“Jacinta, I’m pretty sure I already warned you about locking doors.” Cole’s voice is a lot less friendly than it was in the board meeting, and when I turn around, he’s leaning against the closed door, arms crossed and a frown set into his brow. I feel my cheeks flush pink at the fact that he came in while my thong-clad ass was sticking up in the air, but that’s not the only reason. There’s just something about this man that sets flames of fire rushing through my body.
“There’s also a thing called knocking, Cole,” I snarl back and slowly get to my feet. It’s not like he hasn’t seen everything already, so why should I rush?
“So you don’t care if anyone else walks in?” he asks as I place the box of thread back on the table and pick up my skirt.
“Hardly the first time anyone has seen me in a thong,” I reply. “I wear one to the beach, and I’m sure plenty of sleazy paps have taken a photo of it. Shit, Cole, you may have been one of the last to see my ass.”
I step into my skirt and tug up the zipper, not looking away from the intense stare of the man in front of me. He’s watching me like he’s a predator and I’m his prey, but I have news for him. I don’t back down so easily.
He shakes his head like he’s trying to clear it before stepping away from the door, moving closer into my space. “What is it you want? I have some interviews to attend. Can this wait until later?” I ask him, grabbing my two bags so that there’s something between us.
“I was hoping to catch you so we can go over the other engagements I have you booked for.” His tone is flat, not betraying any emotions, and it puts me on edge. Without that little clue as to who he is, what he’s feeling, I’m a little off-kilter. I use those little clues people give me to help me figure out how to approach them—whether I should go hard, take it easy, or turn on the charm. It’s disconcerting when he gives me nothing to work with.
“Well, it’s going to have to wait. I don’t have time now. Maybe after the press conference,” I suggest. Without waiting for an answer, I slip past him and pull open the door, leaving the Wardrobe. I can feel him on my heels as I walk down the corridor. To get to the big conference room, I have to walk back past the Couture reception desk, and when I get out there, a tall, gorgeous black woman is at the desk talking to Susie. Hayden Christie is the new model we just signed to our label. I’ve worked with her a few times, and she’s always been friendly and kind.
“Hayden, hi. Did we have an appointment? I swear there was nothing in my planner.” I look from Susie to the beautiful model who smiles and shakes her head before looking over my shoulder.
“No, I’m here for a fitting with Jace for his show, but that’s not until later. We were actually looking for Cole, and they told us he was here,” she replies, and I frown.We?
“Hi, Daddy.” The little voice draws my attention to the seats in the waiting area. Seated in a chair that looks way too big for him is an adorable little boy. His hair is a curly little afro, and his eyes are the mirror image of his dad’s. He’s dressed in jeans and a shirt, topped with suspenders, and is swinging his sneaker-clad feet back and forth.
Cole pushes past me to pick him up, kissing him all over his face as I watch on in horror.
“Hey, my best bud.”
Oh my fucking god, did I sleep with a married man? Nowthatis an all-time fucking low.
“We thought Cole might like to have an early lunch with us.” He turns around, holding his son.
“Who’s the pretty lady, Daddy?” the little boy asks, sticking his thumb in his mouth.
Cole walks his son back over to us. “Jacinta, you know my ex-wife Hayden, but this is my son, Spencer.” The little boy snuggles into his dad’s shoulder, his bright blue eyes studying me closely. I slowly release the breath I’d been holding, my body relaxing. Phew, not a homewrecker.
“Spence, this is Ms. Summers. She’s my boss.”
I hold my hand out for the little boy, and he reaches out to take it. “It’s lovely to meet you, Spencer.”
A slow grin crosses his face as we shake. “You’re pretty, Ms. Summers,” he says before hiding his face again in his dad’s neck.
“Why don’t you call me Jazzy? All my friends do.” He won’t look at me again, and I chuckle at his cuteness.
“Ah, Ms. Summers, they’re waiting for you in the conference room,” Susie interrupts.
“Crap! Okay, have fun at lunch,” I tell them, and Cole frowns.
“But…” He starts to argue, and I shake my head.
“Just have lunch with your family, Cole. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that family matters more than anything, and taking the time to appreciate them needs to be done now, not later. The Summers feel very strongly about family, so you won’t get arguments from anyone. Why don’t you take them to the atrium and have food sent up from the café? I’m sure Spencer would love to see the fish in the pond.”
The little boy’s eyes widen. “Please, Daddy?” he asks, and Cole melts. Wow, gone is the hard-ass I’ve come to know, replaced with a man that looks like he would be loving and caring and would do anything for his son. It thaws my heart toward him the tiniest bit, though I don’t want that to happen.
“Okay, champ, we’ll do that.”
“Spencer, there’s a bench seat next to the pond, and if you lift the lid, you’ll find some fish food inside. Can you make sure they get their lunch for me?” I ask him, and his eyebrows jump.
He nods his head vigorously, causing his curls to bob wildly.
“Great, so I’ll see you at the press conference later, yes?” I ask Cole. Although this man rubs me the wrong way, I very much want him there. He has this presence that tells me he won’t take any shit from the press.
