“You’re watching me stand here?”
“Kate, you’re in lacy panties and astrapless bra. I’m contemplating how much time it would take me to make youcome.”
My cheeks flush red. “Cole.” I whisper,pleasurable sensations shooting down my body at the idea.
“Oh god, Kate, you’ve either got to put adress on or take the bra and panties off. You’re killing me, Cookie.”
“Okay, okay,” I say, grabbing a longblush colored dress off the hanger.
“Baby,” Cole groans. “And here I thoughtyou’d sate my desire.”
I walk out of the closet, tossing mydress on the bed. I push Cole’s knees apart, moving to stand between his legs.I glide a hand through his hair and trail it down his cheek and jaw. He leansinto my touch, his eyes dropping shut. He’s so handsome. I’m so lucky to havefound this beautiful man. I kneel in front of him, and his eyes flutter open.He leans over, crooking a finger under my chin, guiding me up to him. “Hi,” Ibreathe over his lips. Cole flicks his tongue out, tracing it along my bottomlip. I trail my hands down his chest, letting them fall to his thighs. “Let melove you, Cole.” I move my hands up his thighs, pressing my fingers tenderlyinto his groin, feeling his hard, straining length. He captures my mouth, hishand tangling in my hair. I move my hands, unbuttoning his pants, but he grabsthem, holding them out to the sides.
“What about you?” He breathes, his lipsstill touching mine. “We don’t have time for both of us unless you let meinside.”
“Cole, it’s my turn to love you, give youpleasure. Let me.”
He lets out a low groan, sitting back sohe can look me in the eye, still holding my hands. “Okay baby, but you’ll getyours. That’s a promise.”
“Hey Kate, your mom said, I—” I look upto find Jill standing in our room. “Oh shit—I’m so sorry. Holy crap—really, I’mreally sorry.” She snickers, half laughing, half gawking, as she backs out ofthe room. “I didn’t mean to interrupt. Please continue.” She laughs, shuttingthe door.
I grit my teeth. “Have you ever heard ofknocking?” I hiss, under my breath. Cole hitches me up, sitting me on his lap.“So close.” I say, tucking my head under his chin. “One of these days, Mr. HotFerrari.”
I feel Cole’s silent laugh. “Um, sincethe moment is gone, I need to tell you something you’re probably not going tolike.”
I try to sit up, but Cole keeps me pinnedin place. “My dad and Olivia are coming to dinner.”
I tense. Great, now not only do I have myfamily to deal with, but Preston and Olivia as well. I hope the neutral zoneOlivia and I are currently in still holds, and she doesn’t pitch some type offit where we both end up at each other’s throats, literally.
“As well as Alan and Cooper.”
I open my mouth, but Cole stops me.
“And Kit and Race.”
I try to break away from Cole, my angerboiling up. But he holds me tight. “Let me go, Cole,” I hiss. He lets go and Istand up. Great, just great. I will not cry. I will not be a crybaby. I’m sodamn tired of crying over everything. I’m not really upset about everyonecoming to dinner. It just feels like a lot for me to handle right now. My chestconstricts at the overwhelming feeling.
“Kate, listen. I didn’t mean for everyoneto come. Tensions have been so high since the weekend, I thought we could all usea break.”
I take a couple of deep breaths. Cole hasa point, but couldn’t they take a break somewhere else? Why do they all have tocome with us? I understand about Preston and Olivia, but Race and Kit? I knowthey’re like family, butmyfamily won’t be impressed. Alan, he’s familytoo and he’ll stick up for me. He has my back, no matter what. And Cooper? Whoknows with Coop. He’s a wild card. I love them all. It’s just too much tohandle.
I pull my slip on and then my dress. Itfeels so nice and soft. It’s a maxi silk chiffon dress with a high neck and acinched empire waist. I put on the off-white, short sleeved, sparkly cardiganthat Becca Howard—my very own personal shopper, paired with it. My mothershouldn’t be able to find anything wrong with this outfit.
“Kate, are you going to say anything?”
I take another deep breath and look atCole. “What would you like me to say?”
Cole’s jaw ticks and his fist clenches.Now he knows how I feel. The least he could have done was ask me if it was okayfor everyone to come. I walk into the bathroom to do my hair and makeup.
As I’m brushing my teeth, someone yellsmy name, but I’m not sure who. Great and so my wonderful night begins. I pull apair of shoes out of the closet; they are open-toed sling backs with large graybows on the front. I grab my phone off the dresser and walk into the familyroom.
“What? Who’s yelling at me?” My voice ispure exasperation.
Annie grabs my arm, pulling me toward thekitchen. “Are you insane?”
“No. Are you?” What’s her problem?
“Kate, Jill’s been upstairs blabbering toeveryone that she caught you giving Cole… you know?”
