"Hey, Cole."His smile falters at whatever he sees in my face."Brian's waiting by his office."
I barely register his words, already moving through the crowd.The bass pounds through my bones, but it can't drown out the roar of blood in my ears.Brian stands against the wall, that shit-eating grin on his face telling me he's enjoying this far too much.
I press my finger into his chest."You better have turned her down."
"Easy there."He holds up his hands."You know I'm not interested in stealing your woman."
"She's not..."The words die in my throat.Because isn't that exactly what's driving me crazy?That she's not mine, that she's out here offering herself to other men?"She's a goddamn stubborn mule who's giving me a headache."
Brian's smile widens."Thank God she asked me and not some stranger.She gave it her all."
My heart kicks into overdrive, jealousy and possession clawing at my chest."Where is she?"
"In my office.I told her I had something important to take care of first."
I stride toward the door, every muscle in my body coiled tight.
"Good luck taming her," Brian calls after me, but I barely hear him over the thunder of my own heartbeat.
13
ALISHA
I lean my head in my hands, elbows resting on Brian's desk.God, what was I even thinking?I can't imagine Brian touching me.He's charming and good-looking, but there it stops.My body doesn't react to him like it does to his friend.I let out a frustrated huff.Why did Cole say no?
My heart constricts as I remember what I said after his rejection.Insensitive doesn't begin to cover it, but...all I want is to feel a man's touch on my bare skin without freaking out.Guess that dream dies here.
Voices from the hallway make me rise.I smooth down my little black dress, moving to the middle of the office.My breath catches when, instead of Brian, a very broad, furious-looking bulldozer bursts inside.The door slams shut with enough force to rattle the walls.Shit.I should have known Brian would call Cole.
Raw energy radiates off him in waves.His colossal frame blocks the exit, and any other man this size, this angry, would send me into panic mode.But even as his presence fills the room like a gathering storm, my body remains calm.No racing heart, no cold sweat, no urge to flee.Just the usual heat that Cole Walker ignites in my blood.
I know I don't stand a chance of slipping past him, but oddly, I don't want to.A fresh dose of yearning shoots through me as my gaze travels from his legs upward.His broad chest rises and falls rapidly, muscles straining against his shirt.God, this man is sex on legs.Even furious, he makes me feel safer than I've felt in months.
But he's not interested in me.Drawing strength from my last shred of dignity, I plant my hands on my hips."I'm going home.Goodnight."I try to pass him, but his arm shoots out, blocking my path.
"I don't think so...Alisha."The words rumble from his chest like distant thunder, and my traitorous body responds, tingling in places it shouldn't.Where another man's anger would trigger my fight-or-flight response, Cole's only sets my nerve endings on fire.
"Bulldozer, I'm tired, and I want to go home."His frame seems to expand as he stretches to his full height.I have to crane my neck to meet his eyes, marveling at how his towering presence makes me feel protected rather than trapped.
"You should have thought about that before you came here and asked my best mate if he wanted to fuck you.Have you lost your goddamn mind?You can't—"
I shove my finger into his chest."I can do whatever the hell I want.You have nothing to say about it.You've been loud and clear.You don't want me.So I—"
In a heartbeat, our positions flip.My back hits the wall, and my breath catches as he cages me with his arms, hands planted beside my face.Any other man pinning me like this would trigger panic, but with Cole, my body melts into his shadow.The realization stuns me—I trust him completely, instinctively.
"Look at me."His voice drops to that commanding tone that turns my bones to liquid.The raw hunger in his expression steals my breath."You are the most intractable, stubborn, and maddening woman I've ever met.Keep those red lips sealed for a second," he growls when I open my mouth.
His dominant energy making my skin tingle."I said no earlier, not because I don't want you.Because help me God, I do."
He traces a feather-light line from my cheek to my neck with his fingertip, stopping at the hollow between my collarbones.My eyes flutter shut, his touch awakening sensations I haven't felt in ages.The gentleness in his touch, even through his anger, confirms what my body already knows—I'm safe here, with him."Alisha, I'm not a goddamn male prostitute you can use."
His words hit like a punch to the gut.He's right.What I said tonight was heartless, and he deserves better."I'm sorry.It's just..."
"What?"The word comes out rough, but his fingers remain gentle as they trace patterns on my skin.
The voice inside my head screams,Be honest!So after a steadying breath, I tell the truth."It hurt when you said no."
His eyes search mine while he takes a loose strand of hair hanging alongside my jaw and tucks it behind my ear.The tenderness in the gesture makes my chest ache.
