No Second Chances Read online

  Caitlin spat her drink and began to choke at his words. Ally was grateful for the distraction because she thought she was going to pass out. Hannah banged Caitlin on the back and Ally rummaged through her bags for tissues. But before she could produce them, Cole reached across her with a cotton handkerchief and offered it to Caitlin who took it and wiped her mouth and down her chest which was now covered in Gin and Tonic. “Thank you,” she coughed as she cleaned herself.

  “You are most welcome,” he smiled and then turned back to Ally. “You never answered my question.”

  “I didn’t know it was a question,” Ally replied, going for uninterested but failing miserably. “But the answer is no, you are not special.”

  He looked at her for a moment as if he was considering her answer and then grinned brightly. He reached over and brushed a loose strand of hair from her face and slowly tucked it behind her ear, letting his fingers lingering there longer than they should have. Ally froze at his touch, her heart pounding like thunder in her ears. She took a sharp intake of breath as his fingers softly brushed against her earlobe. He leaned into her slightly and whispered, his hot breath brushing over her skin. “I don’t believe you.”

  She couldn’t breathe. He picked up his drink and took a sip but never let his eyes leave hers.

  Cole ordered another round, then another and chatted comfortably with the three friends and two chatted back easily, even flirted a little, but Ally was finding hard to speak.

  Instead she spent most of the time staring at her glass because every time she looked up, Cole’s eyes were burning into hers and she could feel her face burning hotter and hotter each time. His eyes weren’t the only thing getting to Ally. Cole was forever finding ways to touch her; his thigh to hers, his hand “accidentally- on- purpose” touching hers, that damn lock of hair that continually fell loose. Every single touch no matter how small sent her into a spin and she knew she was losing her determination.

  I am officially in hell. She thought to herself miserably.

  “You are awfully quiet,” he whispered leaning close to her ear. “This is very new for you.”

  Ally didn’t reply, she just turned and looked at Cole and he stared back his eye locking with her, a half grin on his gorgeous, annoying face. She could feel her face redden once again but this time she refused to look away.

  “Cole,” Hannah said suddenly, her voice pulling them both from the private moment. “We are going dancing, you should come with us.”

  Ally could have murdered Hannah right in that moment.

  “I would love to!” Cole replied not taking his eyes off Ally.

  “Well I hope the three of you have a great night,” Ally said shifting back in her seat. “I won’t be joining you. I am just going home.”

  “Ah Ally come on,” Caitlin cried. “You never want to go clubbing.”

  “I have had a long week,” Ally said now refusing to look at Cole who was staring intensely at her. “I am going to call it a night. But you guys have fun.”

  “Maybe I should make sure you get home safely?” Cole said much to Ally horror.

  Why isn’t this guy taking the hint? she screamed inside her head.

  “Thank you, but I will be fine by myself,” Ally replied allowing herself to sneak a look at him through her long lashes. And he grinned when he caught her looking.

  “I insist,” he replied his voice deep and firm.

  “I don’t want to be a bother,” Ally said in a tiny voice.

  “It is no bother,” he purred. “In fact nothing would give me greater pleasure.”

  “Fine,” she barely whispered. She quickly looked at her friends and they were both sitting there staring at her and Cole with their mouths open.

  “I would just like to use the restroom first,” Cole replied, standing up. “I won’t be long.”

  “OH HOLY FUCK!” Caitlin exclaimed once he was out of earshot. “He is fucking sex on legs and I hate to tell you Ally but he wants you bad.”

  “Well he can want all he likes,” Ally proclaimed standing up and grabbing her handbag.

  “You’re leaving?” Hannah asked in surprise. “Why?”

  “Because that guy is all kinds of trouble,” Ally replied as she slipped on her jacket and flashed a glanced towards the toilets. “And I am not going there.”

  She said goodbye and headed for the door as quickly as she could without looking back.

