Drawn Through You

by Sarina Rhoads

  He pressed the call button, suppressing a laugh. “I will when you come get them.” The doors split and he stepped inside. She followed and tried to reach for his pocket. He was almost tempted to allow her to put her hands on him, but instead he blocked her and playfully swatted her away.

  “Cole, I’m not joking. I can’t go to the office like this,” she pleaded in a voice just above a whisper.

  “Why not? You’re fully covered. Well, from what anyone can see.” This time he allowed himself to laugh.

  The doors started to close, but a hand stopped them just in time. The smile bled from Cole’s face and he shifted to one corner of the elevator.

  “Good morning, Robert,” Shaun said, moving to the opposite side, allowing Robert to have the spot between them.

  “Good morning, Shaun.” His eyes landed on Cole and a brow arched before he turned to face forward. “A bit casual for the office, don’t you think, Cole?”

  “He was just here to update me on his progress with the restaurant account,” Shaun interjected. “He’s scheduled on site today.”

  Robert looked over at her. “I see.”

  The elevator stopped on the ground floor. Cole exited and inhaled the lung full of air he’d denied himself once his uncle had joined them for the ride.

  “Let me know if there is anything else you need, Ms. Wright,” a private message he relayed by rubbing his back pocket. Shaun glared at him, but her cheeks were flushed from a whole different emotion. Cole moved his attention to Robert and gave him a quick nod before continuing on his way out the front entrance. The receptionist waved to him and he waved back but kept going, unable to get out of the building fast enough.

  Cole couldn’t help but wonder just how much his uncle had seen of his exchange with Shaun. He knew the column had been cover enough, but their antics on the way to the elevators might have given him enough cause to suspect. All Cole could do now was wait. Wait and see what Shaun had to say once she arrived at the work site. He knew she would have no choice but to do as requested. After all, the perfect bait was burning a hole in his back pocket, he thought with a snort before catching a cab downtown.

  CHAPTER 16

  Cole poked around the first aid kit in search of something to stop his hand from bleeding. He could work through the pain well enough, but he didn’t want to risk getting blood on any of the tables he was restoring after the damage done by the previous owners. Always careful and precise, Cole wasn’t accustomed to having accidents in his workshop, but today was different. His mind couldn’t focus on much apart from the silk panties in his back pocket. Unlucky for his palm, he had drifted to the memory of stripping Shaun of the sexy undergarment while he was using a handsaw. The cut wasn’t deep enough to require stitches, but it sure as shit was a gusher. He’d clean up the crime scene once he was through patching himself up and before anyone wondered what the hell had happened.

  Cole had no clue what had possessed him to be so bold in the parking garage that morning, but he had wanted to see Shaun again, away from prying eyes. He longed for the Shaun he had met at the lunch they’d shared at Becco’s, and the Shaun who had orgasmed repeatedly under his command on top of her desk. Cole adjusted the part of himself that awoke at the memory and set about wrapping his hand with gauze. One taste of her like that was not nearly enough, as he’d hoped it would be. He craved more.

  “We’re heading out!” Cole turned his head and waved his bandaged paw at Justin. The heavy-set man frowned. “What the fuck, Cole? Need help with that?”

  Cole shook off any need for concern. “Nothing to worry about. Great job today. See you back here early tomorrow.” He would’ve hurried the men out for anything short of a severed limb.

  Justin studied Cole skeptically, but with another friendly nod he took the hint and left, along with the rest of the small group of overqualified laborers. Only the best for Jacobson-Wright, Cole thought with a grunt.

  Cole was putting the first aid kit back together when he heard his BlackBerry. He grabbed his phone with his good hand and held the device up to his ear with his shoulder as he continued collecting the strewn bandages and packets of ointment from the small ledge he was performing layman’s surgery on.

  “Yeah?”

  “Good afternoon, Cole.”

  “Robert,” he replied through gritted teeth, regretting not looking at the caller ID before answering. Shaun was point on Myles’s contract, so there weren’t too many reasons why his uncle would be calling him at the restaurant. Those there were, Cole knew he wouldn’t like.

