I cleared my throat. “I might have needed a longer time-out than the rest.”
Her eyes widened and her pout instantly gave way to a grin. “Mr. Winchester, are you tipsy?”
“Maybe. Want to check?”
Laughing, she sauntered toward me. She looked at my pupils and took my pulse.
“You look so much hotter playing doc when you’re naked.”
“I can hardly do that here, you wicked man. But the night isn’t over yet.”
“I have great plans for us when we get home. I like this,” I murmured kissing down her neck. She softened against me instantly.
“You like touching me all the time.”
“True. It’s just that every time, I discover new ways to make you blush.”
“Thanks for taking me with you tonight. I love getting to know your life a bit better, to be part of it.”
“I’m happy you’re enjoying it.” I didn’t say much more because my tongue was bound to be loose. I wanted her to be at every gala, or just every big event in my life.
Laney took my face in her palms. “I love you, Cole. Sometimes, that still scares me. I don’t know why, and I’m fighting it, but just know that I care for you deeply. I don’t know what you’re doing to me, but I want more of it.”
I covered her hands with mine. She was shaking a little, so I moved my hands down to her waist, holding her tightly. I wanted her to feel safe and adored, and bit by bit, she’d realize she had nothing to fear.
“I’m here to please you, Ms. Laney.”
I kissed her long and deep, moving one hand up her back, the other under her dress, teasing her thigh.
I had many questions, the most burning one being about how she imagined our future. She’d said that she dreamed of a big family and a home, but that she was also afraid to dwell too much on those dreams. Had that changed at all? I’d told her that we had all the time in the world, and I stood by that. But I did want to at least know if she could imagine herself at my side a few years down the road.
This wasn’t the time to ask any of that, though. She loved me, and that was more than enough.
I’d always been the type who liked to keep things casual and not tie myself down, and yet now all I wanted to do was fight Laney’s fears, fulfill her dreams, anticipate her needs. She’d become an integral part of my life, and I wanted to keep it this way.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Cole
The hearing for our lawsuit with Gabriel was going just the way we wanted it. Tess, Josie, and I were in a small courtroom in the East Village. The judge who’d reviewed the file had asked all parties involved to be present when she gave the verdict. She was fiftysomething with black hair cropped short, and her bullshit radar was on point.
The room was too stuffy for my liking, so I popped open the top button of my shirt. I’d dressed to impress, in a two-button suit. Next to me, Tess was also calm. My sister rarely wore suits, but now she had a deep-purple-colored one on. She kept picking lint off her skirt.
“In conclusion, I am choosing to dismiss the case altogether. It is a poor attempt to discredit a solid foundation for personal gain. In my experience as judge, this only happens when one party hopes the other will give in to any demands in an attempt to avoid any hassle.”
Gabriel wasn’t looking so smug anymore.
“In conclusion, I am ordering Mr. Lyons to write a check for damages. You’ll find the sum in the printed document. Consider yourself lucky that I am not putting you under investigation for blackmail.”
“Fuck no,” Gabriel exclaimed, rising to his feet.
“And that just earned you an additional fine for swearing and raising your voice in a courtroom. Ms. Winchester, Mr. Winchester, you will be reimbursed the fees of your lawyer. That is all.”
“Thank you.” I shook her hand. Tess and Josie did the same. Knowing my sister, she was barely keeping herself from breaking into a dance.
Yeah, I was smirking. And yeah, I was gloating as I looked at Gabriel. The scumbag deserved it. No one messed with my family and got away with it, not if I could help it. When the judge ordered us to clear the courtroom, I was planning to approach the opposing counsel and gloat some more, but Tess and Josie pulled me out.
“I’m so glad we didn’t want to settle,” Tess said once we were outside. “You were wonderful, Josie.”