Tangled Up Hearts (34 page)

“Well that was certainly different.” Paul put a hand on her back as he walked with her to the table where Gramma Lynn was still sitting.

“Yes, wasn’t it though?” Her heart still hadn’t calmed down. Nor could she breathe. The air felt stifling and hot. Fanning a hand before her face, she tapped Paul’s arm and nodded toward the terrace. “I think I’m going to go out for some fresh air. I’ll be back shortly.”

"You want me to come with you?" Paul made to follow her but she waved him into a chair.

"No, no. I'll be right back." She needed to be alone for a few minutes and somehow get her equilibrium back.

Though the early spring often presented chilly evenings, the night air was unnaturally warm. A fact made even more so since there wasn't even the slightest breeze going on to cool things off. Alyssa moved along the garden pathways while her mind spun through the images over and over again of Cole kneeling before her, his hands on her leg, his fingers caressing her skin. How was she ever to cool off if she couldn't get that out of her mind?

Just ahead she caught sight of the miniature golf course and with a small murmur of delight, she headed toward it. Several golf clubs were stacked in an outside receptacle and she pulled one out then reached in the basket for a ball. As she headed to the first hole, she couldn’t help but remember the times she and Trisha played this very course, though it had been several years since they'd done so.

When she leaned down to place the ball on the tee hole, her head went into a dizzy spin and she staggered unsteadily, nearly losing her balance altogether and nose-diving into the grass. She found this delightfully funny and broke into a fit of laughter which made her balance even more precarious. Glad nobody was around to witness the spectacle she was making of herself, she drew in a deep breath and fought to get her balance back. Obviously the champagne was starting to catch up with her. How many glasses did she put down anyway? Three? Four? Wishing she still had one more, Alyssa shook her fuzzy head to clear it and made ready for her shot. Several false starts and then she was slicing the club through the air, smacking the small ball with a hard whack and sending it flying. Only its flight path came in direct contact with the windmill and the darn thing came whizzing back at her. Squeaking with alarm, Alyssa ducked just in time.

Behind her, someone clapped. “That was beautifully executed. If it weren’t for that windmill, you would have been on the green.”

Alyssa swung around. “Why thank you, Cole. You may be my sports commentator any time.”

He bent down and picked up her errant ball. “Perhaps you should try another ball. It may cooperate better.”

Smiling despite herself, Alyssa held out her hand. “I’m very stubborn. I think I’ll stick with that one.”

Cole reached for another golf club. “Mind if I join you?”

“No. Of course not.” Surprised by the request and even more surprised with her answer, Alyssa managed to keep her expression neutral. If it killed her, she was not going to let him see how much confusion and excitement he stirred within her.

Cole placed her ball back on the tee and stepped back. "That first shot was practice. Make this one count."

Determined to show him how good at this she actually could be, Alyssa was gentler this time and the ball went neatly through the small door of the windmill, coming to rest only a few inches from the hole. She crowed with triumph.

Cole gave her an approving nod. “That was very nice. Now stand back and watch a pro at work.”

They moved from hole to hole in a very enjoyable game. Although Alyssa suspected Cole was a better player than he was letting on, she didn't push the issue. She felt too good to argue the fact that he didn't need to hold back with her.

When they were down to two holes and the score was tied, however, she decided to put an end to his generosity and wagged a finger at him, stamping her foot in feigned petulance. “There's no need for you to throw the game, Cole. I can win without you’re being so gracious as to think you must let me.”

Cole’s brow lifted in protest and he placed a hand over his heart. “You wound me. I’m doing my utmost to achieve an embarrassing victory.”

Alyssa threw him a skeptical glance. “Hmm. The only thing you are going to achieve is the agony of defeat.” It took three shots to make the hole. Cole got a hole in one. He gave her an “I can’t believe it” shrug and grinned.

They moved to the last obstacle which was a huge green frog. The player who hit the ball straight into the frog's mouth won a prize. Usually a free game. Cole stood back and waved a hand for her to have at it. "Give it your best shot."

Alyssa shook her head. “Oh no, you go first.” When he made to decline, she waved away his protest. “Please do. I want to see a pro in action.”

