Page 61 of Flashback for the Forward

“I have a professional obligation to tell you it’s not recommended to jump headfirst into a new relationship so soon after leaving one that was physically abusive. Even a healthy dynamic has the potential to become triggering at times. That said, if you decide to rekindle romantically with Cole, I would advise that you take things slow. And I will be here to support you through whatever challenges you encounter.”

What she said made sense. I knew Cole would never hurt me the way Aiden did, but I couldn’t help my body’s natural reflex to tense up whenever he got too close.

But I refused to let this second chance slip through my fingers. There had to be a way to make this work, and I was going to find it.

“I’m afraid that’s all the time we have for today, Bridget.”

Damn, that hour had flown by.

“We’ll talk again on Friday, but you know how to reach me in case of an emergency before then.”

I plastered a smile on my face to hide that my mind was racing a million miles an hour. “Thank you, Dr. Marshall. See you on Friday.”

We hung up, and I stared at the blank screen for a few minutes.

The thought of getting back together with Cole was the first thing to make me truly happy in years. But despite his confession that he was still in love with me after all these years, he was never going to make the first move. Not when he viewed that as trying to take advantage of me in what he believed to be a vulnerable state.

While he might not be too far off the mark, it was time for me to take back control of my life. And that started with going after what I wanted—him.

So, hopped up on progressive woman vibes, I climbed off the mattress in the guest room and crossed the hallway to knock on the door opposite mine.

Rapping my knuckles on the wood, I called out, “Cole?”

There was silence on the other side, so I tried again, this time louder.

When several minutes passed without an answer, I began to deflate. I knew he was in there, so that must mean he didn’t want to talk to me.

Had I done something wrong? Had he finally gotten tired of having me here?

Tears burned behind my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. Maybe it was too late for us, after all, and it was time to accept that and move on.

The door swung open suddenly, startling me enough that I jumped back.

“Bridget?”

My eyes snapped up, and everything I had planned to say flew right out of my head.

Because Cole stood there, wearing nothing but a towel.

Chapter 18

Cole

Hot water rained down on me, soaking my hair and soothing my stiff muscles. The extra workouts on top of my regimen at the rink were pushing my body to the limit, but damn if it didn’t come with perks.

Namely, getting to watch Bridget bend over in those skintight leggings that clung to the rounded swell of her ass.

Fuck, I was hard just thinking about it the way they would overflow my large palms.

I knew it was wrong to think of her in a sexual capacity. She came to me for help, seeking safety, and here I was picturing what it would be like to sink my cock into her again after all these years. Would it feel as incredible as I remembered?

Reaching down, I stroked my stiff shaft. I told myself it was only a few pumps—just enough to relieve the ache, and then I would finish getting clean and get out—but once I started, I couldn’t stop.

My skin was still slick with body wash, allowing my hand to move fluidly, my grip tight enough to cause a bite of pain.

Head falling back, I relaxed into the sensation as mental flashes of intimate moments with Bridget from the past played out behind my closed eyelids.

Thick, creamy thighs that rippled every time I thrust into her.