Free SECRETS Vol. 4 by H. M. Ward, Ella Steele Page B

are.” His spine straightens and I know I’ve landed on what’s holding him back. “Cole, you’ve forged your own path. You’re not one of them. Let the name go.”
    “I can’t. It’s my past. It reminds me of who I am, what I came from, and where I’m going. I can’t do it. I can’t risk losing my name.” Anger fills his voice. I don’t know if he’s trying to convince me or him.
    I smile sadly at him and put my hands on top of his. “Whatever you do, I’ll support you, but consider this. If things go well for us, if marriage ever becomes a path we want to go down, I would take your name without a second thought, but I’d still be Anna Lamore . I’ll always been me , even when the name is gone.” I smile sadly at him, wishing he could understand. “That name may have defined the first part of your life, but it doesn’t have to define the second. You are who you chose to be. No piece of paper, no groupi n g of letters , gets to decide that part. That part is up to you.”
    Cole stares straight ahead and I wonder if I’ve said too much, if I’ve crossed a line, but then he reaches for my hand and pulls me around the table to sit in his lap. I’m wearing my bathrobe and he’s wearing jeans. I snuggle into his chest as his hand presses my head to his shoulder . He breathes deeply and says, “Sometimes it’s scary how articulate you can be. It’s like you saw my past, like you were there or something.”
    I decide to tell him, “Remember how I told you that this stuff kinda did happen to my family?” He nods. “It happened to my mother. My Grandmother didn’t like my Dad. She didn’t think he was good enough. Ma ran off with him. She lost her inheritance and her name. And you know what’s funny? I never once felt sorry for Ma . Yeah, we were broke, but some things are worth more than money, ya know? And when you find them, you hold onto them no matter the cost.”
    Cole’s silently presses a kiss to my temple. “I’m glad I have you.”
    “You’ll always have me.”
     

 
     
     
    CHAPTER 14
     
    We stay like that for a littl e bit. Col e has to take care of some things with his lawyer this afternoon, in preparation for the court case later this week. Before he leave s , Col e smiles at me and leans close, whispering something naughty in my ear. When he pulls back he sees my face turn bright red as I smile sheepishly.
    God, I love him.
    Cole leaves for his a partment after that and I have the place to myself for a few hours . I spend the day getting girlied up for later tonight. After painting my nails, I lay in a hot tub filled with bubbles, relaxing and feeling happy. Memories of last night play through my mind and I let them. The way Cole’s hands felt on me, the way his eyes seared my skin, everything Cole did was exactly what I wanted. I’ve never had a sex dream that made me that excited. Having it happen in real life was insanely awesome. I nearly giggle thinking about what will happen later tonight.
    I hope there will be more watching and teasing. And, maybe, Cole won’t mind if things get a little kinky.
    I smile to myself and close my eyes, leaning my head back against tub. I’ve never been this happy, like ever. I don’t believe in fate, but that’s what it seems like. Cole and I are meant to be together. Nothing can keep us apart. It scares and astounds me how much I love him. I decide that’s a good thing. I relax, flicking my toes and popping bubbles occasionally , when I hear a noise. My forehead creases as I sit up a little bit and listen harder. The water dripping off my body muffles it so that I can’t hear much. It’ s not a loud noise , so I don’t know why it concerns me. It’s the kind of sound a cat makes when it jumps off a couch and onto the floor . We don’t have a cat though, and all the windows are shut. For a second, I think a squirrel or something got inside, but I should hear nails scraping on the floor and scampering little feet. Turning, I