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Chapter 25: Cole
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STay Chapter 26: Cole
##Chapter 26: ColeBook One: StayI clear my throat and glance away, attempting to downplay the situation. "It's just a girl I've been seeing."One brow arches. "I didn't even know you were involved with someone."I jerk my shoulders.Aw, hell.When I remain silent, she continues. "I take it there's a problem with this girl?"I'm not even sure how to answer that question. For the life of me, I can't figure her out. All I know is that I want to crack the Cassidy code. It's just going to take some time to do it.After mulling it over, I say, "She's a very private person.""Umm hmm. Go on."I almost groan.Not the go on.I seriously hate the go on.It feels like I'm reliving my middle and high school years all over again with things like open communication and dialogue, and, god help me, resolution.It's time to downplay the Cassidy situation before it spirals further out of control."It's just really new." I shrug, striving for nonchalant. "It might not even work out."Sometimes I wonder
STay Chapter 27: Cassidy
##Chapter 27: CassidyBook One: Stay Meet me downstairs ASAP with your hockey bag.I stare at the phone in my hand before typing out a response.Are you serious?Just do it.Bossy much?The eye roll emoji pops up on the screen.Fine. I'll be down in 5.I grab my hockey bag from the closet and throw on a navy jacket before heading out the door. Once out on the sidewalk, I find Cole's Mustang idling at the curb in front of the dorm. When he sees me, he pops open the trunk before hopping out of the vehicle as I jog over.He gives me a quick kiss on the lips. Before I can register the gesture, he pulls away, looking strangely hesitant."Ready to go?""Yeah. Why are we heading to the ice rink at nine in the morning?"His expression becomes shuttered, as he holds open the door for me. "You'll see."With our gazes locked, he hunkers down, grabbing the seatbelt before pulling it across my chest and clicking it into place.My brows slide together as I study him. Even though he kissed me in gre
STay Chapter 28: Cassidy
##Chapter 28: CassidyBook One: StayI don't hear from Cole for the rest of the weekend. By Sunday night, I finally break down and shoot him a text. He answers it, but like the car ride to the rink, the distance is palpable. And because I'm unwilling to put myself out there, I don't bother to contact him again. It only confuses me more as to what we are to one another, if anything.I thought for sure he'd be waiting outside the dorms early Monday morning for our usual run, but I failed to see the text he sent late Sunday night saying he wouldn't be able to make it. So, I ran by myself. Instead of being an easy and relaxing job, it just felt lonely.He's pulling away.I can feel it happening.Even if I wanted to fix what's wrong, I wouldn't know how.When he doesn't show for Psychology later that morning, I begin to wonder if something is really wrong with him. For ten solid minutes, I debate the merits of shooting him another text when someone in a back row barks out a laugh. As I swin
STay Chapter 29: Cassidy
##Chapter 29: CassidyBook One: StayThat's a plot twist I did not see coming.Another burst of laughter follows. "Yeah, we're cousins. Our moms are sisters." "Oh." There are so many thoughts crashing through my head."You thought we were something more, huh?"The question is asked slyly, as if she didn't know exactly what I'd been thinking. The smile curving her lips, however, tells a different story."No, I didn't." Of course, I'd thought they were something more. They look ridiculously cute together. She snorts before raising a brow. "Are you sure?" Her voice brims with undisguised humor. The girl is practically chortling.It's not a good look."Okay," I finally reply through stiff lips, "maybe I thought you two had something going on.""You could have just asked him." This time, when her gaze darts to mine, I don't think about the road in front of us. "Or me." I shake my head and focus on the darkness flying past the car. "Maybe I should have."Questioning Cole would have ma
STay Chapter 30: Cassidy
##Chapter 30: CassidyBook One: Stay"Cassidy," he growls, "you have no idea how much I want you." The low scrape of his words arrow straight to my core before exploding on impact.All of the sudden, I feel very powerful."Stay with me tonight."Instead of answering, my lips steal over his as our tongues tangle. "Even if we don't do anything more than this, I just want to hold you in my arms."His words have my heart thawing. Melting from the deep freeze that has encapsulated it for almost a year.Cole isn't like anyone I've met before. He won't hurt me. Not deliberately. If anything, I'll end up hurting him. I'm the one who will try escaping from our intimacy when it becomes more than I can handle.Maybe I don't deserve Cole Mathews, but I want him. I want to hold onto him for as long as I can. I want him to heal the broken pieces inside me.With my lips pressed against his, I whisper, "I want to stay. I want..." my voice trails off. Even though I'm terrified, I force them out. "I wan
STay Chapter 31: Cassidy
##Chapter 31: CassidyBook One: StayMy gaze trails after my fingers as I discover a large tattoo that wraps around his ribcage, and carefully trace the intricate patterns of ink."This is a surprise."He shrugs as something darkens in his eyes.Whatever the reason for this tattoo, it's important."I'd wanted one for a while, but my mom refused to let me get it until I turned eighteen. I think she was holding out hope I would change my mind. I got inked on my birthday. It was a present to myself."I close the distance between us until I trace the tip of my tongue over the dark ink. Another groan falls from his lips."Very sexy," I whisper against his ribs."Then I'll get a couple more," he murmurs as my mouth slides over his flesh.I shake my head. "What I like is that it's so unexpected." Just to prove my words, I lap at him. "A lovely little surprise."He hisses out a sharp breath before shifting. That's when I become aware of the erection nestled between my legs. A whimper escapes f
