"That's what they say," he replies with a soft laugh and a smile, giving her a nudge back. "I'm not so sure anymore. But my last first date was almost four years ago and it didn't end so well, so I think that's just me sucking all the fun out of it." Because he took full responsibility for his breakup, even if it had been his ex's behavior that had started the argument.
"Maybe we don't have to put a label on this," he suggested. "We can just take things slow for a while. I want you to be comfortable. And I'm not going to be that guy who has to constantly be taking you out or making a big deal when we go out. I'm a lot more low-key than I used to be. So maybe we just let it be, what it is, and not worry about what we want it to be."
With a quick look around she sees that they're in probably as private a spot as they can get - nobody obviously within sight or hearing. She slows the boat to a stop, pretty proud of herself. It isn't that difficult, but piloting a boat is something most people would never imagine she would do, and that's why she likes it. There's probably some kind of anchor situation she should be concerned about, but she's thinking more about what he's said. Turning to face him, she takes both of his hands in hers.
"That sounds nice. I just need you to tell me up-front if I'm some kind of rebound girl for you, so that I don't let my heart run away with me." He brings up his ex and his failed engagement so often that it's clearly still on his mind and weighing on his heart. She's not asking for promises or a commitment. She only wants to go forward with her eyes fully open to the reality of the situation.
Cole's obviously disturbed expression shows how unsettled he is by that suggestion. "I never meant to give you that impression," he says, mentally kicking himself. The whole point of his not dating or even flirting for the last few months has been to get himself together so he doesn't mess up anything else. "I'm sorry if that's how I made you feel. I just wanted to be honest about what I've been through and the effects it still has on me."
As it should, given that his whole life changed. His changing sexuality was one thing that startled him enough, but that was a personal transition. The very public destruction of his engagement was something that affected him, his ex and their families and it hurt much more between the years of emotional investment and the pain he knew it was causing both sides. It's made him re-think how he handles his personal life. If he and Katelyn had been able to trust each other, at the least he probably could've been honest with her about his sexuality. She might have even been able to help him. Instead, everything spun out of control.
He sighs and pulls away, going to get himself a drink out of the cooler before he sits down and stares at the water. "I never meant to make you feel like that," he repeats. "I just felt like you might understand what's in my head."
"Hey, now." With a sigh she sits next to him, again taking his hand.
"Not everything is your fault. I am an Olympic gold-medal-level overthinker. Me asking you for this, it comes from my damage, not yours." She doesn't talk about it, not nearly as easily as he seems to. Maybe it's time for that to change.
"I've only been in love once. That head-over-heels, teenager kind of love that can be so overwhelming you think you'll die without it. When the truth came out, that he was actually in love with Loras and was just using me to get close to him, I was shattered. I had never let anyone in before, the way I did with him. And I've been pretty closed off ever since. It's been easy, actually, finding reasons not to trust. Not to fall again. But with you, I.. I'm having a hard time finding a reason to reject you."
This is surprising information, and Cole takes it with the gravity it deserves. "First and foremost, you should do what's best for you," he says even though he absolutely doesn't have to. "But if I can make you happy, I'd like to. I can't say this isn't going to be slow or complicated because of history. I don't even know if it will end up being what we want it to be. But I'm of the mind that if we enjoy spending time together, then I'm going to keep seeing you, and I'm just going to let it be whatever it naturally wants to be."
He didn't know if he could give her what she wanted or needed. At least she wasn't one of those girls who would expect him to lavish her with things given that she had her own wealth and power. But Cole knew he was essentially starting over, and was giving himself the grace to not be perfect and instead just worry about being happy.
She grins crookedly and nods, lacing her fingers through his.
"I want that too. I'm going to try. But... when I start to get too much in my head, do you think you could remind me to be present and enjoy what's right in front of me?" Because right in front of her was a gorgeous guy who didn't let it go to his head; a successful man who cared more about giving than taking; a pair of eyes she could easily get lost in. She leans in closer and brushes her lips across his, free hand sliding up his shoulder, her fingertips grazing the hair at the nape of his neck. There's another thing she could lose herself in.
"Now, what was it you promised me to get me out here?"
That makes him chuckle against her lips, even as he leans in to make it a little more than a brush. "Only if you think we're ready for that," he says because he wants to double-check. Not that he thinks she'd even bring it up if she didn't want it, but it's a pretty big step between them to hop into bed together so quickly, and now that she's just confessed that he wants to make sure it's still okay. Just because the dirty talk was fun didn't mean they had to go through with it if they weren't totally ready.
He let his arm wrap around her shoulders, though, keeping her close to him regardless. At the very least there was going to be kissing. It was simply up to her if she wanted to take it any further than that. She was well worth waiting for, especially if they wanted to be cautious after the emotional wounds they'd both suffered.
