Yearning Devotion (17 page)

When Cole showed up at their
apartment right at seven, McKayla greeted him at the door. She was wearing a
plain black t-shirt dress.

“Boy, you do clean up nicely.”
McKayla stepped back from the door, giving him enough room to enter. “She
should be out in just a minute.”

“Thanks.” Cole stepped inside as
she shut and locked the door. He’d decided to wear black slacks and a dark
green sweater that showed off how muscular he was. Before he could take another
step, Gwen was walking down the hall. She had on a dark purple mid-thigh length
strapless dress. A thick strap of beading wrapped around her waist and loose
free flowing layers fell around her thighs. She had on a pair of plain black 4
inch leather pumps. Her hair fell over her shoulders in loose spiral curls and
her makeup was very lightly applied. As soon as she saw him, a big smile spread
across her face.

“Good timing.” Gwen said to him
before stepping to McKayla. She pulled McKayla into a tight embrace, sliding
her fingers into her hair and giving her a slow lingering kiss. She pulled back
from the kiss with a smile. “We shouldn’t be late.”

“Have fun.” McKayla said softly,
skimming her hand over Gwen’s shoulder before stepping back completely from
her. “So, where are you going?”

“That is for me to know and Gwen to
find out.” Cole smiled wickedly as he slipped his hands into his pockets. “But
don’t worry, I’ll have her home at a decent hour.”

“I’d expect no less from a
gentleman such as yourself.” McKayla winked at him as Gwen rolled her eyes at
them. She picked up the tiny black clutch purse she’d put by the door earlier.

“Don’t wait up.” Gwen slipped her
hand into the elbow Cole offered when she stepped to his side.

“Oh, I won’t. I trust Cole here to
take care of my girl.” McKayla gave a little wave before they stepped out of
the apartment. McKayla locked the door behind them.

“I hope I’m dressed appropriately.
I had to guess how fancy or not the place we are going is.”  Gwen gestured down
at her dress. Cole looked down at her dress then back to up to her face.

“I think you look absolutely
lovely.” He said before pulling her to him and planting a kiss on her soft pink
lips. “It’s one of your own, isn’t it? I can always tell when it’s one of your
designs.”

“It is.” Gwen couldn’t hold back
the proud smile that slid onto her face. Nothing pleased her more than hearing
that her designs were unique enough to pick out from other designers.

“It’s beautiful and you look
beautiful in it.” Cole slid his hand into hers before leading her down the
stairs. Outside a black town car was waiting for them. The driver held open the
door for them. “Thanks, Doug.” Cole said as he helped Gwen into the backseat
before sliding in next to her. “I hope you are ready for a very yummy meal
followed with a bit of excitement.”

“Oh, excitement. You sure know how
to pique a girl’s interest.” Gwen laughed softly as he took her hand into his. 
She looked at his large palm that rested on her knee. Their fingers threaded
together. It was a different sight to her. She was used to seeing her own
fingers laced with McKayla’s delicate feminine fingers instead of these large
very manly fingers. It sparked something inside her having his hand in hers,
but it also calmed and comforted her. This was her first real date since… Well,
since ever. Her and McKayla had been friends for years before they’d become
girlfriends and their dates always seemed just like two really good friends
going out to do things by the time they’d started going on them.

“Well, wouldn’t want to give too
much away and then you’ll get bored on me.” Cole squeezed her hand as the car
moved through the busy New York streets. She just laughed at him.

“I don’t bore as easily as you assume.
McKayla has somehow or another kept me around for more years than I care to
count.” Gwen locked her eyes with those beautiful green eyes of his for a
moment. “Just takes the right person, I guess.”

“Sounds like a challenge. Well, I
accept.” Cole murmured before leaning down to press his lips softly against
hers. “You are a challenge I think is well worth stepping up for.”

“Oh, I see. I’m a challenge to be
conquered before you move on to the next one.” Gwen raised an eyebrow at him as
a smiled tugged at her lips.

“I said nothing about moving on. I
think you are the ultimate challenge. You are the challenge of a life time. I
don’t think I’ve ever met a woman like you. You are incredibly headstrong,
stubborn and hard to understand while being more beautiful, passionate,
intelligent and tender than any woman I have ever met. Trust me, I have met
many women and you are the only one that has ever captured me from the first
moment you tripped over your own feet.” Cole slid closer on the seat to her, sliding
an arm around her shoulder to keep her close to his side. Gwen tried her best
to keep his words from slipping past her defenses. It didn’t work, he wormed his
way right into her heart, but then again, he’d already snuck in there on her.
Now it was more than obvious to her that he wasn’t the man that had broken her
heart. Instead he was a man trying to win her over and take care of her. “You
don’t have to believe me. That’s okay. I know that I screwed up before and I
will pay the price. I have no problem doing what I have to, I will prove to you
I am here for you. I am human and make mistakes but I need you in my life. You
have me so wrapped around your finger it is kinda pathetic.”

“You are kinda pathetic.” Gwen
looked at his strong handsome face. She fought to keep a smile off her face. “Yeah,
I can totally see that.”

“See. There you go, throwing
compliments my way.” Cole laughed. Her sarcasm made him laugh. She would always
keep him on his toes. He vowed that now that he had her in his life, he would
do what he had to keep her happy and in his life. He was a dominate man who
didn’t accept anything but perfection from others but this little lady had
wormed her way into his life and heart when he hadn’t been expecting it.

Pretty sure neither of them had
expected to meet the person that would turn their whole life on its axis on the
subway on their way to work and school. Yet, they had.

Life seemed to be finally be
positive for both of them. Things had finally started to look good for their
relationship.

That is, until they stepped out of
the town car and Gwen froze. A gasp ripped from her throat. Her eyes flashed up
to meet Cole’s for a moment. She looked forward again to the man standing in
front of the restaurant. Those cold deadly eyes were staring at them.

“Do you know that man?” Cole asked
as his hand slid to her hip. Gwen could barely force herself to take her eyes
off him and look back to Cole at her side. Her face was pale white, her mouth
was so dry she could barely push the single word past her lips.

“Yes.”

THE END