  As she stepped through the door, the cold December night took her breath away. She could feel her head spin. She knew she had drank far more than she would normally.

  Damn Cole Thomas! She thought to herself. She had let him to get to her and she was knocking back her drinks way too fast.

  She walked to the curb and waved at a passing cab but it just passed her by, as did the second one she spotted.

  Damn! She cried. She knew any second Cole would burst out through the door and if he pushed her, she knew she would never be able to resist him.

  She glanced toward the car park of the pub and she could see her car parked at the far end. She had intended to come collect it the next day because she never drank and drove.

  No, she thought to herself. That would be a bad idea.

  The door of the pub opened behind her and her heart almost stopped.

  She quickly looked over her shoulder at the door but it was just a young couple heading home for the night.

  Fuck it! She thought. I am not standing here waiting for the Sex God to come through those doors and convince me to do something I will regret in the morning.

  She hurried towards her car and began rummaging in her bag for her car keys. When she reach the car, she sat the bag on the hood of the car so she could search her bag properly for the keys but in the darkness of the car park it was hard.

  The fact that her heart was trying to escape from her chest because it was beating so hard and fast didn’t help either.

  “YES!” she exclaimed as she finally felt the keys with the tips of her fingers and she quickly yanked them out of her bag. Just as she did her bag started to slip and she made to grab for it and dropped the keys on the pitch black ground. “FUCK!”

  She hunched down and began to feel around the ground blindly.

  “I believe these are yours,” a familiar voice purred from behind her. Slowly Ally turned to see Cole stand over her, holding out her keys.

  “Thanks,” Ally said and she stood up straight but she stumble in her heels, not helped by having too much to drink. Cole caught her and pulled her close to him and for the first she could feel his firm, perfect body pressed against hers.

  Her heart was pounding in her chest so fast and she almost forgot to breathe. His face was only inches from hers. She could feel his breath brush softly over her face.

  For a moment he didn’t say a word. He just held her eyes with his.

  “Why did you leave?” he whispered slowly moving his lips closer to her.

  She didn’t reply. She let her eyes drop from his to his mouth, she wondered what it would be like to have his perfect lips touch every part of her body.

  STOP THIS NOW! She screamed at herself in her mind as she abruptly pulled herself from his hold.

  “I am going home,” she answered confidently as she held out her hand for her keys. ”Can I have my keys please?”

  His gazed dropped to her face to her hand briefly and then back to her face again.

  “I really don’t think that is a very good idea,” he replied closing his hand tightly around her keys. “You have had quite a lot to drink. I think driving would be a very bad idea.”

  “Like I care what you think!” she snapped back, completely irritated by this man.

  He raised his eyebrows in surprise at her tone but couldn’t help but laugh. He moved closer to her, backing her up against her car, his hands reach for the car on either side of her, pinning her to the car.

  “What sort of a gentlemen would I be to left you drive in this condition?” he said, once again he was so clos
e she could feel his warm, sweet breath wash over her face. He locked his eyes to hers and stared deeply into them but said nothing for a moment.

  Ally could feel desire race through her body but fought hard to push it back down inside her.

  She dropped her gaze to his lips and swallowed hard.

  Kiss me, she begged in her head

  “I know you want me,” he said breathlessly. “And I know you want too. This is going to happen.”

  OH NO! Ally thought as her stomach suddenly heaved as she quickly pushed Cole away before she spectacularly vomited all over the ground.

  “It’s ok,” Cole said wrapping his arms around her as she vomited once again. He scooped her hair back into his hand as she let go for the third time.

  KILL ME NOW! she screamed in her head as she stood back up, unable to look him in the face.

  “You feel better now?” Cole asked as he brushed the hair back from her face. Ally just nodded as she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.

  Classy! She thought and inwardly groaned. He began to search all his pockets.

  “I thought I had a handkerchief somewhere.” Cole said, looking at Ally as he continued searching.

