Sincerely, Yours

Chapter Five

I was really early the next morning. You can thank lack-of-sleep for that. 

Last night was one of those rough nights. You'd lay in bed all night being consumed by your thoughts. Rosetta was on my mind for the most part and I guess by now you can figure out who covered the rest of it. She did not respond to my texts last night and I soon concluded that she wanted to be alone. There is nothing wrong with that and I respect it but I just wish she would at least let me know she is okay.

I shook my head and groggily rose from the bed. Rosetta would have to be worried about later as I checked the time and realized I had work in the next hour and a half.

**********

As I walked towards Mrs. Madell's house, I was already formulating my daily plan. She had texted me my list for the day. 'NF - My Stress' played lowly through my earbuds as I approached the front gate. Softly, I prayed that Cole was absent today or too busy to possibly enter the house.

I'll lock the doors. Yeah. I'll lock the damn doors.

Ripping the earbuds from my ears, I tucked them gently into the side pocket of my bag and slowed my pace. Usually, I'd hear the sprinklers on, indicating to me that Cole was already here.

But... I don't hear them.

Each step I took towards the gate was probably a foot slower than my normal pace. Right now, I probably either insane or I was just a really terrible burglar. I unlatched the gate and pushed it open, just enough for me to be able to peek inside. There was no movement and there it was quiet except for the birds and occasional passing bee.

Cole wasn't here yet. Surprising but look at God ladies and gentlemen.

I quickly entered the yard, latching the gate behind me, and did a short jog towards the house. Mrs. Madell always left an extra key for me so I could open up the house. She had permitted me to carry it home with me and while you think that would be the best thing to do, I didn't feel comfortable with it so I always hid it in a super special place. Maybe with more time, I'll grow to consider the thought.

With a light kick of the door, I closed it shut when I entered the mansion and locked it. With a sigh, I dropped my bag on the small table in the hall. Oddly enough, my head was not here today at all. Rosetta was still on my mind and to make it worse, I still have not heard from her.

Once more, I pushed my thoughts to the back of my head, grabbed my change of clothes, and began my day.

*****

I kept my earbuds in today instead of using the stereo so I could clean the order sides of the house with music.  I heard the gate to the backyard open when a song ended and I instantly knew it was Cole. The sprinklers came on shortly after, along with the familiar sound of the door to the shed. My breath skipped for a second and I froze. I listened intently to see if I would hear him heading towards the house. Fortunately, it looked like he immediately began to start his work around the grounds but I did wonder why he came in so late today. The thought of him even being in the same vicinity as me, made me feel unnaturally nervous. 

It can't be legal for a person to have this effect on someone. 

With what seemed to be the 200th shake of my head for the day so far, I had just finished moving some furniture around in one of the bedrooms. My phone began to vibrate in my pocket and I rushed to grab it, hoping it was Rosetta. Much to my dismay, it wasn't but it was Mrs. Madell.

"Hello?"

"Racquel dear," Mrs. Madell said on the other line, "Everything is good with you, sweetie?"

I hesitated to answer her as I was slightly confused as to why she was calling all of a sudden. God, what did I do already? 

"Um... yeah. Everything is fine here. Um... is everything okay with you?" I responded, making the concern in my tone highly apparent. I heard her chuckle for a few seconds and that slightly helped with my nerves. 

"Everything is fine, child. I just wanted to tell you about one more thing I would like you to do for me before you leave if that's okay," she said. I released a long, quiet sigh.

I told her that it would be no problem and asked her what it was. Like s**t hitting the fan, she said, "I bought some new flower seeds that I would like you to give to Cole for me. Please tell him to plant them in that empty space under the back fence."

Fuck.

I could feel my eye twitch. And here I was thinking that I could go the day without interacting with him. Regrettably, I told Mrs. Madell that I would give Cole the seeds and pass along her instructions. She thanked me and we hung up from our call. 

Dammit.

I took my earbuds out and stuffed them in my shirt pocket. As I entered the kitchen area, I slowly peeked out the window above the sink. Cole was there, clear in my line of sight. I couldn't see what he was doing but he appeared to be quite focused. 

