ready. Taking a deep breath, I grabbed my phone and wallet and headed to her room. The problem I had now was that her door was locked, and I didn’t have a key. Whatever happened, she would wake up the morning after losing her virginity and be alone. Nice one, Cole.

Shaking my head at myself, I knocked on the wooden door and waited. As the seconds crept by, I thought a thousand different things. ‘She regrets last night so she’s ignoring you. She’s mad because you left her. You were crap in the sack and put her off men for life!’

The door swung open, and she smiled shyly.

“Hi,” I said, nerves bubbling up so rapidly I felt like a volcano ready to burst. What now? She moved aside for me to come in. I followed her into the room and sat on the bed. I loved that bed. Say something. I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. Shit, this was awkward. It shouldn’t be awkward! Seriously say something!

Gulping, I searched for the right words, not knowing what they even were. “Are you okay? You’re not sore or anything?” Biting her lip, she shook her head. “Sure? I mean your first time is meant to hurt, and if you’re sore we can get you something,” I rambled like an idiot.

Oakley shook her head and stood up, busying herself by getting her bag ready.

“Okay. Good.” I frowned. She rarely admitted when she was ill or in pain. I just wanted to look after her though.

When she had finished shoving her camera in her bag, I got up and wrapped my arms around her.

“I love you,” I whispered, running my hands through her soft hair. She stroked my cheek and my heart felt like it had literally stopped beating. Was I going to feel like I was going to explode every time she touched me now?

Reaching up, she pressed her lips against mine. I kissed her back, pulling her tight against my body. I hated that we had to meet our parents for breakfast; I just wanted to take her back to bed for the rest of the day.