With a disgusted sigh, she recapped her water and shoved it away.
“The truth is, I don’t know what I want right now,” she said quietly. “Furthermore, I don’t want to have to make decisions. I wanted to chase a few fantasies, dust myself off after making an ass of myself over a man. That’s why I’m here. So far I’m not complaining.”
“Fair enough,” Cole said with a nod. “But when you’re done with your chasing, you know where to find me. I can be a patient man, particularly when the outcome is worth waiting for. And honey, just so you know, you should never have to make a fool of yourself over any man. There are plenty of us only too willing to be the fool for you.”
Wow. Just wow. What the hell was she supposed to say to that?
“You make it damn hard to not be all self-centered,” she said.
White teeth flashed as he grinned. “I want you to be self-centered. Indulge while you can, because if you ever come knocking on my door, I’m not likely to let you out of my bed. Ever.”
“I do love a selfish man,” she said mournfully.
He checked his watch as she slid the last piece of fruit between her lips.
“Your guys are waiting, I’m sure. As I would be if I were in their place.”
She pushed the tray away and stretched sensuously.
He stood by the edge of the bed and ran his finger lightly over her cheekbone. “At least let me help you undress again. It’s the least you can do for rejecting my advances.”
She laughed. “You seem so sure my rejection will stand.”
“I think your interest is held elsewhere. If I didn’t think it, I would be a hell of a lot more persistent.”
Crap. Now she was a walking transparency. Nice. Damn
Nathan Tucker. He was ruining her love life and he wasn’t even around.
She held up her arms in supplication, too disgruntled to argue with Cole. The fact was her interests were held elsewhere. No matter how hard she tried, Nathan Tucker still occupied her mind. She was even pretending it was him making love to her. Thanks to the blindfold.
Cole’s gentle smile of understanding just further served to show her what an idiot she was being. He tugged away the sleeves, and his appreciative stare warmed her naked skin as the robe fell away.
“I’ll replace the blindfold,” he said as he reached for the sash. “But first I want to taste. Just one taste.”
He hesitated long enough for her to protest if that was her wish before he lowered her to the bed until her back pressed against the rumpled covers. There was a hungry, almost primal look to his eyes that puckered her nipples long before he lowered his mouth to take one.
Warm and light, his lips circled the straining knot. He sucked lightly at first and then harder. His tongue lapped over the tip but he never broke suction.
Her belly knotted and desire ran crazy circles in her belly and slithered lower into her pelvis. Her clit puckered, her pussy clenching and straining.
“You don’t play fair,” she groaned.
His eyes gleamed. “Never forget it.”
He kissed her lips, not waiting for her to respond in kind before lifting away from her again.
He secured the sash around her eyes, and the room went dark once more. He touched her gently on the cheek and then retreated, his footsteps sounding farther away until the door opened and he left the room.
She only spared a brief moment of regret, interrupted when the door opened again. Her breath caught as a quiver of excitement slipped down her spine.
They were back.
Chapter 18
Nathan strode in the bedroom after glaring holes through a departing Cole. Having to stand outside while Cole put the moves on Julie, his Julie, and pretend that nothing was going on had him busting a nut.
Micah nudged him and shook his head. In other words, calm the fuck down.
He held his hands out in front of him and stared as if he could will himself to stop shaking. He didn’t want to touch Julie while so much anger rushed through him.
Possessive. Who knew he had such a possessive streak? If asked, he’d have never thought he was the jealous type. Too much mental energy involved. And what woman was worth that kind of aggravation?
He sucked in several breaths and focused his attention on the bed where Julie lay. Instantly his anger was replaced by a red-hot haze of lust. All he had to do was look at the woman and he was a walking hard-on.
He snuck a look at Micah who, while not unmoved by the sight of Julie, didn’t exhibit the insanity that Nathan felt. No, Micah was Micah. Cool as a cucumber. Which was fine with him, because he’d rather Micah not feel the same rioting emotions toward Julie.
It was for that reason that he’d been able to watch Micah touch her.
Micah glanced back as if seeking permission, and when Nathan didn’t press forward, Micah reached for Julie’s hand.