“So what happened?” Race asks.
“Kate.” Cole nudges me, wanting me tocontinue my story.
“Rafael Mezzo said he felt bad for whathappened and that he didn’t know about the threats. He used the words “mildintimidation”. He wants to know how to make amends. That Mr. Not Important aka,Melvin Martins acted without his knowledge and not on his order. So…” I trailoff and give Cole a pleading look, asking him to finish my sentence; this isbusiness and he’s the business guy in our marriage. But he shakes his head no.“So…I said he couldn’t buy Lawton, but he should do business with it.”
I’ve been talking to my hands. When Ifinish, I expect there to be the outcry of opposition, but all I get issilence. So I peek up at everyone. They’re all looking anywhere but at me.“He’s going to call his grandfather, then he wants to meet on Monday with anoffer. We didn’t shake hands or anything, we only agreed to talk. Why not tryto make some money off this? He was begging for forgiveness. We can milk it forall it’s worth, take back all the time and money we—well, you—put intostressing over this.” I squirm and try to get off Cole’s lap.
“Oh, no you don’t. I may have youpermanently glued to my hip after tonight.”
I raise my hands, exasperated. “Noweveryone is mad.” I turn to Luke, “what do you think, Luke? You were there?”
“After he found out you knew about thestatues, and who his grandfather is, he seemed remorseful. I guess it dependson what he’s willing to offer.”
Cooper comes out of the kitchen and handsme a glass of water. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, love. I’m willing to seewhat his offer is, and what he has to say.”
“Really?” I beam.
“Calm down, that doesn’t mean I’m in.”
“Well still. Race, Kit, what are youthinking?”
“I’m thinking this is bat-shit crazy, butI will listen to what he has to say.” Kit holds up his glass, smiling at me.
“I don’t like it.” Race rubs his glassbetween his hands. “But I will listen.”
I release the breath I’ve been holding.“What about you, Cole?” I trail my hand down his cheek.
“It’s not that I don’t like it. I hateit. But after looking into their shipping habits, I know they do tons ofshipping to and from Asia with different companies. If they only shipped fromLawton, we’d likely quadruple our profits in the first quarter. And that’s goodbusiness. So yeah, I’m willing to listen. But only because my wife wants tolisten.”
I lay my red dress over the chair in thecloset and pull a nightshirt on. I have no idea what time it is, but I’mutterly spent and want nothing more than to crawl under the covers of my bed.When I walk out of the closet, Cole is sitting in only his boxer briefs on myside of the bed, waiting for me. “Hi.” I sit down next to him.
He doesn’t say hi back like he usuallydoes. Instead, Cole pushes me up on the bed, kneeling between my knees. Hepulls my night shirt off. He caresses my face, touching my eyes, my nose, mylips, cheeks, jaw, chin. His fingers glide down my neck and chest. They circlemy breasts, but he doesn’t linger. He dips his thumb into my navel. He kissesdown each arm and then kisses each finger. He slides my panties off. He touchesmy hip and runs light fingers through the coiled hair of my pelvis. His handsmassage down my thighs to my knees, my calves and ankles. He picks up each foot,tenderly kissing each toe.
When he’s satisfied with himself, hishands skim up the inside of my thighs. He touches my love mark lightly. “Mine,”he mutters. He spreads my thighs, opening me up to him. He touches my bud,rubbing lightly. I bite my lip, stifling a moan, a pleasurable ache building inmy belly. I understand what he’s doing. I don’t know how I would even begin tofeel if I knew that something bad had happened to Cole.
“Cole, my love.” I glide my fingersthrough his hair, down his face and then tilt his chin so he’s looking at me.“I’m okay, I’m sorry, but I’m okay.”
“Kate,” he pulls me down to him,blanketing me with his body.
I cup my hands around his face. “I’myours, and you are mine. As much as I want you to shelter me from all the badthings in this life you can’t. You just can’t, Cole. I know I can’t evenimagine how you must have felt seeing that limo drive away. But I’m here andI’m safe with you in your arms, forever.”
“Forever.” He echoes. His face softens,and he nuzzles his nose against mine. “Just because I can’t, doesn’t mean Iwon’t try.”
“I know and I love you all the more forit.” I lift my head, bringing my lips to Cole’s, kissing him. He reciprocatesand our tongues twist together. This kiss turns passionate, our hands becomefevered, our bodies tangle together, we make love and Cole takes me to thatplace only he can.
CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO
On Monday, Cole goes to work as usual,and I hang out at home. I talk to my mom about last-minute details for the ringceremony and reception. I make a list of gift ideas for Annie, Jill, and Laura.I got them something small, but I’d really like to get them something specialand unique that tells each of them how grateful I am for them in my life, evenJill. In fact, I need to remember to talk to Cole about Jill’s gift, because Ineed his help with it. I call Becca Howard for Laura’s gift. I know exactlywhat to get her, but for Annie, I’m at a complete loss. I’m sitting tapping mypen furiously, trying to think of something for her when the elevator dings,and Cole strides through the open door. I scrunch my forehead jumping up. “Whatwrong?”
“Nothing,” Cole gives me his Mr. HotFerrari smile.
“It’s not even noon,” I say meeting himat the bottom of the stairs.
“I know.”
“I’m okay. I told you I wouldn’t goanywhere today.”
