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“Luke, no way, man. I just got here. I need to spread my wings, they’ve been severely stifled,” Cooper says. I sit up and glare at him. “Okay, okay, I’ll leave the nightclub to Derek. I need to start working at the hotel anyhow.”
“Grandpa? Where’s your promise?” I lay my head back down.
“Sure, sure, I promise.”
“Let’s limit everyone to the villas, if that’s all right with you, Coulter?” Luke says.
“That’s fine. Grandpa, you can stay with us, or you and can bunk with Cooper.”
“As much as I love you, Coulter, I think I’ll keep an eye on my wayward grandson.”
“Thanks, cuz.” Copper shakes his head.
“Anytime brother. Okay, let’s get everyone moved and we’ll meet here tomorrow at eleven,” Cole concludes.
I sit up. “What about Preston and Olivia?”
“Preston already uses my security. They’re aware of the procedure changes.” Luke gives me a sympathetic smile.
I sigh and lay back down. “That’s good. I may not love Olivia, but she’s family.” I yawn. “She’s my new drinking buddy.”
I feel Cole lift me in his in arms, and then feel the soft sheets of the bed. A few minutes later, the bed dips, and Cole wraps his arms around me. “Kate, look at me.”
I roll over to face him. I put my fingers over his lips. “Don’t beat yourself up, Cole. It was a bad day. I’m here, I’m okay, I’m a little shaken, but I’ll be fine.” Cole caresses my face. I lift my arms over my head and Cole pulls my shirt off, and we press our bodies together, becoming one.
I wake up around seven-thirty. Cole’s still asleep, but my stomach is rumbling. I’m not going to be able to fall back asleep until I eat something. I think about not waking Cole up, but decide against it. I don’t know how he’d react if I wasn’t here when he woke up. I know how I would react. I’ve already been there. “Cole,” I whisper in his ear, “wake up.” It’s my turn to trail kisses down his neck and chest. “Cole, if you don’t wake up, I’m going to give you a hickey.” I graze my teeth across the red spot, just under his defined peck.
“Cookie,” he rumbles, “don’t even attempt it. I’m beginning to feel I need to tattoo my name on your body, so people know you’re mine.”
I smile into his chest. “Hmm, a tattoo. I’ve always wanted one. I thought the one I got would say: I heart Elvis.” I lay myself on top of Cole. “Now who’s being the sleepy head?”
“I think I deserve a pass this morning. I had a very hard day yesterday. My grandfather almost messed up a billion-dollar business deal, my stepmother attacked my wife with a pair of scissors, and then my wife was kidnapped.”
“Oh, poor baby, you did have a bad day. I wonder how she feels? Oh, I know, your wife is finally hungry, but if you want to stay in bed, I understand.” I try to crawl off him, but he holds me tight.
“I love you,” Cole breathes over my lips.
“And I you, Coulter Holt, the hero of my dreams. You pulled up in your red stallion and won my heart. I’m forever yours. If I get a tattoo, can it say, ‘Property of Coulter Holt’?”
“Cookie.”
EPILOUGE
The next four days pass in a slow blur. Only a handful of people that have been cleared by Luke’s security firm are allowed into the villa.
I try to blend into the background and take the day in stride. I manage to lose myself in a book. I also talk to my mother, who is unusually vague about what she has planned for the week. We’re the same in that respect, planners down to the last detail. The same with Laura. When I talk to her, she says works and stuff; she doesn’t even mention Ben. They’re all busy with their lives, and I’m stuck here in a luxury villa. I guess things could be worse. Couldn’t they?
By the second day, Cole has to take meetings at the office, because Luke doesn’t want too many people up in the villa, which has a constant security man now. On Wednesday night, Alan and Cooper come over with popcorn, soda, (no alcohol per Luke) and a movie. Except the movie is a horror flick.
“Really, you want me to watch this? Who’s going to explain to Cole why I have nightmares tonight?”
“I had a feeling you wouldn’t want to watch that movie.” Alan eyes Coop.
“It’s a classic. It’s not even that scary.”
Alan pulls another movie out of the bag. “How about this one?” He tosses me the movie. The biggest smile I’ve had in two days spreads across my face. “How’d you know?”
“I asked your husband.”
