with a dry, desert throat. The pain I felt all those years ago begins to ache inside me once more.
“Hey…” I didn’t realize Cole had shifted closer, and his arm is around my shoulder. “We don’t have to talk about this.”
“No, it’s okay. It’s old news, but it still holds me hostage, and I don’t want that anymore.” I pause and take a breath before continuing, “While he was never physical, those words—lies he spread about me left invisible scars.”
Cole curses under his breath but says nothing more, so I keep telling him my story. “Anyway, I ended the relationship, left college, and went somewhere else. I didn’t want to face him and the taunts daily. I never knew what happened to him until a couple of years ago when I went to a conference and he was there. He has the exact same job as me, except I’m more highly regarded in the field. And honestly, to know that felt great.” I cock a small grin.
“Did anything happen at the conference?”
“Yeah, I received an award for being the best in the industry, and some of the surgeons who were in attendance told me his business was failing. I’d never felt happier than in that moment. I know I sound like a cow, but honestly, I couldn’t care less.”
Cole chuckles. “No, of course not. You have every right to feel how you do. He obviously isn’t a great man. Did you talk to him at the conference?”
I shake my head. “Nope. I made sure to keep my distance. If he joined the group I was talking to, I would excuse myself and move somewhere else. Since then, I’ve never had a solid boyfriend. I hate the idea that the next person could be someone worse.” I glance up at Cole. His Adam’s apple bobs up and down when he swallows. He still hasn’t removed his arm from me, and I’m rather enjoying it.
“Well, it seems you’ve done amazingly enough without a man in your life. Do you think you’ll find Mr. Right one day?”
My lips purse as I remember all the dates I’ve gone on recently, then I reply with, “I doubt it. My job—while I am doing well—when I mention what I do for a living on dates, the guy usually cuts it short and that’s that. I never hear from them again. My profession is a cock block.” I giggle.
Cole’s laughter ripples through me like an old song that makes you feel good. Everything about this man sitting next to me screams sex appeal. I can’t help but wonder what he looks like underneath that shirt.
“You can stop undressing me with your eyes.” He bumps my shoulder.
I blink a few times and turn a bright shade of pink as I feel my cheeks flush. “I wasn’t,” I say innocently. “I was thinking that I need another drink.” Grabbing my glass from the table, I head off and refill it. I sense Cole’s eyes on me as I move around my living room space.
“Now it’s your turn to stop undressing me with your eyes.” I cock an eyebrow as I take a seat beside him again. It’s as though talking about Luke has pushed the anxiety it once brought me right out of my mind.
Perhaps it’s Cole?
I don’t know.
Whatever it is, I’m not going to let Luke bring me down ever again. That man is nothing to me.
“Well, I thought it only fair that I get to do the same as you did.” He shrugs and leans back into the seat. I could easily climb onto his lap and claim those lips again.
“What? No,” I rush the words out. Busted.
“You were biting your lip. It’s one of your tells.”
“Well, don’t read into it. I do that all the time.”
“Oh, I’ve noticed.” He winks, and it makes my stomach swirl. “Perhaps we should finish what we started in your mother’s kitchen.” The swirls immediately turn into a wild rampage of wanton desire. I probably shouldn’t want this man as much as I do. We hardly know each other. Yet, I’ve told him my deepest secret tonight. I’ve told a complete stranger. Only it doesn’t feel like we’re strangers. It’s more. So much more than I ever expected.
I place my drink on the table again and scoot closer to him. Cole’s heated stare burns into mine. The desire in his eyes causes an ache right in my core. Without thinking, I swing a leg over his lap and straddle him like