Page 88 of Coldhearted King

I laugh, then lower my voice to a purr. “I’m always open for you, Cole.”

He curses again. “I have to leave straight after the meeting, but I’ll message you when I get a chance.”

I sigh. “Okay. Well, have a good flight. And I hope everything goes well.”

He says goodbye and I hang up. I get straight back to work, but there’s a heaviness in my chest that wasn’t there before. I missed him after only a few days. Now it’ll be almost two weeks before I see him again.

A few minutes later, my email notification sounds. Clicking it open, I see a message from Samson.

Good afternoon, Miss West,

Mr. King has asked that you not make any plans for this weekend. You are to pack an overnight bag, casual wear only, and a car will pick you up at 8 a.m. Saturday morning.

Kind regards,

Samson

I frown and pick up the phone.

“Hi, Samson,” I say, when he answers. “I just got your email, and I was wondering if you could give me more details. Cole didn’t say anything about this to me, and I’m not sure what to expect. Can you tell me what kind of event this is for? I’d like to prepare.”

“I’m sorry, Miss West. Cole didn’t give me any details.”

I glance at the clock. “Has he already gone into his meeting?”

“Yes, he has.”

“Okay, thank you.”

I hang up and stare at the email again. What has Cole arranged? I shoot him a quick message on his phone. It will be off during the meeting, but he’ll get it as soon as he finishes.

Can you tell me what I’ll be doing this weekend?

Then I try to put it out of my mind so I can get some work done.

Two hours later my phone buzzes and I grab it, opening the message from Cole.

Don’t overthink it.

What does he mean?

I furiously type back.

What’s to overthink about a vague request to pack a bag and go somewhere unknown?

Trust me.

I hesitate before I respond. I do trust him, don’t I? As disconcerting as it is to go into something blind like this, Cole wouldn’t send me anywhere that would make me uncomfortable.

Okay.

Good girl. I’ll reward you for that when I get home.

You’d better.

Have a good flight.

I fight the urge to end my message with something else—something more affectionate. Or to call him just to hear his voice again. I don’t want to be needy like that, even though it’s becoming harder and harder to fight wanting more with him.

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