“You’ve accomplished that, Cole. Not just for readers, but the people you work for. I’m on the floor with your employees. There’s pride in what we do and it shows. In fact, it’s the least toxic work environment I’ve ever worked in. If you don’t believe me, there’s a group for reviewing employers on PackVlog. Check it out, sometime.”
“Really?” he was shocked. Cole had been so caught up in running this business he hadn’t had a chance to appreciate the empire he’s built.
That was fine. I’d show him.
“We can pull it up later,” I promised, turning back to the road and frowning as the town started to shift past buildings, fields and forest taking over the landscape.
“I thought we were staying in town,” I said, disappointment hitting me.
“Sort of,” he replied, slowing the car and flashing me his grin that hit me right in the chest every time. It felt special, knowing not many got to see him like this. The softer side to Cole Hawthorne. “Look up.”
I craned my neck, staring up through the icy windshield. At the top of a hill stood iron fencing and… a massive estate.
A mansion, really. All stone and ivy and more stories than one family could really fill.
“Holy shit, Cole,” I breathed out in shock. “You’re loaded.”
He barked out a laugh. “You’re very blunt.”
“You’re just now figuring that out?” I shot back before turning back to the brick monstrosity up ahead. “Good for you guys. Also, whoever you do marry someday? Get a prenup.”
“Noted,” he said, still laughing. “But I’d like to believe the right person would love what I built, not try to take it.”
“Packs surprise you,” I said, bitterness slipping through. “Money and status can change people.”
I shook the awful feelings away quickly. My exes didn’t deserve space in my head now. I wanted to live in the moment with Cole for the next two weeks. The rest could come later.
Hopefully, by then, they would feel like a distant memory, a past life.
Cole parked and cut the engine right as we reached the front gates. Something heavy shifted in the air and I looked at him, concerned now.
“I just need a minute before we go in,” he said quietly before he climbed out of the car.
Snow still drifted down around us and I pulled my coat tighter before stepping out with him. He leaned against the hood, staring at the house he’d once called home. It was imposing from here. Pretty, but too big and isolated in all the white surrounding us now.
“You okay?” I asked, stepping close enough to share his warmth.
“I am,” he said softly, pressing his arm against mine as we leaned against the hood, staring up at the estate. “It’s just… been a long time since I appreciated winter out here.”
He inhaled deeply.
Then froze.
His eyes snapped to mine.
“Is that your scent?”
I blinked. “What? Maybe? I had blockers. They were supposed to wear off after the wedding.”
Lifting the coat I buried my face into my arm, smelling deep to see. There it was, stronger than it should be, orange and cranberry.
“Why?” he asked, already moving away from me before I could answer.
He ran to the trunk, grabbed a water bottle, and poured it over his hands and arms, rubbing it frantically across his skin and neck.
“Cole, what are you doing?” I startled, looking at him like he’d lost his mind. It was freezing cold out here.
He stepped back toward me fast and shoved his wrist under my nose.
