“I’m okay, I’m okay.” I take a deepbreath, getting my legs under me again.
“We’re going. Get the car Luke.”
“No!” I only manage a half yell. “I willnot let him get the better of me.”
“Kate, please—”
“No Cole, I don’t want to go. Will youdance with me again? Let’s dance like we don’t have a burden bearing down onus, like we did at New York, New York, waiting for the roller coaster.”
Cole blows out a breath, then nods atLuke. “Give us a minute.”
When Luke is gone, Cole hooks his armaround my neck, pulling me close. He covers his mouth with mine, kissing me. Ikiss him back with everything I have. Our tongues mate together in an erotickiss that leaves my blood singing and my heart pounding.
“There,” he kisses me lightly again. “Youhave your color back.” We walk back into the main room arm in arm. “I can’twait until we get back to the villa, the things I’m going to do to you.”
“Do tell.” I smile into his neck, kissinghim.
“Well, first off, your panties will haveto go.”
“If I’m even wearing any.”
“Kate,” He growls, kissing the sensitivespot behind my ear. Cole walks us out onto the dance floor close to the front.“Wait right here, I’m going to talk to this guy.” He points to a man standingnext to the band with a clipboard. I watch him pull his money clip from hispocket while he talks to the guy and then slip him some money.
I wrap my arms around his neck. “What didyou do?” I smile, kissing him on the chin.
“Only making a request.”
“What song?” My heart melts when he makesgestures like this. It reminds me of how lucky I am.
“You’ll have to wait and see. In themeantime, I think I was telling you all the very, very, pleasurable things I’mgoing to do to you when we get home.”
“I think we finally need to take thatbath.”
“I have something much better than a bathin mind.” A giggle escapes me. The current song ends, and a man dressed in atuxedo steps in front of the microphone.
“Hey, isn’t that Bryant Memphis?”
Cole gives me his drop-dead-gorgeoussmile. Bryant Memphis’s deep voice echoes through the room, the band followinghim as he sings Elvis’ ‘Love Me Tender’. Cole holds me close, and we sway tothe music. “I love you much, my beautiful darling, more than anything on theearth and better than anything in the sky.”
“Cole, that was beautiful.”
He kisses me sweetly on the lips. “E. E.Cummings, but they are the words of my heart Kate.” He hums along with thesong, then sings, “you have made my life complete, and I love you so. It’s youand me forever, Katie.”
I smile into the crook of his neck, mycrook. I love it when he calls me Katie. I know it comes from a place of trueunhindered emotion. “I’m ready for you to take me home and do all thosepleasurable things to me.”
“Yes, ma’am.” We walk off the dance floorwhen there’s a commotion.
“Tsk, tsk darling.”
“That’s Olivia.” I turn around. Colemanages to grab my hand, but he doesn’t pull me back. “Olivia.” The smallcircle that’s formed parts and lets us through. A broken nude heel is lying onthe floor. I reach down, picking it up. “What’s wrong?” She’s standing next toPreston.
“Dad?” Cole questions.
“This is what’s wrong.” Olivia points toa man helping a woman stand up.
I narrow my eyes, If I had claws andfangs they’d come out, but I’ll count on Olivia for that. “Oh, Shane, did youfall down and hurt yourself?” The words are out of my mouth before I can stopthem.
“You know this woman?” Olivia asks.
