Page 151 of Felonies are Forever

I feel like I’m about to have a heart attack.

Looking over at my Dad, standing with some of the guys, I see just a handful of women. Dates. Wives. I realize with a sinking feeling that I don’t know if Cole has someone, and that thought crushes my chest, thinking of him with someone else… But I’m sure a man like him—a sexy, successful, confident alpha male—must have someone waiting for him in his bed.

Trouble is, I want him in my bed.

But I’ve resigned myself to the fact that that will never happen. And I’ll probably die a virgin. Because the thought of ever being with anyone else makes me sick to my stomach.

With a jolt, I realize I’ve been gawping at him for longer than is comfortable and search for something to say about being closer to home. “It was a little lonely being away…”

“No boyfriend you’re leaving behind?”

“No!” I snap the word a little too quickly, and feel myself sinking into the floor. I need to chill the hell out, but being this close to Cole is making my head spin. “No boyfriend. What about you? I mean, not a boyfriend…a girlfriend…lady friend…?” Kill me now. I try to act casual as I look around the room, but the answer to my question could very well bring me to my knees. “No date tonight?”

My throat tightens as I wait for what seems like an eternity, but when he shakes his head, I can’t hold back the sigh of relief that escapes.

Cole grins. “No date for a very long time. Years.”

My eyes go wide. “Years? I’m sure you wouldn’t have trouble finding a date.”

“Not interested.” I watch his Adam’s apple move as he takes a sip of his Coke, then his eyes pin to mine. “In dating.”

The way he says it makes me feel funny and the throbbing between my legs intensifies.

“What are you interested in then?” I manage, trying to not sound too eager, but wanting the conversation to keep going. “Skydiving? Fishing?”

God, I’m so lame.

“Oh, I’ve got my interests.” I swear his eyes settle on my tits for a beat longer than a man looking at his best friend’s daughter should, and I’m fortified by the heat I feel growing between us.

In a moment of complete insanity, I throw a line out and see if I can sink my hook into the man that’s made my heart ache for so many years.

“I’ve got my interests too. I wonder if yours and mine might—”

My father appears at Cole’s shoulder, clearing his throat. “Sorry, baby, I need to borrow Cole for a second.” My dad jerks his head toward the front of the room. “Time for us to give out the bonus checks and wrap this party up before they drink the bar dry.”

“O—okay.” I nod on a shrug, breathing a sigh of disappointed relief that I didn’t have the chance to finish my last statement. At least I avoided the embarrassment that surely would have followed.

Cole gives me one last sidelong glance, then licks those perfect, sexy lips and follows my dad to the front of the room as I try to keep from following behind him like some stupid lost puppy.

THREE

Three

Cole

The entire timewhile we make our speeches and hand out the checks, all I can think about is getting my lips on her.

Anywhere.

No, that’s not quite right.

Every fucking where.

As Martin and I give out the last of the bonuses, he clears his throat and makes a final announcement.

“We’ve got mandatory overtime on the Blake job this week.”

There’s a collective moan from the crowd of workers and their partners. There are groans of ‘Tomorrow’s Christmas Eve, boss!’ and some of them look to me, but my face is set. This is my partner’s call and it’s my job to back him up, even if I don’t like it any more than they do.

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