Page 155 of Triplet Trouble For My Billionaire Boss

“Robbie’s asleep?” he asks.

I nod. “Yeah.”

He glances toward the closed door, then back at me. “He give you any trouble?”

I shake my head. “No. He was out before I could even finish the story.”

Cole huffs a quiet laugh, the corner of his mouth lifting just slightly. “That sounds about right.”

Silence stretches between us.

I shift on my feet, suddenly aware of how close we are, of the storm raging outside, of the tension coiling tight in the space between us.

I don’t know what he’s thinking.

I don’t know if I want to.

“Well, I’ll just head off to—” I start and try to step around him.

But he’s like a wall, blocking my way.

I stop and clamp my lips shut, then take a slow breath.

“Annie,” he murmurs, his voice softer now.

Brush him off, Annie. You can do it. Just get back to your room.

That’s it.

Just have to get there without—

I look up again, and my stomach flips.

Cole is watching me like he knows exactly what I’m thinking. Like he knows I was trying to avoid him.

Like he’s not going to let that happen.

Chapter Thirty Seven

Cole

The storm rages outside, wind howling through the trees, rain hammering against the windows. The lights flicker, just for a second, casting shadows along the walls before steadying again. But none of that holds my attention.

Annie does.

She’s standing right in front of me, close enough that I can feel the heat radiating from her skin, see the tension in her shoulders. She was trying to get past me. Trying to escape back to her room and avoid this conversation.

Avoid me.

Not happening.

She tilts her chin up slightly, her blue eyes guarded. “Cole.”

Her voice is soft, almost hesitant, and that alone is enough to put me on edge. Annie is never hesitant. She’s stubborn, smart-mouthed, quick to push back.

But right now? She looks like she’s trying to outrun something. Maybe even herself.

I cross my arms, planting my feet firmly. “You gonna tell me what’s going on?”

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