Illusions of Love (7 page)

I
walked into the station and Mandy was waiting for me. She grinned. “I told them
not to interrupt your date,” she said amused.

“It
wasn’t a date. We are just friends and we were catching up,” I said firmly. I
wanted to convince her and myself at the same time.

“Oh,”
she said sounding disappointed. “Where is he now?”

I
sighed. “He is at my house. I told him he could stay with me for a couple
weeks.”

Her
mouth dropped open in surprise. “You are sleeping with him again?”

I
scowled. “No, I have five bedrooms in my house. He didn’t like the hotel he was
in so I told him he could stay with me. It’s only for about a month then he is
moving to France.” I walked toward the interrogation rooms as I spoke. I wasn’t
in the mood to discuss my stupid decisions.

“He’s
leaving? Well that sucks,” she said sounding even more disappointed.

“We
have both moved on. It’s a good thing, not a bad thing,” I said as I looked at
her.

She
pursed her lips and placed her hands on her hips like she knew I was lying. “Ya
it sounds like it.”

I
rolled my eyes. “I don’t have time for this,” I countered then walked into the
interrogation room.

It
was after two in the morning by the time I walked back into my house. Cole’s
car was still in the driveway so I was assuming he stayed. I slid my coat off
and walked into the living room. He had papers spread across the coffee table.
He looked up at me and smiled. “Sorry, I am just going over reports,” he said
as he started gathering his papers.

“It’s
fine. You can use the study. I don’t use it and it has all the necessities of
an office,” I said as I sat down in an arm chair not far from him.

“That
would be great, thanks. I took the bedroom across from yours. I liked the view
of the backyard,” he said as he watched me.

I
nodded. “Well I am going to bed. I have had a long day and night. I’ll see you
in the morning,” I said as I stood. It was awkward between us. There was no
denying that.

“Ok,”
he said softly then went back to sorting through his reports.

I
barely slept because I knew he was in the house. I kept picturing him naked.
When I heard the shower start shortly after I went to bed I imagined him naked
with water pouring down his perfectly sculpted body. It was Saturday and I was
supposed to be off and sleeping in. I groaned and tossed the covers aside as I
sat up. It was a little after seven. I decided going for a run would be the
best option.

I
washed my face, brushed my teeth, than dressed in my running gear. I walked
downstairs and started coffee. I turned to walk out of the kitchen and Cole was
standing there. “Jeez you scared me,” I said a little startled. I wasn’t used
to anyone else being in the house with me.

His
hair was rumpled from sleep. He was wearing a pair of silk pajama pants and no
shirt. He was gorgeous and it was hard for me to remain annoyed when he looked
good enough to eat. “Sorry, I’ll stomp next time,” he said grinning.

I
smiled and shook my head. “I’ll get used to it. I’m going for a run,” I said as
I went to walk past him.

He
caught my hand and I looked at him as he pulled me against his chest. “You are
very good at ignoring you feelings.”

I
attempted to look confused, but I knew he knew better. “What do you mean?”

“I
can see how you look at me. I know what you want, I want it too,” he whispered
making my skin tingle.

“Cole
I didn’t…” I started, but he cut me off by pressing his lips to mine.

“Sex
is all I want. I am not asking for you to forgive me or anything. I just need
sex,” he whispered against my lips.

I
thought about it as I watched him. I wanted sex too. I had done nothing but
think about how good he used to feel. “No strings?” I asked looking for a
guarantee.

“None,
just sex,” he whispered in my ear as his lips brushed my ear, then went to my
neck.

