Cole: A Boulder Series Novella Read online

  “What does she need to take care of?” he asked quietly. I was about to answer when I saw Jay come in the room with the guy I had punched at Aaron’s. I pretended I didn’t see him. The others did the same.

  “Fuck Cole, do you think you got him enough?” Theo said under his breath.

  “No.”

  Matt grinned despite the circumstances.

  Corey: You got eyes on Jay?

  Connor: Jay’s in the main room, get back here

  A few minutes later, his phone showed a message.

  Corey: Ari’s about to hand him his ass, don’t overreact! Heading back now

  What the hell did that mean? I leaned against the wall; pretending indifference was difficult when all I wanted was to go get Ari. Corey came back in and headed straight to Connor, he pulled her onto his knee.

  “You okay?” he asked her as he wrapped his arm around her.

  “Yeah.” Her smile was wide but I could tell she was on edge.

  “What’s going on?” Matt asked her quietly, while smiling, we were all acting like nothing was wrong. When did we become such good actors? I wondered.

  “Just don’t act surprised okay? Trust me.” Corey made eye contact with me and I hid my frown.

  What the fuck? I looked up as Ari walked into the room. Jesus Christ, she looked fucking amazing. My jaw clenched as she headed to Jay, then I think it may have dropped when she ignored his hand and walked back to us. To me. I straightened as she came right up to me, placing the bottle I was holding on a table. I could see her hesitation but suddenly she was pressed up against me, reaching up and wrapping her hands around my neck. Don’t act surprised, Corey had said. I felt the pull on my neck, understanding what she wanted, I kissed her with no hesitation. I felt her hands tangle in my hair as I deepened the kiss. I needed her to be closer, my hands cupped her ass and she climbed up me eagerly when I lifted her, her legs wrapping around my waist. My hands were under her shirt, fuck she felt amazing.

  “I think they get it,” I heard Matt murmur.

  Shit, I completely forgot where we were. I pulled back a little, Ari’s eyes opened and looked at me accusingly. Yeah, I don’t want to stop either baby. I kissed her again to reassure her, a small smile was my reward as she slid slowly down me. Fucking hell, she was doing bad things to my thought process. I turned her to cover me, this was not the time or place to have a hard on. Despite my inner voice, I couldn’t resist her now that she was in my arms again. I moved her hair out of the way, I kissed a spot on her neck and was rewarded with her grinding her ass into me.

  “I think it’s time we left,” I whispered in her ear. I needed her home and in bed. Preferably my home and my bed. I heard Matt laugh and looked up. Jay was being restrained by his friends.

  “You fucking played me?” Jay demanded.

  I wanted to laugh at him. No, punch him. Punch him while laughing at him?

  “All this time? You were playing me?” he demanded.

  To my surprise, Ari leaned forward, I automatically tightened my hold. “All fucking day, you’re nothing but a scumbag dick.”

  Finally! I squeezed her in appreciation.

  “What the fuck are you talking about? I nailed you.”

  I could still punch him. No one here could stop me.

  “Oh Jay, you went to your friend to slip drugs into my drink because you couldn’t get me into bed,” Ari mocked him.

  God, I was so proud of her. Standing here, letting everyone know how low this dick had sunk. She was owning it. Owning him.

  “You never had me, and as you can see,” she turned to look up at me, I dropped a kiss onto her lips automatically, “you never will.”

  I let her go, gratified when she reached back for my hand.

  “You let her act like that with anyone? I never had her pegged for a whore, or you for sharing.” Jay was trying to get me to react but I wasn’t going to steal Ari’s thunder by rising to his taunts.

  “You just don’t get it do you? We needed to know how deeply involved you were, now we know. Thanks to Ari.” I squeezed her hand. “Your attempts to get me to fight you? Calling her a whore?” I scoffed. “Please, don’t be pathetic. Your friends are watching.”

