Page 153 of Felonies are Forever

Nathan’s eyes go wide and he lowers his hand. “Just having some fun.” He slurs out. “Besides, look what she’s wearing! She’s lookin—"

“Pushing yourself on a woman who is clearly not interested is not in any way, shape or form fun. Nor is it acceptable. Capeesh? No matter what she’s wearing. So, if you want your head to continue to be attached to your neck, you’ll get your drunk ass out of here in the next three seconds.”

“Cole…” Holly’s voice comes from behind. “It’s okay.”

She’s sweet. Too sweet.

I spin my head around and shoot her a warning look. “Not okay.” I turn back to Nathan, who is still standing there looking stupid. “Did I stutter? Can you not count to three? Get. Out.” I bark the words right into his face, and it finally snaps him out of his stupor. He turns his face away and nods as I look back at Holly. “Don’t leave this room. I’ll be right back.”

She starts to protest, but the look on my face shuts down whatever defense she was about to mount. A moment later I’m on Nathan’s heels, marching him to the front of the restaurant my hand gripping the back of his shirt practically lifting him off the ground. I find a chair and drop his ass down making sure he knows he’s going to wait there while the hostess calls him a cab.

He can wait the fucking hour Martin said they’d take for all I care.

When I’ve got that settled, I go back to the coat room, grab her coat.

“Put this on.” I hold it out and she slips her arms in giving me a confused look.

When I’ve got her coat on, I take her hand and half drag her behind me heading to the front door.

“Is the party over?” She looks into the back room to see it’s empty. “I just went to get some gum out of my coat and he followed me. I tried to just be polite…”

“Sometimes being polite can get you hurt. Sometimes you need to be a bitch.”

She gives me a wary look. “Yeah, I’m not so good at that.”

That’s why you need me around.

It’s what I want to say, but I hold back, instead leading her past where Nathan sits giving him another death glare and out into the chill of the parking lot.

“Where are we going? Where’s my dad?”

“He’s driving a few other over-indulgers home. Said for me to give you a ride to his house. I’ll wait with you there.”

She looks like she’s going to protest but I keep us moving, needing her in my car, next to me, more than I need my next breath.

I lead her out into the cold air, a fine freezing mist covering everything with a layer of ice. I hold her elbow as she tries to stay steady on the heels she’s wearing until we’re at my pickup and I open the door, helping her up and inside.

“Oh my God it’s freezing out.” Her shoulders quiver and she rubs her hands together in front of her chest.

“Put your seat belt on.” I lean in, covering her legs with my suit jacket and her scent once again raging through me like a fire, agonizing, searing my flesh as it warms me, making hot blood surge to my thickening dick.

She clicks the belt on, and I close the door, making my way to the driver’s side and getting myself behind the wheel.

Once I’ve started the car and got us moving, I shift myself in my seat, my uncomfortable hard on making it difficult to drive. Holly finally breaks the silence with her soft voice.

“Thank you.” She murmurs, and I turn to see soft eyes. “Back there. You’re right. Sometimes, I need to not be so nice.”

I nod. “It’s one thing to want to be on the nice list, but sometimes the naughty list is where you need to be.”

She giggles and I so badly want her to know how I feel. How in love with her I am and have been all these years.

But fuck, she’s so young. She’s my best friend and business partner’s little girl. He’d hate me forever. It would wreck our business.

Besides, what’s a young, gorgeous, smart girl like her going to do with an old asshole like me?

Nothing.

Exactly.

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