Idolatry

Later as they lay relaxed in her bed Cole said “so at the risk of making you angry again what were your parents thinking with your name.”

“Who the hell knows” she said rolling her eyes. “I guess they thought it was cute and it probably was until I was five and started school. From then on it was a nightmare. After I left school I never used my full name again.”

“If I promise to only use it when we’re alone, can I call you Winter?” he asked.

Looking over at him with a frown she said “why?”

“Because I like it” he said “it suits you.”

“How’s that, because I’m cold and inclement” she snapped.

Cole laughed. “No because it’s a beautiful name and you’re a beautiful woman.”

Win sighed. She had vowed never to be called that again but how could she deny Cole, especially when he said things like that. “Okay” she said “but only when we’re alone and never with my surname.”

Cole smiled “deal” and after a short pause he said “Winter.”

“What?’ she said trying to quash the unconscious adverse reaction she felt to hearing her full name.

“Nothing” he said with a smile “just trying it out. It really is a beautiful name you know.”

“If you say so” she said still not entirely happy about hearing it again.

Idolatry

Taking a deep breath Win said “it’s short for Winter.”

“Winter Coates?” he said and she could see his lips twitching as he fought not to smile.

“Yes” she said looking away.

“Really?”

“Would I make a name like that up?” she growled.

“No probably not” he said.

Win looked over at him and seeing him struggling to contain himself she said in an angry tone “oh for god sake go ahead and laugh, everyone else does.”

Cole’s laughter bubbled out but quickly he recovered and pulling her into his arms he said “I’m sorry Win.”

“Hmmm” she said folding her arms against her chest not wanting to melt against his hard body. He hadn’t lived up to his side of the deal and she was angry.

“I am sorry” he said “and I have to say, putting your surname aside, I like your first name.”

“I hate it” she snapped.

“I can understand that” he said “but maybe it won’t always be that way. If you had a different surname for instance, you may not. Winter Blake sounds kind of nice.”

Shocked Win just stared at him.

With a grin he kissed her throat and said “just saying.”

Win’s body relaxed against him now. His hint that he may want to marry her some day had banished her anger and as always his kiss had her heart racing. He moved his lips to her mouth and Win unfolded her arms and wrapped them around his neck.

Idolatry

Later, still lying tangled together on her couch Cole said “now do you believe me?”

Win smiled “I guess so” she said.

“You guess so” he said rolling her back beneath him. “Clearly my performance was lacking. We’ll just have to keep trying until you’re convinced.”

Win laughed as he kissed her throat and his hands moved between them. “Okay I believe you” she said.

Cole lifted his head and grinned down at her “good” he said “but we’re still doing this again” and lowering his head, his mouth fused with hers as he set them off on a lesson in their rightness once more.

From that night on, Cole and Win were inseparable. They spent every day together at the office and every night in her bed. In her mind, Win had drawn Cole back to earth, well mostly. She was still a little in awe of him and had trouble believing he wasn’t going to wake up one day and wonder what on earth he was doing with her. But she did her best not to dwell on that.

It was four months later that Cole returned to a question he had asked once before. “Are you ever going to tell me what Win is short for?”

Win sighed. “Why does it matter?”

“Because I like to know things about you” he said with a grin. “I want to know everything about you.”

Win just looked at him.

“Please?” he said

She searched his eyes for a minute and sighed. “If I tell you, you have to promise not to laugh.”

“Okay” he said.

Idolatry

But Win began to panic when he lay over her and dragging her mouth from his she said “Cole I can’t do this.”

He looked down at her. “Okay” he said “but why?”

“Because you aren’t meant for me” she said trying to roll out from under him.

Cole wouldn’t let her move. “Why?” he said holding her in place.

“Because you’re better than me. Is that what you want to hear” she yelled as embarrassment and frusrtration displayed itself as anger and still trying to push him off her. “You’re incredible looking and smart and and I don’t know what…. I just know that I’m none of that.”

“Win stop it” he said.

She wasn't sure if he meant talking or moving. She did both.

“Look at me” he said.

She did.

“I am not better than you. I’m a man, you’re a woman that’s the only difference between us.”

Win bit her lips to stop the tears from spilling over.

“If you don’t want to sleep with me, that’s fine I’m not going to force you, but not for this reason Win. I don’t understand why you put yourself down. You’re a beautiful, intelligent, caring person. Why do you think I like you?”

“That’s just it, I have no idea” she said, her voice breaking as she began to sob.

“Let me show you then” he said lowering his head and kissing her throat. “Let me show you how good we could be together.”

Win closed her eyes and fought to get her breathing under control.

“Please Win” he said between kisses “let me show you that we’re made for each other.”

“Oh god Cole” she said.

He lifted his head for a moment. “No God, just Cole” he said with a wry grin.

Win looked at him and laughed through her tears and when his lips found hers all levity dropped away as more powerful emotions took over.

Going Home

Part 130

Inside the box is a simple but huge diamond pendant on an elegant platinum chain.

Watching her Josh was not sure what to think, she hadn’t said anything and she didn’t look happy. He hadn’t bought her a present like this before so he had no idea what this silence meant and the uncertainty was killing him. He didn’t know what he would do if she didn’t like it. He’d really wanted to get her something special this year to thank her for all she had done to help him rebuild his relationship with his parents. But now he was worried that he had got it wrong.

Swallowing hard to clear the lump in her throat Grace looked at the box again then back into Josh’s eyes and getting up from her seat she moved around to his side of the table.  Taking a seat on his lap she put her arms around his neck and kissed him.

A few minutes later she lifted her head and Josh smiled, “does that mean you like it?”

Grace shook her head “I love it, how could I not, it’s beautiful. Thank you.”

Relieved, Josh said “no worries.”

Holding out the box Grace said “will you put it on for me?”

Josh took the necklace out of the box and Grace turned her head and held her hair out of the way. He fastened the necklace and then bent and kissed her neck. Turning back to face him Grace said “how does it look?”

“Not as good as you” he said with a soft look in his eyes. Then giving her a stern look he added “now will you get up and go eat your breakfast, because if you sit here much longer neither of us will be eating for a while.”

Laughing Grace moved off his lap and sitting back on her chair took the plate Josh handed to her.