Chapter 1
What happens when kindergarten teacher Nicola comes face to face with her high school bully, now a single father to her favorite student, Arabella?
Cole Harrington never imagined he'd be raising his daughter alone after the tragic loss of his wife. Struggling to connect with Arabella, he's stunned to see her blossom under the care of her teacher, Nicola. Desperate to give his daughter the stability she needs, Cole proposes an unthinkable solution: marry Nicola, the girl he tormented in high school.
Nicola is determined to stay professional, but sparks fly as old resentments and unexpected attraction collide. Can Cole prove he's a changed man and win Nicola's heart? Or will their tumultuous past keep them apart?
Get ready for a rollercoaster ride of passion, redemption, and sizzling chemistry in this steamy romance where love might just heal old wounds and create new beginnings. Dive into the fun and fiery journey of Nicola and Cole as they navigate their way from enemies to lovers!
Chapter 0001
Nicola Taylor
I massage my temples as I step into my classroom, bracing myself for the parade of parents awaiting me. I adore my kindergarten students, even the little troublemakers, but meeting their parents is the most daunting part of my job. While some parents are delightful, most are overbearing, with unrealistic expectations for their five-year-olds. Their questions range from typical concerns about eating habits to issues better suited for a pediatrician.
I take my seat as parents start trickling in for the open house, each eager to discuss their child’s progress. I smile and share insights based on my experiences with their kids. By the time I reach my fifteenth parent, I force a smile and say, “Mrs. Lopez, you need to stop worrying so much. Billy is a great kid. He’s a bit less social than the others, but he will make friends in his own time. He’s an introvert, and that’s perfectly okay. There’s nothing wrong with your child. He’s lovely and a pleasure to teach.”
Mrs. Lopez, visibly holding back tears, confides, “I worry because I’m a single mom and I have to work so much. He’s often alone, and I wish he had friends.”
My heart aches for her. “I understand. I’ll make sure he sits with some of the friendlier students and encourage them to get to know each other. But even without friends, Billy is a sweetheart. You should be proud of him. You’re doing an amazing job.”
She finally smiles, her relief palpable. “He loves you as his teacher. Anyway, I’ve been here for half an hour. Other parents are waiting. I’ll get out of your hair.” She stands up, and I smile back, wondering how I’ll get through the next fifteen parents.
The next two hours blur by with complaints, concerns, and occasional blame. When the parent-teacher meeting finally ends, I feel drained and regretful about spending my Sunday this way. As I start packing up, I notice that Arabella’s father or nanny didn’t show up, which isn’t surprising. He never attends these meetings, but I was shocked that her nanny didn’t come either. The principal always bends over backward for these wealthy parents because of their generous donations to the school.
Just as I’m about to leave, I hear a knock on the door. It’s my friend and fellow teacher, Steph. “Hey, we’re all heading out to eat and gossip about the parents. Want to join?” she asks excitedly.
I shake my head. “I’ve spent half of my Sunday here. I think I need some time to myself.” The thought of a cold coffee and a grilled cheese makes my mouth water.
I can’t wait to go home.
As the door closes behind Steph, I let out a long sigh, feeling the exhaustion settle into my bones. Parent-teacher meetings were always a mix of emotions, but today had been especially draining. I pick up my bag and start organizing the paperwork on my desk, thinking about the little moments from today that had made me smile—like Billy’s mother finally feeling reassured, even if only a little.
Just as I’m about to turn off the lights, I hear another knock on the door. I consider ignoring it, but my sense of duty kicks in.
“Come in,” I call out, trying to sound more energetic than I feel.
The door opens, and to my surprise, our principal, Mrs. Black, steps in with the biggest smile on her face. She ushers in someone that makes my whole body freeze.
What the actual fuck.
Cole Harrington. The guy who made high school a living hell for me. What is he doing here? As my brain starts processing the information, my eyes widen.
Arabella Harrington. Cole Harrington. She’s his daughter. How did I not know this?
Maybe because she is a sweet but troubled child and he is a monster.
“Ms. Taylor, you wouldn’t mind, would you?” Mrs. Black shakes me gently by my arm, snapping me out of my daze.
“The meetings are over. It’s five o'clock,” I murmur absent-mindedly, looking up at the man towering over the two of us at a height of 6’2, who was too busy reading something on his phone.
“Ms. Taylor,” Mrs. Black flashes a smile at Cole before glaring at me. “That’s fine. He’s a busy man but also a good father. He’s come here, and I want you to help him out. Alright?”
I suck in a deep breath, struggling to speak, and end up just nodding my head.
“Alright. I’ll leave you two be. Thank you for coming, Mr. Harrington, and thank you for last year’s donation. The children absolutely love the playground.” She flashes him another big smile before leaving as he continues to act like he is alone.
As the door closes behind her, I finally take a proper look at Cole. He’s even more handsome now, with a rugged charm that wasn’t there in high school. He’s grown taller, standing at an imposing 6’2, and his broad shoulders and muscular frame suggest he’s been spending a lot of time at the gym. His once clean-shaven face now sports a well-groomed stubble that adds to his striking appearance. His green eyes, though filled with a hint of annoyance, still have that same intensity that used to make my heart race.
Cole sighs, breaking the spell. “Can we hurry this up? I’m only here because it was suggested by her nanny that Arabella has been misbehaving and as her father, I should be here. So please, let’s get started.” He barely looks up from his phone.
Ah, I see where his daughter is learning her manners from.
“Alright, please take a seat.” I smile, but he doesn’t notice. He sits down, continuing to type on his phone.
“Maybe you should have sent Mrs. Kinsley. She at least listens to me with undivided attention because she really cares about your daughter.” The words slip out of my mouth before I can stop myself. All the anger I’d felt for him over the years for teasing and mocking me just comes rushing in out of nowhere.
