Cole noticed her expression and he realized he did not start his explanation properly. He heaved. "Shantel and I knew in high school. I was the popular kid in school and a playboy. She was a cheerleader and quite popular too. We hooked up and honestly, I wanted her at that point because I wasn't serious with her. I was all in for the fun and pleasure, whiling away time till I met my mate," he started to explain as he walked over to the other side of the hilltop.
"High school was done and so was my relationship with Shantel. I never broke up with her, I just packed my bags and left for college in New York. All my plans of escaping from my life here was ruined the instant I got a call from my father, demanding I returned home because Shantel had told him she was pregnant for me," he sighed deeply.
Amy swallowed as she stared at him, waiting for him to continue.
"The night I returned, I was very upset and angry. I had confirmed from Shantel that she was indeed pregnant and I was bitter because she told my dad instead of me. Perhaps, she knew I wouldn't have returned for her sake. Liam told me about the mating party he hosted and to get my mind off my situation, I agreed to attend and I met you," he said, this time around, looking at her with soft eyes.
How could she forget about that night? The night she gave her innocence to him and he walked away.
It was as if he read her mind. "Despite walking away that night, I never forgot about you. I might have been a jerk after meeting you again, but you were in my head, day and night," he said walking closer to her.
Amy sighed deeply as she looked at him. "What happened with Shantel and the baby?" She asked.
Cole sighed. "Shantel lost the baby and while I went back to New York for study, she insisted on following me and also studying there. I was compelled to stay with her because of the emotional support she needed. After all, she lost my child. I returned to Louisiana after six years to handle my father's company and take over the leadership of the pack. Shantel didn't return with me due to her modeling career. After six months of returning, I met you again and it has been the most beautiful thing that has happened to me," Cole finished explaining.
He held Amy's arms. "I never meant to lie to you or keep secrets from you, believe me. Shantel and I have long been over. I don't know what kinda game she's playing right now,"
Amy sighed. "Cole, I... " She didn't know what to say.
"I just want you to forgive me, Amy please,"
She swallowed. His hand caressed her arm and a feel of flame burning inside of her that only his expert hands had skilfully created and could easily quench.
He pulled her in, into a deep kiss, his hot breath mixing with hers. His hands wrapped firmly around her waist and the shuddering impact of his lips on hers made her shiver.
She knew they were destined to be, but why did it feel so wrong? And yet so good? Was it his perfect chiseled chin or his broad shoulders? Or the wicked smile he gave to her that sent chills down her spine?
Just mere thoughts of him gave her the wildest imaginations. This was a forbidden romance, but he was all she yearned for. All she wanted. He was her mate after all.
Here she was standing in the arms of Cole Darrell, the youngest billionaire in the business world. Alpha of the Dark Moon pack. Pride of New York and an all-around eligible bachelor on New York celebrity magazines until recently .
Seven years ago she had no idea of his name. All she remembeyr was his hands on her body igniting waves of pleasure inside of her. Seven years ago, she had a one-night stand with this man before her. He had taken her purity and he had made it known to her it was an honest mistake and she had not seen him again until a few months ago when he resurfaced.
Amy pulled away from him realization dawning on her that she was in the arms of another woman's man. It was against everything she believed in. Against her ethnicity but still yet pulled her in like a magnet attracts a pin.
"What is it?" He asked in that sexy drawl of his.
"We shouldn't be doing this," she said to him afraid to look into his eyes. Afraid that she would throw cautions into the wind and fall into his arms and let him return into her life. She turned to move away from him and he pulled her back to him.
Cole's eyes did not leave her face. "This feels so right." He said to her.
"And yet so wrong!" She replied in a low yell.
"Wrong for me to be in love with you?" He questioned her, his voice reflecting his hurt.
"You're my mate," He reminded her.
She held back the tears that threatened to fall down her eyes. "You belong to someone else, Cole," she said to him finally looking him in the eyes and she hoped he doesn't notice the tears she was holding back.
He held her hands together and buried his face in them. "Please, Amy, don't ruin our moments with talks like this," He said to me and raised his head to meet her gaze.
"I'm being realistic here," she said to him honestly. Just months ago he created a boundary between them just wanting to be with Tris his son and nothing more and a few days after that, he broke those same boundaries he created.
"What matters now is that we're in love with each other. The bond we share is more than that of a marriage contract," He said, still holding her hands and placing them on his chest. His eyes were hopeful.
"We'll burn in this forbidden love, Cole," she said to him. It wasn't a good thing betraying her fellow woman this way but why did she feel so helpless?
"We'll rise from the ashes," He replied in confidence.
Amy's heart flipped and she could feel the tear bags in her eyes unzipping.
"Until we are blown away by the wind," she said to him in a weak voice. She was so negative about this yet he stood positive.
"And we shall rise like the phoenix. Stronger than ever," He said with so much determination and pulled her e closer to him and she helplessly fell into his arms clinging onto him as the tear bags in her eyes burst open and she sobbed on his chest.
He held her tightly stroking her and she closed her eyes wondering how her life drifted to this point. From the innocent high schooler who dreamed of having her own mate to herself to a woman who was tied around the finger of a man in a complicated situationship.
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