"I thought the goal was to stop thinking," she replies, her other hand joining the first to rest on his shoulder, fingertips gently grazing his neck. It looks like she's not the only overthinker on this boat. She's not surprised, really - a recognition of something inside him is what attracted her. But at some point, there needed to be a little less talk and a lot more action. Otherwise they'd just end up sitting and staring at each other, lost in their own heads and thoughts and talking themselves in circles.
"Do what feels right," she whispers in his ear. "I'm a big girl; if I want to stop, I'll say so."
"I know you are. It's just important to me to hear it," he admits. He probably doesn't need to say that but he's so adamant on not hurting another person he loves ever again that he's being cautious. It only takes another few seconds to check and make sure he's not overstepping his bounds after all. But her words make her consent very clear, so he turns his head just enough to capture her lips and give her the deep kiss he'd been thinking about since the end of their first date. This time, he doesn't hold anything back.
She finds his enthusiasm reassuring, and returns the kiss with equal fervor. It's a great kiss that makes her wonder just what she was so hesitant about before. If she'd known he could kiss like this, their date would have ended very differently.
A soft, happy sigh slips out her throat as she melts into him, her fingers running through his hair. It's not what she would call comfortable, this whole going with the flow thing, turning off her mind and letting what feels right. As she slides forward onto his lap, though, it feels pretty damn good.
Cole instinctively slides his arms more firmly around her, one palm resting flat against her back to ensure that she's supported. Everything he does reflects the fact that he puts the women in his life on a pedestal, having been raised and surrounded by some incredible ones. Which is why he's in no hurry to rush the foreplay. He lets her hands wander wherever they'd like, lips continuing to meet lips until he pulls back just enough to catch his breath.
"Maybe we should take this downstairs," he suggests, already shifting his hands to potentially be able to carry her. "Unless you're particularly wanting to be on top." Which wouldn't surprise him. However, being scantily clad in public, even in the middle of nowhere, might be too far with her family's apparently many rules and expectations.
She does, in fact, prefer to be on top, and it's absolutely a control thing. But on top is not the same as up top and in clear view of anyone who happens by, even if they are in the middle of a large body of water.
"Definitely," she answers breathily, similarly breathless. She opens her eyes to find is beautiful blues already looking at her, making her smile as she, however reluctantly, removes herself from his lap. She scoops up her purse and, depositing it on her shoulder, holds out a hand to him.
"Well, it's not that hard to find," he replies with a soft laugh, taking her hand in his when he stands up. There is absolutely no need to do that because Margaery doesn't need his help and he's not kidding that the door to the cabin is literal feet away from him but Cole does it anyway because that's how old-fashioned he is. The longer this goes on there will be times she becomes annoyed by how he overdoes it, albeit always out of the best possible place. Someday he's going to make a great dad.
He pushes open the sliding door, and once they step inside, locks it and draws the curtains behind them before flicking on the lights. It's a modest space, just enough for one bed and some extra living room, with the basics that would enable him to stay here overnight if he really wanted to. But for now, he escorts his date over to the bed, which is queen-sized so there is still a chance they might fall off, depending.
"Make yourself comfortable," he quips while he decides to use this moment to take off his shoes and socks so they're not in the way later. He does feel a little bit of pressure to look suave in front of her.
She knows she's being a bit silly, but that's a part of her personality that she doesn't get to show very often. And as Loras recently reminded her, she has to completely be herself or else the relationship will never be truly authentic. Cole needs to see her, all sides of her, in order to develop real feelings for the real her. And vice versa - she needs to know him. The good, the bad, the ugly, the funny, the silly... his true thoughts and feelings. How can anyone make a decision as important as whether to give your heart without all of the facts?
She sets her purse down on the floor, taking a quick look around the room (if you can call it that) while he dispenses with his shoes. It's nothing fancy, but she wouldn't have expected it to be. Their not on a multi-million dollar yacht, after all. It's modest and unassuming, kind of like him. He looks right, correct, in this space. With a gentle smile on her lips, she gives him her best 'come hither' look.
He's been on a couple expensive yachts and while nice for the evening, they're not his style. Seeing that smile on her face makes him smile, and Cole comes to sit beside her, guiding them both so they're laying back on the bed beside one another. Comfortable enough for them to relax however far they decide to take this. "Where were we?" he jokes playfully, knowing damn well exactly where, as he leans over her to kiss her again. He's content to take things slow, easy, unless she indicates that she wants otherwise.
After all, this is the first time he's been with anyone since his breakup. And it sounds like it's been a while for her, too. It has importance for both of them.