My heart beats against my ribcage as he keeps his phone aside, finally looking up at me. His jaw clenches, and his green eyes turn dark with anger. For a moment, I feel like the same fifteen-year-old girl who was left locked in a classroom for two hours as a prank.
Cole leans forward, his gaze piercing. “Ms. Taylor,” he says in a low, controlled voice, “I’m here because I care about my daughter, regardless of what you think. Now, can we proceed with discussing her?”
Swallowing hard, I force myself to stay calm. Mrs. Black would kill me if I am rude to his highness.
"Of course. Arabella is a bright and talented girl, but she seems to be struggling with some behavioral issues. She’s been acting out in class and having difficulty following instructions."
He listens intently, his gaze piercing yet unreadable. Despite the professional setting, there's an underlying tension between us that I can't ignore, "What do you suggest we do?"
He knew I hated him.
"Consistency and positive reinforcement work wonders at this age. Perhaps spending more time with her or involving her in activities that require teamwork could help," I suggest, my voice steady despite the subtle electricity in the air as he maintains an eye contact.
He nods slowly, his eyes still fixed on mine. "I’ll see what I can do. Is that all?"
As he stands to leave, I can’t help but feel how a person who troubled me for years doesn’t recognize me anymore. Of course he doesn’t. The bullies are just having fun while giving the person they bully lifelong trauma.
"Alright, I don’t think you understand. You need to spend time with your daughter. She feels alone and she is sad. She doesn’t have a mother and I am sure as painful as it might be for you, I hope you can understand what she is going through," I assert, the tension between us palpable.
"Okay, what is your problem?" he asks, his voice a bit sharper, but his eyes betraying a flicker of intrigue. "I know how to raise my daughter. I took your advice, listened to you. That’s the end of it. Stop acting like you know me. I take care of my daughter and I do spend quality time with her."
"I do know you. You are Cole Harrington. You and your little clique in high school tormented me for years. You locked me in empty classrooms, sabotaged my homework when I didn't comply with your demands, and destroyed my projects, which resulted in me getting my first F. One time, one of your friends poured soda over my head while you all laughed. Do you want me to recount more of the awful things you've done?" My voice trembles with suppressed emotion, my face flushed with anger as I confront him.
Cole's expression shifts from confusion to realization, a flicker of guilt crossing his features before he masks it with a defensive stance. His gaze meets mine, and for a moment, he feels bad but I knew he still didn’t recognize me.
"What? I don’t recall doing this to you. I don’t even know you," he responds, confusion momentarily replacing his earlier demeanor.
"Nicola Taylor," I say firmly, watching his confusion give way to recognition. "Or as you might remember me, Grizzly bear."
"What happened to you? The braces and the—" he starts, struggling to find the right words.
"The gal-stache or my weight?" I interject, a hint of defiance in my tone. I wasn’t skinny like a model now, but I wasn’t as heavy as I used to be in high school.
"I’m sorry, you look very different. I didn’t recognize you," he admits, his gaze lingering on my face longer than necessary. "Alright, about high school, I am—"
"I don’t want to talk about that. But I know you, and from this brief interaction, not much has really changed. Sure, now you don’t go around bullying people, but you still have that same superiority complex where no one except those in your status matters. As someone who has seen your worst side, take care of your daughter. She used to be a sweet girl, but now she is being disrespectful and misbehaving a lot. I’m sure something awful in your life led you to bully me, but don’t let your daughter end up like you. It took me two years of therapy to get over all the pain you and your little group put me through!" My voice rises with anger, unable to contain itself.
"Alright, whatever I did was my doing. Don’t drag my daughter into this by projecting my behavior onto her. She barely has any memory of her mother, and that’s why she is acting out. I know my daughter and I know what’s going on with her," he responds, his tone sharpening as his own anger flares, pulling me out of my heated state.
Our eyes locked in a silent battle of wills. "Okay, you are right," I finally concede, refocusing on Arabella's well-being. "These are a few school events parents usually attend with their child. I am sure it would mean the world to her if her father attends it instead of her nanny. I think your daughter is a sweet but troubled girl and I just want to see her smile again."
I force a smile, handing him the brochure. As he takes it, our fingers brush, sending a jolt of awareness through me. He looks at me, his expression softer but he looks defeated and tired.
"Okay, thank you. Um, Ms…" he trails off, struggling to remember my name.
"Ms. Taylor," I fill in, a small smile playing on my lips as I meet his gaze. I could hold onto my anger and be rude but that’s not going to lead me anywhere.
"Right, Ms. Taylor," he murmurs, his voice slightly husky, before quickly looking away, embarrassed because I had just proven my point.
He didn’t care enough about others.
"Alright, I will see you around," he says, his tone a mixture of professionalism and guilt, “Thank you for your time.”
My mom was right.
Kill them with Kindness.
Chapter 0002
Nicola Taylor
"Let go of his hair, Arabella. No, don’t do that," I say urgently, finally freeing Tim's hair from Bella's grasp as I lift her up to calm her down. My assistant teacher rushes to Tim’s side to check on him.
I carry Bella out of the classroom, her fits continuing in my arms. I sit down on a bench outside, placing her on my lap. Her face is flushed with anger, her gaze fixed angrily on the ground.
"Baby—" I begin, but she cuts me off abruptly.
"Punish me, I don’t care. I don’t want to hear more lectures!" she screams, startling me with the intensity of her outburst.
"I’m not going to punish you," I say gently, but Bella refuses to look up. "But I can tell you’re hurt and feeling bad, right?" I ask, trying to reach her.
She nods angrily.
"So if you know how bad it feels when you’re hurt, why would you want someone else to feel that way? Tim is crying inside because you hurt him. He feels bad now too. Does that make you feel better?" I ask, stroking her hair gently.
She shakes her head no, finally relaxing in my arms. The tension slowly eases, and Bella leans into me, her anger giving way to remorse.
"Bella," I begin again softly, "it's okay to feel upset, but hurting others isn't the way to handle it. You're a kind and smart girl, and I know you can find better ways to express your feelings."