Cole sighed. “Okay then. Stand back and be amazed.” He missed quite miserably and frowned in confusion. “I don’t understand it. I always make that shot.”

Alyssa laughed. “Too bad. Now you step aside.” She aimed carefully and swung. The ball went straight for the frog’s mouth and a light lit up to proclaim her win. Alyssa jumped up and down in her excitement. “Oh my gosh! I did it. Cole, I did it.” She turned to share her excitement with him, her smile turning to laughter when she saw that he stood smiling, his blue eyes lit with amusement over her excited reaction.

Or was there more burning in there than laughter? Her heart began to pound hard and heavy and it wasn't because her ball had just gone down a frog's throat.

“Yes, you did." He stepped towards her, his eyes bright with intent. "I believe the winner deserves something for such an excellent showing.” Gently he grasped her arms and pulled her against him.

Alyssa was at once putty in his hands, a willing and eager participant. “Cole, what are you doing?” Please, she thought desperately, let it be more than just a quick peck!

He bent his head, his breath fanning her lips as he hovered there to speak. “Giving you your prize.” He skimmed his mouth over hers, sliding from one side to the other, nipping gently. When Alyssa made a small sound in protest, making it clear she wanted more, he pulled her closer, his arms encircling her and pressing her body to his. Giving in to her whimpered plea, his kisses increased in pressure then with a groan of need, his tongue quested for entrance.

Surging with sudden, consuming need, Alyssa parted her lips and returned his deep, penetrating kisses with feverish fervor. Ever since last night she'd been tense with unfulfilled desire and now she was eager to assuage the problem. Her hands slid up his chest, around his neck then into his soft hair. Tugging gently, she pulled his head down to deepen their kisses and Cole was quick to oblige.

With his hands caressing her back in restless exploration, he teased her with the softest of touches until, with a deep growl, he grasped at her hips and pulled her into his thrusts, making her aware of just how much he wanted her.

The need for oxygen finally made Alyssa yank her mouth from his. She dragged in some air, noted that he did the same, then pulled his mouth back for more soul-shattering pleasure.

Aroused and rigid with desire, Cole pressed with increasing intensity against her pelvis and she met each thrust with eager cooperation. Liquid heat pooled into an insistent ache between her legs.

“My God, Alyssa, I want you so bad.” His breathing ragged, his voice hoarse with passion, Cole buried his face in her hair and fought for some control. His hands, however, moved as if on their own volition, gripping her hips, kneading her beautiful, shapely butt while rocking his pelvis against her, back and forth, back and forth until he thought he might explode. He felt like a randy, out-of-control teenager. A shudder wracked through him and he went still, fighting hard to get a grip on his passion. “You don't know how badly I want to make love to you right now."

Alyssa slumped against him. She was sure he could hear the pounding of her heart. “Oh, Cole.” She groaned and turned her head to his, searching for his mouth and parting her lips for his kiss. She couldn’t get enough of him. She wanted to melt right into him. She wanted to soak him up like a wet sponge and absorb him into her very soul.

Cole’s hand moved lower then tugged at her dress, pulling the material up enough to get his hands under it. When he touched the back of her bare thigh, Alyssa let out a long, low moan. The shock of it sent warning bells through her body. That and intense pleasure. If he stopped now she'd die.

His hand moved higher still and she pulled her mouth from his as her head fell back. She was now so focused on his hand that she couldn't manage anything else.

"You smell as good as you taste." After muttering the words in a rough rasp against her ear, Cole lowered his mouth to her neck and sucked gently, his breathing harsh and hot against her skin.

Alyssa arched her back and Cole lowered his head to kiss the top of her breasts.

Suddenly their clothes were nothing but a hindrance. Wishing to rip them off and plaster herself skin to skin against him, Alyssa let out a frustrated moan.

“Oh my God, you are driving me crazy.” Cole tilted his head back and sucked in a deep breath then lowered his mouth to her temple, pressing kisses along the sensitive skin there. When she trembled in response, he skimmed his lips across her cheek, his tongue tasting her skin along the way.

Alyssa’s head fell back to allow him easy access to her neck and because she hadn't the strength to hold it up anymore.

