Read Online That Summer (Part Two) by Lauren Crossley - Free Book Online

since Friday due to the amount of stress and anxiety
I’ve been dealing with since we ran away. Plus, the first motel we stayed at
didn’t even serve food and we had been forced to rely on eating out for the two
days that we spent there.
    After
we had our lunch and walked around the town for a couple more hours, we decided
to head back to the hotel and phoned for a taxi to come and pick us up. During
the journey back we discussed the possibility of dining at a restaurant instead
of the hotel later on that night and that was the most significant part of our
conversation.
    Since
Cole confided in me about his past, I’ve been somewhat uncomfortable in his
presence. I almost feel suffocated by him but can’t really understand why. I
suppose it could come down to the fact that he has sworn on several occasions
that he will never let me go. To hear such a thing is almost frightening and
not because I don’t long to be with Cole but because I believe him when he
makes me that promise. A huge part of me knows that he will stick to his word
and although this means that we will never be apart, it also means that my life
as I have come to know it is now over.
    Once
back at the hotel, I told Cole that I wanted the room to myself so I could
shower and change. The truth is I also wanted some space so I could be alone
with my thoughts. I knew I had to try and process everything I had been told
this afternoon and was pretty certain I wouldn’t be able to do that with Cole
around. 
    He
was reluctant when it came to leaving me alone but acquiesced when I became
more and more persistent. I was desperate to spend some time alone so I could
try and figure a way out of our complex situation, a legal way out that
is and urged him to do the same thing.
    It’s
been three hours since I last saw Cole and during that time I’ve managed to
take a small nap and enjoy a relaxing soak in the bath. I was told to be ready
for half past eight and I can only assume that he will be back for us to go out
for the meal we discussed earlier.
    I
panicked when I realised that I hadn’t brought that many clothes with me and I
was sure I would struggle to find something suitable for a restaurant or
somewhere nice. However, I soon came across a white sundress I didn’t know I
had packed amongst my belongings. It was really cheap due to the fact that it
was on sale when I bought it and I’ve only had it on a few times.
    I
stand in front of the full-length mirror in the bathroom and slip the dress on
over my head. I’ve just washed my hair and then tried my best to style it by
using a hairdryer. I’ve never been one for pampering myself or using beauty
products, mainly because we never had enough money when I was growing up but
now… now I want to make the effort.
    I
try to imagine that I’m going on a real date. When I close my eyes and try to
block out the hotel’s surroundings, it’s almost like I’m back at home. I can
pretend that I’m just a normal girl who is getting ready to go out and spend
the evening with her boyfriend… a girl who is carefree and happy.
    I’m
startled by a knock at the door and take one last look at myself in the mirror,
smoothing down my dress before I go and answer it. I make sure to look through
the peephole before I open it, realising how paranoid this makes me.
    “Wow…”
Cole exhales slowly, allowing his heated gaze to take in my outfit. “You look
incredible… you’re… you look beautiful.”
    “Thank
you.” I reply, feeling timid and self-conscious all of a sudden. “I’ve had this
dress for a long time but I’ve never worn it before now.”
    “I’m
glad you haven’t. I don’t want anyone else to see you in this except me. This
is for my eyes only, you understand?”
    He
takes a step towards me, circling his arms around my waist. His eyes are filled
with lust and I can’t help the arousal which this stirs up inside of me.
    “I
guess this means that we can’t go out now? We have to stay indoors