Bella's gaze flickers up at me, her eyes still brimming with frustration but also a hint of vulnerability. "I'm sorry," she murmurs, her voice wavering, “He kept throwing my crayons away.”
"Next time, he or anyone troubles you. You can come to me.” I reply gently, tightening my embrace around her.
Bella nods slightly, her anger dissipating further. She leans into me, seeking comfort, and I hold her close, feeling the weight of the moment settle between us. The tension from earlier seems to melt away as we sit together on the bench, the sounds of the school day continuing around us.
After a few moments, Bella lifts her head, her expression softer now. "Can we go back inside?" she asks quietly.
"Of course," I say with a reassuring smile, brushing a stray hair from her face. "Let's go back in and see how we can make things right with Tim, okay?" I tell her as we walk back to the class.
As the clock strikes 2 o'clock and I'm preparing to leave for the day, the principal's assistant intercepts me, summoning me to her office. I enter hesitantly, and she gestures for me to take a seat.
"Nicola, this is strike three. Tim’s parents are going to be furious. Go and talk to her father once. We might have to remove her otherwise, and that would cause our school a lot of loss. Figure out a way to discipline this child. This cannot keep happening," she asserts firmly.
"But Tim also troubles her a lot. Many parents have complained about Tim troubling their kids too," I counter, hoping to explain the context, but her expression remains unmoved.
"Yes, but physical violence? In my school? Go and talk to her father at once," she insists again, her tone brooking no argument.
"Wait, he has to come here. Why would I go there?" I protest, reluctance coloring my voice at the thought of facing my old bully.
"He's a billionaire. They don’t come to schools. We go to them. Any more questions?" she replies briskly, already anticipating my objections. "The school chauffeur will pick you up from the house and drop you there, don’t worry. I just got off the phone with Mr. Harrington; he said he'll be home by 6. You can go there by 7. It shouldn't take more than half an hour, in my estimation."
"Do I have a choice?" I ask, though I already know the answer, frustration simmering as I resign myself to the task ahead.
As much as I dreaded it, there was no avoiding the meeting with Cole Harrington, especially after the incident involving Bella and Tim. Reluctantly, I agreed to the principal's assistant's plan, knowing that the repercussions of not resolving this could be severe for both Bella and the school.
The drive to the Harrington residence was smooth but felt like an eternity. Thoughts raced through my mind—memories of high school bullying, the fear of confronting Cole Harrington again, and the weight of responsibility for Bella's behavior.
I don’t think I ever want to have kids.
Arriving at the sprawling estate, I was greeted by an imposing mansion surrounded by manicured lawns. The chauffeur escorted me to the front door, where I was met by a butler who led me to a tastefully decorated sitting room.
Wow, and I am still struggling to pay my car loan on time.
I sat nervously, waiting for Mr. Harrington to arrive. The clock ticked by slowly, each minute stretching into what felt like an hour. Finally, at precisely 7 o'clock, Cole Harrington entered the room.
He was just as I remembered—his damn brown unruly hair tousled, hinting that he had just showered. He wore a plain white t-shirt that accentuated his muscular arms and broad chest, paired with black pants. His aura exuded authority, filling the space around him effortlessly. Our eyes met briefly, and in that fleeting moment, I caught a flicker of recognition before he composed himself with practiced ease.
"Ms. Taylor," he said, his voice measured but polite, "can I offer you some coffee or water?"
"Oh, it's fine, I'm good, Mr. Harrington," I replied, trying to maintain my composure despite my nervousness. Being here, around Cole, made me distinctly uncomfortable. All I wanted was to go home.
He took a seat opposite me, and for a moment, neither of us spoke. The silence hung heavy between us.
Finally, Cole broke the silence. "I understand there was an incident involving Bella and a boy," he began, his tone businesslike yet tinged with concern.
Taking a deep breath to steady myself, I gathered my thoughts. "Yes, Mr. Harrington. Bella has been struggling, and it's led to some unfortunate conflicts at school… again," I explained carefully, choosing my words to convey the seriousness of the situation without directly accusing his daughter.
Cole listened intently, his expression inscrutable. "I see," he murmured after a moment. "But she mentioned that Tim keeps troubling her. As a father, I think I would prefer it if she defends herself."
"That's true, but the school aims to avoid physical violence, and—" I began, only to be interrupted by a cute giggle.
"Miss Taylor!" Bella exclaimed, bursting into the room and running straight into my arms. I couldn't help but smile as she settled onto my lap. "What are you doing here?" she asked happily, hugging me tightly.
Cole’s demeanor softened slightly as he watched Bella's affectionate interaction with me.
"I came to talk to your dad about school," I answered Bella with a gentle smile, glancing up at Cole.
Bella's face lit up. "Oh, Dad I promised Miss Taylor I won’t repeat it again and I will her if someone bothers me instead of hitting them." she told her father sweetly, “am I still in trouble?”
I chuckled softly, reassuring her. "No, sweetie, we're just talking about how we can make sure everyone gets along at school."
Bella seemed satisfied with that answer, and she hugged me again before looking up at me, "Can you stay and play with me and have dinner and have ice cream with me?" she asked eagerly.
"Oh honey, I don’t think that’s possible. I have to leave after I am done talking to—" I stopped as I saw her eyes filling with tears, which soon started falling down her chubby cheeks.
"But I will be n-nice and I-I will b-behave," she said, her voice trembling as she cried, wiping her tears away with her small hands.
"Can you stay for some time? Bella could use some time around you," Cole asked, and the desperation in his voice was audible. I felt bad for making the assumption that he was a bad father. He seemed like he was trying to do his best.
"Sure," I said without a second thought, making Bella jump in happiness.
"Yay! I am going to bring all my toys, Miss Taylor. Wait here," she exclaimed, running towards her room, but Cole stopped her by picking her up with one hand.
