The hairs on my arms stand. That room is as dead and lifeless as the person occupying it.
“I should probably go check on him,” Abram says, clearing his throat and rising from his chair.
The air in the room changes as soon as he’s gone. It’s only the pair of us now.
“You know we never did this. I never got the chance.”
I’m not sure what Cole means. “What are you saying?”
“This,” he reiterates, pointing at the table. “A date. I never took you on a proper one.”
My chewing slows before I choke it down. Whatever I’d been eating, losing all its flavor. My appetite right along with it. “What are you suggesting?”
“I want to take you on a date.”
All the blood rushes to my cheeks at the casual tilt of his head. It’s as roguish as it is charming.
His hands join his elbows on the table. “Rory, will you go out on a date with me?”
It’s a simple yes or no question, yet I can’t find my voice to give one.
My inhale is as choppy as it is drawn out. Caught off guard to the extreme. Where is this coming from? We were cracking jokes at Finn’s expense and suddenly we’re here? Just like that?
If I’m looking for doubts, I won’t find them from him. His face as somber as the dead. The lack of resistance from him only builds the pressure on the question.
Cole’s smirk is slow, but combine that with the lethal look in his eyes as he watches me right now.
“You’re overthinking again, Princess.”
“I’m not.”
“You are.”
My pulse skyrockets as his mouth hooks higher. He knows he’s right and it’s far too attractive for anyone’s sanity.
The answer is on the tip of my tongue. I already know what I want to say. My mouth parts, flowering open before it withers shut.
“Don’t answer me right now, wait until after our trip and then decide.”
My scowl deepens. Right, the trip.
This “epic adventure” Finn arranged for us all to take. I have no idea where we are going—I didn’t ask—but we leave tomorrow. He’s planned everything. Bringing it up to everyone after he already set it up.
All I do know is he wants to drive versus us flying and I planned to pass the fuck out in the back.
Right as I’m about to comment on the topic, a blistering fester of a human being storms in. Breaking one uneasiness only to fill it with his own.
“I’ve given you an hour, which is more than generous.” Of course, Silas would find an hour generous when speaking to his son. “Now it’s time to get back to reality.”
Cole’s hand is somehow already on the top of my thigh that’s under the table. His grip tightens with a squeeze as he rambles further.
“Let’s go. Money might grow on trees but it’s the effort that makes it flourish.” Silas waves the tips of his fingers. “Come.”
Cole doesn’t move from his seat or release his hold. The grip on my leg almost protective before it’s not. Moving, it shifts higher until his hand is completely underneath my skirt. His thumb flicks, skimming my pussy featherlight.
My skin flushes as a cold sweat breaks out, not expecting it. His grip tightens on my thigh, holding me in place when I jolt from the contact.
His face stays completely emotionless as he does it again, while I silently burn for him to not stop. We are equal parts spark and shadow.