  His face was an angry red but my words hit home, he suddenly remembered where he was and who was watching. I pulled Ari back into me, she looked up and I couldn’t resist another kiss, her hand on my neck encouraged me to explore her mouth again briefly. She was perfect. We walked out and headed to the SUVs. Ari stumbled at the car and I had her wrapped in my arms quickly, her arms came around me and she held on. You’re okay baby, I got you. I kissed her head to let her know she was safe.

  Matt took her from me and I stood back as they spoke. My eyes landed on my brother. He was watching me silently, Corey at his side, but his attention was on me. I couldn’t hide anymore.

  “You played that well.”

  I turned quickly placing Ari behind me as I faced Aaron. “What do you want?” I asked him. I knew I should be thanking him, but he still put me on edge.

  “Making sure your girl was okay.” A small smile slipped out as he said it, I held his gaze and an understanding passed between us. Aaron shrugged as he flicked away his cigarette. I watched him as Ari questioned him, I heard nothing but the truth in his answers.

  He went to walk away but Ari stalled him again. “I don’t understand why?” She had the right to question.

  Aaron looked at me and I watched him back. “I told you, I don’t like being played. You fight fair, you win fair.” He walked towards me, as I nodded in agreement. “My brother wasn’t fighting fair with you. I evened the odds.” He glanced at Ari and then back to me. “Game’s even now, you come across our way again, I won’t be looking to even the odds.”

  I nodded in acknowledgement. We had no intention of being anywhere near any of them again.

  “Let’s go home,” Connor said quietly as Aaron disappeared into the darkness.

  “I’ll ride with you?” I looked at Ari and she quickly agreed. “We’ll follow.” I handed my keys to Matt, his look assessing as I waited for him to take the keys. After a long moment, he took them off me and headed to the 4Runner.

  In the car as we headed back to the house, I started to fidget, thinking of the brief taste I got of her. “Can we stop for a minute Ari?”

  I got out of the car when she pulled up and I was at her door before she was fully out of it. She was in my arms, kissing me back just as passionately as she had the day of the funeral. When we untangled ourselves, I asked if we could go to her apartment. On the drive there, I couldn’t keep my hands off her, I was worse than an inexperienced teenager. At her stairwell to the apartment, she was pressed against the wall as I kissed her everywhere. In her apartment, I didn’t hesitate and headed straight to the bedroom. I placed her on the bed, giving her room to stop as I started to take my shirt off. Ari stood, running her hands down my chest, she looked up at me and raised her arms. I took the invitation for what it was, pulling her top off, followed with her bra. She was in my arms, and slowly, the rest of our clothing fell at our feet.

  “Are you sure?” I asked her. I knew she was still a virgin, I knew I had to be careful with her. I held my breath, I would walk out of here if she asked me to, but please God, don’t let her ask me to. Ari bit her bottom lip, her eyes downcast, before she looked at me. Jesus fucking Christ, that look told me everything I needed to know, she was mine. I pulled her down onto the bed slowly and her body moulded against my own.

  As I looked down at her where we lay entangled in the sheets, I promised myself that no one was taking Ari from me again. This was right, it had always been right between us and I’ve waited far too long for this. Ari was finally mine and nothing was going to get between us. Not my dad, not my brother. I was where I belonged, with the woman I had loved for so long. Her hands rose to my shoulders and she pulled me down for a kiss.

  “I’ve been waiting for you,” she whispered. “For this.”

  “I’m
here,” my thumb stroked her cheek. “I’m not leaving you again. You and me, babe. That’s it, no more running.”

  “I’m exactly where I want to be.” Ari looked up at me shyly.

  “Good, because I’m not letting you go.” My head dipped to her neck. “And if you leave, I’m coming after you.”

  “Colton?”

  “Yeah, baby?”

  “Stop talking.”

  So, I did.

  If you enjoyed this book, it would mean so much if you considered writing a short review and sharing it on your normal retailers site or anywhere else you wanted to share your love of this story and all places books!

  Reviews are helpful to other readers, but mean even more to authors, and I would appreciate it so much if you took a moment to share your love of this book! If you do leave a review, email me, or message me on Facebook and let me know and I may even share it on my website or social media.

