“Angie, when I was trying to get to you, I had this one thought going through my mind the whole time.” He felt almost queasy as he remembered the bitter taste of fear. “I was worried that if something happened, I would never have the chance to tell you that I love you.”
He felt the tension in Angie’s body before she lifted her head and looked into his eyes. “Now’s your chance.”
He frowned. “Weren’t you listening? I just did.”
“Cole,” urged Angie, “tell me exactly how you feel.”
Cole didn’t feel nervous as he held her gaze. He wanted her to know. He wanted the world to know how he felt about this woman. “I love you, Angie. At first I thought it made me weak. Vulnerable. I didn’t want to show how much you meant to me because I would give you power over me.”
“What changed?”
“You’ve always had power over me, whether or not I told you how I feel. From the second I met you. But you didn’t use it against me.”
“Cole, I’m going to let you in on a little secret.” She leaned forward until her mouth was a kiss away from his. “I’m not powerful but you make me feel that way. Like right now. I’m excited and anxious. I feel safe but adventurous. When you look at me like that, I want to be everything to you.”
“You are,” he insisted. “And I was lost and miserable after I left you. I believed I was doing the right thing but I wished every day that I hadn’t ended things. And it was a mistake that I waited so long to see you again.”
“I won’t lie, Cole, it hurt when you took off,” she said, her eyes darkening as she recalled the pain. “I tried to get over you but I couldn’t.”
“Yeah, I remember your face when you saw me on stage.” She had been confused and angry. It gave him a little bit of hope that she still had feelings for him.
Angie sat up straight and tightened her legs around his hips. “That reminds me, no more undercover work, especially in a strip club.”
“Don’t worry. I’m never doing that again.” The only woman he wanted tearing his clothes off was Angie. “The one good thing that came out of that is that you owe me a lap dance.”
Her mouth dropped open. “Says who?”
He moved restlessly underneath her as he imagined her performance wearing nothing but those impractical heels. “Come on, Angie. Let me watch you.”
She hesitated as if she were actually considering his suggestion. “How much cash do you have?”
“That depends,” he said as his gaze traveled down her body. “What are you offering to do?”
* * *
ANGIE SUDDENLY FELT shy. Shy, but intrigued. She nervously licked her lips. “There’s no music.”
“Doesn’t matter.” His voice sounded gravelly as she saw the lust sharpen his features. “I just want to watch you.”
Angie liked the idea but it would be so revealing. She wanted to seduce Cole and make him go wild underneath her. Show him how she felt. Get pleasure from his pleasure. She wanted to be as bold as she used to be.
But she wanted him to do more than just watch. “Guide me through it.”
“You don’t need any help,” he said with a smile. Slowly, he slid his hands under his head and shifted to find a comfortable spot on the bed. “Go for it.”
Angie stared at him and her heart did a strange little flip. His rumpled white shirt was pulled tight against his broad chest. His position was almost casual, but his expression was serious. He was giving her all the power. And showing her he was open to anything, while still encouraging her. She could do whatever she wanted and he would enjoy the ride.
She tentatively rolled her hips for him and then raised her short skirt. The fabric was slick and silky against her bare legs. She ran her hands along her thighs, imagining how Cole would often touch her that way when he was overcome with desire. She splayed her fingers over her breasts before skimming them along her throat and cheeks.
“Stop teasing,” Cole said hoarsely. “Give me all you got.”
She smiled and dragged down his zipper, then pulled his belt free. “Take off your clothes,” she requested.
Cole did so, his actions quick and impatient. When his underwear hit the floor, he settled back on the bed, his penis thick and proudly erect. Heavy anticipation crashed through Angie as she grasped the base of his cock. Cole hissed between clenched teeth and bucked into her hand.
Angie bit her lip as she watched Cole’s reaction. Yes, she was giving him pleasure, but he was giving her his trust. Cole was tough, he could take control again any time he wanted, but what he wanted was for her to have it.