Winter Heat Read online

  She chuckles. “The one on Meadows Road?”

  I grip my beer bottle and point it at her. “Yep, the one you talked about all through high school. I still remember you dreaming about living there. We would’ve spent the first six months fixing it up and making one of the larger rooms a nursery.”

  Sarah swallows hard as her smile falters. “A nursery?”

  “Of course, you’re pregnant with twins in this scenario.” I give her a wink but immediately regret the words because a flash of sadness covers her face. “Sarah…” I reach my hand toward her, but she shakes her head.

  “Keep going,” she urges. “I want to know everything I missed out on.”

  The painful ache in my chest demands I stop, but she nudges me to continue.

  “We have a boy and a girl, and together, we build our dream life. The twins take their first steps, say their first words, and eventually go to their first day of preschool. You cry the whole morning, of course, so I drop them off instead. Then in the evenings, the four of us eat dinner as we talk about our day. Once they’re tucked into bed, we have a drink in front of the fireplace and chat about how blessed and happy we are.”

  By the time I finish, Sarah’s eyes glisten. I can tell she’s holding back, and a part of me wishes I’d never said anything, but I think we both needed to hear it. The what-if-she-stayed scenario has lived on repeat in my mind for years.

  I reach over and wipe her cheek, giving her a soft smile so she’ll stop crying.

  “Crazy how we never moved on,” Sarah whispers.

  “Because it never felt right,” I confirm.

  “Is this insane, Cole?” She sucks in a deep breath, and I lean back to study her face. “Are we just setting ourselves up for heartbreak again by spending time together when I’m leaving in a week?”

  “I’d go through an infinite amount of heartbreak just to spend one night with you.”

  She swallows hard and nods. She gets it and gets me.

  We finish our drinks and fries, then order another round of beers. I talk her into playing some pool and darts. Her spirits lift, and we end up laughing and talking for the next few hours. It feels like old times when we just enjoyed being together.

  “Christmas was pretty special this year,” she says as we finish playing our second round of pool. “Probably one of the best since I left.”

  “Yeah? What would make it the absolute best?” I smirk, quirking a brow.

  “If you kissed me under the mistletoe again,” she says confidently, looking up. I hadn’t even realized the bar had them hanging scattered along the ceiling, but I’m not complaining.

  “I think I can do that.” I grin, stepping closer and wrapping an arm around her waist. Pulling her against me, I grasp the back of her neck until our lips collide. Last time, I went slow and cautious as I wasn’t sure how she’d react, but now I slide my tongue between her soft lips with fervor and taste her like I’d been dreaming of.

  Sarah fists her hands in my shirt and hangs onto me as though I’m her lifeline. Little moans escape from her, and my entire body burns with electricity as she awakens a part of me that’s been dormant since we broke up. My cock presses against my jeans, and I know she can feel it by the way she pushes into me.

  “Sarah…” I whisper desperately. Though we’re in the back of the bar, and it’s dimly lit, we don’t need to give the locals a show. “Come home with me tonight. Please,” I beg, then feather kisses along her jawline to her ear.

  “Are you sure, Cole?” she asks as she tilts her head back, giving me access to her neck.

  “I meant what I said earlier. I’d give anything to have one more night with you even if it shattered my heart all over again.”

  “I don’t want to break your heart,” she admits. “But I’d give anything to be with you too.”

  “Thank fuck,” I groan. “Let’s get out of here then.”

  We don’t need to discuss this any further because now I know we want the same thing, consequences be damned.

  After I pay our tab, I drive us to my house, and within ten minutes, we’re rushing in the front door and clawing at each other’s clothes.

  “I still remember the way you taste, baby,” I tell her, nibbling her earlobe. “It’s been burned into my goddamn memory for years, and I never thought I’d get the opportunity again, so prepare for an all-nighter. I plan to eat your pussy before I fuck you over and over.”

  “Holy hell, Cole.” She gasps with ragged breathing. “I almost forgot how much I loved your dirty talk.”

