Cole: The Wounded Sons, Leah Sharelle [the reading list .TXT] 📗

“It doesn’t make sense, and Cole is far from a playboy. He doesn’t hook up with random chicks at the Club or anywhere else. Creed must have a good reason if he asked that of Cole,” Wren informed us, getting a nod of approval from Devon.

“I agree; Creed isn’t the kind of guy to interfere with his kid’s private life unless it’s Willow’s.”

“Well, you would know more about his ways than me,” I said, looking at Wren and Devon, “the only interaction I have with Creed is at signings or when he comes to the bookstore to pick up Memphis, and then it’s just a series of grunts, growls and chin lifts. I understand nothing when it comes to my boss’s husband.”

If only there was a manual of some sort that might explain the meaning of the chin lift in all its varying kinds. Chapters on the happy chin lift, angry etc., anything that could help me understand what was going on inside the man’s head.

“Ah, the chin lift and growls,” Wren clucked, “there are many versions, and to understand them, you must be in touch with your inner alpha or be having sex with one. It’s the only way to unlock the hidden meaning of the biker slash soldier communication techniques.”

Staring opened-mouthed at Wren, I suddenly dissolved in a fit of giggles, with Peyton, Addy and Devon joining me.

“Oh Wren, you have a unique way of putting things,” I laughed uncontrollably, “you definitely need to meet my friend Thayer. She has no filter or sense of decorum but in the sweetest kind of way.”

“And you really need to spend an afternoon with the Flock and Shiloh. Two hours with those ladies, and your ears will be bleeding and your face permanently red. Nightmares for weeks and a sudden need for Tequila,” Addy spluttered through fits of giggles.

Wren shook with laughter, tears streaming down her face.

“My mother-in-law and sister-law have assembled a weird but wonderful and lovable group of women. They have knowledge and compassion for everyone, and they know absolutely everything about you with just a look.”

“Sounds like Thayer, only she has very little useful knowledge and is clueless most of the time.”

“Next time we all get together, you should bring her along. She sounds interesting,” Peyton said before lifting a glass of ice water to her lips and taking a big gulp.

“Oh god, as long as there isn’t a single biker around, that should be fine. In her own words, she is looking for a hunk to do sex things with, and trust me; she is desperate to find one.”

“Sex things?” Devon asked.

“Yep,” I nodded vigorously, “Thayer is still a virgin, something she won’t mind me divulging, she is itching to get her cherry popped, her words not mine.”

“Oh, we have to get Thayer in on a Friday night movie session at the compound,” Wren declared, clapping her hands. “She just might give Shiloh a run for her money in the inappropriate stakes.”

Sounds of men swearing and laughing came from the bottom of the stairs under the balcony where we were sitting. Uncrossing my legs, I craned my head and looked down over the railing to see a shirtless Cole, along with four other equally shirtless huge, muscled men walking up the sand-covered path to the stairs. They were talking low, and it was near impossible to decipher what they were saying from here other than the curse words, but Cole looked relaxed … to a degree. His ever-present aviator sunglasses covered his eyes, ironically Oakley’s, but I could see a slight tick in his jaw and a tenseness in his shoulders.

Oh boy, what could have happened to cause that?

“Looks like you are off the hook for any further explaining until a later date, Oaklee, but don’t think I didn’t catch that there were several reasons for you and Cole going under the radar with your relationship. You will be explaining yourself after I have some alone time with my husband; if I have to be away from our baby boy, then I am going to make the most of it.” Getting to her feet, Wren walked around the outdoor table to my side and laid a hand on my shoulder.

“Welcome to the family, Oaklee. Having a Son by your side in life is the best feeling of pure magic a woman can have. Just remember they need a good kicking from time to time; sometimes they forget that we can’t read minds,” she lectured gently, leaning down to give me a kiss on the cheek. “All we have to do is figure out those growls and chin lifts, and peace and quiet will reign supreme.”

Chuckling, Wren headed for the stairs just as the men stepped onto the landing, Cole the first one up, his glasses now off, and his black eyes immediately searched for me.

“Temptress, you ready?” His deep voice penetrating right to my core.

“For what?” I managed to rasp under his heated gaze, raw sexual power wafting around him.

Stalking forward, Cole didn’t stop until he was in front of me, his hands coming around my arms and bringing me to his feet, his arms engulfing my small frame like a warm blanket. Our friends around us forgotten as we held each other, lost in our little bubble.

Pulling back just enough to look down at me, Cole pressed a soft kiss to my lips.

“For me.”

Oh, yes please.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

COLE

With our hands laced, I led Oaklee past my team, and up to the top floor of the building. Mine was the only apartment on the third floor along with a roof top garden where we’d also installed a hot tub. It was the perfect way to heal a sore body after months on deployment or just to get away from the noise of life, relaxing under the night sky and listening to the sounds of the ocean.

Tonight I had other plans. Tonight I