  Eve x

  I had so many people say to me when they finished Indian Summer that they wish they knew what Colton had been thinking at this point or that part in the book. I didn’t tell them when readers mentioned it, that it was always my intention to let you know Cole’s side. And the reason I didn’t is because I knew that it would take time. He’s a bit of a cool cat is my Cole. He sits here in my head, reading his paper or playing CandyCrush (yeah his guilty secret, shh) and whilst other characters are more ‘vocal’ - yes Aaron, I mean you - Cole is the coolest cucumber of my boys. A raised eyebrow, a small smirk, but never a demand for attention.

  But he knew what he wanted to say, he knew exactly which parts he wanted me to expand on. So, for the many that asked - and those that didn’t - I hope you enjoyed reading his point of view. I hope in doing so, you understand him more and further understand why Cole needed his own novella.

  And from me, thank you for wanting to know him better. Read on for a bonus chapter at the special request of my beta team. I hope you enjoy it girls.

  “Ari! We’re going to be late!” I called up the stairs as I checked my watch again. What on earth was she doing? She was only supposed to be going upstairs to grab her bookbag and her phone.

  Matt passed me as I checked my watch again, he grinned at me. “You shouldn’t rush her. This is the girl that came to family weekend with two different shoes on remember?” Matt leaned against the wall casually, his smile wide.

  “However, this time, I knew she was completely ready. We just finished breakfast and she was ready to go.” I went to head up the stairs but Matt’s hand on my arm stopped me.

  “I’ll go. You two won’t come down at all if you go,” he replied as he ran quickly up the stairs.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I shouted after him laughing.

  “Like fuck you don’t,” Theo said from behind me. “I personally never want to see your naked ass again.”

  “You love my ass,” I joked at him. “You wish your butt was as fine as this.”

  Theo stared at me and then burst out laughing. “Who the fuck are you and what did you do with my best ‘poker-up-his-ass’ friend?”

  I shrugged a little bit defensively, but I knew what he meant. Too recently, I had been known for being too serious, too intense, but now that I had Ari and it was out in the open with how I felt about her, I knew I had loosened up. The moment she had kissed me at that party house, I was all in. Well, I had always been all in, but now I was all in openly. And God it felt so good, so freeing. “Shut up,” I muttered to Theo.

  He sobered when he saw that he had made me uncomfortable. “I’m not complaining, it’s good to see you both so happy.” I beamed at him. “You guys are so disgustingly loved up, it gives me indigestion,” Theo grumbled as he checked his watch. “For fuck’s sake Matt, get her down the stairs, we’re going to be late!” he yelled up the stairs.

  “That’s what I said,” I reminded him.

  I heard the door closing and then two sets of footsteps running down the upper landing from my room. Then I saw her, she smiled at me as she jogged easily down the stairs, stopping on the last step, she leaned up and kissed me softly. Unbidden my hand came up cupping her jaw before sliding around to the back of her neck, pulling her in to me as I deepened the kiss.

  “And this is exactly why you weren’t allowed to go fetch Lil Bit,” Matt muttered behind her on the stairs. “I’d like to go now please lovebirds, we’re definitely going to be late.”

  Smiling we broke apart, I picked Ari up off the stairs and hugged her close. “What took you so long?” I asked as I let her slide down my front. I felt a stirring and wondered briefly if it mattered if we were late.

  “No,” Matt protested. “Absolutely no way, let her go.” He grabbed Ari’s arm and tugged her loose from me. “We all know that look, though God knows I wish I didn’t.” Ari was laughing as Matt passed her swiftly to Theo. “Come on, car, now,” Matt ordered.

  “Marshall Matt has spoken.” I winked at Ari and she smiled back at me over her shoulder as Theo led her from the house. “I wasn’t really going to go back upstairs,” I said quietly to Matt.

  “Don’t care, not risking it,” he answered as he ushered me out of the house and locked the door.

  “We’re not that bad,” Ari said as she settled in the car.

  “You’re worse,” Matt and Theo answered together. Which had me glance at Ari a little guiltily as Matt started the SUV and drove to CU. Her smile and shrug had me smiling at her in return.

