Chapter Seventeen

Mid-sleep, I'm woken by the sound of my phone buzzing. It bounces across the side table as I stare at it. Who calls this early in the morning? Is it even morning? I don't know . . .

As I push myself up to move, Kol's arm tightens around my waist. I'm pulled back towards his chest and restricted from answering the phone. I don't mind being pulled back from the phone, I'd rather cuddle Kol. I snuggle under the covers and listen to the phone ring out.

I try my best to ignore the pain throbbing in my head, but it feels like someone's playing drums. Instead of thinking about the pain, I focus on Kol's warm arm wrapped around my waist. While I love his cuddles, I also want to dive into a large pool of water to hydrate myself. I feel like a dried out sponge that's been tossed in the sun for days. The effort to move is hard, I'd rather snuggle with Kol.

When the phone buzzes again, I force myself out of my bubble of comfort. Grabbing Kol's arm, I unwrap myself from his clutches and reach out for the phone. This seems to wake up a dozy Kol. He blinks a couple of times before groaning and pressing his face into the pillow. I leave him to adjust to the bright world. There's a small part of me that enjoys his suffering. This is great payback for the time he got me drunk.

I find an email from the record label asking me to come in. I guess the celebration phase is officially over now. I'm surprised they would respond so quickly. However, they do say, money is time, and well, I'm money. If you think about it, we're all money bags in a sense. Customers are just a nice way of putting people think of you as money rather than people.

"Kol, I have to go," I announce.

As I look over my shoulder, I see Kol hiding under the blanket. There's a mumbled groan about something which makes me snicker. Yes, revenge is so sweet! It is well worth the wait.

"Come on, get up." I poke his body.

"But cuddles?" I hear him say from under the blanket.

"Do you actually want cuddles or my bed?" I ask.

Kol pokes his head up from under the blanket, "Both?"

"Hm," I mumble. "I'm going to shower and you can sleep for a little longer." Kol smiles and rolls over.

I grab a set of clean clothes from my wardrobe and head to the bathroom. I strip and step into the shower to wash. The feelings of the water pouring out of the faucet feels amazing on my skin. It somewhat soothes the banging feeling inside my brain and almost washes away the events of last night.

Once I'm showered, I return to the bedroom dressed in pair of ripped light blue jeans and a black singlet. I'm surprised to find the bed empty. I thought I'd have to drag Kol out the front door with me.

"Kol, are you still here?" I call out.

"Don't yell, my head hurts," replies Kol.

I walk into the main area and find Kol sitting on the kitchen floor with a cup of water in hand. Give him five more minutes and he might be curled up in a ball.

"How are you feeling?" I ask.

Kol pouts and I hold back my laughter. I know how he feels, but I ask regardless.

"How are you okay?" asks Kol. "I feel like my head might explode."

"I'm probably still pissed than." I laugh.

Kol gets off the ground and stretches his arms above his head. The bottom of his shirt lifts and exposes his stomach muscles. Ugh, Kol, don't do this to me now. Why has it taken me this long to notice how rippled his body is. I've lied on his chest multiple times already.

"Do you have work today?" I'll admit it'll be the icing on the cake knowing Kol has to work, even if it's easy.

"Yes." Kol glances at his phone and groans. "I need to leave soon."

"At least your job is easy," I add.

"Don't be like that, Lola." Kol wraps his arm around me and snuggles close.

"I'm just pointing out the truth."

Kol steps back and glares, "Cuddling is hard work, okay?"

This makes me laugh, what's hard about cuddling?

"I'm sure it is." I frown.

Kol throws me over his shoulder and runs towards the bedroom. His shoulder digs into my stomach and my stomach churns from the quick movement. I think I might vomit if he keeps at this. I'm thankful when he throws me onto the bed and lays beside me. Kol snuggles me and I'm left trapped in his arms.

"What is this for?" I ask.

Kol wraps the blanket around us and closes his eyes to sleep.

"I have to be places and you need to shower for work," I say.

"Right." He huffs.

"About last night, how much do I owe you?" I dread the cost considering he slept over.

"Expensive," mumbles Kol.

"Oh." I frown.

"How about this," he offers. "If I can use the shower after a quick cuddle, we'll call it even."

"Are you sure?" I don't think it's a fair trade considering this is his work and I feel like I owe him so much because of the equipment.

"Now, cuddle me." Kol grabs my arm and tugs me close. I snuggle into his chest and sigh with content.

"Are you working tonight?" I inquire.

"No, why?" Kol looks down at me with a suspicious look consuming his face.

"Cuddles tonight?"

"Sure." He smiles.

"This might sound weird." I bite my lip. "I sleep better with your cuddles." I don't know what possess me to say that, which makes my cheeks go red with embarrassment.

"I enjoy your cuddles too, Lols." Kol shifts so that my body is complete on top of his.

