Page 78 of Coldhearted King

I take a gulp of wine to ease the pinch in my chest. Casual and temporary is what I agreed to. And when it comes to Cole, it’s all that’s on offer. That’s okay, though, because it’s the best thing for me too. We’ve cleared the air, so we can keep enjoying our physical connection, and I can continue focusing on my career. Soon I’ll have enough money to start saving for Mom’s house. That’s the goal I’ve worked toward for years, and letting myself get distracted by a complicated relationship would be silly. Cole will never want anything more than this with me, and that’s perfect.

As long as I keep reminding myself of that, then I won’t be disappointed when it ends.

My phone rings on the coffee table, and I put down my wineglass to answer it. Cole’s name is on the screen and my chest deflates a little. He might be canceling tomorrow night.

I accept the call. “Hey! How was your trip?”

“I’m outside your building,” he says, ignoring my question.

“You are?” I stand, walk to the window, and spot the big black car parked below. “Do you want to come up?”

“No. I want you to come down.” He sounds tense.

“Okay, I’ll be down in a minute.”

“Leave your panties up there,” he says.

I stop what I’m doing, since I know what that means. “I thought I was going to your place tomorrow?”

“You were. Now you’re coming tonight.”

It seems like arrogant Cole is back. His attitude rankles me, even though I was just thinking how ready I am to see him again. “I’m finishing some work.”

“It’s ten in the evening on a Friday. Why the hell are you working?”

“You’re just getting back from working,” I point out.

“And now I want to stop working and fuck you. So get your ass down here.”

As much as I’m dying to see him, I sit on the couch. “You really know how to sweep a woman off her feet, don’t you?”

He exhales a harsh breath, and when he speaks again, his tone is softer. “Delilah, I’ve had a long three days of meetings, our investors can’t seem to accept the numbers I’m showing them, and all I want to do is fuck you with my tongue, then have you ride me until we both come. Is that too much to ask?”

Exhaustion threads through his words and I frown, particularly because his concern over the investors seeps through the phone. It’s not like I haven’t done a full week’s work. There’s no reason I shouldn’t indulge in a couple of orgasms while helping Cole relax.

“Okay,” I say. “I’ll be down in five minutes.”

I brush my teeth, splash some water onto my face, and finger comb my hair so I look presentable. Then I lock up behind me and head downstairs.

Jonathan is waiting for me when I get outside, and I smile at him. He tips his chin, but his expression remains inscrutable as he opens the door for me.

I slide in, my attention immediately caught by Cole’s blue eyes. I give him a smile. “It’s good to see you,” I say, taking him in.

He looks as gorgeous as ever. He’s without his jacket, and he’s rolled up his shirtsleeves. I eye the corded muscles of his forearms, images of them wrapping around me flickering through my head.

Then, I really look at him, noticing the shadows under his eyes. “Are you okay?” I ask.

He doesn’t answer my question. “Come here,” he says, holding out his arm for me.

I cross the car and slide onto the seat next to him, but he wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me onto his lap as Jonathan starts the car. Cole presses his lips to my neck and groans. “Fuck, I’ve thought about nothing but tasting you again for days.”

His teeth scrape across my pulse point. “I’ve been thinking about you too.”

“What exactly have you been thinking about?” he says as his hands skim under my T-shirt.

“This.” I feather my lips across his, barely touching.

Cole’s fingers tighten on my waist, and he groans, deepening the kiss. He tastes like the whiskey he must have had on the plane. The hard length of him presses against my core, and since I’m not wearing panties, I half expect him to take me right now. Surprisingly, he seems content to kiss me as his hands roam over my skin. This slow, sensual molding of our mouths is something new. By the time we get to his building, my blood is simmering in my veins and I’m sure I’ve left a wet patch on his pants.

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