Coco’s cheeks reddened at Lake’s direct words. It seemed the guy never knew how to use a filter.Clearing her throat, she replied, “You are right. Can I sit?”Lake was instantly ashamed. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize we were standing.”He held her hand and led her to the sofa, feeling slightly nervous as he sat beside her. The wine was on the center table.“It’s too early for wine. Should I get you coffee? I can make toast as well,” Lake offered.Coco would have loved to but had to meet Michelle at the office on time.“Don’t bother. I believe Michelle arranged something in the office already.”“Office?” Lake asked, surprised, but Coco explained it.“Yeah, we have some shoots next week in Miami, so we are trying to round up a few things at the company.”Lake’s expression turned grim. At the time he wanted to pursue her, she pushed him away because River was still in her life. Now that he had the chance, she had a shoot that was going to take her away from him.Lake felt that perhaps
Coco was at a loss for words, wondering if coming here like this was a good idea.There was something about Lake that made her shy, but the way he stared at her was different from the way she saw him look at any other woman. This was a sure sign for her that Lake felt nothing for Madison; his stare was intense, filled with need.“Yes, but I still would love to take things slow,” Coco said.Lake closed in on her, his arm pressed against the wall above her head, forcing her to lean her back against the wall.The desire in his tone was equally intense.“I don’t go slow when I see what I want. I’m not made that way, Rose,” his voice was husky, but Coco raised her brows at how he called her.“I prefer Roselle better, especially Rose,” Lake said. His minty breath fanned her face and ears, making her shiver at the closeness.He moved strands of hair from her face to the back of her ears. “I don’t know how to hold back when it’s about you.”Coco’s cheeks were now stained with a darker shade
Coco stared dreamily at her. Many men came her way when she was dating River, but only Lake left an impression on her. Just a while ago, he reignited something within her that had died. Besides the fact that Lake was moving too fast, Coco had nothing else against him. Then again, River had been too slow, taking years to propose, which never happened until she realized he was cheating on her. Lake had already explained that he could not delay when he saw what he wanted. Coco felt butterflies in her stomach.This was the first time a man she felt attracted to was crazy about her. With River, he always made her feel as if she was the one holding the relationship.That was also the reason it crumbled when she no longer wanted it. It was different with Lake. “I don’t know, Michelle, but he’s just different. He makes me feel things I never felt. He takes charge of my feelings like…” “You are everything to him?” Michelle took the words from her mouth. Coco stared seriously at her. “Yes,
Ezrah was about to end the call when Lake spoke again. “I also wanted to inform you that Coco and Michelle would be leaving for Miami in a few days.”Ezrah felt a wave of sadness at the news. Even with Michelle here, it was difficult to see her, so how would he cope in Miami when she’s gone?“Really? I guess I have to catch up on work then. If she’s going, then I have to be there as well,” Ezrah decided.The things he couldn't give Michelle before, he was ready to provide now and for the rest of his life.“That’s what I planned too, but where are you?” Lake asked, hearing noises in the background.“Just taking care of a few things. Do you want to come?” Ezrah asked, hoping he would.With Lake, things would move faster as he was already familiar with all of Ezrah’s movements.That was why he knew how much Ezrah loved Michelle, even though Ezrah didn't realize it himself or was focused on pleasing Piper back then.Unfortunately, Lake couldn't be there for Ezrah this time.The woman he fe
Ezra thought for a moment. He would have indeed used Lake’s help through Coco, but then he had to be a man to clean up his own mess.“You already have a lot on your hands too. Just focus on your relationship, and I will take it from here. Thanks a lot for the information.”Ezra hung up and did not dare to call Landon for anything about Michelle, as that might lead to him getting fired.Her safety was more of a concern to him than having her in his arms.Michelle was still at her parents' house, and though this was not how Ezra wanted to meet her parents again after her return, he still had to start from somewhere.He was just glad that his wound was healing well, and he felt not much pain.At Madison’s house, she invited Margo in, recalling that Lake was with Coco. This was his chance to get the woman he always had a crush on, and Margo should not be there as a third wheel.Together, they arrived in front of Madison’s door to see that not only did the girls not just come to deliver th
“You and Lake seem to be good friends, so are you friends with Ezrah too?” Margo asked. Madison frowned a little.Margo did not seem to be as simple as she thought and replied, “Yeah, he’s my boyfriend.”The shocked expression blended with sadness said it all. “Your boyfriend? How? When?” Margo asked all at once.Since Madison got what she wanted, she spoke honestly. “Just kidding. He’s my boss.”“And you are crushing on him,” Margo accused painfully, due to how Madison had claimed Ezrah to be her boyfriend earlier.Madison had had her fair share of seeing a lot of women crushing on Ezrah and wanting to gain his attention but was glad she was not one of them.“Never. I’ve never felt a thing for Ezrah, never would.”Margo found it hard to believe. Madison was not even rich or anything but was making it look as if Ezrah was beneath her.“He’s a hot guy. You say it as if he’s some ugly toad.”Madison shook her head, as the understanding of everything was slowly sinking in.“No. Ezrah is
“Lake asked me to pick up Coco on his behalf,” Ezrah said politely, his expression sad.Michelle was upset, feeling that Lake was using Coco to give Ezrah access to her life.“That is uncouth of him. My opinion of him just dropped from ninety to zero. As a first date, nothing should matter to him more than his woman.”Michelle did not want the same thing to happen to Coco as had happened to her. If Lake truly wanted her, then he would jump every hurdle to pick her up himself and not send Ezrah.“It’s not what you think. There is an emergency, and he couldn’t disappoint her, so I’m only here to pick her up and send her to him.”Ezrah’s voice remained polite and calm, as he hoped that Michelle would believe him. He had his own intentions, but this was impromptu and not what he had planned.Michelle still could not believe him. “You know what, Coco would not see him.”About to turn and leave, Ezrah spoke behind her, knowing how easy it would be for her to convince Coco not to see Lake.“
A slap met Lake’s cheek as Coco broke down.“You think this is a joke? Did you want me to die of a heart attack? You scared me, Lake.”All the fears from before scurried through her mind again.He must have gone to the extreme to propose to her, but she felt rather scared of if it had been real.“I’m so sorry. After getting everything ready, I couldn’t think of anything else to make it different and remembered when I saw something like this in a movie.After talking to Ezrah about it, he helped me organize the people. I just intended to surprise you.”Coco was so touched by the man kneeling in front of her. Though he had not said it with words, his love for her was pure and unadulterated.Knowing the difference between a genuine and toxic relationship, she would be damned before she lets him slip from her fingers like that.“Yes, I will marry you, but don’t give me a heart attack next time.”Lake sighed with relief, rose to his feet, took the ring from her, and slipped it onto her fin