Cole (The Leaves) (22 page)

“Don’t worry, son. I think your mother is beyond mortified.” He began to laugh and looked out to the water. “You know, your grandfather, my father, he used to bring me to the beach when I was young. Never my brother, just me. I was always scared of my father, did you know that?”

I shook my head no.

“He was a frightening son of a bitch.”

“Uh, Dad, not sure if you know this, but I’m thinking the apple didn’t fall far from the tree there.”

I watched his face plummet. “I suppose I deserve that.”

“I shouldn’t have said that. Please, continue.”

Our counseling sessions had opened up a “dialogue”, the therapist called it. My dad didn’t share often, but when he did, it had a purpose. He had thirty years or so of being a parent to catch up on.

“He always took me to Crystal Cove. Always. Then we would walk close to the cliffs. He explained erosion, pointed out what the black streaks were in the wet sand, showed me how to recognize a fossil embedded in the cliffside, how minerals become precious stones… all of it to preen me to follow in his footsteps. My brother was already on board, he didn’t need convincing. Well, you know the rest, but I had not thought about it in years… until I came here. You know, I was asked by the Governor to speak against offshore drilling. Those eyesores out there.” He nodded his head toward the oil rigs, barely visible from my deck, but they were there. “He was against legislation that would take control away from the state… anyway, we were a very convincing team. Seems when you have large pockets you can do some good. At least for now.”

It seemed a random story until I realized he wasn’t finished speaking. “I never wanted to be cold like him. I’m glad I’m standing here in your home, Cole. But that’s not why we dropped in on Christmas Day. I’m sorry we threw the information about Joe and Serena on you last night. We never should have said anything.”

“Dad-”

“No, Cole. From this point on, this is finished for you. For you and Anika, Joe and Serena no longer exist. You already know you are safe as you can possibly be. Get married, be happy, pursue whatever you want and give me a grandchild.”

“What?” I whipped my head toward him.

“You heard me.” His eyes crinkled as I watched his grin expand across his face. “At least two. She’s young, you’re rich… you were the best thing that ever happened to your mother and I before I fucked it up. Have you talked about it?”

“Are you on a fact-finding mission for Mom?”

“No. You and I both know she’ll do her own fact finding. Do you have any leftovers? I’m starving. All I had was coffee.”

“What have you and Mom been doing all day? It’s almost three. Oh God, do
not
answer that question.”

“Come on Cole.” He said slapping me on the back and leading me toward the house. “Your mom has all sorts of surprises in store.”

Anika

The embarrassment from earlier had faded as talk of our wedding came into full swing. Cole and I didn’t really have anything planned for Christmas day except to spend it together and eat leftovers. We had invited Gus and Aimes to stop by and even my brother, but this was actually perfect; just the four of us. It felt like something we did all the time and it was kind of amazing that Cole and his dad were getting along. Honestly, Richard was a totally different person now. It seemed like the one good thing that came out of being abducted by Joe. The experience built a bridge in a broken family. For me, for the love I felt for Cole, it was worth every second, any fear I ever felt for those hours with Joe.

“So, Anika” Trish began, “Tomorrow is the final fitting and I brought you these. Merry Christmas, dear.”

She pushed the box toward me. I sat back in my chair and quickly scanned the table.

“Did you do what I think you did?” I knew what was in the box… I was pretty sure anyway.

“Dear, you only get married once. Correction, you only get married to my son once. They were perfect with the dress and honestly, I can’t think of anything else that would complement you or that dress.”

I opened the box, already knowing they were the incredible shoes I dared to try on in the bridal shop. Apparently my future mother-in-law and the wonderful store manager, Rachel had had a conversation about my footwear choice.

“Trish…” I gave her a small knowing smile.

“Anika, I know you think these are too extravagant, but I assure you, they’re not. They complement the dress perfectly and we both know they are the quintessential glass slipper.”

I started to take them out of the bag, but she snatched it away. “If the groom can’t see the dress, he shouldn’t see the shoes either.”

“Of course. I didn’t think of that. Thank you… I don’t know what to say…”

“Nothing, Anika.” Richard interjected. “This…” he slid one black jewelry box toward me and one toward Cole, “is from me.” Cole and I both looked at each other and hesitated until he prompted. “You may open them now.”