  “Gonna remind you all night, sweetheart.” I flash her a wink, then remove her shirt. “Let me see you.”

  She unclasps her bra, and her breasts fall into my palms. Though she’s just as beautiful as she’s always been, her body’s changed, and I love it.

  “So goddamn stunning, Sarah. Your curves are so fucking hot.”

  “You really think so?” she asks, and I hear the insecurity in her voice. “I became addicted to Chicago-style pizza, and it probably shows.”

  I chuckle, shaking my head in disbelief. “Every inch of you is perfect.”

  “Then that’s all that matters,” she confirms.

  “I mean it…” I push. “You’re gorgeous, inside and out. Always have been.”

  “I wanna see you now,” she tells me eagerly, lowering her fingers to my zipper. “All of you.”

  “You will, sweet Sarah. But first…” I lift her up before I say another word and hold her in my arms. “We’re moving somewhere more comfortable.”

  Chapter Five

  SARAH

  Sweet Sarah.

  I haven’t heard that in six years.

  Cole always called me that when we were making love, except he’d say it like he was starving for me and couldn’t get enough. Like he had to have me right then and there.

  It made me feel so special and wanted again.

  I can’t believe I ever gave this up for a career.

  When I’m back in his arms, I know, without a doubt, my feelings—our connection—is still present.

  Cole leads me to his bedroom and lays me down on the bed. He towers between my thighs, and I wrap my legs around him and pull him closer.

  “I never stopped loving you,” I say honestly, feeling how hard he is against my stomach. “I don’t think I can. I’ve been in love with you since I was fifteen.”

  “I’ve always loved you, Sarah. I meant it the first time I told you, and I mean it now. I’ve loved you for thirteen years.”

  Tears well in the corner of my eyes, and I can’t stop the laughter from escaping. “This is crazy.”

  He brushes his lips against mine. “I’m crazy in love with you.”

  I arch my back as he lowers his mouth to my neck and palms my breast. Every cell in my body lights up as he caresses me while his touch heats my skin.

  Cole leans back and helps me out of my jeans and panties. He pulls me down the bed until my ass nearly hangs off, and after he widens my legs, he kneels between them.

  “Fuck, baby,” he growls. He presses kisses to my thighs, moving closer and closer to my pussy, but then skipping over it and going to the other thigh.

  “Don’t tease me,” I plead desperately. He’s driving me wild with anticipation, and I might combust if he doesn’t touch me soon.

  “I’m going to do a lot more than tease you, sweetheart.” He rubs the pad of his thumb over my clit, then slowly licks his tongue up my slit.

  It’s fucking heaven.

  “Do that again,” I beg breathlessly. “And don’t stop.”

  He chuckles against the warmth of my skin, causing goose bumps to rise. I rock my hips, hoping he’ll put his mouth back on me.

  “Goddamn, you’re needy,” he rasps. “I can’t wait to feel you squeeze my dick.”

  “Yes…please,” I moan.

  Cole bends my knees slightly before devouring me. He alternates between sucking and licking, bringing me closer to the edge with every swipe of his tongue.
/>   “Oh my God,” I pant.

  Cole groans as he sinks two fingers inside me while playing with my clit. His scruffy jaw scratches against me with his movements, heightening my arousal even more. My hands fist the sheets as my back nearly flies to the ceiling.

  “So fucking sweet,” he purrs, then presses kisses to my inner thigh. “As much as I want to spend the next hour between your legs, I need to be inside you.”

  “Yes, God yes…” I nod frantically as I watch him undress. The moment his cock comes into view, my body aches with desperation.

  Cole strokes himself as we intently watch each other. He’s bulked up since the last time I saw him, and it’s impossible not to notice how fit he is.

  “You look so good,” I admit, lowering my eyes down and licking my lips.

  He chuckles softly, then rests a knee on the bed between my legs. “You’re so goddamn stunning. It’s gonna take all the willpower in the world not to ram you so hard the headboard makes a dent in the wall.”

