Page 78 of Tortured Tones

I shook my head and stumbled a step backward. “Um. No. Excuse me. I need to use the restroom.”

As quick as my two feet could carry me, I dashed towards the ladies’ room. In the cubicle, I slammed the door shut and leaned back against the smooth surface. Closing my eyes, I sucked in deep breaths. In. . .out...In...out.

Cole had gotten under my skin, in my head, through my thoughts. This had to stop. My job was too important. I was too close to getting Josh back. I couldn’t do anything to jeopardize that. I couldn’t get involved with my client. If Luther found out, he’d somehow use it against me.

What was it about Cole that had me wanting to stab him with a blade in one moment, then burning for him the next?

Enough was enough.

I had to get out of there.

After doing my business and washing my hands, I headed out of the restroom. I made it halfway down the corridor when a hand caught my wrist and spun me around.

“Ava?” Worry swam through Cole’s eyes. “Is everything alright?”

“Yes.” I pressed my cool palm against my blazing brow. “I’ve just had enough. I’m going to head home.”

“But it’s early.”

One a.m. wasn’t early. “It’s okay. You can stay. I’ll be fine.”

“No.” Concern filtered through his voice. “I’ll take you back to the hotel.”

“Cole, I’m a big girl. I can catch an Uber.”

“I’m coming with you. It’s not up for any more discussion.” He waved to Kennedy standing by the door and mouthed, “Time to go.”

“Ergh.” I stormed toward our table. “You’re so infuriating.”

“I do my best.” Cole said as he followed me.

After saying goodbye to the band and the girls, Cole and I slipped into a town car with Kennedy up front and headed toward the hotel.

But every minute that passed, every traffic light we stopped at, every corner we took, his glances became more frequent. The air between us hummed with a spark that shouldn’t have been there. My palms wouldn’t stop sweating. I could still feel his body next to mine from when we’d danced. I felt the fire in his gaze when he looked at me. This had gone too far.

When the driver pulled up at the hotel, I let myself out. Cole dismissed Kennedy and rushed to follow me. He matched my stride, step for step, as I stormed toward the elevator and up toward my room.

I needed to get away from Cole. I couldn’t breathe. Or think. My whole body was overheating.

I swiped my card. It didn’t work. I swiped it again. Nothing.

Fuck!

“Ava. Stop.” He caught my hand. Took the card. Then opened the heavy door.

But before I could take a step inside, he spun toward me and blocked my path. He cupped the side of my cheek and crushed his body against mine, pinning my back against the open door. The heat in his eyes weakened my knees. “We have a problem, don’t we?”

Oh shit.

Yes. Yes, we did.

Chapter 18

AVA

“Did I do something wrong?” Concern rippled through Cole’s raspy tone as his breath teased my face.

“No.” I closed my eyes and rested my head back against the door. My heart beat too fast.

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