“Okay then, um—where do we start?” I walkup to my mom. “Thanks mom.” And I hug her.
“Well, I love you Katie. I’m so gladyou’ve found such a great guy to start a life and family with.” We both lookover at Cole. I give him a cautious smile and a thumbs up. He tries to smile,but it doesn’t reach his eyes.
“Now,” my mom says, releasing me. “Whereshould we put our bags?”
“Are you all staying here?” I look aroundthe roomuneasily. “We only havetwo extra rooms.”
“We can make it work.” Aunt Kathyreassures me, coming up to stand next to my mom.
I open my mouth to protest, but Cole putsa hand on my shoulder, quieting me. I give him my ‘what the hell’lookand he justsmiles wider and winks at me.
“How do you think we should split therooms, Katie?” my mom asks.
“I—I—” I look around at everyone. “Um,why don’t you and Aunt Kathy take the room with the king-size bed, and thenJill and Grandma can share one of the queens, and Laura and Annie the other?” Ilook at her questioningly.
“Sounds like a plan.” The elevator dingsand a bellhop exits with a cart overflowing with luggage.
“Perfect timing,” I sigh, his arrivalsealing my defeat.
“Why doesn’t everyone spend an hourunpacking and relaxing, and then we will meet down here in the living room atone and decide what everyone would like to do for lunch and entertainment forthe afternoon.” Cole smiles at everyone, and they nod, heading in their respectivedirections. As Jill passes, headed for the stairs, she sneers, “Thanks a lot,Katie, for sticking me with grandma.” She scrunches her face, giving me a dirtylook.
Oh, I didn’t even think about that. But Isilently laugh. It serves Jill right, especially after she sent that giftbasket. Except, I have enjoyed the Kama Sutra book, so maybe I should thankher, but nah.
I feel a pinch on my butt. “Ouch.,” Ihiss, looking at Cole. He wraps a hand tenderly around my neck, rubbing afinger along an almost faded hickey. I roll my eyes and turn, heading intoourbedroom.
I sit down on the edge of the bed,rubbing my hands over my face to dispel my annoyance over this situation andtrying to find the good in it. My family loves me, they want the best for me. Ugh—theywent behind my back; they didn’t even ask what I wanted. But then I scoldmyself. It’s not for me, it’s for them. Just deal with it, Kate.
I feel a nip on my neck and suck in astartled breath. I turn to find Cole looking at me cautiously. “I’m so sorryabout the invitation, and my family. I know this couldn’t come at a worse time.I’m—”
Cole cuts me off mid-sentence, kissingme. He draws my tongue into his mouth, sucking, and I moan with pleasure at thefeel and wrap my arms around him. He cups his hands around my face and drawsback, slowly nipping my bottom lip. “You didn’t know, don’t be sorry. They’rehere, let’s make the best out of this situation.”
“If you say so. I am sorry about theinvite. I don’t think my mom or Annie know about your mom.”
“Yes, I say so. And yes, it’s a bit of anannoyance, but nothing I won’t get over. It just makes it official.”
“Makes what official?”
“Olivia’s the mother of the groom.”
I give a short laugh, but really, I thinkit’s more problematic than laughable.
Cole leans his forehead against mine.“Let’s not worry about problems we can’t fix.”
“Okay, but what about security?”
Cole sighs, “Luke’s taking care of it.”
“What will we tell them?”
“We don’t.”
I lean back against the bed, unsure ofhow this is going to work. “They’re going to think it’s weird that some guy isfollowing us—me—them around.”
“That’s a good point, but let’s just seewhat happens. Maybe they won’t say anything.”
I arch my eyebrows at him. He definitelydoesn’t know my family. Cole doesn’t say anything. He just starts playing withthe hem of my shirt. He glances up at me, his eyes dark, his look seductive. Iclimb onto the bed and scoot, laying down on a pillow. Cole comes around, takinghis suit coat off and climbing on next to me. His hand runs up under my shirt,rubbing and scratching my stomach, and then skims upward until he’s cupping myright breast. I arch into his hand. “I think I need to see this pink bra,” hecroons.
“You do, huh?”
