He tasted like fine wine, his lips warm and firm. The scented steam rose between them while his fingers slipped back, delving into her hair.
The kiss deepened, and her desire skyrocketed.
“Gak,” called Zachary, his hand smacking her ear.
She jerked back in shock.
“Gak,” Zachary repeated, pressing his feet against her as if he needed space.
“All right, partner,” said Cole. “You have my attention.” But his gaze stayed fixed on Amber.
Embarrassment flooded her. “I don’t know what happened there.”
“I do,” said Cole. He held her gaze for a long beat. “And I’ve never taken a single psychology course.”
Then he backed away to the bathroom door, leaving her awash in arousal and confusion.
Four
Cole sat across from Luca at a small table in the festively decorated lobby lounge in the East Park Hotel. A blue-and-silver Christmas tree towered thirty feet above them. Lit reindeer bracketed the entrance. Strings of garland and clusters of icicles cascaded from the high ceilings, while the windows were frosted with scenes of ice and snow.
Carols played softly in the background as guests enjoyed the breakfast buffet.
“There’s not a doubt in my mind that Amber is the right guardian for Zachary,” said Cole.
He couldn’t help but worry about Amber’s description of her stepsister, and how Roth’s legal team might use Coco’s background and reputation. Amber was definitely going to have a fight on her hands in court.
“This is what I’m talking about,” said Luca, seeming not to have heard Cole’s comment as he swiveled his laptop around to face Cole. “That’s Samuel at the age of thirty-three, a year older than you are now.”
Cole focused on the picture of his biological father. The eyes were similar, but Samuel’s hair was lighter, his chin narrower and his nose had a bit of an upturn.
“It’s only there if you’re looking for it,” he said. “And nobody’s looking for it.”
“You’ve been outed by a nine-month-old baby.”
“Yeah, well, I think we can count on him to keep quiet.”
“He’ll learn to talk someday.”
“Not before I leave town.”
“And listen to this.” Luca turned the laptop and punched another key. “It’s Samuel giving a speech twenty years ago.”
“...once the plan is fully implemented, the new routes will take us to Britain, France and Germany...”
“Okay, that’s a bit uncanny,” Cole had to admit. He’d heard his own voice recorded on numerous occasions, and Samuel’s was very, very close.
“The kid knows you’re family.”
“At least that explains why he’s latched on to me.”