“My dad said he was going to stop by, butI thought he meant by the office.” We both look up as Preston walks into thevilla.
Cole stands. “Hey Dad, I’m sorry Ithought when you said you were going to stop by you meant the office.” He walksaround the table, meeting Preston as he’s coming down the stairs.
“Is it a bad time?” He looks from me toCole.
“No, not all. You’re welcome hereanytime.” I get up from the sofa.
“Is everything all right?” Cole puts ahand on his shoulder.
“Can we talk for a minute?”
Cole glances between me and his dad.“Sure.”
“I will let you two have some privacy.”
“Please stay Kate, my favor is more foryou.”
I stop walking and slowly turn. What kindof favor could Preston Holt want from me? I’m scared to even think of what itmight be. “Okay, please have a seat.”
Cole sits next to me on the sofa, takingmy hand, and Preston sits across from us. “It’s Olivia.”
I tighten my hand around Cole’s. Oh no,what is he going to tell us, that Olivia’s leaving him, that he’s leaving her?He isn’t going to want to know about what happened when we found her with Kit,is he? Oh my hell, my mind is spinning.
“She’s been having a difficult time sincethe blackmail scandal and with the whole extra security and threats. I washoping, Kate, maybe you’d see if you could get her to go shopping with you.Maybe lunch, even an afternoon at the spa, to get ready for tonight’s gala.”
I bite my lip to keep my mouth closed. Icannot believe what I’m hearing; the mighty Olivia has fallen. I never thoughtI would see the day. I always thought she was like the bionic woman, only thebad, revengeful kind. Nothing got to her and if it did, out came the claws. Butthis Olivia, turned from a savage tiger into a scared kitty cat, well thatseems so unreal to me.
“Dad, I don’t—” But I stop Cole, puttinga hand on his knee.
“I would love to.” I smile. “Besides, Ineed a dress for this evening and Olivia knows all the best places to shop.”
Preston sits back in his chair, a look ofrelief on his face. “Thank you, Kate.” He stands. “I need to get to theoffice.”
“I will walk you out, Dad.” Cole kissesmy cheek and then follows Preston up the stairs.
“Oh Kate, there’s one other thing.”
“Sure Preston, what is it?”
“Please don’t tell her I asked you to.”
“No worries. I have an idea.”
“Thanks again, Kate.”
“You’re welcome.” I wait until theelevator doors close. “Oh, holy shit.” I pace the floor. Why did I say yes? I’mthe biggest idiot for agreeing to this. Oh, but Preston’s face, it was like awounded puppy dog. How the hell am I going to get Olivia to go shopping withme?
The elevator dings and Cole walks backin. We just stare at each other. Cole doesn’t let any emotion show, but heclenches his hands a couple of times. I tilt my head and he copies me. Hecreeps along the railing, never taking his eyes off of me. Oh no, I think hemight be mad at me for telling his dad yes. Crap. What am I going to do?
I glance at the bedroom door and then athim. “Kate.”
“Ekk.” I jump and run into the bedroom,slamming the door. I pull my shirt over my head along with my bra and throw iton the floor and then push my yoga pants and panties down my hips, kicking themthe rest of the way off. If he’s going to yell at me, he’s going to have to doso with me naked. I try to look seductive and lean my hand against the dresser.
The door rattles and Cole barges in, hishands in the air. He opens his mouth, but nothing comes out, stopping halfwayto me.
“Hey baby.” I try to say seductively, butmy voice is shaky with nerves.
Cole lowers his hands and clamps hismouth shut, staring at me. I stick my chest out and try leaning back againstthe dresser, but I’m on the edge and I miss it, losing my balance. Cole’sstrong arms stop me from falling. “Whoa thanks.”