  “It’d be worth it,” I tease.

  “Got that right.” He winks. “Slide up a little,” he orders. I move up the bed so I’m in the middle.

  The anticipation of feeling Cole inside me again is almost too much. I lower my hand and grip him in my palm, feeling the velvety skin between my fingers. I hum out a moan before he pulls me in for a deep kiss.

  Our tongues and hands are at battle as we touch and feel each other, but I’m desperate for him to be inside me. He tangles our legs together as I rock to the rhythm of him finger-fucking my pussy. He thrusts so fast and hard, it doesn’t take long before my eyes are rolling to the back of my head, and I’m shaking with pleasure.

  Before I can catch my breath, Cole lowers his face between my legs again and devours my arousal. When my body’s recovered, he brings his lips to mine so I can taste myself.

  I grin as he puts his fingers in my mouth, making me ache for more.

  “Told you. So goddamn sweet.”

  Positioning himself at my entrance, Cole grips his cock and teases the tip against my pussy.

  “Fuck me,” I plead, arching my hips up. “I want you, Cole.”

  “I need you, baby.”

  With a thrust, he pushes inside and stretches every inch until he’s filled me completely. My entire body shudders at how good he feels and how much I missed this. Missed him.

  “Holy shit,” I pant out as he leans over me and latches onto my neck. He pulls out and rams back inside, over and over, until we find a rhythm. The smacking of our bodies echoes in the room, and I can barely hold it together before I’m screaming out his name.

  “That’s it, sweetheart. Come all over my cock,” he growls in my ear. “I’m not even close to being done with you.”

  Cole leans back and brings my legs up to his chest. He holds them there with one hand as his other palms my breast.

  “Your tits bouncing for me is so damn sexy.” He pinches my nipple, and I release a throaty moan.

  The buildup is so intense I can barely keep my eyes open. His hand slides down until it reaches my clit, and he rubs it with the pad of his thumb.

  “I can feel you tighten around me, baby. Shit, that’s amazing,” he groans, increasing his pace.

  My ankles rest on his shoulders as he towers over me. When he thrusts in again, he goes so deep, my toes curl, and my head falls back, gasping for air.

  “That’s it, sweetheart.”

  “I’m so close,” I whisper, rocking my hips.

  Moments later, my body shakes with the most intense orgasm I’ve ever experienced. My back nearly flies off the bed as I ride the longest high.

  “Goddamn, Sarah. I’m—” Cole doesn’t finish his sentence before he goes stiff and spills inside me. Everything around us spins as we catch our breaths.

  “Fuck,” he hisses as he collapses next to me. Before I can move, he wraps his arm around me and pulls me to him. “That was—”

  “Soooo good,” I muse, grinning wide.

  “Better than good. I’m taking advantage of every second you’re here, Sarah. Got that?”

  “You better.”

  “Starting tonight…” He waggles his brows, and I laugh. “I’ve been fantasizing about bending you over since I saw you at Fred & Wilma’s.”

  I burst out laughing and playfully smack his chest. “Highly inappropriate, but I’m not against it.”

  We don’t rest for long before we’re doing just that. We kiss, suck, and lick—memorizing and cherishing every inch of each other’s bodies.

  Once we’re spent, my voice is nearly gone from screaming his name, and there’s a pleasurable throbbing between my legs. If the way he spanked me is any indication, he left a nice handprint on my ass too.

  After the night we had, there’s no doubt the headboard most definitely dented the wall.

  I wake up to the smell of coffee, and though my muscles are sore and achy, I manage to roll over. When I smack into a hard body, my eyes flutter open, and I see Cole sleeping next to me.

  Blinking hard, it takes me a few seconds to remember I stayed over at his house last night and that we had sex—lots and lots of sex.

  The sheets are half off the bed, there are no pillows anywhere, and we’re both buck ass naked.

  “Good morning,” he mutters, barely moving.

  “Morning. I thought you were making coffee,” I tease.

