Page 35 of Cole's Command

“No.” Her answer was emphatic, despite the simmering well of nausea that appeared to have gathered in her belly. “Answer me, please. How do you do that?”

“I want to tell you.” The light gleaming in his alluring green eyes suggesting sincerity. “But it’s not that easy, Eden.”

“Easy?” What was he talking about? She’d asked him a reasonable question, hadn’t she? Why was he trying to dodge it? What was he concealing? “Why?”

“I’m just saying there are some things we haven’t talked about yet.” His frown deepened. “Deeply personal things that pertain to the answer of your question.”

“I...I don’t understand?”

It had become a frequent theme since Cole had stalked into her office. No client—no man—had ever had such a profound effect on her before.

“I know.” His hand, still at her arm, tightened at her wrist. “And I swear I’m not intentionally being secretive.”

“It doesn’t make sense, Cole.” Ignoring the tempting look of his lips, the same mouth that had just coaxed her into nirvana, she tried to focus on the point she was making. “And it’s not the first time. You’ve managed it before. Somehow, you always seem to know what I’m thinking.”

She glanced away, trying to decide if she wanted to remove his fingers from her arm or whether she actually needed his support to stay upright. How had she let this happen? She was smarter than this, wasn’t she?

“Why can’t you tell me?” The pain in her head swelled, calling to the pit of nausea still brewing in her stomach. “Everything you say in here is confidential, remember?”

It’s a little late in the day to call for professional integrity, Eden.

She wanted to shake her head at the snarky voice, knowing it was right. She’d made a monumental error allowing Cole to kiss her.

“I know.” He pulled in a breath, and for the first time since the caress, she became aware that she wasn’t the only one with concerns; that he was troubled, as well. “Believe me, I want to tell you, but if I do, there’ll be ramifications.”

“What do you mean, ramifications?”

“I mean, some secrets are bigger than just childhood scars, Eden.” He sighed, and even though she couldn’t read his mind, she had the distinct impression that he was conflicted about how to progress. “And this one isn’t only mine to tell.”

“You’re not making any sense.”

Exasperation echoed in her tone as she snatched her arm from him, and walked back toward her desk. The task had seemed easy enough at conception. How often had she strode from one side of her office to the other? It shouldn’t be so difficult to accomplish, yet as she approached the room was swaying.

“Eden.”

From somewhere behind her, Cole called, although she dared not turn around and discover where. Between the banging in her head and the uneasy sense that her lunch might come back up, she was grappling with staying upright, let alone risking any sudden movements.

“Eden, are you okay?”

His voice grew louder as she folded to her knees. Splaying her fingers into the deep fibers of the expensive rug she’d chosen, she couldn’t quite put the pieces together in her head.

How was he able to read her unspoken thoughts, and what secret could be so pivotal that he didn’t feel he could share it with his therapist.

Some therapist! The snide retort reverberated in her head. I’ll be lucky to still have a position by this time next week.

“Hey.” Suddenly, he was right there, crouched on the rug beside her. “Are you all right?”

“I feel faint,” she admitted. “And a little sick.”

“Shock?” he deduced, rubbing her shoulder.

“Probably.”

“Don’t worry.” His smile was just visible in her peripheral vision. “My kisses often have that effect on women.”

“Cole.” She shook her head, regretting the gesture at once. “Don’t. This isn’t funny.”

“You’re right.” His fingers squeezed the same shoulder gently. “It’s serious. We’ve reached something of an impasse, Dr. Lewis.”

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