Page 20 of The Rebel Heir

That was not a part of the plan.

Jillian reached the door to the hall leading to the restrooms. She paused at the entry and looked over her shoulder, still trembling from her revelation. Cole’s date was back at his side, but his eyes were on her across the restaurant.

With intensity.

I love him.

She turned quickly and raced down the hall, her hand on the wall, to reach the ladies’ room. As soon as she entered, she pushed the door closed and leaned against it for a few moments before moving to the sink to grip the edge of the counter. She studied her reflection. She felt afraid and excited.

Her breathing labored. Her heart pounded. Her pulse raced.

Just like that,everythinghad changed. Absolutely everything.

Damn.

Cole took a deep sip of his coffee with Kahlúa as he sat back in his seat at the line of tables set up for a family-style dinner for twenty-six guests. His parents sat side by side at one end, with Phillip Junior and Raquel at the other end. He looked along the table’s length, elaborately decorated with floral arrangements and candles, at Jillian enjoying a conversation with Xin Lao, the executive chef of CRESS VIII in the Napa Valley.

She glanced up and he shifted his gaze away from her.

Earlier, at the bar, something had happened.

He’d seen a shift in Jillian’s eyes, and it had shaken his soul. As she’d rushed away, he’d had to fight the instinctive urge to follow her. Stop her. Question her.

Kiss her.

His gut clenched.

When she’d paused at the entrance to the hall and looked back, he hadn’t been able to take his eyes off her—and had struggled to stand firmly in place. When she’d turned to disappear down the hall, he’d felt regret.

Jillian Rossi was still in his system.

The first sight of her entering the restaurant in that strapless, almost revealing bustier with the wide-legged pants that emphasized her thick thighs, hips and rounded buttocks had him hungering for her. She was spectacular, and it had taken an Oscar-worthy performance for him to do nothing more than speak her name and move past her with a quickness when he’d first laid eyes on her.

All night, as his date had clung to him like Velcro, he’d watched Jillian without appearing to do so—something he’d learned during her days working in the family townhouse. He missed nothing. Every smile. Every laugh. Every introduction to a new person. Every handshake.

His desire and disdain for her battled deep within him.

“Cole? You okay?”

Kimber Locke drew his attention. He looked over at the Playboy model sitting beside him. Beautiful woman. Even pleasant to be around. Her role? To annoy his mother.

His parents had been busy preparing the elaborate meal for the night when he’d arrived. Once they’d stepped from the kitchen, free of their chef coats and in their designer evening wear, Cole had gently guided Kimber by her elbow through the crowd and into the direct line of vision of his parents. His mother’s look had quickly shifted from surprise and pleasure at seeing him to fighting hard not to reveal her disgust at seeing Kimber at his side. Nicolette’s private persona was different from the public one she’d carefully cultivated. For a brief moment, that façade cracked.

Nicolette Cress hated it when one of her sons paraded a nighttime liaison—especially at a business function.

“Yeah, I’m good. Thanks,” he said.

Kimber gave him a conspiratorial wink. She was in on his hijinks. They’d briefly dated a few years ago, and she was well aware that her very presence irked his mother—making the ploy all the more enjoyable for her, as well.

The night was coming to an end. A decadent meal of French cuisine relished. A dessert of individual fruit tarts with different selections of exotic fruits devoured. His parents’ formal speech given, Gabe and Monica’s engagement announcement celebrated. The annual bonus checks much appreciated.

But beneath the jovial surface, hell was brewing—and every Cress family member knew it.

Ding, ding, ding.

Cole turned his head to eye his parents rise from their seats to his left. He covered his mouth to hide his humor at his mother, fervently avoiding looking in his and Kimber’s direction. Avoidance by Nicolette Cress was top-tier hidden anger.

“We want to thank you all for joining us tonight and allowing us to cook for you,” Phillip Senior said with a broad smile.

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