Counting On Cole (Wilde Ways #8) - Cynthia Eden Page 0,6
come in with me.”
The door was just a few feet away.
Cole shook his head. “He wants to see you. I don’t want to intrude on family time.”
The unease got worse. “You wouldn’t be intruding.”
His hand rose, and his knuckles skimmed down her cheek. His lips parted, as if he’d say something.
The door opened. “Evie!”
Her head turned at the excited cry. Harrison stood in the doorway with a broad smile on his face. His green eyes gleamed, and the dimples on both sides of his mouth flashed. He grabbed for her and pulled her into his arms. She hugged him just as tightly as he held her. Harrison was home for her. Her safe place in a storm.
“God, I’m so sorry,” he mumbled as he buried his face in her neck. “They took you because of me, and I swear, it won’t ever happen again. You’ll be safe. I promise it. Please, forgive me. I had no idea that you would—”
She eased back. As usual, his blond hair was tousled. He spent far too much time raking his hands through the thick mane. She smoothed back his hair. “I’m safe. I’m good.” Evie nodded. “And it’s all because of Cole.”
Harrison blinked.
“Here, you two need to officially meet. In person, I mean.” She exhaled and eased away from her brother. “Harrison, this is the man who rescued me—” Evie turned back toward Cole.
Except…
Cole wasn’t there.
The hallway was empty.
“Cole?” A shiver raked over her. She took one step. Another. “Cole?” Her voice rose.
No answer.
He…he hadn’t just vanished.
“Evie.” A new note had entered Harrison’s deep voice. A thread of worry. “Cole’s job was to deliver you safely home. He’s done now.”
He’s done now. Those words battered right at her heart. “He left…and didn’t even say good-bye?” No, that couldn’t happen. He wouldn’t have just walked away while her back was turned. Not after last night. Not after they’d made love. Not after she’d confessed that she was falling in love with him.
He wouldn’t…
But he was gone.
“Come inside, Evie,” Harrison urged her softly. “This has all been a nightmare, and it’s time for you to forget it.”
No, it wasn’t time to forget.
“You’re home. You’ve come back to your life, and Cole has gone back to his life.”
Her head swung toward Harrison. “Without saying good-bye?” There was too much revealed in her trembling voice. Too much pain.
“Oh, hell.” Harrison’s eyes widened. “Do I need to kick the ass of your bodyguard? Because, shit, he came with high recommendations from a friend. He was supposed to be able to get the job done, no matter what.”
She flinched. I guess he did get the job done.
Then he’d left.
“Come inside, Evie,” Harrison urged again.
Her steps wooden, she followed him in, but she couldn’t help glancing back once more because she was still hoping that she was wrong. Hoping that Cole would appear.
He wasn’t there.
She crossed the threshold.
Harrison closed the door.
And her heart broke.
Chapter One
Or…it’s been two years, six months, and five days…not that Cole was counting…
The door swung open. “No.” The beautiful woman was adamant. She shook her head, sending blond hair dancing over her shoulders. “I don’t want any, but thank you and good day.”
Cole Vincent lifted his brows. “Excuse me?”
“No soliciting is allowed in this building.” Her voice was crisp. Her expression cold. Her dark eyes swept dismissively over him. “I’m not buying what you’re selling, but thanks.” She swung the door closed.
She tried to shut the door right in his face. Well, damn. Cole’s hand flew up, and he caught the door before it could slam shut. “Okay, I probably deserve that.”
“Probably?” Evangeline—Evie—Lake yanked the door back open. “You definitely deserved it. There is no question. Not even a single one. Not even half a question.”
Was half a question even a thing?
“You left me without a word!”
If he’d been the blushing type, Cole knew that he’d probably be flushed crimson right then. “The job was over.”
A determined nod of her head. “I am going to slam this door, and you are not ever going to bother me again.”
“I, um, wasn’t sure that you’d remember me—”
Her eyes—those gorgeous, dark chocolate eyes—widened, and then narrowed with rage.
Uh, oh. He’d obviously said the wrong thing.
“You think I forget the names and faces of the men I have sex with? Is that what you’re saying to me right now?”
Oh, sweet hell. “That is not what I meant—”
“Then you think I forget the people who rescue me from asshole kidnappers?”
“No, that is, ahem…” Cole coughed. “Not what I meant, either—”