Everyone Loves a Hero Read online

  “You had fun. That’s what matters.”

  She shrugged and studied the mountain of bags.

  “What?”

  “I just…”

  “What, honey? Talk to me.”

  “I don’t want to end up like my mother, you know? I shouldn’t have blown so much money on stuff I don’t really need.”

  He came over to her and put his hands on her shoulders. “When was the last time you did something like this?”

  She thought about it. “Um, never?”

  “So there you go. A one-time splurge does not make you like your mother.”

  “I suppose you’re right.”

  “Now I have a very important question for you.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Do you have any more of that dark chocolate, or did you eat it all?”

  She smiled. “I might have one more piece I could share with you.” She found the bag from Ghirardelli and sat down next to him on the sofa. Breaking off a piece of the chocolate, she fed him a bite.

  “Mmm, that’s so good.” He leaned his head back on the sofa. “What was your favorite thing we did today?”

  “I liked Alcatraz a lot. Can you imagine escaping from that place?”

  “No way. Have you ever seen the movie?”

  “Nope.”

  “We should rent it sometime. It’s a great story.”

  “I loved the cable cars, too.”

  “By the fourth ride, I figured you were liking them.”

  “The hills are amazing, aren’t they?”

  “I’m still recovering from the trek up Lombard Street. While everyone else was walking down the crooked street, we had to walk up.”

  “I wanted the full experience.”

  “You’re going to feel the full experience in your calf muscles tomorrow.”

  She shrugged. “It was worth it to beat you to the top. You were really showing your age up there, old man.”

  “Shut up,” he snorted, poking her ribs.

  Smiling, she added, “Union Square was cool, too. Can we go back to Fisherman’s Wharf tomorrow? I’d like to do some sketching.”

  He dug through the pile of bags. When he found the one he was looking for, he pulled it from under the others and handed it to her. “You mentioned you want to paint the bridge, right?”

  Olivia peeked inside the bag and let out a happy squeal when she found professional-grade watercolors, brushes, and a packet of oversized paper. “When did you get this?”

  “While you were in that jewelry store in Union Square.”

  She threw her arms around him and sprinkled kisses on his face. “You’re so thoughtful.”

  His face twisted with dismay. “That’s almost as bad as romantic.”

  “You’re both.”

  “If you say so.”

  Olivia got up, put the bag on the table, and turned to straddle his lap.

  “Well, well, what’s this?” he asked with a grin as he cupped her bottom and pulled her tight against him.

  “This,” she said, touching her lips to his, “is me telling you that this was the very best day of my whole life.”

  “The very best day?”

  She nodded. “And I have you to thank for it.”

  “Any day I get to spend with you is the best day.”

  “I love you, and I’ll never, ever forget this,” she whispered as she brought her mouth down on his.

  A groan rumbled through his chest when he met her questing tongue with thrusts of his own. He filled his hands with her breasts and ran his thumbs over her nipples.

  Olivia gasped.

  “I was thinking we should go out to dinner,” he said, his lips moving on her neck. “We need to celebrate your art school news.”

  “Could we maybe do that tomorrow?”

  “I suppose we could.” He rolled her earlobe between his teeth. “What do you want to do tonight?”

  “How about we get naked and spend the whole night in bed?”

  He went completely still. “I can’t stand it when you mince words like that, Liv.”

  She laughed and tugged at his shirt while rolling her pelvis over his erection. “Is that a yes?”

  In answer to her question, he surged to his feet and carried her to the bed. Coming down on top of her, he molded his lips to hers. They rolled over the bed, locked in a passionate embrace that was only broken when Olivia dissolved into a fit of laughter.

  “What the hell is so funny?”

  “I’ve seen that done in movies, but I had no idea people could actually roll across a bed without breaking the kiss.”

  His sexy smile stopped her heart. “Wanna do it again?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  This time they ended up perilously close to the edge.

  “That’s a big fall,” he said, looking down at the floor.

  Her lips coasted over the stubble on his unshaven jaw. “Cole?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Can we get to the naked part now?”

  “I suppose if we have to.”

  Olivia laughed and pulled his shirt over his head.

  Chapter 21

  Cole’s plan was failing miserably. Ever since their argument on the plane, he’d tried to build a protective fence around his heart. Just in case. But she made it impossible to remain aloof. Her infectious joy at discovering a city she had dreamed about visiting, the playful race up Lombard Street, and her worries about being like her mother had combined to knock down his sad attempt at fence building, leaving him defenseless as her lips slid over his belly.

  He’d waited all his life for this woman, but he hadn’t imagined there would be so many complications and challenges when he finally found “the one” for him. If he pushed too hard, he’d lose her. He knew that for certain. So he’d tried to hold back and had failed at that, too, because she’d picked up on it and had been hurt.

  Maybe he had to roll the dice. If he gave her everything and she ended up walking away, at least he wouldn’t have to wonder if there was more he could have done. It was a risk, for sure, but one he was willing to take for her.

