Chapter 71 The Calm Before The Storm
Cole stepped fully into the boutique, his tall frame filling the doorway like he owned the place... which, of course, he kind of did. His eyes scanned the scattered room, with the boutique servers running around to pick up after us.
His eyes then landed on Jeffery, who looked even more ridiculous, which he scoffed at, and then on Isabelle, and me in a tangle of hats, scarves, and laughter still clinging to his side like children.
“Really?” he said, his voice low, controlled, but carrying that Cole Ryder edge that made my knees go weak every single time.
I turned to him, grinning like a fool. “Yes! Really! Don’t look at us like that!”
He took a slow step forward, his hands clenched loosely at his sides. “Celene… what exactly is going on here?”
I tilted my head, mock-innocent. “We’re… having fun?”
Isabelle joined in, waving a glittery crown at him. “Well, you're no fun to play with, scary, big, bad boy... which i absolutely adore, darling, trust me, so... Jeffrey here is our canvas.”
Cole’s gaze flicked to Jeffery, and I swear I saw a twitch at the corner of his mouth. He looked dangerously amused, almost like he was simultaneously ready to scold someone and fascinated by the ridiculousness of it all.
Jeffery, of course, stood stiff as a board, clutching a hat that was definitely too small for his head, eyes darting between Cole and us. “Boss… I… I”
Cole’s eyes locked on mine, and I felt my pulse spike.
Fucking hell, his green eyes did something to me...
The way he looked at me... That deep, dark look, even now, with the current situation... the way he stared at everyone with part irritation, part restrained amusement, and then at me and i just know exactly what he's picturing...where he's picturing me...made me shiver.
“Celene,” he said, his sinful voice low, like he was drawing me in without moving a step. “What have I told you about dragging people into chaos?”
I laughed, letting myself lean just slightly into him. “I don’t think you've ever said that, but if you did, I guess it was that you’ll try to stop us… and fail?”
He stepped closer, the air shifting around him. “Oh really, Kitten,” he murmured, brushing a strand of my hair from my face. “But you’re lucky my mother's here… otherwise, I’d have words with you somewhere more...private”
I grinned, heart racing. “I don’t think words are necessary… maybe...I... well...?”
Cole smirked, that small smirk that made my chest tight. He leaned in, just enough that his lips brushed the side of my head. “Taje your mind out of the gutter, Kitten...we'll have this specific conversation later.”
I melted instantly, with warmth bubbling up from somewhere deep inside me as i whispered back. “Maybe… but you love my mind in the gutter, dont you?"
He didn’t answer with words. Instead, he leaned closer, pressing a quick, soft kiss to my temple, lingering just a heartbeat longer than necessary, then he licked it... licked the skin of my fucking temple.
My fingers twitched, reaching for him instinctively, and I felt that familiar pull... the way being near him made everything else fade away.
Then he straightened, eyes flicking to Jeffery, and sighed, loud enough for everyone to hear. “You two… are impossible.”
I shot him a grin. “You love impossible.”
Cole just shook his head, a faint smile tugging at his lips, and I knew he’d lost, at least for now. Isabelle clapped her hands, delighted. “See, Jeffrey? Even he’s amused with our work on you.”
Poor Jeffery’s jaw dropped, realizing he was hopelessly outnumbered. Cole’s mother laughed and then looped her arm through mine tugging me toward the door. “Come on… My son is darkening the vibe in here...lets get other clothes or maybe try on bikini's... no men allowed!”
Cole stayed near the doorway, watching us walk towards him, arms crossed, obviously pretending to be stern.
Just as we got to him, Cole stepped forward, that low, controlled energy rolling off him like a dark tide.
“I think we've done enough damage to the mall for today, women,” he said, voice firm, leaving no room for argument.
I froze mid-step. “What… what do you mean?” I asked, still giggling.
“You have more clothes than you've both ever worn, trust me, i dont care, but... but we can move the next shopping spree to a different day,” he said, glancing at Jeffery, who was still holding on to his dignity like it was a lifeline. “You both look like you need food. And he,” he jerked a thumb at Jeffery “...desperately needs a long shower after what you’ve put him through.”
Isabelle looked at her son, then back at me, stunned. “Wait… you’re really… stopping us?”
“Yes,” he said simply, his gaze softening slightly as it moved from her and landed on me. “And I’m taking my kitten home for dinner.”
I felt heat creep up my neck at the words my kitten. Isabelle snorted quietly behind me, nudging my shoulder.
“You can’t just...” she started to protest, but Cole stepped closer, tilting my chin up gently with one finger. “No arguments. And you, Kitten...You’ve had enough chaos for one day. Let me take care of you.”
I could feel the pull of his presence, that familiar mix of strength and warmth that made my knees weak. My lips twitched into a smile I couldn’t hide.
Isabelle, ever the instigator, gave a playful groan. “Oh, Celene… don’t look at him like that. You’re falling into his trap.”
“I… maybe I am,” I admitted with a giggle, squeezing Cole’s other hand.
Cole smirked, that slow, dark smirk that made my stomach twist. “Good,” he murmured, pressing a quick kiss to the back of my hand. “Because we’re going home. Now.”
Jeffery groaned behind us, muttering something about never surviving this day, but I only had eyes for Cole. He looped his arm through mine, guiding me toward the exit, Isabelle trailing behind with a few last playful jabs at Jeffery.
As we stepped outside, I felt that safe, overwhelming warmth wash over me, not just from the sun, but from Cole.
I couldn’t help but think... maybe its not that bad... maybe it could learn to live like this, maybe I am finally safe and surrounded by people who genuinely love me
And in that moment, I knew I was exactly where I was supposed to be.