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Cole stared down into his cup of coffee. His father really could charm.
“Under the guidance of Gabriel and his team and the entire staff at Cress, INC., we thank you for providing the most important element—cooking delicious food,” Phillip Senior continued. “Without your skill and love of food, Cress, INC. would not have had its most successful year to date.”
Applause filled the air.
Cole looked up as his mother cast a beautiful smile at her husband. It was filled with love. He eyed his father bend from his tall height to kiss her.
Scoundrel.
Cole was angry at his mother for her machinations in his love life, but she was his mother and still deserving of his father’s loyalty.
“Thank you all again. Have a good night. And safe travels in the morning back to your homes,” Phillip said.
“If my family could just remain behind for a quickbavardage,” Nicolette added, with an inadvertent glance at Cole before she forced a stiff smile.
Bavardage. The beautiful French word for chitchat, which she truly meant as “verbal lashing.”
His parents and Gabe moved to the door to personally say goodbye as the chefs and their dates began to exit. Cole’s eyes immediately went to Jillian as she tucked her clutch under her arm and made her way to the front. She didn’t look at him.
He clenched his jaw, feeling dismissed and forgotten by her once again.
“Should I go?” Kimber asked.
“Definitely not,” Cole said, watching as Jillian shook the hand of his mother and father before leaving.
Just outside the door, she paused and looked back over her bared shoulders. Their eyes met.
She gave him a hesitant smile, and his body betrayed him by desiring her in a rush.
His mother closed the door, breaking the connection. He eyed her, not doubting she had done it purposely.
Monte Carlo is calling my name.
Phillip Senior walked over to the bar and poured himself a Scotch.
His mother leaned against the door, released a heavy breath, and finally landed her cobalt eyes on him. Hard and intense.
They matched his own.
Her unspoken message to her son was clear.Send her away or I will obliterate her.
His mother’s anger was nuclear and he knew Kimber’s feelings would suffer collateral damage.
Cole leaned over. “Thanks for tonight. I owe you,” he whispered near her ear.
Kimber smiled at him and pressed her hands to his cheeks as she tilted her head to kiss him. Deeply. And with a loud moan.
Cole fought not to laugh as she broke the kiss. She cleaned his mouth of her gloss with her thumb and then rose to walk away with sultry stride meant to annoy his mother.
Nicolette looked like she could spit bullets as she crossed her arms at her chest and moved away from the door with angry steps that sent her rose-gold evening gown fluttering behind her.
“I’ll be waiting up for you, Cole,” Kimber said with a wink and another blown kiss.
Nicolette released a cry and turned quickly to steer Kimber out the door before closing it.
He covered his mouth with his hand as he looked around the restaurant at his family members’ expressions.
Phillip Junior looked pleased though his wife cast him an annoyed glare.