  “Automatic timer,” he confirms. “I always set it the day before.”

  “Genius.” I chuckle. “What time is it?”

  He turns to look at the clock, then rolls over toward me. “Seven thirty.”

  “That’s too early.” I groan. “But I guess you gotta go to work?”

  “I told Mindy I was taking a half-day.” He smirks, wrapping me in his arms.

  I snuggle into him, stealing his warmth and tangling my legs between his. “I don’t ever want to leave this bed.”

  “Me either.” He presses his lips to mine. “Spend the rest of the week with me. I know you’re going back to Chicago, but until then…be with me and stay here. We can spend New Year’s Eve together.”

  “I’d love nothing more,” I say honestly, though we both know saying goodbye will be ten times harder. “But—”

  “No buts. Let’s just pretend, okay? Pretend you’re not leaving and that we’re together and happy. Just for this week.”

  I squeeze my eyes to prevent the tears from falling. “Okay,” I agree.

  “I’m gonna make us some breakfast and get coffee. You wanna go back to bed?”

  “Only if you’re in it.”

  “Well, don’t worry. We’ll be showering together later.” He flashes me a wink, and I giggle. Before sliding out of bed, he presses his lips to mine.

  An hour later, we’re in the shower after we’ve drunk coffee and had breakfast, and Cole feasts between my legs as if he were a starved man.

  I’ll never get tired of the way he devours me.

  Sadly, Cole has to go to work, so he takes me home, and we agree to meet up later after his shift. Though I miss him the second he drives away, I know I need to change and let my parents know I’m alive. If last night is any indication of what’s in store, I’ll need to pack a whole damn suitcase and let them know I’m sleeping at Cole’s for the rest of my visit.

  “Sarah, I heard the local news station is looking for a reporter,” my mom says as we eat dinner. “Eden said she’d email you the details and application if you’re interested.”

  I give her a pointed look, but my face quickly softens because I know her intentions are pure. She misses me, and truthfully, there’s a lot to miss here.

  “I’ll look at it,” I tell her.

  “We’d love to have you back home, kiddo,” Dad says. “And I’m assuming Cole would too.”

  My cheeks heat because they know I slept over at his place, and if I know my mother, she’s already planning our wedding in her head.

  As I wait for Cole to finish his shift, I read over the details of the job and de
cide to fill out the application.

  Perhaps it’s the change I need and could be a sign that I’m meant to be in Snow Port again.

  Chapter Six

  COLE

  Spending the past week with Sarah is what dreams are made of. We’ve relived old times and shared our feelings in ways I never would have imagined. Waking up next to her has made me a happier man, and I know in another scenario, she’d be my wife. She’s still the same woman I fell in love with, and knowing she never stopped feeling the same about me has changed things.

  Neither of us can deny that.

  I can’t believe it’s already New Year’s Eve. It’s crazy how fast the days have passed since Sarah arrived. It’s been magical, and I’m tempted to pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming. We’ve picked up where we left off as though no time has passed.

  While everything is fantastic between us, I know her being here is only temporary. In a few days, she’ll get on a plane and go back to her life in Chicago. I greedily want to take her home with me and not come up for air until that day comes, but I have to be at work. I’m tempted to use my vacation days, but Sarah has already told me not to.

  She’s my everything, always has been, and time and distance have shown me that. It’s been cemented in my heart and was confirmed the moment her lips touched mine at the tree lighting.

  Tonight, we planned to hang out at the little pub on the corner of Main Street to ring in the new year. They’re having a party with drink specials and live music. Since it’s snowing, I offered to pick her up even though it’s only a few blocks from her house.

  When I walk up the steps and she answers the door, my mouth falls open. She’s wearing a black dress that fits her perfectly with bright red high heels.

  “Damn,” I whisper, leaning forward and placing a soft kiss on her crimson lips. “You look beautiful.”

  “Thank you,” she replies. Putting on her coat, she tells her parents goodbye over her shoulder.