~Chapter One~

Isabel

It had been three weeks since the move. I hated it. I'll admit it, I was the perfect Cali girl, but I missed everybody. Especially Cole.

Every night when I lay in bed I checked my phone. Every night it said the same thing: One new message. Every night it was from the same person: Cole. I never replied.

Tonight was different. I lay on my new faux fur bedspread and checked my phone. Nothing. Something inside me collapsed as I lay there waiting for the phone to ring. I didn't.

As soon as I turned out my light my phone screen illuminated, casting a white square onto my wall. I got out of bed and looked at it. It was a text message.

COLE: Look Outside.

Pulling back my white curtains, I peered out the window. Even in the dark Los Angeles night, his figure was visible. I glanced out my window into the driveway. No cars. I could distantly see Urlik's red Volkswagen parked across the street.

I rushed down the stairs of our new house. I moved into my own apartment next week but until it was ready I was staying with my parents. The front door was unlocked; my parents must have left in a hurry.

I ripped open the door to see Cole standing on the porch. The porch light cast shadows across his face. His green eyes met mine and he pulled me to him.

"Cole" I whispered into his shirt.

"Isabel"

He walked inside and I pulled the door closed. I wrapped my legs around his waist. It was as if time slowed when his soft lips pressed against mine. This kiss felt similar. Almost like the time he kissed me as if he loved me.

At this point I was pressed between Cole and the back of the door. As much as I was crazy about the fact that Cole was actually here, I wanted him. Actually no, I needed him.

I pulled back. He let out a clearly annoyed sigh that I silenced by pulling him up the stairs and into my bedroom. Now he knew what I wanted and it was clear by the ever-growing bulge in his pants that he felt similarly.

I lay on the bed. Cole pulled off his shirt and climbed half on the bed but hesitated.

"Isabel." He swallowed, "This is the one thing I've managed not to screw up with you. The one act of decency I've given you. Please understand. I want you, and I would happily do it all day with you, but I don't want to mess what we have up, and…"

I stopped him.

"Cole, when was the last time you saw me?"

"About three weeks."

"Right. Now why are you here?"

"Isabel, I couldn't stand waking up knowing you were hundreds of miles away. I couldn't stand the fact that you might have another boyfriend. I know I don't deserve you. Why do you even want me?"

"You just answered your own question. Tonight when you didn't call something inside of me collapsed. I thought you'd given up on me. Please Cole. I need you. I'm terrified that you're just a dream and when I wake I'll be alone. Cole…"

This time he stopped me. With his lips and body. This kiss was hungry. It got ever deeper. Every time we broke apart a piece of clothing came off. My shirt. His jeans. My shorts.

We made love deep into the night. Until both of us were to tired to continue. I felt Cole's arms wrap around me and fell asleep listening to the beating of his heart.