Dammit God. Why is he so beautiful?

Looking at the end of the counter, I saw the brown paper bag that contained the seeds I was supposed to give him. In my heart, I knew I shouldn't go out there because I had a bad feeling about it. Looking at him again through the window like a Level 1 creeper, I admired once more how his shoulders moved under his white Tee. He stood up and wiped his sweat off with the back of his hand, causing his muscles to flex even more and make me drool ever so slightly. Cole turned and started walking towards the house and I felt my breath hitch.

Where the f**k is he going?

Startled, I ducked from my position at the window. Cole tried to open the back door but I had locked it. He fiddled with the doorknob a couple more times and I was squatting by the sink, absolutely panicked. Should I open the door? No! That will not do you any good. He began to knock, most likely to get my attention to the locked door but I couldn't bring myself to move.

This man made me afraid of myself. He made me afraid that I had no self-control over him and no resolve. Honestly, I just feared that if I kept letting myself fall for his demeanor then I'd be in serious trouble. I also had Rosetta's warning in my head and that made me even more cautious. However, I can't expect this to work for me as a means of keeping my distance from him. Locking the door every day that I am at work obviously is not the answer and it's a means to an end.

"Racquel?" I heard him call out with another series of knocks. Hearing him say my name sent shivers up my spine. A sigh escaped my lips as realization dawned on me that I had to let him in.

Slowly, I got up and grabbed my earbuds from my pocket, plugging them back into my phone. At least I could say that I was listening to music and didn't hear him. Opening the door, I was greeted by a small smile and a sweaty Cole.

"Hey. I was hoping to get your attention. Why is the door locked?" He asked me as he stepped into the house with an empty water bottle in hand.

"Oh... um... I must have forgotten to unlock it when I got in. Been pretty busy so..." I said nervously. He passed next to me and I inhaled his scent. Even after sweating in the sun all day, this man still managed to smell like Irish Spring. Cole looked at me through the corner of his eye as he filled his bottle from the tap and didn't say anything. Somehow I felt like he did not believe my excuse.

"Racquel," he said then turned to face me, " I don't quite believe that."

Dammit.

I simply shrugged my shoulders. "I don't know what to tell you then."

Cole stepped closer to me and I wanted to take a step back but I couldn't move. I kept my head down to avoid looking him in the eyes. My breathing seemed to quicken its pace and I hoped he wouldn't notice. He took another step closer to me and I could literally feel him over me. This son of a b***h knew exactly what effect he had on me and he was about to play me like a f*****g fiddle. 

I watched Cole raise his hand to caress my face and stupidly enough, I felt myself lean into his electrifying touch. This was a bad idea and I knew it... but I couldn't help myself. He brought his hand to my chin and made me look at him. He had a serious look on his face and I stood there without a single word or clear emotion. 

"You shouldn't try to avoid me," Cole whispered to me, not breaking eye contact. He studied my face, I could see his eyes flickering over my features and land on my lips. He took a finger and ran it along the outline of my lips. I licked my lips and I heard him groan softly. 

Instinctively, I brought my hand up to his shoulder and ran my hand down his arm. His hand slowly made its way down to my neck and I felt him slightly tighten his grip. I knew I was going to regret letting him get this far and seeing just how weak I was for him. 

"You know, " I began softly as if I had no voice, "I think we should stop."

Cole didn't seem to have heard me as he didn't even answer me or budge. 

I cleared my throat and said again, "Cole. We should sto-"

My words were immediately cut as his mouth came down to mine, engulfing me in a kiss. Much to my surprise, I found myself locking my arms around his neck and pulling closer to him. My insides felt hot and my head screaming Red Flags at me yet I could not pull myself away from this man. 

As if he had read my mind, Cole broke our kiss and looked at me. I opened my eyes and stared back at him. He looked somewhat confused and like he was thinking about something. My brain still was not able to work right so I only stared in silence. He placed another kiss on my forehead then grabbed his bottle, Mrs. Madell's seeds, and exited to the backyard.

What was that?