  He watched her finish undressing him and reach for her sweater. She had no idea what an erotic picture she painted with her milky white skin, waterfall of long dark hair, and full breasts spilling out of a lacy yellow bra. When she reached back to unhook her bra, he stopped her, brought her down next to him on the bed, and hovered over her.

  “Let me,” he whispered.

  Her cheeks were flushed, and her breathing slowed as she waited to see what he would do.

  Cole dipped his head and found her nipple through the lace. The alluring scent of her lotion fueled his desire as he tormented her. Finally, when he couldn’t bear to wait another minute for the real thing, he reached behind her and flipped open the bra with one hand. Nudging it out of his way, he gazed down at her. He loved how her pretty pink nipples darkened to a deep, dusty rose when they made love.

  He dragged his tongue in lazy circles designed to drive her mad. Apparently, it was working.

  She combed her fingers into his hair, trying to direct him to where she wanted him. “Cole.”

  “Hmm?”

  “Come on,” she pleaded.

  He laughed against her breast but made no move to give her what she wanted.

  “You’re not being nice.”

  He glanced up at her. “No?”

  “You know you’re not.”

  “Well, if you’re going to pout about it.” He closed in on one of the pebbled buds. Using his tongue, teeth, and lips, he gave her everything she wanted and then some. Judging by her moans and pants, she was done pouting. He gave her other breast the same treatment before he moved down. She was so ready for him that just a few sweeps of his tongue sent her flying.

  He rolled on a condom and slid into her to ride the last waves of her orgasm.

  Her eyes were closed, her lips parted, and her hands open and resting on either side of her head. So complete was her abandon that Cole had t
o look away for a moment to keep from coming too soon. He wanted more from her before he let himself go.

  “Hey,” he whispered.

  “Mmm.”

  “Look at me.”

  She opened her eyes.

  “That’s better,” he said, bringing his lips down on hers for a light kiss. “I don’t want you going to sleep.” He pushed hard into her.

  Her laughter mixed with another moan. “As if I could sleep right now.” She curled her arms around his neck and sought out his mouth.

  Cole slowed the motion of his hips and sank into the kiss. Her breasts were flat against his chest, her ankles hooked around his back as her tongue curled around his. The combination made his head spin and his cock throb.

  The kiss went on forever. Holding nothing back this time, he drank in her sweet taste like a starving man.

  She squirmed under him, asking him for more.

  Without ending the kiss, he began to move again, swift strokes in and out.

  Olivia tore her lips free of his and took a harsh deep breath.

  He felt her tremble and went deep, knowing she was close.

  Her fingers clutched his backside.

  A bead of sweat pooled at his brow. “Come on, baby,” he whispered. “Come for me.”

  She cried out a minute later, and he let go—of his control, of his attempt to stay removed, of his plans to build a fence. He poured into her knowing he had lost the battle and acknowledging that if she left him now, he’d be ruined.

  ***

  It had been different this time. He had been different, more like the man she’d made love with in Washington. Olivia sighed with contentment. They had gotten past the bump in the road, and she couldn’t be more relieved.

  After the day they had spent together, she was more determined than ever to make this relationship work, despite the obstacles that stood in their way. So there was some geographical distance and a few years between them. And yes, they were at different places in their lives. But none of that mattered when stacked up against her love for him.

  She opened her eyes and took another visual tour of the extravagant room. He had done this for her. His arms were wrapped tight around her from behind, his breathing slow and steady. As she wove her fingers through his, she wondered if he was asleep.

  He squeezed her hand. “What are you thinking about?” he mumbled.

  “You.”

  Stifling a yawn, he drew her closer to him. “What about me?”

  “Just how much I appreciate this trip and everything you did to make it happen.”

  “I’m glad you’re enjoying it.”

  “I know you’ve been here before, so it might not be as much fun for you—”

  “Watching you see it for the first time is about the most fun I’ve ever had.”

  She moved onto her back so she could see him. “I was sure you were asleep.”

  “I was on my way, but I could hear your wheels turning.”

  “Are they loud?”

  “Very,” he said, shifting to use her for a pillow. “Spill it.”

  Cradling his head against her chest, she played with his hair. “I’m afraid of ruining our good mood.”

  He went still. “Are you going to tell me you’re through with me?”

  “No,” she said with a soft chuckle.

  “You’ve been faking all those orgasms?”

  She smacked his shoulder. “Definitely not.”

  “Then whatever it is, I think I can handle it.”

  She tilted his face up so she could see him. “I signed a lease on an apartment the other day.”

  “You said you might, so I’m not totally surprised. How long?”

  “A year, but I can get out of it with a month’s notice.”

  “I guess that’s reasonable.”

  “You’re not mad?”

  “Of course not. I’d rather have you living with me, but I understand why you need to do this.”

  “You do? Really?”

  “Sure I do.” Amused by her distress, he twirled a lock of her hair around his finger. “So you were pretty worried, huh?”

  She nodded. “You took me on this amazing trip, and you made me such a lovely offer to come live with you. I’d hate for you to think I don’t appreciate it.”

