by Eden Summers
His smirk increases, the mirth dancing in his eyes as he leans a little closer. “It’s not fit for public consumption. We need privacy.”
Just the thought of being alone with him, in a confined space, is enough to make my nipples tingle. Harden.
I swallow over the desert taking hold in my throat and stand my ground. “Leave.”
Another snicker of mirth brushes my ears as he takes another step, walking into me as he pushes the door wide behind me.
Shit.
I want to grab him. To stop his momentum.
Touch isn’t an option.
If I snatch for him I’m not sure I’ll ever let go.
He strides past me as I tense, waiting for the eruption of male testosterone that never eventuates. Easton isn’t in sight. He’s not in the kitchen or the tiny living area. He’s gone. There’s only me and Cole and the realization that my bedroom door is now slightly ajar.
“I’m serious,” I warn. “You can’t be in here.”
What if he mentions Greece? What if he talks about our affair? Or what I did to his father?
My fucking life will never be the same if Easton overhears.
“Having a party?” Cole stops a few feet away, slowly taking in the sight before him—the beer bottles, the empty pizza box, the television with its action-packed movie. He turns to face me, one brow raised. “It looks like I interrupted a good time.”
“Every day is a party when I don’t have to deal with you.”
He beams a player smile. White, perfect teeth. Dark devilish eyes. He knows he’s under my skin and he fucking loves it.
Asshole.
He licks his lower lip and lazily strolls toward me. “Admit you miss me.”
My eyes flare, shock and panic tightening my throat. “What’s to miss? You’re nothing but a pain in my ass.”
He chuckles, not stopping his approach, not even once he reaches my hyper-sensitive personal space. I’m forced to retreat. One step. Two. Until my butt hits the door, knocking it shut.
“That’s not how I remember our time together.” He closes in, caging me with his presence like the most powerful predator.
I’m rendered speechless, my pulse sky-rocketing, my limbs trembling.
How can he control me like this? How can he snatch my common sense and leave me defenseless?
“Something is different about you?” He scrutinizes me. “You’re flushed.”
“And I bet you think you’re responsible.”
“No.” His gaze hardens. “Your cheeks were already pink when you answered the door. Why?”
I should admit the truth. I need to end this crazy thing we have going on and simply tell him I was with Easton. It’s the words that refuse to make themselves heard over the rush of intoxicating warmth.
“What do you need to tell me?” I swallow, squaring my shoulders. “Hurry up and spit it out so I can go to bed.”
That vulturous gaze studies me for long moments before he relaxes into his normal sense of superiority. “You need to lay low for a while. At least a few days. Don’t leave your apartment. Don’t even cross the street for coffee.”
Each demand makes me balk. Not only due to the underlying threat, but because he arrogantly thinks I’ll comply.
“I’ll have men watching the building,” he continues. “But it’s best if—”
“Whoa.” I hold up a hand. “For starters, you will not have your men watch me. And second, I know how to take care of myself. I’m a goddamn FBI agent, Cole.”
“How could I forget?” His expression tightens, the reminder pissing him off.
“What’s this about?” I hike my chin, matching him stare for stare. “Why do you want me to hide?”
“You don’t need the details. Just lay low. It’s only for a few days.”
“You can’t barge in here and demand I put my life on hold for no reason.” I scowl. “Who do you think you are?”
I’m gifted with another one of those subtle, taunting snickers. He inches closer, getting in my face, the heat of his breath brushing my lips. “You know exactly who I am.”
My pulse detonates. My inhales transform into teeny, tiny gasps.
I want him. God, how I want to bite and claw this man out of my system, right on my carpeted floor. Our clothes strewn. Our bodies covered in sweat.
What I wouldn’t give to feel his heavy chest pressed down on mine. His lips on my flesh. His cock—
Fuck.
“Why?” I snap, my attention flicking to my bedroom door in guilt, before trekking straight back to the wall of dominance before me.
He sighs, his superiority fading under the weight of something heavier. “I need you to trust me.”