I
closed my eyes and let the feeling of his lips on my neck take over. He pushed
me against the counter and his lips found mine. He kissed me hungrily. His
tongue tangled with mine as his hands went to my ass. I groaned and he broke
the kiss and pulled my tank top over my head. He tossed it aside, then laid
kisses across the tops of my breasts as he undid my bra. He tossed my bra aside
and his mouth was on my breast. He rolled my nipple between his lips making me
gasp. His hand cupped my pussy as he gently applied pressure to my clit with
his palm. I could feel the sensitive skin between my thighs start to hum and
moisten as he touched me. He sunk to his knees in front of me. He kissed my
belly along the edge of my pants. He slowly slid my pants and panties down. I
gasped and closed my eyes as his tongue skimmed over my heated skin. He focused
the tip of his tongue on my clit and I thought I was going to lose it. I
tangled my fingers in his hair. “Cole,” I squeaked in surprise. The sound of my
voice only excited him more. He lifted one of my legs and placed it on his
shoulder so he had better access to my pussy. I felt his tongue inside me. I
moaned in ecstasy. I loved how he felt. I pressed my body into him encouraging
what he was doing. Pleasure washed over me and I cried out as he sucked on my
clit, sending my body into an orgasm. He quickly stood and I looked at him wide
eyed and ready. He grasped my leg lifting it as he pressed his hips into me. He
pinned me. His eyes were dark with excitement and need. I felt his hard cock
rub against my slick pussy. I wanted him bad. I moaned encouraging him. His
lips touched mine and his kiss was slow and teasing. He started to fill me with
his hard cock, and I gasped in surprise. The last man I was with was him, it
had been years, and it felt good. I wrapped my arms around his neck as he
continued to move against me. I moved my body against his pushing him deep;
then pulling back when the pressure got too intense. Pleasure coursed through
me and I cried out in ecstasy. He buried his face in my neck and groaned in
pleasure as he released. He set me on the counter as he laid kisses down my
neck and shoulder, as I attempted to catch my breath.

Everything
always happened so fast with him. It was so hard to keep up. The first time we
were together happened incredibly fast too, and look how it ended up. The
thought came to mind, and it was the worst possible time. I didn’t want to
think about how stupid I had been last time I fell for him. I hated to admit it,
but I was still in love with him. Everything about him turned me on.

“This
was a bad idea,” I said softly as I slid off the counter.

He
didn’t give me any room. His body was pressing to mine and I could feel myself
responding to him. I looked up at him nervously and he watched me with that
expression I couldn’t read. “I don’t think so,” he said softly.

I
shook my head trying to shake the feelings he was giving me. “Cole we broke up.
I…”

“You
left,” he growled cutting me off. It was the first hint of anger I had heard
out of him.

I
looked at him confused. “You lied,” I countered.

“I
lied so we would have money so we could have a life together. My parents were
on the verge of disowning me and taking everything. I would have had nothing to
offer you if I didn’t do what I did. I love you Katelyn, you are just too
stubborn to see it,” he growled as he adjusted his pants. He turned and walked
out before I could speak.

I
never thought about his reasons for what he did, but he never offered an
explanation either. I sighed and started to dress. I needed to go run and
attempt to clear my head. I should have never went to dinner with him and
opened old wounds. It was too much for me to handle.

Cole’s
pretty blue sports car was gone when I got back. I hated to say I was relieved,
but I was. I didn’t know what to say to him after the incident in the kitchen.
Maybe it was me that was irrational. I didn’t really know. I was planning on
taking the day off, but I wouldn’t be able to sit in the house all day. I would
go insane. I would rather be at work doing paperwork and that was exactly what
I was going to do.

I
walked inside and hesitated when I saw the flowers and the note on the table. I
walked over to it and opened the note.

Katelyn,

   
Thank you for offering me a place to stay, but I am not going to be able to
stay here. I am sure you understand my reasons. It was nice catching up with
you, I honestly thought I would never see you again; and I am sorry for any
pain I caused you. I never meant to hurt you.

         
                                                                   Love, Cole

I
sat down on the bench near the table. Something wet hit the note and I realized
I was crying. I set the note back on the table and took a deep breath. I
quickly wiped my tears away and stood. I didn’t have time for feeling sorry for
myself and thinking about what could have been. I needed to distract myself. I
needed to work.

I
sat in my office going over report after report. This was the worst part of my
job, but it was also the most distracting.

“I
cannot believe you are working on a Saturday night,” Mandy said sounding
exasperated as she came into my office.

I
looked up at the clock. It was after eight; time had flown by. I had no clue I
had been in the office that long. “I didn’t know it was so late,” I said
quietly.

“You
going to tell me what’s wrong?” she asked as she took a seat across from me.

I
shook my head. “It’s nothing, just the same old drama,” I muttered.

“You
slept with him,” she said sounding slightly amused.

“Unfortunately,
but I wouldn’t say slept because there was no bed and no sleeping. It was a
huge mistake like most of my personal decisions so I have decided to work all
the time and forget about trying to have any form of a personal life,” I said
trying not to sound too annoyed.

“Come
on, we are going for drinks. As your friend I can’t let you give up on your
personal life yet,” she said grinning.

