Because I'm a man of my word. And I’m not a sharer.
No one else will have her but me.
3
MEREDITH
The Next Day
The air inside Cole's Audi feels electric. Every breath I take is full of him—his cologne, his warmth, the lingering memory of his mouth on mine. We haven't spoken about yesterday. About how his lips claimed mine. About how his hands cupped my face like I was something he couldn't believe he was allowed to touch.
"Penny for your thoughts," Cole says, threading his fingers through mine across the center console.
"I feel like everyone's waiting for me to make a major mistake, just waiting to say, 'Ha. I knew this girl couldn't do it. What was Robert thinking?' And honestly, I can't even blame them because I’m thinking the same."
Cole runs his thumb across my knuckles, and that simple movement has my core clenching. Apparently not done, he lifts my hand to his mouth and brushes his lips along my fingers. Inan instant, my mind spins with all sorts of wicked ideas. God, what is with me? Why am I acting like a hormonal teenager?
"You know, Robert is not just a good father, but he's also a smart businessman. The proof is in how he managed to start Ashton Collective and expand it into what it is now in only thirty years. I don't think he would leave it to you if he didn't know you could handle it."
"Is flattery now part of your job?"
"No ma'am, but it makes me look good in your eyes."
"Fine. It's working."
A smile tugs at my lips despite the nervous flutter in my stomach. I fiddle with the hem of my navy pencil skirt, smoothing imaginary wrinkles. "I got a text from Aunt Patricia this morning."
His jaw tightens imperceptibly. "What did she want?"
"She wants to meet for lunch to discuss 'the transition' and 'my future’, sheesh!" I make air quotes with my fingers. "Her words, not mine. It's at the Italian restaurant across from the office."
Cole's knuckles whiten on the steering wheel. "And you agreed."
"I thought it would be easier than listening to her leave seventeen more voicemails." I shift in my seat, the leather creaking softly beneath me. "Besides, after yesterday's reading of the will, I need to start dealing with reality."
"Reality being?"
"That I'm now CEO of Ashton Collective, whether I'm ready or not."
"You're ready." The certainty in his voice makes something warm unfurl in my chest. "You've known the business inside and out since you were a teenager. You casually listened to your father make crucial decisions and close multi-million-dollar deals. You are not new to this."
He rests my hand on my lap and squeezes my knee.
Before I can open my mouth, my phone pings with another text from Aunt Patricia.
Table is ready. Don't be late.
I sigh and turn my gaze out the window. Being with Cole feels like existing in a bubble. Just us, safe and certain. The moment I step into that restaurant, I'll be facing everything I've been avoiding: my new responsibilities and my family's expectations.
When Cole stops at a red light, his hand drops from the wheel to rest on the console between us. I stare at it—those strong fingers, the hint of scars across his knuckles. Without thinking, I brush my fingertips against his and trace the veins with my finger, up to his forearm.
His sharp inhale fills the car.
"Meredith—"
"What? You kissed my hand. I'm just touching you."
"Yeah, well, you touching me first sends my brain into overdrive."