  “Seems you have finally met my high expectations. I’ll admit, your start was slow and a bit underwhelming. I was beginning to wonder if I’d made a mistake.”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Cole murdered a packet of ointment between his fingers, knowing nothing good would come from this conversation. The clear gel squirted into the air before plopping onto the floor.

  Robert snickered, and the sound made Cole’s spine stiffen. “Parking garage.”

  Cole needed no further elaboration. Regret knotted in the pit of his stomach.

  “Since when is a friendship outside the office a crime?” He tried to disguise the rising anger in his voice. Tried, but failed. He hated the idea of giving Robert the satisfaction of knowing he was right. Something had happened between Shaun and him Friday night. Something his uncle could never understand while blinded by his desire to be rid of his partner.

  “Oh, no need to be modest, Cole. Besides, my dear nephew, the exact details are none of your concern. Just keep up the good work and you will be on a bus back to that hole you call home before the month is over.”

  For the first time since arriving in Mason, Cole’s desire to return to Sweetwater ranked second on his list of concerns. “I don’t want to be part of your bullshit scheme any more, Robert. I’m out, and I’m telling Shaun everything.” The phone creaked as his gripped tightened.

  “Oh no, you’re not telling her anything,” Robert hissed back.

  “No? What makes you so sure?”

  “I have a certain bed and breakfast file here that guarantees your silence, Cole.”

  “It’s just a file, Robert. A file that was obviously photocopied.”

  “Yes, but the sketches are undoubtedly yours, and I might have seen them through to completion. You aren’t the only Jacobson with talent.”

  Cole shook with fury. “You have no right.”

  “Careful, Cole; you’re playing in the big leagues now.” His uncle had the nerve to laugh into the receiver. “You have too much to lose, including a certain woman who I know you’ve made the mistake of caring about. I’m sure Shaun would be interested to know that her new pet has been lying to her all along.”

  “Bastard,” Cole growled under his breath.

  “Do enjoy the rest of your day, though.”

  Robert hung up, and Cole could only stare at his phone in disbelief. If he ever found out who had stolen those sketches from his desk, he would make them truly sorry. Until then, he needed to think about what the hell he was going to do. The cloud he’d been flying on all day had completely evaporated, leaving him to wallow in a puddle of remorse. He still had the option of cutting his uncle off at the pass and coming clean to Shaun. Convince her that he’d been manipulated by his blood relative since stepping foot in Mason. But would she believe him?

  “Cole?” Cole slid his phone into his pocket and turned to face the subject of his dilemma. Shaun stood in the doorway of what would soon be the restaurant break room. “Everything okay?”

  “Hey.” He forced a smile, fearing that she could see straight through to his thoughts. He hated the idea of being used, but his feelings meant nothing now that Robert was determined to blackmail him into submission. Shaun didn’t deserve to go down like this, but he couldn’t afford to tell her the truth either. Not yet. Not when she had been so apprehensive about trusting him in the first place. “Are you here to see the progress we’ve made? I could give you a
quick tour.” He knew exactly why she was there. The reason remained nestled in his back pocket, eating away at the worn denim.

  “No, I met Myles on his way out and he caught me up to speed.” She smiled and his heart ached. “He’s very happy, and I have to admit, so am I. Everything looks really good. No garbage. No critters.” She laughed, and Cole considered making a gagging noise reminiscent of her reaction the first day, but all humor evaded him, scurrying out of reach by way of the call from Robert.

  “Nope. They were evicted.” He smiled in spite of the tight feeling in his chest.

  Cole led the way out into the dining room. He didn’t trust himself with her, so close and so private. His fingers ached to touch her, caress her, be inside of her.

  “And that smell.”

  “Yeah, that was pretty bad. I’m not sure if I’ll ever be able to erase that smell from memory.” He faked a soft chuckle. “Remember these?” he asked, pointing at one of the tables he’d been working on.