She rolls toward him invitingly, running a hand down his tantalizingly bare chest.
"I believe you were kissing me. And I was wondering how much longer you'll be able to keep your hands to yourself." And hoping it wouldn't be long, because if he was going to be half naked, it was only fair that she should be too. She would need his help to get out of her dress, though. Zipper in the back and all.
"Well, it's polite to ask first before getting you naked," he comments, only half-jokingly. It's said playfully but he's so damn gentlemanly that he would absolutely have asked to make sure she was okay if she hadn't just said that. Despite her very clearly encouraging this multiple times, over text and in person. His being the good son happens to a fault.
Cole lets her put her hands wherever she wants, while reaching over her shoulder to figure out without looking where the zipper is on her dress. Once his fingers close around it he wastes no time in tugging it down, helping her out of it, and finally getting his first eyeful of what she picked out earlier. "You're right," he says before kissing her again to show his appreciation. "Lingerie really does suit you."
"Well, not completely naked." She is wearing slightly more than his description of a cocktail napkin, but only just, and it's nearly all transparent lace. She's blessed with a proportionate physique that she keeps in ideal shape. She doesn't need bras that lift or wrappings that slenderize. All of her hard work is worth it when it creates for moments like this, when she's able to wear something enticing and see the reaction it elicits from him.
"Jesus Christ." The blasphemy slips out of his lips on instinct. He's normally more polite than that, at least initially. Cole's image is so tightly controlled that it takes him time to relax his behavior when he's alone with someone. But the mental image she's giving him is going to stick with him for a while. "I don't mean this to be rude, but how on Earth do you look this good?" he says, and the awe in his tone will indicate this is a genuine question. He thinks he looks good and his body isn't in this kind of shape. Then again, he doesn't work out anymore unless it's swinging a golf club.
She chuckles, beyond pleased at his response. He's not being rude at all but she loves that he thinks he might be. There's nothing rude about telling a woman she's otherworldly beautiful.
"I can't give away all of my secrets," she replies, reaching out to put a hand around his waist and pull him closer.
"I think the more appropriate question is - why do you still have pants on?"
"Well, I wanted to leave some of the fun for you, since you were letting me do some of the unwrapping," Cole teases. But it is actually true. He didn't want to have all the fun, even in something so relatively minor as this. He got the joy of unwrapping her and he could leave her the same opportunity. "But I can fix that if you want," he adds just as quickly, at least unbuckling his belt to help her.
A small smile. "I was planning on taking my time, unless you're going to raise an objection."
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
branchandroot
(no subject)
Date: 2024-10-31 02:35 am (UTC)"Maybe we don't have to put a label on this," he suggested. "We can just take things slow for a while. I want you to be comfortable. And I'm not going to be that guy who has to constantly be taking you out or making a big deal when we go out. I'm a lot more low-key than I used to be. So maybe we just let it be, what it is, and not worry about what we want it to be."
(no subject)
Date: 2024-10-31 09:35 pm (UTC)"That sounds nice. I just need you to tell me up-front if I'm some kind of rebound girl for you, so that I don't let my heart run away with me." He brings up his ex and his failed engagement so often that it's clearly still on his mind and weighing on his heart. She's not asking for promises or a commitment. She only wants to go forward with her eyes fully open to the reality of the situation.
(no subject)
Date: 2024-11-01 05:49 am (UTC)As it should, given that his whole life changed. His changing sexuality was one thing that startled him enough, but that was a personal transition. The very public destruction of his engagement was something that affected him, his ex and their families and it hurt much more between the years of emotional investment and the pain he knew it was causing both sides. It's made him re-think how he handles his personal life. If he and Katelyn had been able to trust each other, at the least he probably could've been honest with her about his sexuality. She might have even been able to help him. Instead, everything spun out of control.
He sighs and pulls away, going to get himself a drink out of the cooler before he sits down and stares at the water. "I never meant to make you feel like that," he repeats. "I just felt like you might understand what's in my head."
(no subject)
Date: 2024-11-02 01:35 am (UTC)"Not everything is your fault. I am an Olympic gold-medal-level overthinker. Me asking you for this, it comes from my damage, not yours." She doesn't talk about it, not nearly as easily as he seems to. Maybe it's time for that to change.
"I've only been in love once. That head-over-heels, teenager kind of love that can be so overwhelming you think you'll die without it. When the truth came out, that he was actually in love with Loras and was just using me to get close to him, I was shattered. I had never let anyone in before, the way I did with him. And I've been pretty closed off ever since. It's been easy, actually, finding reasons not to trust. Not to fall again. But with you, I.. I'm having a hard time finding a reason to reject you."
