Combust (The Wellingtons #1) (26 page)

Her words are penetrating, and I start to relax, telling myself that she’s right. Instead of freaking myself out mentally, I’m determined to let it go, at least for tonight.

“When did you get to be so wise when it comes to love?”

“To be honest, I have no idea. I’ve only dated one man in my entire life and it’s been a learning experience. The thing is, you look happy. Happier than I’ve seen you in a long time—possibly happier than I’ve ever seen you. And if he’s the one doing that, then who cares how soon it is? All that matters is how you feel. And I’m shutting up now because he’s coming back.” She gives me a wink and moves down to the end of the bar to cash out some last-minute customers.

Cohen takes my hand and we walk out into the cold winter night. He asks about my impromptu interviews and makes me promise to get him copies of the article so he can send them to his brother and his girlfriend.

The entire ride home, I’m anxious because I have no idea if we’re going to his place or mine. All too soon, we’re pulling into my driveway, and I feel disappointed that he’s going to call it a night at my place. At the same time, I’m almost relieved. I need some time, some space to get ahold of myself and regroup before I start spewing romantic platitudes all over the place and really making him run for the hills. I know he says that he’s not going anywhere, but the last thing a guy wants to hear on the first date is that a girl could see herself falling for him. Because I’m not falling for him. No, it’s way too soon for that, but I can look into the crystal ball that is my heart and know that, with time, it’s inevitable. That’s one little tidbit I’ll be keeping to myself.

Once I’ve removed my seatbelt, I turn towards him, his face only half illuminated by the moonlight. “Thank you for tonight, Cohen. I had an amazing time. It was seriously the perfect first date. In fact, this whole day has been incredible.”

His hand comes up to cup my cheek, and he leans in for a kiss. When he pulls back, he opens up the glove box and removes something. “Come on. I’ll walk you up.”

We hold hands as we walk up the steps, and my heart’s hammering inside my chest at the anticipation of a goodnight kiss—one I hope will rival the one we shared in the pub. As we stop at the front door, Cohen drops my hand and places his hand on the small of my back, pulling me close.

“While I want to agree with you that this night was perfect, I’m hesitant to call it that. Perfect is hard to top, and I have a feeling that every day spent with you is going to be better than the last. I meant what I said, Andi. I’m crazy as hell about you, and watching you tonight as you let the music speak to you was mind blowing. The way you let it touch you is beautiful, and the tears in your eyes stole my breath. Every emotion that was running through you ran through me. I could see the reflection of what I felt in your eyes, and I’ve never had that with anyone before. It’s actually pretty unnerving, and I’m not afraid to admit how much it terrifies me that I’m saying way too much way too soon, but I can’t help it. When there’s a song in your heart, you can’t help but let it out. And, Ruby, you’re the lyric to the only song that’s been beating within me since the moment I met you.”

Tears well in my eyes and I’m literally at a loss of what to say. Everything he just said is everything I’ve been feeling but have been too scared to say. How is this even possible? Has our connection really held this strong? Was all we needed just a little push in the right direction to feed our desires? Or are we both caught up in the whirlwind of each other? I have no idea how to respond, and when I open my mouth, nothing comes out.

Cohen presses a finger to my lips. “Please don’t say anything. I know I’m probably being an ass, throwing all of this at you on our first date, but, God, Andi. When I walked into the tutor center the other day and saw you sitting there, my world tilted on its axis, and I’ve been spinning out of control ever since. After tonight, I promise you I’ll reel myself in and stop pouring my heart out, but for one night, I had to let it out. I had to let you know just how crazy you make me. This is just the beginning, Ruby, of something I know is going to be beautiful, and I want to make sure I’m completely clear this time about how I feel. All I need to know is if you’re in this with me. So how about it? Can we let go of all pretense and do this? Will you take a chance and dive in headfirst with me to explore what we could have? What we do have?” He finally stops and peers down at me, a hopeful look in his eyes.

As I process his words, I’m breathless when I realize what he’s asking me. “Wow. When you go on a first date, you definitely go all out, don’t you?” The corner of his mouth lifts and I can’t help but rise on my toes to kiss his lips. “You scare the hell out of me, Cohen Wellington. But what scares me more is not doing this and going another three years wondering what could have been. So yes, I’m all in. If you want me, I’m yours.”

I barely get the words out when his lips crash down on mine as he gives me a searing kiss. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I try to deepen the kiss, but he keeps his lips firmly closed, pulling back from me way too quickly. He steps back and holds out his hand, and I see that there’s a CD case in it. Looking at it and then up at him, I know I must have a confused expression on my face.

“What’s this?”

“This was the beginning of the end three years ago. I know I’m a little late in my delivery, but it’s better late than never. I want you to have it. I never got a chance to give it to you, and I’ve had it in my car ever since, playing it every so often when I was feeling nostalgic. I think this might explain some things.”

“This is three years old?” I ask incredulously.

He nods. “Even though I wasn’t sure when, or if, I’d ever see you again, I made it in response to the one you made me. It’s no big deal. I just thought you might enjoy listening to the songs I picked out when I was an overdramatic eighteen-year-old.”

“Oh wow. I can only imagine what songs you put on here after that. I’m not going to hear Cold Hard Bitch, am I?”

He chuckles at the thought. “Absolutely not. Now give me a kiss goodnight and get in the house before I change my mind about not following you in.”

