Page 35 of Vanessa’s Bravery

Vanessa entered the bistro and spotted Cole sitting at a small corner table. He rose instantly and waved at her. She strode toward him, smiling, her body heating even more. Yes, he was definitely the catalyst that sent her into heat.

At the table, Cole reached for her and leaned in, pressing a tender kiss to her cheek. “I’m so glad you came.”

She smiled at him. “Hi.” Her throat began tightening. Should she order food and drink first, before she sprung the truth on him?

“Take a seat.” He pointed to the half-moon shaped bench.

“Thank you.” Vanessa tugged on her jacket to take it off, and Cole immediately stepped in to help her like a gentleman.

“You look a little flushed,” he commented. “Are you hot?”

Vanessa sat down, while he laid her jacket over one of the unused chairs. Cole took the seat next to her on the bench, close enough to touch.

“It’s really warm in here.” Nevertheless, she inched closer to him so her thigh touched his.

He turned his face to her, while beneath the table, he slid his hand on her thigh. “I’ve already had time to study the menu.” He pointed to the menu in front of her. “Take your time.”

“I know what I want.” Both from the restaurant’s kitchen and from Cole.

“Good, we’ll order.”

He waved at a waitress, who took their order a moment later. When she left the table again, and promised to come back shortly with drinks, Vanessa knew it was time to confess the truth.

“I’m sorry I had to leave so abruptly last night,” Cole said, before she could form a sentence. He lifted his hand from her thigh and reached for her hand.

“Me too,” she confessed as he held her hand in his.

“Have you thought about my proposal? About me wanting to hire you exclusively?”

She hesitated. This was as good a segue as any. “About that. Uhm, there’s something I need to tell you.”

Vanessa noticed a look of dread wash over his face, and saw his lips parting, getting ready for a protest, but she couldn’t let him interrupt her.

“You can’t hire me, because I don’t work for Vera. I’m not a prostitute.”

Her words coincided with the waitress placing their glasses of white wine on the table. The woman’s eyes widened, but she turned away quickly and retreated.

Cole blinked, while his forehead furrowed, and he gave a light shake of his head. “But… no, no, you were at Vera’s, and you slept with me. You didn’t protest when I said that I wanted you.”

“That’s right. But you might remember that Vera tried to protest and took me aside.”

“I thought that was because maybe your shift was over.”

Vanessa shook her head. “Vera tried to talk me out of it, because she didn’t know you. She was worried you might hurt me.”

For a few seconds, Cole just sat there, saying nothing. He’d let go of her hand earlier and now shoved it through his hair, rubbing his scalp.

“But why would you agree to sleep with me when you don’t work there?”

She leaned closer. “Because I wanted you the moment I saw you.”

Their eyes met, and she waited for him to digest the information. Would he judge her?

“Weren’t you afraid that I could hurt you?”

“No. I could see in your eyes that you’re a nice man.”

“Just nice, huh?” He smirked. “You know that’s normally the death knell for a guy, being called nice.”