(no subject)
Date: 2024-11-02 06:28 am (UTC)He didn't know if he could give her what she wanted or needed. At least she wasn't one of those girls who would expect him to lavish her with things given that she had her own wealth and power. But Cole knew he was essentially starting over, and was giving himself the grace to not be perfect and instead just worry about being happy.
(no subject)
Date: 2024-11-03 01:12 am (UTC)"I want that too. I'm going to try. But... when I start to get too much in my head, do you think you could remind me to be present and enjoy what's right in front of me?" Because right in front of her was a gorgeous guy who didn't let it go to his head; a successful man who cared more about giving than taking; a pair of eyes she could easily get lost in. She leans in closer and brushes her lips across his, free hand sliding up his shoulder, her fingertips grazing the hair at the nape of his neck. There's another thing she could lose herself in.
"Now, what was it you promised me to get me out here?"
(no subject)
Date: 2024-11-03 04:16 am (UTC)He let his arm wrap around her shoulders, though, keeping her close to him regardless. At the very least there was going to be kissing. It was simply up to her if she wanted to take it any further than that. She was well worth waiting for, especially if they wanted to be cautious after the emotional wounds they'd both suffered.
(no subject)
Date: 2024-11-04 10:04 pm (UTC)"Do what feels right," she whispers in his ear. "I'm a big girl; if I want to stop, I'll say so."
(no subject)
Date: 2024-11-05 04:51 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2024-11-13 01:16 am (UTC)A soft, happy sigh slips out her throat as she melts into him, her fingers running through his hair. It's not what she would call comfortable, this whole going with the flow thing, turning off her mind and letting what feels right. As she slides forward onto his lap, though, it feels pretty damn good.
(no subject)
Date: 2024-11-13 04:48 am (UTC)"Maybe we should take this downstairs," he suggests, already shifting his hands to potentially be able to carry her. "Unless you're particularly wanting to be on top." Which wouldn't surprise him. However, being scantily clad in public, even in the middle of nowhere, might be too far with her family's apparently many rules and expectations.
(no subject)
Date: 2024-11-15 07:48 pm (UTC)"Definitely," she answers breathily, similarly breathless. She opens her eyes to find is beautiful blues already looking at her, making her smile as she, however reluctantly, removes herself from his lap. She scoops up her purse and, depositing it on her shoulder, holds out a hand to him.
"Lead the way."
(no subject)
Date: 2024-11-16 06:38 pm (UTC)He pushes open the sliding door, and once they step inside, locks it and draws the curtains behind them before flicking on the lights. It's a modest space, just enough for one bed and some extra living room, with the basics that would enable him to stay here overnight if he really wanted to. But for now, he escorts his date over to the bed, which is queen-sized so there is still a chance they might fall off, depending.
"Make yourself comfortable," he quips while he decides to use this moment to take off his shoes and socks so they're not in the way later. He does feel a little bit of pressure to look suave in front of her.
(no subject)
Date: 2024-11-19 04:27 am (UTC)She sets her purse down on the floor, taking a quick look around the room (if you can call it that) while he dispenses with his shoes. It's nothing fancy, but she wouldn't have expected it to be. Their not on a multi-million dollar yacht, after all. It's modest and unassuming, kind of like him. He looks right, correct, in this space. With a gentle smile on her lips, she gives him her best 'come hither' look.
(no subject)
Date: 2024-11-20 03:39 am (UTC)After all, this is the first time he's been with anyone since his breakup. And it sounds like it's been a while for her, too. It has importance for both of them.
(no subject)
Date: 2024-12-04 12:58 am (UTC)"I believe you were kissing me. And I was wondering how much longer you'll be able to keep your hands to yourself." And hoping it wouldn't be long, because if he was going to be half naked, it was only fair that she should be too. She would need his help to get out of her dress, though. Zipper in the back and all.
(no subject)
Date: 2024-12-05 06:31 am (UTC)Cole lets her put her hands wherever she wants, while reaching over her shoulder to figure out without looking where the zipper is on her dress. Once his fingers close around it he wastes no time in tugging it down, helping her out of it, and finally getting his first eyeful of what she picked out earlier. "You're right," he says before kissing her again to show his appreciation. "Lingerie really does suit you."
(no subject)
Date: 2024-12-10 12:50 am (UTC)"But close enough?"
(no subject)
Date: 2024-12-14 03:48 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2024-12-18 12:24 am (UTC)"I can't give away all of my secrets," she replies, reaching out to put a hand around his waist and pull him closer.
"I think the more appropriate question is - why do you still have pants on?"
(no subject)
Date: 2024-12-20 02:39 am (UTC)A small smile. "I was planning on taking my time, unless you're going to raise an objection."