"But now that Miss Taylor is staying, you have to promise me a few things. You will eat all your food for the rest of the week? No pouting and complaining." he said, and she happily nodded her head before running upstairs to her room.
As Bella disappeared from sight, Cole and I were left in an unexpected and slightly awkward silence. He cleared his throat, looking slightly relieved. "Thank you for agreeing to stay. Bella... I feel like she needs a woman. I feel like even though she doesn’t remember her mother, she feels something is missing.”
"It's no problem," I replied, still processing the turn of events. "She's a sweet girl, and I don’t mind helping in any way I can."
Cole nodded, his expression softening. "She really likes you. It's been hard for her, losing her mother and adjusting to me as well.” My stomach drops as I look at the wedding ring on his finger. How could I not see this? Bella isn’t struggling because she misses her mother but Bella is struggling because her father is too grief stricken to be there for her all the time.
"Yeah, I understand. I guess I'll stay for an hour and then I have to leave because the chauffeur has to go home too," I told him as we stood awkwardly in the living room.
"Please stay for dinner. I'll drop you home. You can ask him to leave," he said, and I looked at him, unsure of what to say.
I liked his daughter and felt bad for him, but I didn't want to be alone with him.
"Are you sure?" I finally asked, trying to buy myself a moment to think. "I don't want to impose."
"You're not imposing," Cole said firmly, his eyes earnest. "Bella would love it, and... well, it would give us a chance to discuss more about her situation."
I hesitated, but Bella's earlier excitement and the genuine concern in Cole's voice swayed me. "Okay, I'll stay," I agreed, trying to sound more confident than I felt.
Cole's expression softened with relief. "Thank you. I'll let the chauffeur know."
We heard Bella's excited footsteps before we saw her, and she reappeared, arms full of toys. "Miss Taylor, look! I brought my favorite dolls and cars," she announced, spreading her collection on the floor.
I joined her, engaging with her toys and making her laugh, while Cole watched us with a mixture of gratitude and something else—something warmer, softer, that made me feel a bit unsettled yet intrigued.
Dinner followed soon after, a simple but delicious meal prepared by the household staff. Bella was on her best behavior, her earlier outburst seemingly forgotten. Bella chatted animatedly, her joy infectious as Cole couldn’t take his eyes off his daughter.
After dinner, we indulged in Bella's much-anticipated ice cream. As she devoured her treat, Cole and I exchanged a few glances, the initial tension between us slowly giving way to a tentative understanding.
As the evening drew to a close, Bella's energy began to wane. She hugged me tightly, her earlier tears a distant memory. "Thank you for staying, Miss Taylor. Today was the best."
I said goodbye to Bella, who couldn't stop hugging me before she went back to her room, leaving me alone with her father.
"I ordered an Uber, actually. You don't have to—" I began, but he didn't respond immediately. He stared at me for a moment, then glanced at the clock, which showed it was 11 PM.
"Can I talk to you in private for a minute?" he asked, the seriousness in his voice both scaring and intriguing me.
"Sure," I said, my curiosity piqued and a knot forming in my stomach.
Chapter 0003
Nicola Taylor
“Where are we going?” I asked, following him through his gigantic house. “You know it's already 11 PM. Arabella shouldn’t be up so late.”
“She’s with Ms. Kinsley, who tucks her in bed and stays there till she falls asleep,” he replied. I bit my tongue, resisting the urge to ask why he didn’t do it himself. Who am I to judge a person’s parenting style?
“Are we in your bedroom? This is highly inappropriate. I need to leave,” I said, but he just shut the door behind us.
“Relax, I just need to talk to you,” he said, gesturing to the bed. I shook my head, my eyes falling on the pictures of his late wife. Her jewelry, clothes, all her belongings were still in the room.
This man is heartbroken.
“Alright,” I said, sitting on the bed. For some reason, I felt comfortable. I looked him in the eyes as he stood two feet away from me.
“Marry me.”
I choked on my spit, coughing as soon as I heard the words come out of his mouth. “Is this… (cough cough)… a joke?” I said as he patted my back to help me.
“No. My parents have been forcing me to get married again for Arabella’s sake, and I didn’t want to because what if I picked the wrong woman and she doesn’t treat Arabella well? For the first time, my daughter finished her food, spoke the way a child should, and had fun. You make her happy, and she might actually grow up to have a good childhood with you in the picture,” he explained. I stood up, staring at him with wide eyes as if he had gone crazy.
“Cole, I still hate you. I was being professional for the sake of my job and your daughter’s well-being. I would die before I marry the man who tormented me my whole life. Secondly, I want to get married for love, not because you need someone for your daughter,” I yelled at him angrily, expecting him to get angry too, but he remained calm.
“Married for love? You’re thirty years old. Are you dating anyone?” he asked, making my anger rise. “I’m asking you to consider it for Arabella’s sake. She needs someone like you in her life.”
I took a deep breath, trying to steady the whirlwind of emotions inside me. “Cole, this is insane. You can’t just propose marriage out of nowhere because of your daughter. There are other ways to support her without dragging me into your life.”
He nodded slowly, absorbing my words. “I know it’s a lot to ask, and I don’t expect you to say yes immediately. But please, think about it. I have never seen her so comfortable around someone.”
“What’s my first name? Do you remember?” I asked him. He closed his eyes, clearly knowing he was going to mess this up. “Cole, it’s sweet that you care so much about your daughter, but I refuse to marry a man who is still in love with his late wife. I feel for you, I really do. But you will find a good woman who will love Arabella. This isn’t the way,” I told him as he sat down on the edge of the bed.
“What do you want? I will do anything. I need you to marry me,” he said in despair, making me huff sadly as I rubbed his back, trying to make him feel better.
“Cole, I don’t think you are the person you used to be, but I still don’t want to marry you, and I am never going to say yes. If you need my help with Bella, I am here for you. But I can’t do anything more than that. Also, my name is Nicola,” I told him as I sat next to him, not knowing how to help a widower.