  “Of course.” She moved closer and he took a step back. Noticing his move toward self-preservation, she gave him a wince of uncertainty, looking as though she wanted to touch the table, but she refrained and kept her hands to herself. “You really do amazing work, Cole. I mean, I had an idea, but you’ve risen above my expectations.”

  In an instant, Cole was careened back to Robert’s phone call.

  “Before I forget…” Cole exhaled a tentative breath and slipped his hand into his back pocket. He pulled out her thong and handed it over discreetly. “I’m sorry for earlier. I should never have taken these the way I did. It was inappropriate. I promise to never do anything like that again.” He nearly choked on the word “never” and its inferred finality. He would only hurt her if he kept the charade up any longer. And she would want nothing to do with him once he grew big enough balls to tell her the truth.

  Shaun quickly took the thong and tucked the sheer silk into her leather handbag. “Thank … you.” Cole gave her his back when her curious gaze strengthened in intensity. “Wait. I don’t understand.”

  Her voice cracked, and Cole clenched his fists at his sides, fighting the urge to pull her into his arms. Confess his sins. Beg her for forgiveness and pray that she wouldn’t despise him in the end. But he couldn’t form the words. Not when he would only hurt her more.

  “What the hell is going on, Cole? You lured me here, you stole my thong. And now that I am here, you’re acting like a complete dick.”

  “You’re right.” Cole turned to face her, unable to withhold the truth any longer. She deserved better. She deserved better than him. “Shaun, I never–”

  “Cole, I brought coffee!” They both turned their heads at the squeak of Violet’s voice. “Cole– Oh! Ms. Wright. I didn’t know you’d be here.”

  “I stopped in for a look and an update.” Shaun cleared her throat. “I was just on my way out.”

  “Doesn’t the place look spectacular? I mean, of course. Why wouldn’t it with Cole at the helm?” Violet walked closer to Cole and forced one of the cups she held into his hand. She nudged a table leg with her Mary Jane shoe. “Seriously, oh em gee! I saw the photos from the real estate agent that documented all the damage. You know, full disclosure and all that jazz. Really nasty stuff, I tell ya.” She inhaled a deep breath, glancing at Cole and then at Shaun. “So, anyone hungry? There’s this great Mexican place nearby that has the most fantastic vegetarian tamales you’ll ever taste. They also have a crazy margarita special during happy hour. Drinks the size of pitchers!”

  “Like I said, I better get going,” Shaun repeated. “I just stopped by to check on the progress. Great work, Cole.” She commended his effort without a glance his way.

  “Oh, okay.” Violet frowned, setting her drink down on the table and pulling out her phone to answer a text.

  “Let me walk you out.” Cole took a step toward Shaun.

  “No!” She gave a half laugh after nearly yelling her protest. “I mean, that’s okay. I know my way. And besides, I bet Violet would like a tour. Right, Violet?” She locked her gaze with his, eyes darkened with disdain.

  “Sure!” Violet answered.

  “Goodbye, Cole.”

  He shut his eyes, the words slicing deep into his chest. “Goodbye, Shaun.” Shaun turned and left him alone with an unsuspecting Violet, taking a chunk of his heart with her. A part he didn’t know he’d given away until then. The debilitating pain had him hunched over.

  “Cole, you okay?” Violet hurried over and rested a hand on his back. He flinched away the unwanted contact, immediately feeling guilty that he had.

  “I’m good,” he said, standing straight and inhaling a deep breath. “I just need to grab something from the back and then I’ll show you around. Then margaritas, okay?”

  Violet nodded. Once Cole retreated to the break room, he grabbed the first thing he could get his hands on and flung the first aid kit against the wall, its contents flying everywhere. The small exertion of anger didn’t make him feel much better. Nothing would, short of doing what he knew was right. Determined to find a way, Cole exited and closed the door behind him, mentally omitting the break room from the promised tour.

  “Cole?” Cole shot his head up at the sound of Violet’s voice, realizing he had spent the past twenty minutes studying the label of his beer. “So?” she added while his mind cycled through his last exchange with Shaun. He had almost told her everything. Hell, he would have if Violet hadn’t shown up.