I
groaned and laid my forehead on my desk. “I don’t want to.” I didn’t want to do
anything but work. It was the only thing that kept my mind off the disaster
that was Cole.

“No
more work,” Mandy said firmly as she hauled me to my feet. She knew how I was.
If I could I would work for days straight. “I heard the Sky Room is having a
live band tonight,” she said excitedly as she guided me toward the exit.

“I’m
not dressed to go to the Sky Room.” The Sky Room was a newly opened, uppity
bar, and I really didn’t feel like dressing up.

“You
will be when I am done with you. We are going to my place,” she said happily as
she climbed into the driver’s seat of her car.

I
rolled my eyes and got in next to her. It was going to be a very long night and
I knew it.

I
stood in front of Mandy’s mirror and I really didn’t want to leave the house in
this get up. I looked good, but it really wasn’t me. I was in a tight black
dress that pushed my boobs up to the point of popping out of the dress. The
dress clung to every curve and just barely covered my ass. The stiletto heels
were incredibly high. She had curled my hair and put makeup on me. Like I said
I was hot in a super model type way, but it really wasn’t me.

“Ready?”
Mandy asked as she checked her reflection in the mirror. She was in a canary
yellow dress that was very similar to mine. I had seen her dress up a few times
and she looked hot like me.

I
sighed as I looked at myself one more time. “Sure why not,” I said dryly.

She
grinned. “Good the cab is here because we are going to have fun and no one is
going to able to drive when we are through.”

I
smiled and shook my head as I followed her out. She and I hadn’t gone out like
this since college. I was normally too busy to go out; not to mention I wasn’t
a fan of the club scene like she was.

The
short ride to the Sky Room was filled with Mandy talking animatedly; like she
always did when she was excited.

“How
are we even going to get into this place?” I asked as I followed her toward the
entrance of the building. The club was on the top floor of a skyscraper and as
far as I knew it was a pretty exclusive place.

“We
are hot, we will get in,” she said playfully.

I
didn’t say anything as we got into the elevator. I really didn’t see how we
were going to get in when we were not rich or famous. We were hot, then again I
was sure there were plenty of other hot girls there.

The
elevator doors opened and there was an incredible line at the entrance. A line
that hadn’t moved at all. I gave Mandy a look that suggested I was about to
leave. “You are not leaving,” she said firmly as she snatched my hand and led
me toward the line.

“This
is ridiculous Mandy,” I moaned as I leaned against the wall. I didn’t want to
be at a bar anyway.

She
rolled her eyes. “Don’t be a dud. We will have fun, once we get inside that
is,” she said as she stood on her tippy toes trying to see the front of the line.

I
sighed and leaned against the wall. She wasn’t giving me any choice. I was
going to have to stand here like all the other women trying to get in just to
meet some asshole of a rich guy that wanted one thing.

A
man dressed in a suit walked down the line. He looked like he was patrolling
and making sure everyone was behaving. I had seen him before, but I couldn’t
place him. I felt that way a lot. As a cop I met so many people it was hard to
keep up with who was who.

He
hesitated when he saw me like he recognized me. “Mrs. Davis?” he asked looking
directly at me.

“I’m
not…” I started, but Mandy cut me off.

“That
would be her,” Mandy said snatching my hand.

“You
don’t have to wait in line, come with me,” he said looking amused.

I
shot Mandy a look and she ignored me and pulled me along with her as she
followed the guy. If this guy knew I was married to Cole then that meant Cole
was involved with the club somehow. I was hoping he wasn’t here, but I had a
bad feeling he was.

He
led us past the bouncer at the front. The place was actually beautiful inside.
It was a huge open bar and it wasn’t crazy packed to the point of not being
able to stand without being right next to someone else.

“Have
a good night Mrs. Davis if you need anything let me know. My name is Eric,” he
said and smiled.

“Thank
you,” I said not sure what else to say. He nodded and walked off leaving us
alone.

Mandy
squealed in excitement. “Well Cole is useful for something,” she said happily
as she walked toward the bar.

I
followed her glancing around as I did. I was not comfortable here at all now
that I knew Cole was probably somewhere in the vicinity. She ordered us both
martinis. “I think every guy here is hot. It is so hard to choose one,” Mandy
said as she looked around.

I
rolled my eyes. “I don’t care. I refuse to have any form of a personal life.”

She
pursed her lips and was about to start in on me, but someone interrupted.