"I'm glad you came to my doorstep." It makes me sad knowing I could have missed this.

"What time should I come over?"

"I'll message you."

"Okay."

We lay intertwined for a few minutes. I listen to the sound of his heart beating while I'm sprawled across his chest. It's only when he sits up and grabs my legs that I'm startled and rather excited. He wraps my legs around his torso as he gets off the bed. I automatically wrap my arms around his neck and cling to his body. I'm afraid he'll drop me, but with those muscles, I really doubt that.

As Kol stands in my bedroom, we stare into each other's eyes. I look at his lips and then his eyes. This would be a perfect moment to kiss him, but no, I shouldn't have feelings for someone like Kol.

Our moment is shattered when Kol places me on the ground. He steps to the side and walks towards the bathroom. The crazy romantic in me wants to grab his arm and tug him back, but I let Kol walk away.

Before he walks into the bathroom, Kol looks over his shoulder and asks, "Which towel do I use?"

"Uh, there's fresh towels under the sink," I reply.

"Are they all pink?" he calls out.

"Yes." I laugh. "I'm heading off. Goodbye Kol," I shout.

"Bye Lola," he replies.

I grab my belongings and hit the streets with urgency. It's a long walk, so I hurry off with excitement and lust bubbling inside of me. I wish I could spend the day with Kol, but I'm excited about what the record label has to offer.

When I make it to the building, I wander inside and over to the reception desk. I briefly talk to the receptionist before she directs me to the elevator. It only takes a couple of minutes until I'm walking into another reception area. I'm waved through the doors that lead to Svana's office.

"Hi." I cheer.

"Ah, you've made it, Lola." I take a seat in front of Svana's desk.

She grabs a stack of papers from a draw and passes them to me. My stomachs knots up at the size of the contract.

"I know this looks scary," she addresses the elephant in the room. "However, I want to ensure everything is outlined. I want you recording and on tour as soon as possible! I think you'll work well with another solo artist going on tour soon," she explains.

"Tour, recording, really?" I'm shocked, this is more than Jason ever seemed to promise.

"Yes. I would like to hear your album demo before you go into the studio. I have two producers in mind, but I'm undecided."

"Yeah, of course." I grab the C.D from my bag and hand it to her.

"I want you to read these. If you have any questions, I want you to ask, okay?"

"Sure, I can do that." Svana gives me the contract and then I'm shuffled out of her office. I'm glad this didn't take long, however, I dread reading these, but I'm sure Kol's cuddles will make this worth it.

I back track my steps and walk outside the building. As I wander down the street, I take out my phone and dial Kol's number. I hope he hasn't left for work yet!

"Are you still at mine?" I question.

"Just stepped out of your shower," he replies.

A sexy image of Kol stepping out the shower filters into my mind, but I quickly shake that away.

"I'm heading back, cuddles?"

"Are you asking me to blow off my other client?" Kol gasps.

"Sure." I laugh.

"I'll be waiting, Lola." And with those departing words, a shiver runs down my spine. I hang up the phone and pocket the device.

Within record time, I make it back to the empty apartment. It's only when I look around the corner that I see Kol cooking in the kitchen.

"Hungry?" he asks.

"Starved, actually." I place my stuff on the table and walk over to the stove to investigate. Inside the pan is a flipped pancake with chocolate.

"No fruit?" I laugh.

"We had plenty of that last night." He groans.

"Are you sure?" I tease.

"Lola." He warns.

Kol's arms wrap around my body as he squeezes the air out of my lungs. In return, I do the same. Eventually, Kol let's go and I hook one arm around his body and rest my face on his chest. I watch the pancake sizzle from the heat.

Once he's finished, Kol adds the pancake t the stack and turns off the cooker.

I let go of Kol and walk around the bench to take a seat. Kol stands on the opposite side and leans on the bench.

Grabbing a pancake, I take a bite and grin.

"These are amazing," I compliment.

"Thanks, but you've –" Kol leans over the counter and cups my face with his hand. Gently, he uses his thumb to rub the side of my lip. Then he licks the chocolate off his finger.

"Damn, Kol," I mumble.

"Is there something wrong?" he asks.

"Uh, I have a contract to read through." I point to the large stack of papers beside me. "Svana is talking about the possibilities of being a supporting act on tour," I explain.

"That sounds great." Smiles Kol, but it doesn't reach his eyes.

"I'm finally getting out of this place and go somewhere." The thought of escaping this tiny apartment sends chills of excitement coursing through my body. I'd have to return eventually, but the prospect of exploring the world for a couple of weeks is more than I could hope for.

"I always knew you'd do it," replies Kol.

But as I sit there buzzing about the opportunities presented to me, I can't help but wonder why Kol is sad. I thought he wanted this for me?   

Question: What's up with Kol? I still love him <3