We didn’t plan to but we did open them at exactly the same time to reveal a set of silver cufflinks for Cole and a pair of diamond stud earrings with a drop pendant pearl. Both were so beautiful and I knew before Richard explained their significance.

“You’ve both had quite a
dramatic
few months,” he emphasized the ‘dramatic’ part. “This isn’t meant to be some emotional, tearful gesture. It’s a gift. Let’s leave it at that, shall we?” The edges of his mouth curved up, his eyes smiled, but he didn’t look at either one of us; he looked at his wife.

“We wore those on our wedding day and we hoped you would wear them as well.” Trish said, never breaking eye contact with her husband while she spoke. Cole moved his left hand under the table, taking mine in his and squeezing it tight.

I knew if I was feeling even a fraction of what he was feeling, he would not be able to speak. Future wife moment was happening right before my eyes and I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to give back what was only a fraction of what Cole had given to me. “Well, I don’t know about you, baby but we slept through lunch completely and I am starving. Would you guys like to join us?”

Cole gave my hand another knowing squeeze. “We’d love to.” Trish said. “I’ll give you a hand.” She was walking behind me into the kitchen when she said louder than necessary, “You know, Roger’s Gardens has the best after Christmas sale. I’m never here for the holiday but I never miss the after sale.” She moved close to my ear so that only I could hear, “I am so embarrassed. Please tell Cole I’m sorry.”

“There’s no need, Trish. I think he’s happy to see his parents happy. I would argue with you about the shoes, the dress
and
the jewelry, but I know it would be fruitless.”

“You’re catching on quick.” She teased. “Thank you, Anika.”

The remainder of the afternoon went by without incident. Cole and his dad sat comfortably, admiring the tree, talking about random happenings from their weeks. Richard asked Cole if he’d given much thought to what he would like to do now that he no longer had a company to run. As if Patricia and I had the same thought, our light conversation dropped off as I arranged a tray of desserts and she organized coffee.

“I heard the city council is trying to ban the sale of that strip just beyond Mermaid Cove. I was thinking I could quietly put in a bid for the property. I also thought I could run for City Council.”

Trish dropped the sugar bowl, spilling its contents on the serving tray. The men didn’t notice, so I grabbed her arm to steady it and waited for Cole and his dad to continue.

“Why Cole. Didn’t know you had the desire? You know, the mayor will be at your wedding, he and I are good friends. Have been for years.”

“No business at the wedding. He knows me, I know him. I love this city. I think it’s important to preserve it, protect it. I enjoyed running the hotels but honestly, it was too big. I’ve never wanted that life, you know that. I’m sorry, Dad. I think about it… more than you know… how I could take over one day and it’s not that I can’t do it I just don’t have the stomach for it. I don’t mean that as an insult. But you know as well as I do, it takes a certain…”

“A certain kind of asshole, Cole.” He laughed. “I know what you’re saying. You could invest in property, development…”

“No. I don’t want to develop anything. It ruins it. I want to preserve it.”

“That’s what I meant. You can buy,
as
a development and leave it untouched. Create parkland, trails… whatever you want. You’ll do right by the city and Tom is a good man. He has the same vision, he just doesn’t have your money. We can discuss all of this later but son, glad you found your way.”

“I had help, Dad.” That’s when his eyes met mine and I was caught like a kid stealing candy. Trish was a shaky, emotional mess trying to keep it together.

Richard stood up and walked into the kitchen taking his wife in his arms. “We talked about this, Patricia. You really need to rein it in. In less than six days you’re going to be hosting the most important event we’ve ever been to. So get it out of your system.” He kissed her forehead while she literally shook off the moment and collected herself.

“Sorry.” She apologized.

I gave her a nod and a wink and went into the living room, sat the tray of dessert on the coffee table, and settled into Cole’s side. His parents were still talking quietly in the kitchen. That’s when Cole whispered, “Thanks, baby. I think we’re gonna be just fine at this whole marriage thing, don’t you? I mean, you handled that really well. Saved my ass, saved my mom’s pride when we came downstairs… you saved the day, Anika.”

