if you can’t wait to get your hands on me, we can probably find an empty room around here somewhere.”
Embarrassment heats my skin, tears filling my eyes. “Stop it, Cole. This isn’t you.”
His head tilts as he glares at me, his hand reaching out to tuck my hair behind my ear. Then he leans in, his lips caressing the shell of my ear as he whispers, “That’s where you’re wrong, Princess. The Cole you knew is gone. If I were you, I’d steer clear of the soulless, heartless monster you created.”
He’s still wearing a smile on his face as he stands straight again, but his eyes are vacant. Like he’s looking right through me. I’ve officially become invisible to him. The only boy who’s ever loved me, the only one who’s ever truly seen me.
I’m nothing more than a phantom to him now.
My heart shatters as he walks away, tears freely falling down my face.
Things didn’t feel real until now. There’s always been this part of me clinging to the possibility that we would be together again someday.
But Cole will never forgive me. I’ve lost him forever.
Chapter Forty
Present
GWEN
Sweat pools on my back, my eyes swimming in tears while I move my body to the ticking beat of the music. Feel Something by Bea Miller is blaring through the speakers in the dance studio, pushing aside all my dark thoughts. It’s been two days since I’ve seen or heard from Cole. He finally sent his mom a text last night letting her know he was safe and would be home soon, but included nothing about where he was or what he was doing. The thought of him being alone and hurting is killing me.
It’s safe to assume he’s angry since he’s ignored my attempts to contact him. I keep telling myself not to panic since he hasn’t responded to Thatcher or Arwen either. But my heart is breaking, and I can’t shake the feeling that I’ve lost him again.
The ache in my chest sends me to my knees. My sorrow can no longer be contained, and it erupts out of me like a volcano. Sobs drown out the song, tears rushing down my face like a waterfall.
The music cuts off, and I turn to spot Cole running toward me. I’m certain my blurry eyes are playing tricks on me. It feels like an illusion. Even as he kneels and his smell engulfs me.
He wraps his strong arms around me, burying my tear-soaked face into his shirt as he kisses the top of my head. “Shh, don’t cry, Princess.”
I pull back and gaze into his stunning emerald eyes. “You’re really here.”
Smirking, he stands and helps me to my feet. “If you were dreaming, I’d have less clothes on.”
My laugh comes out in a hiccupped sob, and I give him a tight hug. “It’s not funny,” I whine, delivering a playful smack on his chest. “You disappeared for days. I’ve been a wreck.”
“Yeah, I can see that,” he teases.
“Asshole,” I grumble, shoving him. “Seriously, you can’t do that to me.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry. I just needed some time to get my head on straight.”
“I thought I lost you again.” More tears fall with my whispered words.
He cups my face in his hands, drying my cheeks with the pads of his thumbs. “I’m not going anywhere. You’re stuck with me, Princess.”
“You promise?”
He nods. “For keeps.”
His lips crash into mine, the desperate need in his kiss stealing the breath from my lungs. I’m panting by the time he pries his mouth from mine, my eyelids feeling much heavier than they had a moment ago.
“God, I’ve missed you,” he murmurs. “When will your parents be home?”
My lower abdomen tightens with need as I answer, “Probably not for another three hours or so.”
“Hell yes.” He grabs my hand, then leads me out of the studio.
We make it to my bedroom in record time, Cole practically chasing me all the way there. We both strip off our clothes as soon as we’re locked inside. His hungry gaze heats my skin, scaling down my body as I push my underwear down my legs.
He stalks toward me, the gleam in his eyes causing a flutter in my stomach.
Giggling, I slowly back away. “I need a shower.”
“Good. I’ll join you.”
I shake my head and run for the bathroom. He catches up to me as I turn on the shower, hugging me against his naked body.
His erection presses into my ass, his lips finding the shell of my ear. “Are you trying