Pay Off

Kiss and make up?

I must have fallen asleep as when my alarm went off I was lying on the sofa still. I blame Cole’s foot rub. It was too heavenly I clearly couldn’t fight the sleep. I went to roll to get my phone to turn off the alarm when I noticed the weight on my torso.

Cole’s head was cuddled onto my bare stomach were my cami had ridden up, and his arm was wrapped around my legs, holding tight to my bare thighs. His legs were curled and wrapped around mine. This was far more skin contact than my libido could handle and I had to calm myself down before he noticed.

The alarm must’ve finally broke through to him as his eyes flew open, bright blues shining up at me. He let out the most sexy groan as he nestled his head deeper into me.

“I would totally be embarrassed about this if I wasn’t so comfortable Lia, do you have five more minutes before you have to move pretty please?” His bottom lip popped out and his eyes widened as he tried his best baby face on me.

But I’m the fool clearly because “sure, five minutes Cole but you’ll have to make my coffee whilst I shower”. I rolled my eyes as if it was a massive inconvenience but really, I don’t think anybody could pay me to move right now. This could be the closest I ever get to Cole Talbot.

True to his word, five minutes later he got up and pulled me up with him. He stretched, highlighting his glorious, well defined abs. Then as if it was normal, he gave my bum a light tap as I walked off to the bathroom. I looked back at him over my shoulder as if to say, what the hell? But with a lopsided grin he just shrugged. Man was he cute of a morning.

Once I was dressed I grabbed my bag and headed to the kitchen for my coffee. Cole had made it and put it in my to go cup and was currently standing in the kitchen. As I approached, he picked it up and passed it to me, then leant and gave me a peck on the cheek, “Have a great day Lia”

“Er, yeah, sure. See you later yeah?” The kiss had thrown me off balance and I was sure I was sounding like a crazy person right now.

I headed for the door slowly, holding my cheek where he had kissed it, not quite sure why he had kissed me. I was just about to turn the handle when he shouted, “Lia, wait I just need to try this” he grabbed my hand and pulled me back, then caged me against the door. He stared into my eyes for the briefest of moments and before I could ask what he was doing he pressed his lips to mine. I responded as best I could, my mouth opening with the shock of the turn of events. He took his opportunity and added his tongue. His lips were gentle yet strong and he took the lead, giving me the most epic kiss of my life. My brain so tied up in the kiss, I didn’t even notice how I lifted my legs and wrapped them around his waist as he pressed me into the door. I ran my fingers through his short hair, as he ran his hands up and down my waist.

Suddenly, he broke the kiss and leant his head against my forehead. “Wow, Lia, I wanted to do that a while I’m sorry for just pouncing like that but I’m not sorry I did it. For the record.”

“What?” I was so confused. I didn’t know how to react. “Erm, Cole I’m late for my shift” that was not how I should have reacted. That was just awkward Amelia coming out again. But it was too late to take it back. I unwrapped my legs from around him and reached behind me for the door handle. He stepped back as I opened it, “We will talk later yeah?” I looked back at him as I ran as quick as I could without looking strange until I was out of the building, then I stopped for a moment to gather my thoughts. When I had looked back at him I had noticed the hurt I had caused written clearly all over his face. As much as I had dreamt of that moment for as long as I could remember, I hadn’t actually planned it. I ran my hand over my face, I couldn’t believe I just reacted so badly!

Luckily I didn’t have long to think about it as I really was late for my shift. So I ran down the street to the Smokey bean and proceeded with opening up the shop and starting my shift. There were no customers waiting so I should get away with my tardiness.

Soon my phone beeped with a message from Cole.

“I’m so sorry Amelia, I totally read things wrong. I promise if you come home later I won’t do anything like that again. I’d really like to keep you as my friend”

Then it beeped again.