  “You gave it to Caitlin,” Ally replied leaning against the car. She suddenly felt drained and lifeless,

  “Damn!” he sighed and he watched Ally. “Okay I am taking you home now. My car is just over there.”

  “Oh it’s okay for you drink and drive,” she snorted and sighed deeply.

  “I was only drinking orange juice,” he replied, and laughed before he added. “Knew I would need to keep my wits about me with you.”

  Ally glared at him but said nothing.

  God he is gorgeous, she thought to herself. But I am so out of me depth here.

  “I will get the car,” Cole reached over and softly stroked her cheek with the back of his hand. “Wait here.”

  He turned and headed toward the far end on the car park to get his car.

  Sweet Baby Jesus, Ally thought. You need to stop this.

  Suddenly she spotted a cab pulled over at the side of the road as two guys climbed out of it.

  Perfect! she thought as she quickly glanced towards Cole who had just reached his car.

  Before she had time to think, she climbed over the low wall that surrounded the car park, which was harder than she thought it would be given she was in heels and was not the better of her excessive drinking. Before the last guy climbing out of the car had time to close the door, Ally reached the cab and jumped inside.

  She quickly gave her address and asked the driver to hurry.

  As the cab pulled away from the curb, Ally could see Cole jumping out of the car and watching her drive away. Ally was surprised to see he was actually laughing. And she knew this was far from over.

  Chapter 4

  Ally kicked off her shoes when she walked into her apartment and threw her keys in the bowl on the hall table. She slipped of her jacket and hung it on the entry way wall but missed the hook completely and it hit the floor. But she barely noticed.

  She walked into the kitchen and filled the kettle to make a cup of tea. A cup of tea was just what she needed before she went to bed; help stop the hangover from hell she knew had her name on it.

  Then heading into her bathroom, she quickly brushed her teeth to get rid of the taste of vomit that was still making her gag before she returned to the kitchen.

  As she stood in the kitchen waiting for the kettle to boil she found her thought drifting back to Cole.

  He was possibly the most frustrating person she had ever met. She couldn’t have been any clearer she wasn’t interested and yet he seemed to think she was simply playing hard to get.

  It was true she thought he was attractive. Ok, she thought he was absolutely gorgeous but that didn’t mean anything. How shallow did he think she was that she would be interested in him just because he was good looking?

  But there was a definite spark between them. She could feel it every time she touched him. But every ounce of common sense she had told her he was someone who was used to women throwing themselves at him. He was clearly a player and she was most certainly not going to opening herself up to being hurt again. No she had done the right thing. Well she was pretty sure she had.

  Suddenly her apartment buzzer sounded and it made Ally jump. She looked at her watch. It was ten to twelve. Who could it be at this hour? If it were one of her friends they knew to phone first because she won’t answer her buzzer at night, like most women who live alone. More than likely some drunken idiot pressed the wrong buzzer. She decided she would ignore it.

  The kettle clicked off and she poured the hot water into her mug. Her heart nearly stopped when the buzzer sounded again and this time it didn’t stop.

  “You have got to be kidding me!” she snapped as she marched towards her apartment door to where the buzzer was on the wall next to it.

  “Ok asshole,” Ally shouted when she pressed the intercom. “You obviously can’t read but you are pressing the wrong buzzer. Now if you press my buzzer again I will come down and show you exactly where to stick that damn finger.”

  “Ally, wait,” a voice came through the box on the wall and Ally’s heart nearly stopped. She recognised it immediately. It was Cole. What was he doing here and how the hell did he know where she lived.

  Caitlin! She thought immediately. I am going to fucking kill her.

  “Who is this?” Ally pretended she didn’t recognise his voice.

  “It’s Cole,” he said and she knew he was grinning because he knew that she knew exactly who it was.

  “Cole, it’s almost midnight,” Ally said not really sure what else she should say. “What are you doing here?”

