Cole(43)

“Hmm?”

“What is this? This whole thing?” I glanced around the hotel room. “Are you trying to wow me or something?” He didn’t have to. I’d seen him naked. That was wow enough. “This is too much.”

“Wait. What are you talking about?”

“The private plane. The dress. What club is The Octavia?”

He groaned. “Okay, I’m sorry. The private plane was because if you agreed, I just wanted you to come as soon as possible. That was me being selfish. I’ve been in business meetings all day long, and I only have tonight free. I just wanted to see you.”

“You didn’t pick out the dress?”

“No. I asked one of my staff to handle the details. I had no idea he’d pick out a dress for you.”

“A guy picked this out then?” I didn’t know what was worse, thinking Cole had picked it out or knowing another man did. Another man, definitely the other man. If Cole had picked it out…again, that good kind of shiver happened. “You haven’t seen the dress?”

His voice dropped low. “Do I want to? And the note said to meet me at The Octavia?”

“It wasn’t a note. The front desk guy, Thomas, called me.”

He barked out a laugh. “That wasn’t the front desk. Thomas is one of my guards. We have about twelve Thomases working for us. I’ve no doubt that was an inside joke. I’m sorry. Listen, I was going to go to The Octavia for a bit, but you don’t have to come. It’s a nightclub my buddy owns here.”

“A nightclub?” Another place and adventure that Sia would’ve had, and would’ve told me about. I sat up, forgetting the dress. “I’ll come.”

“Wait—”

“No. I want to come.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.” I couldn’t remember the last time I went to an actual nightclub. A restaurant, one of Sia’s events at the Gala—those I’d go to, but not an actual dancing club. Something stirred in me. I was waking up, and I said again, “I want to come.”

“Uh.” He hesitated. “Okay. The club’s next to the hotel you’re in. That’s why I wanted a room there for you. Give me a bit, and I’ll come over.”

We hung up, and I didn’t have time for the nerves to explode. I knew they would, but that was ridiculous. I knew Cole, kind of. I’d slept with him, no kind of there. Definitely. So nerves didn’t make sense, but as I picked up the dress and went to the bathroom, the back of my mind called bullshit on me.

This was new. This was out of my comfort zone. This was…my hands were shaking, and thirty minutes later, I stood back and smoothed down the front of my dress. This was surreal.

The dress wasn’t long so it looked appropriate for a club, ending between my thigh and knee. A good amount of thigh was showing, and the loose, see-through fabric that covered the rest of the dress shimmered in the light. It really was beautiful, something I never would’ve picked to wear, and it meant more now.

I wanted to surprise Cole, just like he’d surprised me with this trip.

I gazed in the mirror. My old sandy-blond hair was back. It had been a drab mop for so long, but it had changed. It was shining now. I touched some of the looser strands that had fallen down to frame my face. The rest was pulled back into one large, messy braid. My makeup was minimal, though I had pulled out a shimmering lip balm.

Yes. I studied myself. I was satisfied. I saw a spark in my eyes that I hadn’t seen for so long.

I heard the door open, then Cole called out, “Addison?”

I moved through the bedroom, stopping in the doorway.

He was yawning, a hand scratching behind his ear when he turned, asking, “You here…” His voice trailed off when he saw me. “Whoa.” His hand fell to his side. “Wow.” A wolfish grin curved over his face, and he came toward me, his hand coming to rest on my side. “I might need to have Thomas pick out more of your clothes. Wow.”

Warmth spread through me. Whether it was his reaction, or seeing him, being near him again, I wasn’t sure.

“Is Thomas looking for a job?” I murmured. “Personal shopper?”

Cole laughed softly, the sound ending as he looked into my eyes. He touched the side of my face. “Do you know how beautiful you are?”

My heart skipped a beat. I couldn’t talk.

His eyes darkened. He cupped the side of my face, and his gaze fell to my lips. “I am so very, very happy I asked you to come here. Even if it’s just for one night.” He leaned in.

I held my breath.

His eyes flicked back up to mine. “Are you okay with this?”