Chapter Twenty-Six
Evangeline
My Monday startsoff with a bang. At the staff meeting between my firm and Cole’s, we learned that the case has been called off. Apparently, all the digging Cole and I were doing scared one of the accusers, and she came out saying the whole thing was a lie. It’s great for the client, but I must admit, I’m a little sad my first case ended this way, and now, I won’t see Cole as much throughout the day.
In the meeting he kept his eyes turned down, never once looking in my direction. The vibe he’s giving off is nothing I’ve experienced from him at all these past few weeks. As we leave the meeting, I grab his arm, slightly pulling him toward my office.
When I get a good look at him, his face explains why he’s acting this way. Even though everything looks perfectly in place, his lip is split open on the side, and his jaw looks slightly bruised.
“What happened to you?” I ask.
“Ah, nothing.” He blows it off, walking into my office with his briefcase.
“Okay, then why don’t you tell me what’s going on with you today?” He shrugs, not willing to talk, so I ask, “Then why did you leave on Saturday night the way you did?”
“Wait, who are we playing today? Co-workers? Professor/student? Or are we the people who’ve been fucking each other at the club?”
His tone pisses me off, and if he’s ready for a fight, I’m more than ready to give him one. “Excuse me?” I say, crossing my arms over my chest.
“I’m just playing by your rules. I thought when we were here, at work, we acted like we didn’t know who Maverick and, oh wait,Evangeline, are?”
My eyes grow big, and I’m right about ready to kick him out when he sighs. “Fuck. I’m sorry. That was wrong. It’s just been a crazy couple of days.”
“I don’t care how your days have been. What gives you the right to step into my office and talk to me that way?”
“You’re right. I just…” He pauses, walking closer to me. “I lost my shit on Saturday.”
“So you take it out on me, on Monday, two days later?”
“I couldn’t help it. I thought I could come in here and play the co-worker role with you, but one look at you and everything came back from Saturday night.”
“What in the world are you talking about? If I remember correctly, I fucked you.”
“But you didn’t know it was me.”
“Um, yeah, hello? It’s an anonymous club. I shouldn’t know it’s you in the first place.”
“Fuck,” he mumbles under his breath, turning and walking around my office. “But you kissed him.”
“Are you serious right now? You’re pissed because while you had your dick in me, I kissed someone else?”
“Yes. No. Ahh,” he growls. “I just don’t know anymore. I’ve never been like this. With anyone.” He turns around to look at me. “I like you, Evangeline.”
I’m silent, not sure how to respond. I do have feelings for him, but I’m still not sure if I want to have these types of feelings for anyone. I turn around, hoping for a second to gather my thoughts without him staring at me.
He walks up behind me, placing his hands on my shoulders. “Please tell me you feel this too. Whatever is happening between us?”
“Cole…” I say, still not sure how to finish my sentence.
“Please don’t go back to the club,” he states.
“Excuse me?” I turn around to face him again.
“I don’t want you there anymore. And I won’t go either.”
“Why?”
“Because I want you, Evangeline. I want to see where this goes, just the two of us. I told you I’d earn my right to be with you as a normal couple, and I really want to try.”