  “You left without saying goodbye,” he replied sounding almost a little hurt. “I just wanted to make sure you got home okay. And I wanted to drop your car off.”

  “I got home fine,” Ally sighed impatiently. “I am a big girl, Cole. I am able to take care of myself.” He didn’t reply, instead he sighed and instantly she regretted her angry tone. “But I am grateful for you dropping my car home.”

  Neither said anything else for a few moments.

  “Why did you leave again without saying goodbye?” he finally asked his voice quiet and calm.

  “I thought it was for the best,” Ally replied honestly.

  “Why are you fighting this, Ally?” Cole asked, her heart almost stopped at his words.

  “I don’t know what you mean.” She decided would go for the clueless approach.

  “I mean that you are obviously attracted to me and I think you know I am very attracted to you.”

  “I don’t know what you are talking about,” she lied.

  “Don’t lie to me, Ally,” Cole’s tone was strict and almost impatient. “You know exactly what I am talking about.” Ally was relieved this conversation was taking place through a buzzer because she was sure the colour of her face would have given her away alone.

  “Cole, what do you want from me?” Ally sighed as she leaned her forehead against the wall above the intercom. “What is it you want?”

  “I want you,” he replied matter of factly. Ally could barely breathe and her heart pounded rapidly in her chest. ”Let me come up so we can talk. This talking through this intercom is ridiculous.”

  Ally didn’t reply.

  “Are you thinking about what I am thinking about?” He said after a moment or two.

  I am wondering how it would feel to kiss you, she thought to herself before she said, “And what would that be?”

  “"I'm thinking about how soft and sweet your beautiful lips would feel against mine. Don't you wonder what it would be like to kiss me? Please let me come up to find out."

  “Cole, I am sure you are a really nice guy…” Ally began to reply but Cole interrupted her.

  “Don’t give me that nice guy bull shit,” He growled. “Give me a chance. One chance, that’s all.”

  Ally closed her eyes and pr
essed her head harder against the wall. Cole said nothing for a moment.

  “Tomorrow, meet me tomorrow.” He said softly yet determinedly.

  What is this guy’s problem? Ally thought to herself and sighed deeply.

  “Fine!” she reluctantly agreed thinking she would give him one date and then tell him it wasn’t going to work out.

  “Good,” Cole replied. She knew he was smiling because he got his own way. She could hear it in his voice. “I will contact you tomorrow.”

  “How?” she asked.

  “I have your mobile number,” he replied like the answer was obvious.

  “How?” she asked but she knew the answer already. Caitlin!

  “I will see you tomorrow, Ally,” was all Cole replied and then he was gone.

  Ally leaned against her front door and wondered what the hell she had just agreed to. She was determined to stay away from him but he was making it so damn hard. She would see him tomorrow and tell him very clearly she really wasn’t interested.

  But she couldn’t deny she was a little excited about seeing him. The thoughts sent her heart racing. She knew she was going to have to be strong or he would eat her alive.

  She turned and headed back down to towards the kitchen. She still wanted her tea. She had just reached the kitchen when there was a knock on her door.

  “What now?” she grumbled as walked back to her front door. She looked through her peep hole and her heart nearly stopped. It was Cole. He was standing in front of her door, his hand resting against the door frame. He looked directly at the peep hole and Ally jumped back as if he could see Ally’s heart was now pounding so hard it was almost jumping out of her chest. What the hell was he doing up here?

  She slid the chain back and took a deep breath before she opened the door.

  When she finally pulled the door opened, he stepped forward very slightly and stared at her for a moment. His eyes were dark, hooded and full of desire. Ally could barely breathe.

  “It’s tomorrow.” He said, suddenly as he pulled her into his arms and kissed her firmly.

  For a moment Ally didn’t respond. But as her head cleared, she pressed her hands against his chest and tried to push him away. But he just held her tighter until she stopped fighting it. She dropped her arms to her side and let him kiss her. She could no longer resist him.