“No.” Cole glides his fingers up my leg.
“What do you mean, no?”
“We’d buy a house.”
“For a year? That’s not very practical.”
“Kate,” he says with exasperation.
“I know, I know we can afford it. It’sjust the minute we feel all settled, it will be time to move again. I think I’drather stay at the villa. It’s there at the Prescott where you work, a placeyou already own.” He gives me that look. “I mean we own.” Sheesh.
“That’s true and I’ve thought of that,but I want you to feel settled and I know you don’t at the villa. It’s like anendless vacation, and you keep waiting to go home. I know how much you likeyour house in Idaho. I want to buy us a home.”
“Cole…”
Cole stands up, taking me in his arms.“Will you please think about it?”
“Yes, okay, I will think about it.” Eventhough I know my answer.
“Kate.” He skims his lips along my jaw.
Oh, good grief. “Okay, I will give itsome honest thought, I promise.”
“Thank you.”
I twist my hands into the lapels of hisjacket. “Is that all you wanted to talk about?”
“No. The guys want to throw me a bachelorparty Thursday night.”
“That’s a great idea. You all deserve tokick back and have a good time.”
“You’re sure?”
“Of course.” If anyone deserves to have agood time, it’s them. I can’t help the twinge of sadness that flits through me.I want to have a party too. Don’t I deserve a good time afterallI’vebeen through? Sheesh, it hasn’t been a walk in the park, that’s for darn sure.
“Good.” Cole turns me, hitching me up onthe desk. “Now we can have some fun.”
“Oh baby.” I hook my arms around him,pulling him close.
CHAPTERTWENTY-THREE
The next few days pass in a bit of ablur. Unfortunately, I don’t escape the business side of things, although Colepromises that this is the last of it. He doesn’t make me sit through theformalities of the offer, but I do have to come in towards the end of a coupleof meetings and sign my name next to his, since Lawton is mine. We also havethe lawyer draw up papers that give Cole control of Lawton and the AT Corp. sohe can make decisions without having to run everything by me first. I also haveone more dress fitting. Cole and I do some shopping for our parents’ gifts anda few other last-minute wedding details.
On Thursday, my cell phone rings. Thecaller ID says it’s Cole. “Hey, babe.” I smile, answering the phone.
“Hey back, Cookie. What are you doing?”
“Um—I’m trying to pack. Do I need to takesweaters and pants or shorts and tank-tops?”
“You better pack both.”
“Cole!”
I hear him chuckle. “For the last timeKate, I’m not telling you where we’re going on our honeymoon. It’s a surprise,not even any hints.”
“Hey is Cooper or Kit right there? Can Italk to them for a sec?”
“Yes, they are both here, but why?”
