I cup my hand around his face, giving hima sly smile. “I picked out some jewelry for my bridesmaids.”
“Anything else?”
I huff with irritation that Cole won’tlet this go. “A surprise for my husband.”
“Kate, I hate surprises. Please tell mewhere you went and what you bought.” Cole scrunches his forehead at me, likehe’s irritated.
“Hmm, now you know how I feelallthetime.” I rub his cheek and kiss him on the nose, but it doesn’t smooth hisirritation. Besides, if he really wants to know where I went, he can call Luke.“What time is it?” I ask, trying to change the subject.
“A little after seven.”
“Are you hungry? Do you want to ordersomething?”
“The guys want to go out to celebrate thesale of Lawton.”
Now it’s my turn to be irritated, but Ipush it away. What’s done is done. There’s no changing it now. The fact theyall want to go out and pat themselves on the back for a job well done makes memad. “Oh, okay. I’ll just order something for me.” I pull away from Cole andstand up, walking towards the villa phone on the counter. “You could’ve calledand told me you were going out.”
Cole follows me to the kitchen. He wrapshis long fingers around my wrist, turning me to look at him. “I didn’t callbecause I came to get you. I know you think we compromised, but we need tocelebrate this, Kate. To show Martins we’re not weak. We aren’t going away, butweare notplaying his game either.”
I exhale, letting my anger go. “Where arewe going?”
“Nightlifer. Are you okay with that?”
I tilt my head. “Sure, I could dance.”Anddrink.
“All right. We’re meeting everyone atnine.”
“Did you see the invitation that cametoday?” I glance at the table where I left the invite.
“Yes, I saw. One came to the office, allthe guys got one.”
“I’m going to go freshen up and findsomething to wear.”
I stand in the closet for the second timetoday, trying to figure out what to wear with no ideas. Cole comes in, pullinga pair of charcoal gray dress pants and a black dress shirt from his side ofthe closet.
“Can’t make a decision?”
“I can never decide.”
He arches an eyebrow at me. “Let mepick.”
I give him the once over. “All right.” I walkout of the closet and into the bathroom to curl my hair. This should beinteresting. About ten minutes later, Cole comes into the bathroom, changed.
“I put everything on the bed for you.” Hestands next to me, letting his hand trail down my back and settling on my butt.
“I can’t wait.” I finish up and then headinto the bedroom. On the bed is a gold sequin dress with a silk black bow onthe front. I pick it up. It’s absolutely stunning. I know for a fact it wasn’tin my closet. Cole has even gone as far as to put a black bra and matchingpanties with the dress. I strip down, putting the bra on. I look at the pantiesand then into the bathroom where Cole’s brushing his teeth. I pull the dress onand zip it up. Then put the underwear back in the bureau drawer. When Colecomes out of the bathroom, I’m sitting on the bed, putting my heels on. I smileat him, and thenstand up and wrap my armsaround him. “Thank you for the gift.”
“You look amazing. I had to get yousomething. You’ve had a busy, stressful week. That smile of yours is worth it.Besides…” He runs his hands up and down my arms. “You are so beautiful.”
“Well, lucky me.” I wink at him.
“No,” Cole pulls me, so our bodies areflush. “Lucky me.”
I dig my hands into his back. “Mine.” Igrowl.
“Yours.” He growls over my lips andkisses me. “Are you ready?” he asks, his lips still against mine.
“Yes, unless you can think of anylast-minute things we need to do.” I pull away, walking towards the door, butglance back at him over my shoulder and wink.
