“Are you going to let me down?”
“That depends. Are you going to keep yourtemper and emotions in check?”
“She left here and told everyone what shesaw.” I have every right to yell at her. She’s given me enough shit today towarrant it.
“So you thought you’d confirm her storyand stoop to her level?”
I cross my arms with a huff, my stomachaching where Cole’s holding me. Damn him, he has a point, and it’s a good one.It would play right into what she wants, telling everyone what we were doing orwhat we were about to do. This grates me too, what I was almost going to get todo. My life at this moment seems very unfair.
“Kate, are you going to answer me?” Colemoves his lips to my neck, caressing it.
“Cole,” I say with my own warning.
He flicks his tongue out on the sensitivespot behind my ear, eliciting a shiver from me, and my anger wanes. “Yes, Iwanted to call her out. She makes me angry.”
“She knows how to play you.” Cole kissesmy neck. “You’ve got to keep your emotions in check with your family, baby. Iknow it’s hard.”
It’s not hard. I’ve been doing it all mylife. It’s just hard in front of Cole. “You don’t think I know that?Butit’sdifferent, it’s…never mind, I need a minute. Will you let me down?” Cole sitsme down, rubbing my stomach where his arm was easing the ache.
Cole turns me in his arms, pressing hislips into mine. “Take all the time you need.”
I walk into the bathroom and close thedoor. I want to scream and break things. I let all my emotions run wild throughme for a minute, but then take several deep breaths. With each breath, I lockall my insecurities away in my subconscious closet until I feel like my calm,collected self. I peer at myself in the mirror; my face isn’t red and my skinisn’t flushed. I run my fingers through my hair. I left it long tonight, onlycurling the ends. Okay, I can do this.
At the bathroom door, I take one moredeep breath and check my feelings. Yep, all secure, at least for the moment. Itdoesn’t mean that one wrong word from the right person won’t open the floodgates.
I come out of the bathroom and Cole is onthe phone. “Fine…I’ll be there in five.” And he disconnects his call.
Of course, he’s going to leave me tocater to everyone. I’m not sure I can handle that, but I just smile at him. “Isthere a problem?”
He stands, taking my hand and kissing melightly. “You look better and no, on the contrary, there’s been a developmentin the Lawton deal. The lawyer has some information for me. The meeting shouldonly take a few minutes. I’ll be late, but will be just behind you.”
“I can handle that,” I say with my bestsmile.
Cole looks me over, his eyes narrowing abit, but kisses me again. “Okay, good.”
In the living room, everyone is patientlywaiting for us. “Is everyone ready?” Cole questions, looking around with hisdrop-dead gorgeous smile.
“I think so,” my mother quips with atight smile. “We’re going to be late. Will they hold our reservation?”
“Yes, it’s not a problem. We have thetable for the night,” Cole assures the room. He takes my hand, walking up thestairs. In the elevator, Jill stands next to me. “Did you take care of yourproblem, Katie?” she drawls sarcastically.
Cole gives my hand a warning squeeze.“Yes, I did. Thanks for the concern, Jill. You look nice this evening. Did youbuy that today?”
Jill has the nerve to smirk at me. “Yeah,I loved that mall. I found these amazing heels too.” I peer down at her blackpatent leather heels.
“Wow, cute.” Both my mom and Kathy giveher the once over, but if she notices, she ignores them. Jill’s good like that.Doing her own thing and not caring what anyone think. I envy her that.
“Laura.” I suddenly remember she and Raceare going to see each other again. It comes out urgently, and I get anothersqueeze from Cole. She looks at me guardedly. But now I’m afraid to sayanything.
“Laura,” Cole says. “Race and Kit Everettare joining us for dinner. You remember them, don’t you?”
Laura gives a nonchalant shrug. “I thinkso. They’re the guys you’re going into business with, right? They were there atyour nightclub the night we went.”
“Yes, that’s them,” Cole replies, his smilestill in place.
“What, you own a nightclub? We have to goto that.” Jill tugs on my arm. “Tell me we’ll go.”
“Um—Cole, what do you think?” Honestly, Ihave no desire to go back to Nightlifer.