With one hand lightly grazing her inner thigh, he moved the other to cup her breast. She groaned and pushed into him, loving his touch and craving more. Cole’s thumb rubbed against the hard nub of her nipple sending little shivers of pleasure pulsing through her. All reason was gone, she wanted Cole, and she wanted him now. Her hands moved feverishly over his chest, slipping inside his tux and working clumsily on the buttons. While Cole continued to assault her neck, she managed to open his shirt and slip her hands over his broad chest, the hair lightly peppering it tickling her palms.

Cole shivered convulsively and lifted his head to suck in more air. He laughed, a low sexy sound that made Alyssa’s heart skip and flutter. “I feel like a horny teenager that’s never been with a woman.”

“I think I’ve died and gone to heaven.” Her voice husky and breathless, she thought it a wonder she could speak at all.

With his eyes holding hers, he moved his hand closer to her feminine heat, his fingers teasing her until she gritted her teeth in an effort not to cry out. He made slow agonizing progress to the core of her burning, pulsing desire. Her body went weak, her legs to jelly. His hand closed over the spot that ached for so very much more and a violent tremor went through her. Cole’s eyes closed as his own body shook with fierce need.

“I’m sure I saw them come out here, Paul.” It was Trisha’s voice that brought them crashing violently back to earth.

Alyssa’s eyes flew open in horror.

Cole responded swiftly. With his arm around her boneless body, he pulled her behind some shrubs and placed a finger over her lips, nodding in warning for her to not make any sound.

“She’s been gone quite a while, I just wanted to make sure she was okay.” Paul’s voice came from the other side of the shrub.

“You love her a lot don’t you, Paul?”

“She’s very special,” he answered softly.

"Hey, just think, someday you can be the one to marry her."

Paul laughed. "I would be honored to have that privilege." They moved away making it impossible to hear any further discussion.

Cole felt as if a fist had just slammed into his gut. It didn't help that Alyssa pulled away from him and walked to a bench a short distance away. Wondering what was going through her mind, he watched her sit down then close her eyes, her head bent forward, her lips parted and trembling. A whole gamut of questions tumbled over in his mind. Just what were her feelings for Paul anyway? For him? Where did they go from here?

Aside from the fact she was feeling nauseous and weak, Alyssa’s mind was racing from one thought to another. What was happening between her and Cole? How did he feel about her? How come she never knew such splendid passion until now? Where did they go from here?

“Alyssa? Are you okay?”

She opened her eyes and turned her head to look at him.
No I’m not okay, Cole. I think I’m in love with you and it scares me half to death.
But the words didn’t come out for her head was spinning in shock. Could it really have happened? After all these years of shared dislike, could she now be in love? Another wave of nausea hit her and she put a hand to her mouth. "Oh God." She was going to be sick.

“Hey, you okay?” Cole was beside her in an instant.

Alyssa drew away from him in panic, horrified at the idea that she might humiliate herself and empty her stomach right there in front of him. “Don’t … don’t touch me, Cole.” Her stomach heaving, Alyssa jumped up and started walking. A bathroom was in order and quick.

Stung by her response to him, Cole drew back and watched her rush away. How could she treat him like that after the kiss they just shared? What in hell was wrong with the woman?

Praying he didn't follow her, Alyssa broke into a run. She made it to the bathroom just in time. The cause was easy enough to figure out. She'd had too much champagne, too much passion and too much shock. She was literally reeling from those passionate moments with Cole. It was too incredible. It was happening too fast. Her legs weak, Alyssa sunk into a chair and broke into near hysterical laughter. Two weeks ago she would never have believed such a thing could happen. Two weeks ago she thought she hated Cole Delaney. Two short, measly weeks. Boy was life full of shocking surprises. But was it love or just an incredibly powerful physical attraction? Did one have to accompany the other? She let her head fall back against the wall and closed her eyes. Somehow she had to sort this all out. Make some sense of something that made no sense. How could two people go from one extreme to the other in such a short time?

The bathroom door opened.

“Al? Is something wrong? We’ve been looking all over for you.” Trisha advanced into the room and locked the door behind her.