  “I know you do. And I didn’t take you on this trip to convince you to come live with me. That’s a whole other deal, and you’re not ready. I’m cool with it.”

  “The apartment is in Alexandria so you can stay with me whenever you’re in town.”

  “And maybe you could come to Chicago during your Christmas break? Check things out? See what you think? For later, of course.”

  His attempt at restraint drew a smile from her. “I’d love to.”

  “When are you moving in?”

  “They said I could have the place at the end of the week.”

  “Want some help moving?”

  “Really?”

  He shrugged. “I’m off this week, so I could spend a couple of days in D.C.”

  “What about the kids you fly to treatments?”

  “I only do that on Tuesdays, so I had already let them know I was unavailable this week because we were going to be here.”

  She squealed and flung her arms around him.

  “I take it you’re pleased?”

  “Yes,” she said, rewarding him with a deep kiss.

  After a minute, he pulled back from her. “What if there’s a baby?” he asked tentatively.

  “We’ll have plenty of time to prepare for that.”

  “I won’t want to miss a thing.” He laid his hand on her flat belly. “I’d want to be there for every second.”

  Olivia covered his hand with hers. “Are you planning to quit your job?” she asked with a smile.

  “No, but if you’re pregnant with my baby, I want us to live together so I can take care of you. Both of you.”

  She studied him for a long moment. “Am I going to wake up one of these mornings to find that my carriage has turned into a pumpkin and this whole thing was a dream?”

  He pulled her tight against him. “No way.”

  Pressing her lips to his chest, she relaxed into his embrace. “If it is a dream, it’s a dream come true.”

  “For me, too, honey. For me, too.”

  ***

  They rented a car the next morning and drove across the Golden Gate Bridge to Marin County. In Sausalito, they parked to walk through the artsy town. Olivia gazed into the window at a gallery that featured abstract paintings and sculptures.

  “Do you want to go in?” Cole asked.

  She shook her head.

  “Why not?”

  “I get so jealous in those places,” she confessed. “They’re like private clubs I’ll never be allowed to join.”

  “That’s crazy! You’ve got more talent in your little finger than some of those people have in their whole bodies. Look at that.” He pointed to a sculpture. “What the hell is it?” Leaning in for a closer look, he snorted. “Twenty grand? For that?”

  Olivia laughed at his indignation.

  “Once you get into art school, you’ll get all kinds of connections and opportunities. I bet you’ll have your own showing in less than a year.”

  “You’re very good for my self-esteem.”

  He hooked his arm around her. “Let’s go in there and laugh at the outrageous prices they’re charging. We can figure out how much you’re going to be worth someday.”

  They hit every gallery in town. “I guess I can retire,” he concluded after they were seated for lunch. “You’re going to be loaded.”

  “Are you going to let me keep you?”

  “I’ll be Mr. Mom to our five kids.”

  “Five?”

  “Why not?” He studied the menu. “You’ve got lots of years left before your clock starts ticking.”

  “You’re high if you think I’m having five kids.”

  “All right. Four then.”

  “Two if y
ou’re lucky.”

  He smiled victoriously. “You just agreed to have two kids with me.”

  “Hey! You tricked me!”

  “Whatever it takes.”

  “So let me get this straight—you’re going to give up flying to stay home with our two kids?”

  His smile faded. “By give up flying, do you mean—”

  Olivia howled with laughter. “I didn’t think so.”

  “How did that just backfire on me?”

  “Clearly, you’re not as clever as you think you are.”

  He sulked through lunch, which Olivia seemed to find hilarious. When the check arrived, she reached for it.

  “Give me that,” he said.

  She held it out of his reach. “Oh, let me. It’s the least I can do after you agreed to give up flying so I can pursue my dreams.”

  “I have a feeling I’m going to live to regret this,” he mumbled as he followed her from the restaurant.

  “Don’t worry, honey. You’ve got nine months—or I guess it’s more like eight now—to fly your little heart out before Junior arrives and brings you solidly down to earth.”

  He glowered at her. “Are you enjoying yourself?”

  “I’m having a blast.” She hooked her arm through his. “What’s next?”

  ***

  Half an hour later, Cole waited outside for Olivia while she browsed through a shoe store. The day was clear and warm, the sky a bright, vivid blue. San Francisco’s famous fog had decided to take the day off from blanketing the area, and Cole had never experienced a more glorious northern California day.

  Of course, his enjoyment of the day was largely due to his companion, who made every day feel like Christmas. They’d also noticed that people tended to recognize him but didn’t approach him here the way they did back East. West Coasters were no doubt more used to celebrity sightings and handled them with more aplomb.

  “Cole.”

  He brought his eyes down from the sky and made eye contact with Chelsea Harper. Oh, God. Does any man alive have worse luck than me?

  “Chelsea.”

  The striking redhead hugged him, and as he returned the embrace Cole’s heart tripped with anxiety. He could only imagine how this would look to Olivia.

  “It’s so great to see you,” Chelsea said. “You look fabulous, as always.”