  Once we were parked at school, I took Ari’s hand automatically as we started walking for class. Because Matt, Theo and I were all doing Business, we had our classes in the same building, and this morning we all had the same class. Ari had further to walk to her building because she was majoring in English.

  “What time is your lunch break today babe?” I asked her as Matt and Theo walked ahead of us, they were both talking quietly and looking at their phones. Matt glanced over his shoulder at us and grinned. “What are they up to?” I said as I looked down at Ari.

  “I don’t know what they’re doing, they’re like naughty children.” Ari laughed as she swung our clasped hands between us. “And I have an hour between classes at one today.”

  “Is that so?” I grinned at her. “I just happen to be free at one too.”

  “I know, Colton.” She smiled up at me.

  I stopped on the pathway and pulled her into me, tucking her hair behind her ear as I bent down and kissed her briefly. “You know do you? Stalking my schedule Lil Bit?” I teased her.

  “Yes.” Laughter danced in her eyes as she bit her lip to stop her smug smile.

  “What were you doing upstairs for so long this morning?” I asked as we resumed walking.

  “Maybe I was in the bathroom?” Ari nudged my arm with her shoulder.

  “Nope, not buying it.”

  “Why? I could totally be in the bathroom.” Ari laughed at me.

  “Fine. You were in the bathroom.” I rolled my eyes as we got to the Leeds building.

  Matt and Theo were at the front door waiting for me, both hugged Ari briefly before disappearing inside.

  “I can walk you to your building?” I offered.

  “I’ll be fine.” Ari took her bookbag off me. “You really should let me carry my own books,” she admonished. “You all should. I’m not a doll, I won’t break.”

  “Leave us alone, we like carrying your books,” I answered her softly.

  “You’re all hopeless. I’ll see you for lunch?”

  “Of course. Coffee shop?”

  Ari grinned at me. “Of course.”

  “Seriously Cole, move your butt,” Theo shouted.

  “Go. Before one of them comes out for you.” Ari laughed as she reached up to kiss me goodbye. I watched her walk away before another shout from Theo had me jogging up to meet him.

  “This is why I’m single.” He punched me on the shoulder as we walked into class.

  “You would change your mind if you had someone like Ari,” I said
softly as we took our seats. Matt and Theo both exchanged a look before rolling their eyes and groaning.

  I watched Ari walk up to the coffee shop, I already had her coffee ready and she had texted me to tell me to pick up a chicken Caesar salad for her.

  “Hey,” she greeted me as she slid in across from me.

  “How was your morning?” I kissed her quickly, before settling back down on my seat.

  “It felt so long! I think I was just impatient to see you.” Ari looked down at her salad shyly.

  Taking her hand, I raised it to my lips. “I know what you mean.” Ari blushed. “My morning was far too long.”

  “You’re just saying that.” Ari tucked her hair behind her ear. “I bet you were so focused in class you didn’t notice the time passing.”

  “Trust me baby, I watched that clock.”

  Ari smiled behind her coffee mug. “I have a surprise for you later.” Her eyes were fixated on her salad, she shifted nervously in her seat.

  I leaned back and watched the blush spread across her cheeks. “Do you? What is it? Tell me.” I pulled her hand across the table, entwining our fingers together.

  “You’ll have to wait.”

  “I hate waiting, I waited for you long enough.”

  Her eyes flashed to me and she bit her lip as she frowned. “We both waited too long.”

  “But it doesn’t matter now,” I reminded her. Ari continued to frown so I stole a piece of her chicken.

  “Hey!” She swatted my hand away and then looked around the coffee shop. We were in a back booth and even though it was lunchtime, the coffee shop was still only half full. “Okay, you’re not to freak out.” Ari reached into her bookbag and brought out her phone. “Come sit beside me.”

  “I’m intrigued.” I slid in beside her and took the opportunity to drop a kiss on her shoulder.

  She scooted back until she was against the wall and then she half turned to me. “Okay, um…” She let out a nervous laugh.