“I didn’t want a child, but I loved Courtney, and she really wanted children, so I agreed because why wouldn’t I love something that’s half her? But I told her I didn’t know how to raise a child, and she told me she would take care of everything. She was around for Arabella for barely a year before she passed away in an accident. Now I love Arabella more than life itself, but I don’t know how to raise her. She is always so unhappy. I don’t know what to do,” he said, his voice turning hoarse, making my heart clench.
This is so sad.
I sighed, feeling the weight of his words. “Cole, I can see you’re trying your best. And I can help with advice and guidance, but marriage isn’t the answer here.”
He looked at me, his eyes filled with a mixture of desperation and hope. “If it wasn’t for Arabella, I wouldn’t really have a reason to live you know.”
“Then start by spending more time with her. Show her that she matters to you. Let her see that she’s your priority,” I said gently. “You don’t need to be perfect, Cole. You just need to be there.”
He nodded, absorbing my words. “You’re right, and I need you to tell me where I go wrong. Please marry me.”
“Okay, you’ve gone insane,” I said with a huff, smacking his arm hard in anger.
“Nicola.” My heart stopped as I stared into his green eyes. “I am sorry for everything I ever did to you, and I will do anything to make up for it.” Electricity coursed through my veins as I felt him envelop my small hand in his big one on my lap.
The heat of his hand seeped into my thigh, making it hard to breathe. “Please take me home,” I said, my voice deep as I tried to shake off the lightheadedness I felt.
“Will you consider my offer?” he asked, and for some reason, I couldn’t say no.
I nodded, a huge grin spreading across his face. He stood up from the bed and pulled me up swiftly. His touch was firm yet gentle, sending shivers down my spine.
“Come on, I’ll drop you home,” he said, his hand resting on the small of my back, leading me out.
The drive home was filled with an electric silence. I could feel the tension between us, thick and undeniable. His hand occasionally brushed against mine, sending jolts of electricity through my body each time.
When we reached my place, he turned off the engine and looked at me. “Thank you for today. I’ll see you tomorrow,” he said softly, his eyes locking with mine.
I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest. “Goodnight, Cole,” I said, opening the door to step out.
“Goodnight, Nicola,” he replied, his voice a deep, husky whisper that sent another shiver down my spine.
As I walked to my front door, I could feel his eyes on me, the tension still palpable even with the distance between us. I closed the door behind me, leaning against it as I tried to steady my racing heart.
This wasn’t over. Not by a long shot.
Chapter 0004
Nicola Taylor
As I wrapped up my last class, I started packing up after the assistant teacher took the students out for drop-off. A knock on my classroom door made me look up to see James, one of my fellow teachers, standing there.
“Oh, hello! What are you doing here?” I greeted him happily as he entered the room.
“Wow, Nicola, you look nice. What's the occasion?” he asked, making me blush at the compliment.
“Just felt like it,” I answered shyly, remembering how I stopped dressing up two years ago after my last and final breakup. I had dated a man for seven years, supporting him through medical school on my kindergarten teacher’s salary, only for him to leave me once he got placed.
But even though I wasn’t going to marry Cole, I did feel the urge to get back out there. For the first time in years, I felt like dressing up and looking nice, and it did pay off.
James noticed.
I wore a long black bodycon dress with my winter boots, and I had done my makeup too. I let my hair down for the first time in years, even blow-dried it. I loved the way I looked today.
It made me happy.
“Whatever you’re doing, it suits you,” James complimented me, making my cheeks heat up.
“You’re so sweet!” I replied. “So, did you need anything?” I asked, curious because he rarely visited me. We exchanged glances and smiles, but we hardly ever spoke.
James hesitated for a moment, then took a step closer. “Actually, I was wondering if you’d like to grab—”
“Nicola!” My eyes widened as I saw Cole entering the room with Arabella. He looked confused as he saw what I was wearing but his eyes shamelessly traveled down my body before he met my gaze.
“Mr. Harrington, what are you doing here?” I asked, glaring at him, almost sure of what he was up to.
“I came here to pick up my daughter,” he said as Arabella jumped happily.
“Don’t you have work?” I asked, and he shrugged.
“I thought I should surprise Bella today,” he replied, his eyes finally falling on James. “Sir, would you mind excusing us? I need to talk to Ms. Taylor about something concerning my daughter.” James shot me a look that said ‘talk to you later’ before obliging.
“Ms. Taylor, will you come to lunch with us?” Bella asked happily, making my heart melt.
Stay strong, Nicola.
“No, baby. I already have plans,” I told her, and her face fell.
“Honey, go play on the playground while I convince Ms. Taylor,” Cole said, making me glare at him again.
"Thank you, Daddy. You are the best," Arabella squealed happily before rushing out.
"Okay, what is the matter with you?" I asked angrily as soon as Bella hopped out of the class.
Cole took a step closer, his presence overwhelming. "You look beautiful. Is it for James? God, are you dating him?"
"You can’t just show up unannounced and disrupt my day like this, Cole. It’s not fair to me. Go away," I snapped, trying hard not to blush at the compliment, but I failed.
He took another step closer, his voice low and sincere. "I know I’ve been pushy, and I’m sorry. But I am doing this for a noble reason."
"Noble reason? She already likes you a lot more. Just continue what you are doing," I answered, ignoring how close he was right now and wishing he couldn’t hear my heart pounding.
"Are you dating him?" he asked, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my breath hitch.
I swallowed hard, trying to stay strong. "Yes."
"Nope, he would have never agreed to leave you here alone with me if you were his. I know how possessive men can get. I was one of them," he said, his voice dropping to a husky whisper.
I hated to admit it, but I was curious. I wondered how his wife felt being loved by a man like him.
My resolve wavered as the tension between us became tangible. "Why are you asking questions if you already know the answer?" I murmured, more to myself than to him.