STay Chapter 32: Cassidy
##Chapter 32: CassidyBook One: StayThese sensations are almost too much to feel within the confines of my own flesh. It's as if something inside me is attempting to claw its way out. And still, he holds my gaze the entire time, watching as I'm forced closer to the precipice. Watching every moment of pleasure as it roars through me.His hands settle on my thighs, pinning me to the bed as he gently sucks my throbbing clit into his mouth. My fingers twist into the covers, fisting the thick material as my back arches.A whimper escapes from my lips as he continues to torment me. The need to pull back from the thick waves of pleasure that pummel my senses pounds through me until I'm squeezing my eyes tightly shut, attempting to escape within myself to regain control. This feeling of coming unhinged is so strange and new. No one has ever played my body as if it were a fine instrument.It's almost too much to bear.His tongue swipes over me once more before disappearing. When the heat of hi
STay Chapter 33: Cassidy
##Chapter 33: CassidyBook One: Stay"Hey, look who decided to pop over for a visit. It's my phantom roommate." Even though these words are muttered, they're still loud enough for me to hear.I hesitate over the threshold before closing the door behind me. My gaze settles on Brooklyn as she sits in the middle of her bed and paints her toenails. Unsure what the issue is, I hover near the exit and wonder if it's too late to retreat.The corners of her lips sink into a frown as she continues to ignore me.With a sigh, I set my leather bag on the floor beside my desk before settling on my twin bed. She doesn't spare me a glance, which only reinforces my suspicions that she's pissed at me.As I comb through my thoughts, I realize I haven't seen or spoken to Brooklyn in a couple of days. I've spent the past few nights with Cole, and have been on the go with class, practice, and tutoring.The last time we spoke, everything was fine. By the look on her face, that's no longer the case.As Brook
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STay Chapter 92: Cole
##Chapter 92: ColeBook Two: Don't LeaveFour years later..."Hurry it up, babe," I call from the living room of our high-rise apartment in downtown Chicago. "Or we'll be late."I just got home from a team practice with the Blackhawks, and now we're heading out to meet up with friends for dinner. Austin and Brooklyn are in town for the weekend. And so is Luke and his new girlfriend. It might have taken time for the two of us to iron out our friendship, but it happened.Eventually."I'm coming."A low whistle escapes from me as she walks out of the bedroom wearing a little black dress that clings to her every curve. Even after spending a couple of hours on the ice, my dick stiffens right up.Damn, but my fiancée is hot."Is it possible to cancel our plans for the evening?" There's a beat of silence. "Because I'd much rather stay here and strip you out of that gorgeous dress. It would look perfect draped over the chair in the corner of our room."Color stains her cheeks as she do
STay Chapter 91: Cassidy
##Chapter 91: CassidyBook Two: Don't LeaveTwo hours later, we finally leave his room to scrounge up some food.After making love three times, I'm famished. I'm so hungry that my belly is rumbling and growling in protest.Once in the kitchen, Cole fills two bowls with cereal before saturating the flakes in milk."Eat up," he says with a wink before shoveling a spoonful into his mouth. After he swallows it down, he adds, "You're going to need all your energy."A giggle slips free as I spoon Frosted Flakes into my mouth. As we finish our bowls, his phone chimes with an incoming message. He picks up the slim device and glances at the screen.His gaze flicks to mine. "It's my mom. She's going to drop off some laundry I left at the house over the weekend."My heart stutters as my eyes widen.Dr. Thompson, who also happens to be Cole's mother.My teeth sink into my lower lip as an internal debate gets waged in my brain.Do I tell him that his mother was my psychologist?Or do I bury i
STay Chapter 90: Cassidy
##Chapter 90: CassidyBook Two: Don't LeaveOnce we're inside his room, he twists the lock and pounces, catching me around the middle and pressing me to him. When his hands settle on my ass, he hoists me up so that my legs can wrap around his waist. A growl rumbles up from his chest as I grind myself against him.His lips crash onto mine, and there is nothing gentle about how this kiss unfolds. "Too much clothing," I gasp."Agreed."His hands leave my bottom as I drop to the floor. My palms stroke over the solid planes of his chest before my fingers grip the hem of his T-shirt and I whip it over his head, tossing it over my shoulder. In the blink of an eye, my shirt also disappears. He removes my bra as I work the button and fly of his jeans. Even though his erection is still covered by his boxers, it springs forward. My thighs clench as I stroke my fingers over the hot length.I've missed this so much.Impatiently, he pushes the thick denim material down his hips and thighs b
STay Chapter 89: Cassidy
