Page 45 of First Bite
I looked down and noticed I had almost downed my entire drink as soon as it was placed in front of me.
“Another sounds great.” I felt my nerves calming and the cheerful mood kicking into gear thanks to the tequila. “I’ll pace myself. I don’t want to be chucking my guts up all day tomorrow.”
“Another one for the lady, and some water too,” Cole said after ordering the pecan-crusted salmon I requested for dinner.
“So,” I arched a brow at him. “Ever been in love before?”
And here comes the liquid courage.
Cole sat back in his booth seat and sipped on his bourbon. “No,” he said after he licked his lips. “Not until you.” He flashed a smile.
“Don’t start this shit again.”
“What shit? It’s the truth.”
“Yeah, you’re in love with me because you have to be. Not the same.”
My second margarita showed up, and I wanted to down the thing faster than the first one. I did.Fuck.
Now, the room was fading some as my dinner, and another fresh margarita was placed in front of me.
“What the hell is this?” I held up the new margarita.
Cole started cutting into his steak. “Seems like you need to relax some more. Enjoy the night, Elle. I’m here if you get yourself into any trouble.”
“Why the hell not? Let’s make it a night to remember.”
Those were my famous last words because I woke up the next morning on the cold bathroom floor, trying to remember how I’d gotten home. I remembered Cole carrying me to the toilet so I could chuck my guts up, and that was it.
“Are you awake?” Cole asked, rubbing my back. “I just left to make a hangover remedy for you. You wouldn’t let me take you to your bed last night. The remedy is going to knock your ass out, but that’s better than laying on this cold bathroom floor. Shit, what the hell was I thinking?”
“I think I need to ask myself that question.” I half-smiled. “I’ll try the remedy, but I’m not sure if I can keep it down.”
I was in his arms, my sweaty head leaning on his shoulder. “Trust me, you’ll keep it down, and I’ll be carrying you to bed when it hits.”
“Sorry about last night.”
“You looked sexy as hell on the dance floor.” He squeezed me in his arms. “Even though you were hammered, it was nice to see you loosen up and enjoy yourself.”
“Well, I’m paying for that now.”
“And I’m going to make it all okay again. Can’t have my cousins coming back wanting to kick my ass because I let it go too far.”
I looked at him, “Did we do anything? You know, sex?”
Cole looked at me strangely. “I would never take advantage of you like that, bond or not. I would never take advantage of anyone while they were intoxicated. I might be a monster, but I’m notthatkind of monster. No, Elle. Nothing of the sort happened. Now, let’s get that drink in your system, and get you feeling better and hydrated again. Sound good?”
Cole disappeared into the pantry, leaving me with the words that hung onto me, possibly helping me figure out why he was acting the way he was with this whole bond thing.Taking advantage of me? He actually thinks that he’s taking advantage of me because he’s not sure how the bond works.
I suddenly felt sick again, and I ran to the front bathroom and prayed that Cole’s drink really would work and I would feel better as quickly as possible. Damn tequila!
