Leaning in, Cole rests his hands on either side of mine. Noiselessly laughing to himself like some private joke I was not included in.
His expression sobers. “Why are you here, Rory?”
Was he talking about the party or was he being broader? I couldn’t tell.
Those light eyes watch me, glossy but still somehow focused. I knew the signs. How much had he drunk?
My mouth coils into my nose. “You’re a drunk.”
Arms widening, Cole leans into the rail. Taller than me, even with the step’s height advantage. The faint sound of footsteps echoes down the hall, but neither of us looks away.
His bottom lip glistens, full and pouty. “And if I was?” Not denying it.
My eyes narrow. “Then I’d say you’re trying to escape something.”
“Aren’t we all, sweetheart?” he drawls dryly.
Our gazes stay locked. He’s like a vault, impossible to crack. I am the fool trying to solve the code without an answer.
“Coley,” a female singsongs. “There you are.”
Tucking herself under his arm. Cole as cold and apathetic as always, stays impartial to her presence.
“Don’t be rude, Madison. I was having a conversation.”
The same girl that climbed into Cole’s car looks over her shoulder acknowledging me for the first time. Her overly glossed upper lip thins out, twisting down in disapproval at my clothes.
My white cropped hoodie under a light denim jacket, opposite her silky navy-blue minidress. Her outfit small like her glance. Short enough to maintain curiosity but long enough to cover her business.
“I was hoping I’d find you back here,” she purrs. “Thought we could have some fun upstairs.”
I roll my eyes, could she be more vapid?
She kisses him then and Cole lets her. Content, she makes a noise when Cole bites her lower lip pulling it between his teeth.
My heart thunders watching, following through restless eyes. Why couldn’t I look away?
Cole’s eyes turn dark, hungry. Watching me as Madison bites his neck. His crude words from earlier warming my skin all over again.
I watch even when his smile turns mirthless. Yanking her by the back of her hair, forcing her mouth back to his. Neither of them shy, continuing to make out in front of me.
Desire clouds her eyes when Cole pulls away suddenly. She climbs the stairs with a little extra sway to her hips after he tells her he’d be up soon.
He runs his thumb across his glistening lower lip, wiping off her lipstick. Face a pool of lust. My neck prickled with heat.
Cole’s eyes sparkle with the promise of possibility. I wasn’t sure if that promise was for me or Madison.
I swallowed thickly. His next set of words sobering me like a bucket of ice water.
“Don’t you have a kitchen to find?”
thirteen
Cole
Ibeelinetowardthemaster suite. It had the best view of the property, overlooking the entire lake and I needed confirmation.
Bypassing the room Madison was in. She could wait and I knew she would, so I wasn’t in a hurry. Not for her, at least.