##Chapter 89: CassidyBook Two: Don't Leave"Pass it to me!"I wind up and hit the puck to Cole who flies across the ice. The rubber disk lands right on the end of his stick as he races with it to the goal and flicks it into the net. We've been here for about thirty minutes, and it feels just like it used to. I love spending time with Cole on the ice, and over the last month, I've missed it.Missed him.As difficult as it was talking with Luke yesterday, I'm so glad I cleared the air. Even if nothing changes with Cole, I know that remaining friends with Luke is what's best for both of us.After I thought about it, I decided that maybe Cole was right, and I was allowing what happened last year skew my feelings for Luke. I didn't want to believe that was a possibility, but when I tried to separate my emotions for him, I wasn't able to do it.They were too deeply intertwined."Water break?"I nod as we skate to our water bottles on the bench. After removing our gloves, we toss them
STay Chapter 88: Cassidy
##Chapter 88: CassidyBook Two: Don't LeaveA smile lights up Luke's face as he pulls me into the warm circle of his arms. "I have about thirty minutes before I need to be at practice. What's up?"For a heartbeat I allow him to hold me before untangling myself from his embrace. "Do you mind if we grab a coffee and talk?""Sure."After we order our drinks, Luke hands the barista a few bills before I can grab the money from my purse."I've got it," I say, quickly digging through my wallet. "I'm the one who invited you for coffee. I should pay.""You can get the next one." When he winks at me, the barista sighs. "Don't worry, I'll hold you to it."A few minutes later, he grabs our coffees from the counter, and we head to a table nestled in the corner. Once settled, we both take a few sips from our mugs. The weather has only grown colder, and it feels good to warm up."How are classes going?" he asks. "All caught up?"Luke understands how stressful my breakup was with Cole becaus
STay Chapter 87: Cassidy
##Chapter 87: CassidyBook Two: Don't LeaveI've spent most of today camped out at the library, with the exception of two classes. Now that Christmas break is right around the corner, it seems like almost every course has a paper due. My books are spread out all over the table as I tap away on my laptop.Every time I begin to feel overwhelmed, I close my eyes and inhale a deep breath. Once it no longer feels like my heart is being squeezed in a vise grip, I look over the list I've compiled to prioritize all my assignments.It's taken a lot of hard work to get my grades up to where they were before Thanksgiving break. I refuse to blow it now that we're in the homestretch. After my breakup with Cole, I'd let some of my classwork slide. Thankfully, Brooklyn was there to slap some sense into me, and I've been able to bounce back.Getting through that experience was tough, but it made me realize that life will always have its ups and downs. What's important is that you push through t
STay Chapter 86: Cole
##Chapter 86: ColeBook Two: Don't Leave"So, what's the deal between you two?" Austin asks. "You two aren't together, are you?"The suspicion in his voice is clear.My gaze flickers to his. "No, we're just friends." Sort of. I guess. Maybe. It's all a bit tentative right now. And weird. But it's much better than hating her guts.His brows furrow as we walk to class.I'm aware of how Austin feels about Jackie.And none of it is good.He might not know her personally, but he was there when shit hit the fan last fall. He's the one who encouraged me to get back out there again. Up until that point, I'd never been with anyone else but her. For a couple of months, I made up for lost time in that department before deciding that random hookups weren't for me.He gives me a bit of side-eye. "You sure about that?""Yup." I have zero desire to travel down that road again.When I say nothing more on the topic, his muscles gradually loosen. "Glad to hear it."To fight off the wicked
STay Chapter 85: Cassidy
##Chapter 85: CassidyBook Two: Don't Leave"I know exactly how long it's been." Even though I'd thought I was completely over her and what happened, I realize that it's still festering inside me like poison."I screwed up." Her eyes turn pleading. "And I hurt my best friend in the process."What sucks most is that Jackie had been my closest friend.I'd been ten years old when my dad died, and she's the one who sat up in the tree house with me for hours while I sobbed like a little girl. I still remember what it felt like to have her scrawny arms wrapped tightly around me, holding onto me for dear life as if I might float away if she didn't anchor me to the earth.I can picture her sitting on one of our lawn chairs while I slapped thousands of hockey pucks at the net in our driveway, attempting to channel all of my anger and rage toward something other than the drunk asshole who stole my father from me.In middle school, I made sure no one messed with her. Even though I wasn't a f
STay Chapter 84: Cole
##Chapter 84: ColeBook Two: Don't Leave"Someone's at the door, can you please answer it?" Mom yells from the kitchen where she's baking Christmas cookies.Already.That's not a complaint.It means I'll have more food to take back to school when I leave tomorrow afternoon. I pause, unable to rip my attention away from the big screen TV as the final seconds of the first quarter play out. The bell rings for a second time as the ball is being passed and-"Cole?" she shouts again.Except this time there's exasperation lacing her voice.And that's never good."I'm on it!"But not really.Fumble.Damn.With a shake of my head, I jog to the door and throw it wide open. Almost immediately, I wish I'd ignored it."Hi, Cole." The edges of her lips lift tentatively.When I remain silent, she shifts from one foot to the other before stuffing her hands into the pockets of her jacket."Hey," I force myself to say. If she thinks enough time has passed for me to forget about what happened betwee