“Katie,”
a familiar male voice said. I looked at the man and smiled. It was Jack Adkins.

“Jack!”
I said excitedly as I hugged him. “What are you doing here?”

“I
own the club,” he said amused.

I
looked at him a little startled. “What happened to college?” I asked confused.

“I
graduated and didn’t like the field so Cole lent me the money to open the
place,” he said grinning.

“Katie,
are you going to introduce us?” Mandy asked a little testily.

I
glanced at her. She was watching Jack like he was on the menu. “Jack this is my
friend Mandy,” I said amused.

“Hi,”
Mandy said then giggled. I watched her amused. She never giggled like that
unless she really liked a guy.

“Jack
Adkins; Katie and I grew up together,” he said smiling like he always did.

“I’ve
heard her mention you before,” Mandy said nervously. “This is a great place.”

“I’m
going to run to the ladies room. Which way is it?” I didn’t really need to go,
I just figured I would give Mandy a chance to talk to him. He was a great guy,
at least he seemed like it growing up. I never dated him.

He
directed me to the ladies room and I walked over to them. I was surprised that
the bathrooms were just as nice as the actual club. Jack really did a great job
with the place. I hopped up onto the counter and straightened my lipstick. I
was trying to kill time. Mandy obviously like Jack and I didn’t want to be a
third wheel. The door opened and I looked up at Cole.

He
smiled softly and shut the door. “You are hiding in the bathroom after using my
name to get in,” he asked amused.

I
laughed as I put my lipstick back in my purse. “I didn’t use your name; the guy
called me Mrs. Davis and Mandy made me go with it so she could get in.”

“You
didn’t want to come?” he asked watching me. His expression wasn’t playful like
it had been. It was serious.

I
shook my head. “I wanted to work, but Mandy wouldn’t let me.”

“Well
you look good. Can I buy you a drink?” he asked as his playful tone returned.

I
hopped off the counter and walked toward him. “I guess you’re cute enough,” I
teased.

He
laughed and held the door for me. I walked out and he followed me to the bar.
Mandy and Jack were still talking. It looked like Jack was showing her the
place. “It was nice of you to lend Jack the money to open the place,” I said
trying to make conversation.

“He
had some good ideas. So far it has worked out really well,” he said as he waved
the bartender over. He ordered us drinks and I wasn’t sure what to do. After
everything that happened earlier and the note it was even more awkward between
us.

A
couple people came over and greeted him. He introduced me as his friend. I
didn’t know why it bothered me, but it did. After my third drink I was feeling
pretty good. I had lost track of Mandy. She had disappeared with Jack. I was
glad at least she was having fun. Cole was over talking to his friends. I
watched him and so many naughty thoughts came to mind. His pants fit him
perfectly. I could see the perfect bulge at the front of his pants, and his ass
was perfect. His shirt fit nicely to his body. I knew what was underneath
without even seeing it. I groaned and stood. I had to get out of the place
before I ended up jumping on him.

I
walked toward the exit. The place was still busy as hell. As I reached the
entrance Cole stepped in front of me. “Where are you going?” he asked and I
couldn’t read his expression.

“Home,
it’s late,” I said and went to walk past him.

“You
aren’t driving are you?” he asked sounding concerned, as he continued to keep
me from passing him.

“No
I will call a cab,” I said testily. He was too close to me. I wanted him and it
was irritating me. I could smell his cologne and that made everything worse.

“Why
don’t you stay a little longer,” he asked quickly. I could tell he didn’t want
me to leave.

I
moved closer to him, and breathed in his scent. I felt my body heat up at just
the scent of him. “Why don’t you come home with me?” I offered. Part of me
hoped he would accept, another part of me hoped he wouldn’t.

He
watched me hesitantly. “Katie I don’t want to do anything that will make you
angrier at me. I really want to be friends if we can.”

I
ran my fingers down his chest as I looked up at him. “I can’t be friends with
you Cole. I am in love with you. I don’t want to be your friend. So, you can
come home with me and have sex with me or I will go home by myself like I
usually do. It is your choice.”

“Katie,
I don’t just want to have sex with you. I want more than that,” he pleaded.

“I
don’t trust you Cole. There is no room for more than just sex right now,” I
said quietly; then I walked out of the bar. I was a little disappointed that he
didn’t follow. I was really hoping he would go home with me. I walked outside
and hailed a cab that was waiting for bar patrons like me.