was on his mind constantly. He couldn’t fall asleep without thinking about her, couldn’t wake up without her face being the first thing he saw in his mind, couldn’t talk to his sister or his momma without wondering if they’d like her as much as he did.
And that thought scared the hell out of him. He’d lost himself once to love. Had fallen down a rabbit hole of coupledom, where even their names couldn’t be said separately. After the divorce, he’d had to learn at twenty-nine how to be his own person. Years later, he was finally starting to like who he’d turned into, who he’d become. And he refused to box himself into another codependent relationship with someone dead set on controlling his every move.
Ignoring the voice in his head that reminded him Sadie hadn’t attempted to do that, he reached for his jeans hanging over the back of the couch and tugged them on, finding a scrap of paper tucked into the pocket. With a furrowed brow, he pulled it out and unfolded it, running his eyes over the loopy script.
I had to run and start breakfast for the inn and didn’t want to wake you. Make yourself at home. Feel free to use the shower and help yourself to whatever. The door locks on its own, so you don’t have to worry about that. Thanks for last night. xo, Sadie
He ignored the way his gut tightened, same as his chest, at how familiar this all felt. How terrifying. He hadn’t let anyone in since his ex-wife. Hadn’t wanted to. He’d been happy on his own, figuring out his shit. Being the man he wanted to be and not some version of someone else’s ideal. He’d had no intention of complicating that.
And then, three years ago and only months after his divorce, Sadie had come along and knocked him on his proverbial ass. Even from afar, he’d been drawn to her. Had felt it like a tug under his skin, as if they were magnets drawn to each other. And that pull had only intensified over time. Had intensified to the point of bursting when he’d picked Starlight Haven to stay during his renovations.
“You’re a fucking idiot,” he mumbled to himself, pulling on his jacket and strolling out the cottage’s front door without a backward glance.
If he had no intention of entering into a relationship with her, why the hell had he started something? Why the hell had he spent his nights getting lost in her body? Spent the actual night wrapped around her, her curves settling perfectly against his body? He’d known from the beginning she was a commitment girl down to her bones. She wanted a happy ending for herself, and he’d already watched his first marriage crumble. He had absolutely no desire to put himself through that again simply for a chance this one might stick.
Using the code Sadie had given him several days ago, he unlocked the back door and strode through the inn, intent on getting to his room and washing off last night, along with the emotions it had conjured up that were suddenly crackling under his skin.
He heard Sadie’s voice before he saw her, the sound like honey coating his insides, all warm and sweet. He rounded a corner and stopped abruptly as soon as she came into view. She stood behind the front desk, her hair a chaos of waves around her face and a man he’d never seen before leaning too close to her for anyone who wasn’t an invited guest in her bed.
“I was thinkin’ maybe you’d finally be able to show me around,” the man said. “Try out that restaurant you’ve been tellin’ me about.”
Cole tightened his hands into fists at his sides, anger and irritation rearing their heads inside him so quickly, he barely had time to process it before he strode toward them. Didn’t even bother to remove what was no doubt a murderous expression written on his face, but he’d be damned if he let this fucker hit on the woman he’d been inside just hours before.
“I’ll be happy to get you a reservation there, but I don’t think my boyfriend would like it too much if we went out,” Sadie said, her tone friendly but firm.
Cole’s steps faltered. Boyfriend? Was that what last night meant to her? Jesus, he’d really fucked up if that was the case. He’d put the needs of his cock over her feelings, and now he was faced with