  “I’m sorry, Violet. What was the question?” Cole picked up his fork and shoved the remains of his gutted tamale around his plate. His appetite had vanished with his hopes. He should’ve manned up and told Shaun about his uncle right away, but the words had always wedged themselves in his throat on the way out.

  “What’s wrong, Cole? You seem really down.”

  Cole shook his head. He really liked Violet and enjoyed talking bullshit with her. She was the perfect stand-in for Jake, and for that he was grateful. But he couldn’t bring himself to discuss the topic of Shaun with her. Besides, Shaun was Violet’s boss and he knew that she valued keeping her personal life private. He owed her that much respect.

  “Nothing, Violet. Just a lot on my mind with the restaurant and all.”

  Violet slurped the remains of her monster margarita through a bright green twirly straw. “Do you not like your tamale?”

  Cole looked down at his plate and shook his head. “No, it’s delicious.” Although his corn husk resembled a science dissection, the food was in fact very good. Scooping up his beer, he sat back in his chair and enjoyed the only thing his stomach could handle. “How do you find all these places, Vi?” He glanced around the small restaurant, its walls littered with kitschy Mexican-themed clutter from bedazzled sombreros to brightly painted maracas. A purple wooden bull’s head stared down at their table in judgment.

  She shrugged and pushed her empty glass forward. “I don’t know. Just my thing, I guess.”

  “Like Firefly and Star Wars?” he asked, recalling her cubicle decor.

  “Star Wars is probably one of the best movies of all time.” She pushed her glasses up high on her nose, ready for any argument against that fact. The monster side-car tequila shot she had poured into her margarita apparently gave her more courage than usual.

  “Whoa!” he countered, his arms raised in surrender. “I’m not knocking it.” He chuckled, finding the look of agitation on her face amusing. “I enjoy a good trip to the final frontier every now and again.”

  “Oh my god! That’s Star Trek. Star Trek is the final frontier, not Star Wars.”

  He laughed harder and winked, letting her know he’d made the wrong reference on purpose. Violet caught on and chucked a balled-up napkin at his head. “Jerk!” She giggled and chewed on her plastic straw. They sat in silence while Cole collected himself. “You know, you can talk to me about anything, Cole. Not just nerd stuff.” She didn’t meet his eyes.

  “I know, Violet. Thank you. I really appreciate having a
friend here I can trust. Especially one who understands the significance of Slave Leia to a prepubescent nerd-boy.” Cole pointed to himself.

  “I knew it!” Violet reached across the table and poked Cole hard in the shoulder.

  “Ow!” he replied, rubbing at the sore spot.

  “I know my tribe.”

  “Is that so?”

  “Yep!” Violet nodded, proud of her revelation. She waved an exuberant hand in the air to signal the waitress over and asked for the dessert menu.

  “You know, you would get along real well with my friend Jake. He can recite Return of the Jedi in his sleep.” Both of them could, not having much of a choice since Cole’s father had insisted they watch what he’d considered the classics, instead of prime time cable like the rest of the kids their age in Sweetwater.

  “Really?”

  “Yeah.” Cole smiled and finished off his beer, thinking Violet would fit right into Jake’s and his small circle of trust. She grinned back before scanning the dessert menu for something to share.

  The rest of the workweek felt like pure agony. Cole kept his distance from Shaun, as he’d promised himself after the near miss of confessing his soul. Their only contact was by way of email, and that was only for work-related updates. Deep down Cole wanted to see her. He wanted to explain the way he’d acted at the restaurant, but how? How could he tell her about his uncle without looking like the royal asshole himself? Each day he let pass, the hole he had dug only grew deeper. The expression on her face as she’d left the restaurant tormented his recurring thoughts.

  Stopping by the office to drop off the signed timesheets to payroll for the week, Cole made an unplanned visit to the sixth floor and was surprised not to find Henry overseeing the space front and center. He continued down the hallway to his office and glanced in the direction of Shaun’s door. The light was on, but the space, from what he could see through the glass, was completely empty. No desk. No table. No Shaun. Cole stalked in and found Henry inside.

  “What’s going on here?”