Counting On Cole (Wilde Ways #8) - Cynthia Eden Page 0,13
Evie one more time…
They were on their feet. The blond-haired jerk was reaching out to hug her again.
Cole jumped up and tossed some cash onto the table. “I’m done, thanks.” He hurried around the waitress. Dammit, why did the guy keep hugging Evie?
Cole imagined all of the ways he could incapacitate good old Leopold. He could have the other man on the ground within seconds and then he could—
“Your bodyguard is glaring at me again,” Leopold said in the overly loud whisper that he had used when Cole first glimpsed the fellow. “Can you call him off? I’m afraid he’s about to attack.”
Evie gave a nervous laugh. “Don’t be silly, Leo.”
Leo?
“Why would he attack you?”
Why indeed? Maybe because her body was pressed to Leo’s and Cole was—hell, yes—jealous. So jealous that the world was a haze of red. His own fault. He’d been the one to walk away from her before, and he’d known that when he saw Evie again, all of his emotions would get stirred up once more.
But he could stay in control. He would stay in control.
Evie eased back from Leo. “I’ll think about the offer.”
What offer?
Leopold beamed at her. Then he turned his head, and he kept right on beaming at Cole.
I do not like him.
“Eves is amazing,” Leopold told him.
Eves? What the hell? Her name was Evie. E-V-I-E. And, as far as her being amazing…Like I don’t know that shit. I saw her strength firsthand after her abduction.
But Leopold kept talking as he added, “She’s strong and tough, and she’s the most talented choreographer I’ve ever seen. Her body can move in ways that are truly stunning.”
He had not just gone there. Mention her body again, and I will kick your ass so hard.
Leo nodded. “Oh, and, yeah, she’s sexy.”
Cole lunged forward. Caught himself.
“So sexy. And, sure, I don’t know you, bodyguard man, but I think you’re a dumbass. There.” Leopold rolled one shoulder. “A hot dumbass, but still…dumbass. Such a waste.”
What?
“Good night, Leo,” Evie muttered.
His beam turned back to her.
But she was looking at Cole. Frowning at him. Nibbling on her delectable lower lip.
Since Leopold seemed done, Cole decided that maybe he should be able to say a few things, too. “I know she’s strong.”
Evie’s eyes widened.
“And tough. And sexy. I also know she’s smart. And funny. And she cares about people who don’t deserve her.” Hell, yes, he knew that. She’d cared about him—foolishly—because he would never deserve someone like her. “I know more about Evangeline than you ever could.”
“Oh, yeah? Then you should know she hates to be called Evangeline,” Leopold tossed right back. “Far too formal and stuffy for her.”
Cole didn’t look away from her. He couldn’t. “I think the name is fucking beautiful.” He thought everything about her was beautiful. “And she asked me to call her Evangeline,” he said. “I want to do what she asks of me. I don’t want to let her down this time.” This time? Try ever again.
Because sometimes, you didn’t realize you were holding a dream in your hand, not until you woke up and you were surrounded by nightmares.
“No.” She shook her head. “No, Cole, you don’t get to do this to me. No. I won’t go down this path again.” She spun and ran from the restaurant.
Dammit. “Evangeline!” He shot after her.
But Leopold had moved surprisingly fast, and he’d jumped into Cole’s path. “You hurt her, and I will make you pay.”
“Get the hell out of my way before I move you.”
“I don’t care how good of a jaw you have or what cool color your eyes are,” Leopold continued doggedly. “If you hurt my Eves—”
That was it. Cole grabbed the guy. Moved him to the side. “She’s not yours.” He barreled toward the door. She’d already slipped outside.
“She’s definitely not yours!” Leopold called after him. “That ship has sailed! It left the port! It’s way out in the ocean now! Can’t even see it with a spy glass!”
Cole shoved open the door. “Evangeline!”
She whirled toward him, putting her back to the street.
To the street…and to the black van that came to a screeching stop behind her.
“I can’t do this,” she cried. “I can’t just see you again out of the blue and act like nothing is wrong. I can’t do—”
The side door of the van jerked open. A man with a black ski mask jumped out and reached for her.
“No!” Cole roared. He grabbed for Evie even as that bastard tried to put his hands around her.