“As my best friend honestly”

I laughed and put my phone back in my pocket. No customers were in yet so I started getting out the pastries for the day. It was only five minutes before my phone beeped again

“If I was wrong in my first message Lia, and actually you want me to kiss you again, then I totally will. But obviously if you don’t, then I won’t. I’m like a rambling schoolgirl here and I know it. I just didn’t know if I misread the situation or if I didn’t and I’m a confused mess. It’s actually quite a funny sight to see Lia!”

OH MY GOD.

I was about to do my girly squealy dance when the bell rang signalling my first customer. I turned round and seen Travis Talbot. Just the reminder I needed. The butterflies in my stomach died a quick death.

“Morning, what can I get you?” I tried for my pleasant customer face, but I’m not sure it came off given I was grinding my teeth.

‘Cut the pleasantries Miss Wyatt, I’m not here for the cheap coffee I’m here to talk” His tone did not sound very happy about something.

“Oh.” Did he know already?

“I’ve spoken with my son this morning” he looked at me pointedly.

No. Cole couldn’t have told him. Why would he do that. “I can explain. I didn’t …”

He cut me off “Jenson had no right to approach you. I assure you I will reprimand him for this behaviour. Although I think it’s best you avoid parties with Cole from now on don’t you?” His tone let me know he wasn’t actually asking. “You will go to class, you will go here and you will go home. You do not need to do anything else whilst you are at this school Miss Wyatt. You will only be asking for trouble. We had a deal. You would stay away from Cole and yet last night doesn’t sound like staying away to me. Don’t let me hear it again” I couldn’t stand the way he looked down his nose at me as he spoke.

“Yes, Mr Talbot” I looked at the floor in shame of actually agreeing to this mans plan.

Before I could look back up, I noticed in my peripheral that he had backed away from the counter and before I knew it the bell above the door signalled he had left.

I can’t believe Id forgotten about Jenson. After Cole cheering me up, and the turn this morning took I had completely wiped it from my mind. But now I was reminded, I was feeling the fear from last night coming back again. What if Cole hadn’t stepped out? Why did Cole come outside anyway? What was he up to?

Before I could get too into the questions and the fear, actual customers actually came in. Preparing the drinks and orders was just what I needed to take my mind off it all. Next I knew, my shift was nearly over.

Through the glass, I seen Tracy making her way through the door, then my eyes followed to the person behind her and met the brightest blue eyes and most beautiful wavy hair. Cole. Did my knees actually just go weak? That actually happens?

He had his hands in his pants pocket and actually looked quite sheepish. I wasn’t used to seeing the unconfident look on him. It was even more adorable than his cocky look.

“Lia, Cole didn’t mention you worked here. I was desperate for coffee and I asked him where the nearest coffee shop was and he was all like ‘I don’t know’” she did the last part in her best man voice. “I seen this from his front stoop, I asked him how on earth he didn’t know this was here and he just shrugged. I walked through the door and you work here! Like hell man, no way you didn’t know this was here Cole, so fess up.” She spinned towards him.

“What?” He just shrugged like she was crazy.

“What did you do to Lia here, you clearly wanted to avoid her?’

His eyes shot up to mine like a lost puppy. He was apologising with his looks alone as Tracy was right. He did want to avoid me. But I knew Cole. He wasn’t avoiding me out of spite, he wanted to give me space.

“I’ll tell you what he did” I spoke up and both Tracy and Cole turned towards me. Tracy with intrigue, Cole with fear. “He left the toilet seat up yet again. Men ey. I’m sick to death of telling him and this morning I may have shouted a little too much that I shot a little fear in to myself never mind Cole, but what else could I do Trace?”

“OMG, Cole I thought we taught you better than this. What? Four weeks at NBU and you become a slob. You should be ashamed of yourself. Your buying me a frappe and a croissant as part apology to all womankind for your caveman behaviour” Tracy ranted at Cole but I could tell he wasn’t really listening. He was smiling at me.

“Sure , I’m sorry to all womankind. I promise to be better” he smiled at me, I just smiled back and gave him a wink. Then got on with their order.

Yes, Mr Talbot told me to stay away. No , I didn’t even try to. I didn’t want to stay away. Not anymore. Didn’t ever actually really try to if I think about it.