His feather light kisses on my neck went straight between my legs and before I knew it a small moan escaped my lips. “Don’t make me have a pissing contest with my dad.”

My head shot up and my lip curled in disgust. “That’s just sick, Cole.”

He chuckled. “But you won’t do it again, will you? You know what that sound does to me.”

“Uh, no. No I will not make that sound or any sound that would make you say something like that again.” I cuddled back into him while we waited for his parents to join us.

“Listen, you kids” Richard said moving toward their coats. “We’re gonna head home. We honestly only meant to stop by for a quick visit and drop those off. We’ll leave you to it.”

I jumped up from the couch and met them by the door. “You’re sure you don’t want to stay for dessert? I mean, after my rudeness last night I feel like I need to, I don’t know, be super hostess.”

“No, Anika.” He said. “You were fine. You know how many parties I’ve had to send this one home in a cab?” He cocked his head toward Trish.

“That has never happened, Richard. Are you okay, Anika?” Her voice light, but filled with concern.

It was a loaded question and I knew what she meant. “Yes, Trish. I’m actually better than okay.” I pulled away from her, still holding on and looked over my shoulder to Cole who was right behind me, “How can a girl who owns a pair of Manolos not be okay?” I smiled huge and probably unattractively because I could feel my gums showing.

Our goodbyes were swift, but heartfelt, and as the door clicked shut behind them, I watched as Cole lay his hand against it. “Are you alright?” I asked moving to his side.

He turned to face me looking the happiest I had ever seen him. “I never thought I would have this, you know? A beautiful woman to love who loves me back. My parents together and happy it’s… it’s incredible.”

“What do you want to do now?” This was a stupid question. I knew what he wanted to do and that would be me. We needed some serious make-up sex after all that had happened. It was our way and we would eventually discuss the entire incident at length but for now, it was Christmas, we were alone and I was being pushed against the wall by his hands on my tits.

Cole

“I just want you to know I’m going to pee now, with the door open, all liberated like.”

I watched Anika walk into the bathroom, her face flushed from the amazing morning sex we just finished having. I knew she wasn’t embarrassed, her announcement was her making a point and only that. I thought it was cute she wanted to remain shy around me and keep some of the “mystery” of new coupledom alive. She argued that once you start leaving the door open while you take a shit, the romance dies. I saw her point. My point was, I didn’t give a fuck what she did, and she was mine, all of her.

I gave her a few minutes of privacy, but then I couldn’t stand it any longer. I knocked lightly on the door jam and walked in. She was already adjusting the taps for the shower. “Cole, is it just me or have you not been surfing lately?”

“We’ve been busy. It’s been unseasonably cold and honestly, I’d rather get my exercise with you.” I was already naked. She was distracted by getting the shower ready, her beautiful just fucked body begging me to take her again. I splayed my fingers around her hips and pulled her against my hard cock.

“Don’t get me all worked up again, Cole. I have to go to this fitting looking beautiful and fresh and perfect.” She was trying to be convincing, but I knew better.

“Anika.”

There was a way I could say her name that would get me what I wanted each and every time. Not that she took much convincing. Everything was easy between us and of course, I always made sure it was worth her while.

I nipped her ear and laid my cock in the middle of her heart shaped ass. “Remember when you called me a filthy man?”

“Yes…” she said breathily.

I thrust hard against her. “Every time I see this ass, all I can think about is the day I claim it. There isn’t an inch of you I won’t explore and bring you more pleasure than you could ever imagine.” I moved her against the tiles so I could trap her. “My beautiful girl… my Anika… my lover… my best friend… my heart.”

“Cole. Whatever you want to do to me, do it immediately. I can’t stand it anymore.” She was pleading with me to take her, but we didn’t have time.

“I’m sorry, baby. I can’t let you be late today.” I moved back, just enough to move my hand between her legs. Feeling how aroused she was, “But you stay just like that” I moved a finger in and out of her then added another, “So how about I fuck you with my right hand, rub your clit with the left and tell you I love you.” I started moving my fingers faster adding a third then slowing down again. “Do you like that?”