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“Yes,” I say, because denial has gotten me nowhere, which was the point of this entire night, “but only when we’re alone. Now you say yes.”
“Yes,” he says. “Just us. Our secret.”
“Our secret,” I repeat, and I don’t know why, but right then in that moment, agreeing to our secret rather than fighting it, somehow deepens the intimacy between us.
“There you are!”
At the sound of Maria’s exclamation, I jolt, and face forward to find her standing in our path, a good three feet away and now dressed in a pale blue, knee-length dress with a hint of shimmer. Cole and I start walking toward her. “No one knows but us, sweetheart,” Cole murmurs softly. “I promise.”
“Meanwhile,” I say in an equally low voice, “I’m trying to look like I didn’t just have my legs around your shoulders.”
He laughs, a sexy, rumble of masculinity that clenches my sex, and carries us until we are nearly in front of Maria. “Any luck with the sweets or coffee?” she asks urgently, meeting us the last few steps.
“Cupcakes and coffee on the way,” I say. “The owner of the bakery said it would be an hour about ten minutes ago. They’re going to ask for Cole downstairs.”
“Oh, thank goodness,” she breathes out. “I’ll have security call me when they arrive. How many were they able to supply?”
“A hundred,” I say, “and since everyone won’t eat a cupcake we should be fine. And they’re bringing coffee in thermoses with condiments.”
“You’re an angel,” she says, repeating my mother’s earlier sentiments. “I hate that you had to do this.” She starts backing up. “You two should head to the party. The guests have started piling in.” She turns and heads down the hallway and Cole glances over at me.
“Time for the torture,” he says, motioning me forward.
I fall into step with him, remembering his comment about enduring tonight because of me. “I take it you don’t like these kinds of events.”
“You take it right,” he confirms as we turn into the main hall between the elevators. “I’d rather be working a case or in a courtroom.”
The elevator dings and a male voice calls out, “Cole Brooks, you son-of-a-bitch.”
Cole stops walking and we turn together to find Cat’s brother, Gabe, who I’ve met a few times before, exiting the elevator. “Who’s the son-of-a-bitch?” Cole challenges, moving forward to shake Gabe’s hand. “You look like shit, man.”
I almost laugh at this comment because Gabe is really not a man that looks like shit, considering he’s tall, with sandy blond hair, and a hard body in a fitted suit, but he does appear a bit wearier than usual. “Thanks for pointing that out, you bastard,” Gabe replies. “I’m in the middle of trial prep for a bitch of a case.” Gabe shifts his attention to me. “I heard they stuck you with Cole. And after consulting on a case with him recently, I have to ask: Has he made you as miserable as he made me yet?”
I have a flash of me on the desk, head thrown back and moaning that has me clearing my throat and saying, “Extremely miserable,” and I’m pretty sure I blush when I say it, but if Gabe notices, he doesn’t comment.
“Stay close to me tonight,” he suggests instead. “I’ll keep you away from the Brooks insanity.”
“This man,” Cole chimes in, glancing at me, “is the real manwhore.”
Gabe holds up his hands. “I am not a manwhore and I have never tried to pick up Lori.” Which is not true. He actually has. “Well, not that my sister knew about,” he adds, laughing. “Cat would kill me, literally.”
“And I’d represent her when she’d done the job,” Cole promises, not even trying to hide his meaning.
“Message received,” Gabe says. “And on that note. Where’s the booze?”
Cole motions Gabe forward. “Drink and be merry.”
“I plan to,” Gabe says, disappearing through the doors.
“Great attorney and friend,” Cole says, as we move toward the doors ourselves, “but he really is the manwhore.” He glances over at me. “Who I want nowhere near you.”
The possessiveness in his tone, in his eyes, does funny things to my belly. “And you’re not?” I challenge.
“Sweetheart, I haven’t touched a woman since you.”
I’m stunned, and pleased, and confused by this confession. “You haven’t?”
“No. I’ve been obsessed with you and I still am.”