"Look at me," he ordered, making my eyes snap up to his. "How about I take you out for dinner? Just the two of us, and we can discuss how things would proceed after we get married. I will answer any questions you have. If you are not happy, I won’t ask again." His hand brushed against mine, sending a jolt of electricity through me.
I pulled back, trying to regain my composure. "Cole, I know you. You never stand by your words."
"Alright, I’ll come to your house at 7 today and I will make dinner," he said, stepping back to give me space. "I’ll see you in a few hours."
"Harrington, I am seconds away from beating you up with this duster," I told him, making him laugh as I tried not to swoon over his ridiculously attractive face.
Why does God make bad people so beautiful?
He chuckled, a sound that sent shivers down my spine. "I’ll take my chances," he said with a smirk before walking out, leaving me standing there, a whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me.
As I watched him leave, I couldn't help but feel the magnetic pull he had on me.
What was I supposed to do? The way he knows he's wearing me down is unnerving.
I can't deny that I'm less opposed to his proposal than I was 12 hours ago, and the rollercoaster of emotions is overwhelming. At thirty, my ex wasted seven years of my life, leaving me cautious about any new relationship. Cole's offer feels like a tempting safety net.
If I don’t take it and end up dating a man for love, what are the chances of me ending up wasting more precious years until I turn forty without a husband?
Despite not yearning for children, I do long for a partner. The prospect of dinner at my place with Cole tonight is nerve-wracking, and I'm starting to feel dangerously swayed towards accepting his marriage proposal.
Chapter 0005
Nicola Taylor
I slipped into the white ballerina dress for the fifth time, questioning if it was too much. Simple yet undeniably sexy, it revealed just enough cleavage and thigh to captivate a man's attention. Despite my attempts to deny it, I knew deep down I was dressing to impress Cole. I couldn't help but feel attracted to him, a fact that frustrated me to no end.
As I applied a touch of light lipstick, I glanced at myself in the mirror. Brown waves cascaded over my shoulders, my makeup was subtle yet enhancing, and the dress hugged my curves in all the right places.
"Oh god, this is too much," I muttered to myself, contemplating whether to change yet again.
Just then, the doorbell rang. I cursed under my breath. Heat rushed to my face as I headed to the door, hoping Cole would appreciate the effort and not think I was overdressed.
My breath caught in my chest as he stood there, the pink and red flowers contrasting beautifully against his navy suit. I smiled nervously, cheeks flushing as I took the flowers and invited him inside. The intimacy of my small house felt suddenly pronounced, but I pushed the thought aside.
As I retrieved a vase from the cabinet in the kitchen, I heard his footsteps approaching from behind. My heart raced as his hands found its place on my waist. I continued filling the vase with water, trying to focus, but his touch sent a thrill through me. His hands smoothed over my dress, his touch lingering on my hips and waist, igniting a fire within me.
"Thank you. They are very beautiful," I managed to say breathlessly, turning around to face him immediately causing my soft chest to collide with his hard one. Our bodies pressed together, and I couldn't ignore the magnetic pull between us.
"I thought you'd like them," he murmured, stepping closer until my back met the counter, effectively trapping me.
"So what are you going to make?" I asked, hoping to distract him, but his hands on either side of me prevented any escape. His presence was overwhelming, his closeness stirring a desire that I struggled to contain.
“Chicken Parmesan and Linguine.” He tells me as he steps away making me inwardly upset but I composed myself.
Don’t be a hoe, Nicola.
“That sounds delicious,” I said as he started unpacking the groceries he brought to cook. “Where are your wine glasses?”
“Wine? We’re drinking wine? I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I stuttered nervously, making him laugh as he found the wine glasses and poured us each a glass.
“Relax, I won’t take advantage of you,” he reassured me, but I could only muster a fake smile.
I was more concerned about my inner desires betraying me. I hadn’t had proper sex in four years. The last two years of my relationship with my ex were so bad that I felt like I had become more of a mother to him than a partner.
“I know. It’s just that we’re going to talk about something important. I don’t want to be inebriated for that,” I said, taking a cautious sip of the wine. Oh god, this is the most delicious wine ever. I couldn’t imagine how expensive it must be.
“Do you need help finding anything?” I asked as I watched him navigate through my kitchen with surprising ease. To be fair, it was fairly small, and where most of the stuff was pretty easy to guess.
“I’m good. You can sit back and relax. Also, feel free to start asking me questions if you have any,” he said as he took off his blazer and rolled up the sleeves of his white shirt, making my throat run dry at the sight.
I couldn’t believe the man who every girl in my school thirsted over was in my kitchen, making food for me.
“What makes you think I can forget all the things you put me through in high school and marry my bully?” I asked, continuously sipping on my wine.
“I agree. What I did was unforgivable. I am sorry, and I know sorry isn’t enough, but I would like a chance to redeem myself,” he said, his voice steady as he began cooking.
His words hung in the air as I watched him work, the sincerity in his tone making it hard for me to hold onto my anger.
“I’m not the same person I was back then, Nicola. Life has changed me. Arabella has changed me. I want to be a better man, for my daughter ,” he continued, glancing up at me with those piercing green eyes.
I took another sip of wine, feeling the warmth spread through my body. “It’s not that simple, Cole. You can’t just undo the past with a few words and a nice dinner.”
“I know. But I’m willing to work at it. Give me a chance to show you,” he said, his gaze never leaving mine.
My heart raced as I considered his words. Could I really let go of the past and give him a chance? The tension between us was palpable, and despite everything, a part of me wanted to believe him.
“Fine,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “One chance. But don’t think for a second that it’s going to be easy.”
A slow smile spread across his face as he nodded. “That’s all I’m asking for.”
“So, hypothetically, if I were to say yes to your proposal, how would the arrangement be between us and between Arabella and me? Is she even okay with having a mother figure in her life?” I asked, watching him cut vegetables with the ease of a professionally trained chef.
Where did he learn to cook?
