I suppress a shiver at his stormy tone. The ache he stirred in me earlier returns with the wave of heat crashing over me.
“Be for real, man.” Shawn shoves at Cole, but it doesn’t break the hold he has on him. “Eve, tell this guy to back off.”
A low growl rumbles in Cole’s chest and he pins Shawn against the wall. “Eve isn’t yours anymore, so get her name out of your goddamn mouth.”
I lay a hand on Cole’s arm, stepping into his side. As hot as it is to have him defending me against my ex, I want to have my own say in this. He seems to understand that, making my stomach tighten with a pleasant warmth.
I steel myself, meeting Shawn’s eye. “There’s nothing in this world you could do to make me want to be with you again. We’re beyond done. You made sure of that when you cheated on me behind my back. You don’t exist to me anymore, Shawn. Goodbye.”
Cole’s burning gaze locks on me, eyes glinting in the low light with pride and admiration.
It’s incredibly attractive that he’s fiercely protective and more than willing to fuck Shawn up if he messes with me, yet also supportive of my need to stand up for myself. He’s a man that would stand by me on equal ground, in front of me to guardwhat’s his, and behind me knowing I can handle myself while he holds my purse.
I swallow thickly, wishing for the impossible to happen between us.
“Want me to hold him for you?” He flashes a disgusted glance at Shawn. “Make sure he gets the point before we send him on his way.”
I huff, lips twitching. “No. I don’t want to hit him.”
Cole smirks, inclining his head. “Are you sure? It might make you feel better. I bet you’d be cute as hell if you got a little violent.”
Pleasure tugs in my core. I duck my head to hide my expression.
“I’ll be right back. Stay here.” He waits until I meet his piercing leer again. “Wait for me. Okay?”
I’d wait a lifetime for him. Not that he’s aware of it. I try to speak, but words lodge in my throat. All I manage is a jerky nod.
The corner of his mouth lifts before he hauls Shawn away. He leans down, but he’s speaking too quietly for me to hear whatever he’s telling my ex. Shawn flinches away from him, but Cole holds tight. The crowd swallows them up.
It’s not long before Cole returns alone. He offers his hand and I take it, marveling at how good it feels to be engulfed by his touch. He stares me down, attention flickering between my eyes, then dipping to my lips, fixated when my tongue wets them.
“I made sure he left. You don’t have to worry about him anymore. He understands what will happen if he comes near you again.”
“Thank you.”
His big hand is warm around mine. Tingling awareness spreads up my arm when he sweeps his thumb in a light caress. Instead of taking us back toward everyone else, he leads me the opposite way.
My heart beats in double time. The countdown to midnight begins.
I follow Cole into the shadowy hallway. I’m not sure what’s about to happen, but every inch of me quivers in anticipation. My fingers squeeze around his palm.
And he grips my hand tighter.
TWELVE
COLE
It feelslike a live wire is tangled around my heart. There’s so much going on in the club for the countdown, but all I’m aware of is Eve’s hand fitting perfectly in mine.
She follows me down the hallway without letting go. I caress her silky smooth skin with my thumb again. Has it always felt this nice? The need to explore every inch of her to discover the answer beats in time with the thump of my pulse.
“Nine…eight…”
I’m not thinking straight. Hell, I’m not thinking at all.
Not about everything I should be.
Tonight started with me being on edge. All because Eve looks like she walked right out of my fantasies with her hot as fuck shimmery dress that hugs her curves and has a low back exposing her skin.
