Echoes of Scotland Street

I want to protect you while at the same time I want to shatter you,” he murmured against my lips, “but only in the best way possible.

So, are you a hero, Cole Walker?” “What is a hero, really?” “I suppose it’s someone that saves people.” “Yeah, I suppose it is.” “So, do you save people?” “I’m only fifteen. Give me a chance.

I need to know.” He brushed his knuckles across my cheekbones as he stared deep into my eyes. “I need to know so I can try to reverse all the damage they’ve done.

He’s spent his formative years surrounded by men incapable of restraint when it comes to flirting outrageously with their wives. Each one of them … is a cocky, arrogant, overconfident bugger.” She grinned. “But you won’t find men who are more loyal or loving to their wives.” Her expression turned serious. “We’ve all been through a lot. As has Cole. Like us, he knows what’s important. And he’s been deeply influenced by the men in his life.

His lips were at my ear again. “Do you want me, Shannon?” My legs began to tremble. “Yes.

Shit pours out of my mouth before I can stop it, and I need to be around people that can hack the fucking awesomeness that is me.

There’s more to you than cute. People call you cute because you’re petite…but you’re sexy too…Mostly you’re beautiful in a way that stops a man in his tracks.

I will never do anything you don’t want to do. You’re safe with me, Shannon.

I’m scared of you, Cole Walker. I’m scared you’ll hurt me or I’ll hurt you…yet I have no intention of turning back. I’m throwing myself off this cliff, consequences be damned.

Are you saying you want to be my girlfriend?” His voice was gruff, almost teasing. I leaned into him and whispered against his lips. “Are you saying you want me to be your girlfriend?” “Fuck yeah,” he whispered back, and pressed his mouth to mine.

You know, for someone so alpha you really are a gossip queen.

That feeling was back – that feeling I’d had when I was fifteen years old and I was staring up into his green eyes in absolute delight. That feeling you get when you realize something special about another person and he goes from being attractive to downright kick-you-in-the-gut good-looking.

Cole Walker. Cole freaking Walker. All grown-up. And he was my new manager. I was so screwed.

I felt like fate had just handed me two cups and I’d stupidly drunk from the wrong one.

Arm your fears like soldiers and slay them

You’re worth every bad thing that’s ever happened to me, because going through them led me to you.

It’s not the end of the world, Shannon. Trust me.” Trust him? I really wish people would stop asking me to do that.

He continued to stare at me in an assessing way and I began to squirm uncomfortably. The more he stared, the more I stared, and the more I stared, the more I noticed how deliciously lickable he was. The tattoos only made him more so.

You’re telling me you’re not icing me out because of Tamara?” “Why would I?” He leaned closer and I sucked in my breath as his citrusy cologne hit me in delightful waves. “Because of what’s between us.” Trembling now, I whispered. “There’s nothing between us.” The gloom disappeared from Cole’s eyes and the gold seemed to flare as heat entered them. “Nothing but a shitload of chemistry I’ve wanted to explore since we first met.

Don’t push me.” She stopped and glared at me over her shoulder. “You’re my friend, Shannon. I care about you, but if I have to choose, I choose Cole. So back the fuck off before I slap the fucking stupidity out of you.

Those eyes crinkled attractively at the corners as their gorgeous owner threw me a friendly, boyish smile that penetrated my anti-bad-boy force field.

He gave me a tight, triumphant smile and walked away. My anger got the best of me. “You’re an immature idiot!” “I could give a fuck, Shortcake,” he threw back at me. “And you started it.

Enough of this Miyagi crap. Point is, fight for what you want, and while you’re doing that I’d like an egg mayo sandwich without that fucking cress shit on it this time.

Voy a borrar cada uno de esos malditos malos recuerdos de esos imbéciles indignos de ti, incluso si me lleva una vida entera.- Cole

I licked my dry lips, glancing around at everyone staring at us. Finally I looked up into Cole’s handsome face. “I’m here because I love you, and I need to ask you something.” I took a deep breath. It was time to go big. I lowered myself to one knee. Cole’s eyes grew round and I heard a few female gasps behind him. “Shannon, what—” “Cole Walker, I once told you in fear that you were nothing, but there has never been a day of your life that that was true and there has never been a day I’ve ever really thought that. You’ve been extraordinary to me since we were fifteen.” I smiled shakily, feeling vulnerable and frightened but hopeful too as he stared down at me with growing tenderness in his expression. “Apart from Logan I’ve never had a real family. The kind you can count on through everything. The kind that gives you second, third, fourth chances because the other option is no option at all. Because they love you and they’re there for you. Unconditionally. Logan was the only one who ever gave me that. Until you. You’re my family, Cole. I want you to be my family forever.” I laughed hoarsely. “I don’t have a ring or anything. I just have me. And I know I’m not perfect and I know you deserve perfect . . . but I love you more than anyone else in this world and I promise you I’ll never let you forget that again.” My heart slowed its rapid beating as a sense of calm came over me. A sense of rightness. It was as if I’d found the balance I’d been missing ever since I got in that car and left Cole behind on that stoop on Scotland Street all those years ago. “It’s always been you, and I always want it to be . . . Marry me, Cole.

As the old car took me away from Scotland Street amid his incessant chatter, I felt like fate had just handed me two cups and I’d stupidly drunk from the wrong one.

He grinned. “I think Rae just adopted you.” “I’m not sure that’s a good thing.” “It’s not so bad. It’s like living with your own personal Rottweiler.

You are really tall for fifteen.” His eyes drifted over me, a small smile playing on his lips. “A lot of people must seem tall to you.” “Are you calling me short?” “Are you saying you’re not short?” I wrinkled my nose. “I’m not delusional. It’s just not polite to comment on a girl’s shortness. For all you know I’m really mad at the world because I’m vertically challenged.” Young, Samantha (2014-10-07). Echoes of Scotland Street: An On Dublin Street Novel (p. 5). Penguin Group US. Kindle Edition.