“Okay,” he started, pausing to think about the questions I had thrown at him. “Firstly, I think you’ve seen how desperately Arabella needs a woman in her life. She was a different kid around you. If you say yes, I’ll run it by her then because I don’t want to break her heart if you say no. Secondly, I think your relationship with Arabella will depend on how you two grow towards each other. I don’t want to interfere there. Lastly, between us, it will be whatever you want it to be.” He smiled, and it was a smile that melted my heart.
Why is he so handsome?
“What if she doesn’t want me in her life? What if she can’t accept me?”
“She already adores you,” he replied, his voice soft yet confident. “But sadly she doesn’t remember her mother so I don’t think she is that sensitive about me getting married again.”
His honesty caught me off guard. I had expected him to want me to make sure I didn’t take his late wife’s place, but it seemed like his primary concern was Arabella’s happiness. “I would love to help you out, I really would. But you’re asking for too much here. I cannot marry a man who is clearly still in love with his late wife,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Why do you think I’m still hung up on….her?” he asked, confusion evident in his voice.
“You still wear your wedding ring, her photos and belongings are in your bedroom,” I pointed out, seeing I had already hit a nerve. “I’m sorry, but you seem heartbroken.”
“I’m not—alright. It’s just, I met her in college and thought I was going to spend the rest of my life with her. I guess it still comes as a shock to me, even after five years. I’m lost. I don’t know what to do. I had a plan, but nothing went according to it. So I guess it just feels like I’m stuck in one place. There are moments when I’m happy because of my daughter and, honestly, even talking to you seems nice. But I don’t think I have it in me to fall in love again. I don’t want to go out on dates and do it all over again. What if she doesn’t like Arabella? What if she gets tired of having a kid around? I know it’s terribly selfish, but I’d rather just get married to someone my daughter likes,” he confessed, huffing like a huge weight was lifted off his head.
“I know what you mean. I understand. I dated a man for seven years, supported him through medical school only for him to leave me for a hot twenty-two-year-old grad student as soon as he became a doctor. I haven’t dated anyone for two years, and after wasting seven years of my life, I don’t see the point either. But I don’t think I can marry a man who will always be in love with his late wife. I know there is never going to be a place in your heart for me. Even if there is, it won’t be above her. I hope you understand,” I told him as he put the food in the oven, closing it slowly as my words sank in.
“I understand. There’s no reason we can’t enjoy a nice dinner,” he said with a sad smile, and I knew he was thinking of his daughter.
“I don’t mind coming by once a week for some time to help you out,” I offered, but he just shook his head.
“I think it would just break her heart when you eventually have to stop coming. It’s fine. It was very unrealistic anyway,” he said, trying to make me feel better.
But I felt horrible. I wished I could help him out somehow. I had never seen a sadder person. I could see how difficult it was for him to smile, yet he did it anyway. I couldn’t imagine finding the love of my life, only to have it taken away from me tragically.
As we sat down to eat, the tension between us remained. We made small talk, but my mind kept drifting back to the sadness in his eyes. The way he looked at me, as if I were the key to unlocking a happiness he thought he’d lost forever, made my heart ache.
I tried to lighten the mood, telling him funny stories about my students and my mishaps as a kindergarten teacher. He laughed but his heart wasn’t in it.
Chapter 0006
Nicola Taylor
It had been a month since I last saw Cole. I was grateful he respected my wishes and didn’t keep pushing because, deep down, I knew I would have eventually said yes. Arabella had been wonderfully behaved but unusually quiet. Despite my attempts to engage her with games and conversation, her heart just didn’t seem in it.
Tonight was my college reunion, an event I dreaded. College wasn't as bad as high school, but I had been voted "most likely to be single," and here I was, still single. The rough predictions had turned out to be surprisingly accurate.
The worst thing was that my ex, Finn, was going to be there with his girlfriend I am guessing. But I had to go, I wanted to meet everyone, my teachers and my friends. I was curious as to what everyone is doing in their life.
As I got ready, an absurd idea entered my head. Without a second thought, I picked up my phone and called the number I would have avoided if I'd paused to reconsider.
“Hey, you said you wanted to make up for all the horrible things you did to me in high school, right? If you really meant it, and if you’re free, can you come by my house in a suit in an hour?” I blurted out as soon as the call was answered, nervous energy filling me.
There was a brief silence on the other end, then Cole's deep voice responded, “Nicola? Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, everything’s fine,” I replied quickly. “I just... I need a favor. Are you free?”
“I can be,” he said, a hint of curiosity in his tone. “I’ll be there in an hour.”
True to his word, an hour later, the doorbell rang. My breath caught in my chest as I opened the door to see Cole standing there in a perfectly tailored suit. He looked devastatingly handsome, and the sight of him made my heart race.
I smiled, my cheeks heating up as I invited him in. “Thank you for coming on such short notice.”
“Of course,” he said, his eyes taking in my appearance. The little black dress that I had bought just for the occasion after ruffling through hundreds of shops with Steph was worth it. “You look beautiful. I should have brought flowers. I didn’t know what—”
“No, don’t worry about it. This is perfect,” I replied, feeling a flutter of nervous excitement. “I... I need a date for my college reunion. I thought you could pretend to be my boyfriend for the night, and we could say we’ve been dating for a few years. I was voted ‘most likely to end up single,’ so I want to prove them wrong. And you owed me, so I thought, why not? Also, you are literally the most beautiful man I know. Everyone is going to lose it.” I blabbered as I started packing my small purse with things I might need but paused when I realized that I had just spoken my mind.
Cole looked at me amused as he stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. “I’d be honored to be there for you. Also, does this mean you will forgive me for—”
“You’ll get closer to getting my forgiveness for sure,” I told him, trying to control the redness of my face. I hoped he wouldn’t bring up how I had called him the ‘most beautiful man ever.’ It was so embarrassing.
“Let’s go,” I said, my voice steady as I looked in the mirror one more time. “We’ve got a reunion to attend.”