Trust? Something seriously sinister must be happening if he’s asking for such a prize.
“Tell me.” My fingers itch to reach out. To physically demand.
His jaw ticks, an internal battle coming into view behind those eyes. “Robert might still be alive.”
All the air leaves my lungs on a heave.
Robert.
The same Robert who humiliated me. Beat me. Threatened to kill me.
I’ve worked hard to suppress the memories of that monster. I did everything in my power to pretend those moments didn’t exist. Now they all come rushing back in a wealth of icy goosebumps.
“How do you know?” I keep my voice low.
“There was money taken from one of my father’s bank accounts. The security image isn’t clear, but Decker’s sister insists it’s him.”
I blink and blink, trying to beat back shock. “Where?”
He winces. It’s slight, the minute narrowing of his brows enough to make my stomach bottom.
“Where, Cole?”
“Here,” he grates. “In Portland.”
Fear takes over, the frigid fingers gripping my throat. “For how long? When did he arrive?”
“I don’t know. Could be weeks—”
“And you’re only telling me now?” My voice rises. “How could you—”
“I only just received the smallest hint of confirmation.” His lips curl in a snarl as he gets in my face. “And you’re the first fucking person I’ve told. I’ve got a house full of people waiting to find out and I came here. I came to you. I’d never let…”
His words trail and I can’t help but bow my head, needing to break the potency of his stare in an attempt to make sense of what’s happening.
Robert was meant to be murdered for what he did to me. I heard him beg for his life. The gunshot had blasted my ears.
I’d been the reason for his supposed death.
Now, I’d be one of his biggest targets.
“Hey.” Cole grips my chin, raising my face until I’m staring back at him. “I’ll protect you.”
Goddamnit.
The last thing I need right now is protection from an unwanted infatuation.
My lips part as I try to think of something strong and affirming to say. But the squeak of my bedroom door steals the words away.
Cole stiffens, his attention snapping across the room, his fingers tightening on my chin. We both stare at Easton standing in the doorway to my bedroom, his hair mussed, his muscled body on full display as he stands in nothing but his underwear, his shirt hanging loose in his hand.
He’s playing the role of awoken lover and I can’t fathom his audacity.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” He scowls at Cole and yanks the shirt over his head.
I’m frozen in a nightmare. Unable to do anything except stand and watch the carnage from behind slowly blinking eyes.
Cole lets out a barely audible growl, his fingers sliding from my chin to leave me hollow. “I could ask you the same thing.” His gaze cuts back to mine. “But I won’t.”
He glares at me. Glares so hard and vicious I’m made to feel worthless under his attention.
He’s jealous.
Hurt.
His pain lashes through me like a lethal injection.
�
��I guess I didn’t need to warn you after all. You’ve already got all the protection you need.” He sidesteps, reaching behind me to pull open the door. “Excuse my interruption. It won’t happen again.”
I hope you enjoyed this sneak preview.
Click here to preorder Cole (Hunting Her #6)
Also by Eden Summers
Hunting Her Series
Hunter
Decker
Torian
Savior
Luca
Cole
Reckless Beat Series
Blind Attraction (Reckless Beat #1)
Passionate Addiction (Reckless Beat #2)
Reckless Weekend (Reckless Beat #2.5)
Undesired Lust (Reckless Beat #3)
Sultry Groove (Reckless Beat #4)
Reckless Rendezvous (Reckless Beat #4.5)
Undeniable Temptation (Reckless Beat #5)
Reckless Encore (Reckless Beat #5.5)
Information on more of Eden’s titles can be found at www.edensummers.com or your online book retailer.
About the Author
Eden Summers is a bestselling author of contemporary romance with a side of sizzle and sarcasm.
She lives in Australia with a young family who are well aware she's circling the drain of insanity.
Eden can't resist alpha dominance, dark features and sarcasm in her fictional heroes and loves a strong heroine who knows when to bite her tongue but also serves retribution with a feminine smile on her face.
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