Taking hold of his tie, I pull him into me, all thoughts of wanting space flying out the window. “You know you can always come in. I promise to be good. We can listen to the CD together and then make out like horny teenagers.” By the gleam in his eye, I can tell that he’s having an internal struggle with himself. “Come on, Cohen. Teddy’s right down the hall, and I promise you, the first time we’re together again, it won’t be in my house where my roommates could hear anything. It’ll be completely innocent. Please.”

Something in my tone breaks through his defenses, and I hear his car beep as he locks it. “I’m probably going to regret this, but what the hell? How can I say no to making out like horny teenagers when I know just how good we are at it?”

AFTER I practically pour my heart out to Andi, she breaks through my resolve and talks me into coming inside with her. The house is dark, and she takes my hand, leading me down a long hallway and up a flight of stairs until we enter her room. She shuts the door behind us and turns on a small lamp by her bedside. After kicking off her shoes, she moves to a dresser and pulls out a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt. Her hand comes up to the zipper on her dress, and I clear my throat, reminding her of my presence. Slowly, she turns around and gives me a sheepish look.

“Sorry. Habit. I’m going to slip into the bathroom and change real quick.”

“Andi, it’s not like I haven’t seen it all before,” I tell her, and she gives me a mocking glare. Holding my hands up, I turn around so my back is to her. “Okay, okay. I promise I won’t peek. Just go ahead and change and tell me when you’re good.”

I close my eyes when I hear her undo her zipper. The fact that she’s undressing behind me turns me on, and I start recalling chemistry terms from Andi’s syllabus this morning to calm my dick down. And then I remember Andi’s proton explanation and have to start all over again.

“Okay. All good. You can look now.”

When I turn around, Andi’s sitting on her queen-sized bed in an oversized UT T-shirt and sweatpants, and she looks just as beautiful as she did in her dress. Her laptop is sitting in front of her, and she pats the bed, indicating that I should join her. I slip off my shoes and loosen my tie before taking it off. I begin to unbutton my shirt and stop when I see Andi eyeing me.

“Do you mind? I have an undershirt on. It’s just kind of warm in here.”

“No, no. Go ahead. I don’t mind. Like you said, it’s nothing I’ve never seen before,” she says playfully.

Once I’ve unbuttoned my shirt, I shrug it off and place it on her computer chair. I’m left in my black undershirt, and Andi looks at my chest appreciatively. Knowing that I’ll be uncomfortable in my pants, I remove my belt so it won’t dig into my skin. Taking a chance, I undo the top button and head towards the bed.

“Cohen, are you wearing boxers?” Andi asks me, stopping me in my tracks.

“Uhh, boxer briefs. Why?”

“Look, we’re both adults. I promised I’d keep my hands to myself, and I always keep my promises. If you’re uncomfortable in bed, then I’m going to be uncomfortable, and there’s no way in hell you’re going to be comfy sleeping in those pants. So lose them and get under the covers, okay?”

I gape at her, and the internal battle wages within. As much as I know that she’s right—sleeping in pants will pretty much mean a sleepless night—sleeping next to her in nothing but a T-shirt and boxer briefs could be a recipe for disaster.

“Lose your pants, Cohen, or I’ll come over there and take them off for you!” she orders, giving me a hungry look that lets me know she means it.

I almost feel like I need to do some sort of striptease for her with the way she’s watching me, but instead, I quickly remove them and hop under the covers beside her.

She gives me a small pout. “Where’s the fire, Cohen? I thought I’d at least get a little bit of a peek.”

“Hey, if I didn’t get one, you don’t either. Okay, are you ready for this? The vintage masterpiece from freshman DJ Wellington?”

Her hands cover her face and then she looks at me from in between her fingers. “I don’t know. I’m not sure if there’s going to be angry metal music or Sarah McLachlan save-the-puppies songs. Both are kind of depressing.”

“You wound me, Ruby. You of all people should know I have better taste than that.”

She presses a kiss to my cheek and then fluffs up the pillow behind her. “You’re right. Forgive me,” she says before lying down on her side, her back to me.

After doubling up my own pillow, I spoon against her and place my arm over her waist, watching as she pulls up her media player and begins the CD. Laying her head down, she settles back against me, and I hold her in my arms as I listen to the songs I chose for her so long ago. Every so often, I see her close her eyes as she takes in the lyrics, and I know I did the right thing in giving it to her. Perhaps it’ll help explain why I feel so strongly for her already—because part of me always has.

As soon as Missy Elliott comes on, Andi turns in my arms, her amusement apparent on her face. “You did not put this song on this CD three years,” she challenges.

My hand falls to small of her back, where my thumb rubs small circles on her skin where her T-shirt has risen up. “Considering that CD is from three years ago and that song is on it, it’s safe to say that I did.”

“Here I was thinking you wouldn’t be able to laugh about it even now, but you were joking about it just weeks after? One Minute Man? That’s still being a little generous, don’t you think?” she teases, and I retaliate by tickling her stomach until she’s writhing beneath me. “Stop! Stop! Coh—seriously, I’m going to pee my pants if you don’t stop.”

“I’ll stop when you take it back.”

She takes her own finger and jabs my stomach. “I can’t take it back when it’s the truth!” she gasps, and I realize that she has me there, so I give her a reprieve and still my fingers. “But if you want, we can see how long you’ll go now.”

“Ruby…” I growl, and she gives me a shrug.