I gulped as I contemplated whether I should really pretend to have a boyfriend or not outside the hall where my reunion was taking place. “Is everything okay?” Cole asked as I noticed women checking him out as they walked past us.
“If I get caught in this lie, it would be more embarrassing. Also, I didn’t tell you one thing which is very important. Finn, my ex, is here, and I think this is a bad idea. Let’s go home,” I said, trying to pull his strong bicep towards the entrance of the hotel so that we could leave, but he didn’t budge.
“You’ll be fine. No one is going to find out, and if you would have accepted my proposal, this would kind of be true. So don’t worry,” he said. I froze in place when his hand slipped around my waist with ease. “Let’s go.”
“Oh my God, Nickyyy Babbyyyyy!!!” I saw Amy running towards me as she enveloped me in a hug.
“Wow, I thought you weren’t going to come,” I said, already feeling better about coming after seeing Amy.
“I wasn’t, but Wesley made me,” she said as I saw Wesley approaching us.
“Oh right, Cole, this is my dorm roommate Amy and her husband, Wesley, who gifted me noise-canceling headphones so I couldn’t listen to them do it. PS: They didn’t help.” Everyone laughed as Cole shook hands with them. Amy shot me an excited look, teasing me with Cole and making me blush a little. “And guys, this is Cole. He is my… boyfriend,” I said shyly as I felt my face heating up.
Stop acting like a ten-year-old girl with a crush, Nicola.
“Oh, it’s great to meet you,” Amy said, looking genuinely happy for me. “What do you do?”
“I have a few businesses here and there,” he said, but Wesley’s eyes widened, and I knew he recognized Cole.
“Wait, dude, you’re the youngest billionaire guy.” Wesley said as Cole nodded his head, and I buried my head in his arm.
Amy’s eyes widened, and she mouthed “Wow” at me. I could feel the heat creeping up my neck as I tried to compose myself. This was going to be an interesting night.
As we mingled with more people, I was surprised to see how charming and entertaining Cole was while I could barely speak. I was getting a bit annoyed with the number of women flirting with him, even though he was clearly my ‘boyfriend,’ but somehow that didn’t seem to make a difference.
My heart shattered when I saw Finn roaming around the hall with the same woman on his arm. I excused myself, feeling the urge to cry out of nowhere.
I slipped away from the crowd, my vision blurring as tears threatened to spill. I found a isolated corner, leaning against the wall for support. The memories of Finn's betrayal crashed over me, and I struggled to catch my breath. How could he look so happy, so carefree, while I was still picking up the pieces of my heart?
“Is everything alright? I thought you were going to the bathroom? You’ve been gone for half an hour.” Cole asked me as he stood beside me near my barstool.
“I did, but I needed a drink. And talking is a sober person’s play or game or whatever the saying is,” I said as I drank more champagne.
“Are you drunk?” Cole asked, concerned, as he held me by my waist to pull me off the barstool. “I think we should take you home.”
“He is here, Cole. He is here, and he’s not even bothering to look at Nicola,” I told Cole as I fell into his arms while he steadied me by my waist.
“Wow, you are really drunk,” he said as he asked the bartender for some water. I sniffed his aromatic perfume that seemed to turn me on a little as I nuzzled further into the soft material of his suit. “It’s funny how you accuse me of not moving on, and here you are.”
“Nicola has moved on,” I murmured as he straightened me and made me drink some water.
“Clearly,” he said with the most drop-dead gorgeous teasing smile on his lips, making me wonder why he found my situation amusing.
“Cole, listen to me,” I said as I held his handsome face in my hands. “I am sad because he doesn’t regret losing me. He cheats on me, he does all the bad things, and what? Finn happy, Nicola sad? Why?” I whispered, making him smile wider.
“Wow, I don’t think I’ve smiled this much in years,” he said as he removed my hands from his face, making me pout.
“My misery seems amusing to you?” I asked him as I tried to drink from my glass, but he took it away.
“You are cut off. Come on, let’s get you home,” he said as he started leading me out of the room.
“Wait, Cole, you are so hot. I want to show him my hot boyfriend,” I whispered in his ear as he stopped in his steps. I looked up at him as his stature towered over me. I felt him tucking my hair behind my ear as he made me look into his alluring green eyes.
“God sure took his time making you,” I thought as I stared at his face, which seemed like he was about to laugh out loud.
“Darling, you are speaking your thoughts out loud,” he said as we stopped in a secluded part of the dimly lit hall.
“Cole, I wondered what it would be like to sleep with you if I had married you, but thinking about that makes me blush a lot. Also, I don’t want to be with a man who has been with the most perfect women I have ever seen, like Rita from high school. You remember her?” I asked him, and I saw him blink, trying to process all the information I was throwing at him.
“Yes, I remember her, but what does my past have to do with me sleeping with you?” he asked, confused.
“You’ve seen these Barbie dolls, and I look nothing like ‘your type,’ so I don’t want to get involved,” I told him as I leaned into his hard, muscular body that radiated heat and made me feel comfortable.
“Is that why you said no?” he asked me as his finger raised my chin up to make me look at him.
“Well, there are many reasons. Some I told you, and some I won’t tell you, like this sleeping one,” I said as I hushed him.
“But you told me,” he said, but I shook my head.
“No, don’t tell Cole,” I said as I shushed him again. The music in the room was now starting to annoy me, so I grabbed his hand to lead him out so we could sit somewhere quiet. I sighed happily when I saw a couch and gestured for him to sit down before I sat on his lap.
My eyes drifted to his sculpted, beautiful neck, and before I could stop myself, I placed a tender kiss upon it. I felt his breath hitch, spurring me to trail fiery kisses along his strong jawline, down to his neck, with fervent passion.
Each kiss was a testament to the longing that had simmered between us, igniting a wildfire of desire that I couldn’t resist.
His hands trembled as they found their way to my waist, pulling me closer, deepening the intoxicating dance of lips and skin.