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Je t’aime de tout mon cœur.
I love you with all my heart.
Cole rubbed his hands together before checking his watch as he stood near the grand ballroom entrance of the luxury Manhattan hotel. He felt pride as he surveyed the crowd enjoying the lush party décor, open bar, and abundance of heavy appetizers as they listened to upbeat music and conversated. Tuxedos and sparkling gowns were in abundance. Press and peers were awaiting the new interactive website’s relaunch at midnight—a costly feat he was confident was worth every cent.
He wiped his hand over his shadow of a beard and then smoothed his hands down the front of his dark navy tuxedo and matching shirt. He was surprised by his nervousness. Although they practiced the countdown to the launch numerous times, a flop at this point would be disappointing and embarrassing,
“Don’t worry, you look amazing, and you know it.”
He turned to find Barbara, a member of the Cress, INC. office staff, walking up to him with two glasses of champagne in her hands. She used to make subliminal advances to his brother Gabe before his relationship with Monica had ruled the papers once the former maid had inherited millions after the death of the famous father she had never known.
Barbara now gave Cole the extra touch and long looks.
In the past, he would have taken the invite and found a private space to give her the release she sought. Things were different. He was different.
Because of Jillian.
“No, thank you, Barbara,” he said with emphasis as he eyed the glass—and whatever else—she offered him.
She arched a brow and shrugged a bare shoulder in her strapless dress before drinking one flute of champagne and then the other before turning and walking away.
He was glad to see her leave him be.
“Mr. Cress.”
He turned to find a waiter holding a tray. A small envelope sat upon it. He knew as he reached for it that it was from Jillian.
She’s not coming.
“Thank you,” he said to the young server.
He held the envelope, letting his disappointment set with him. He had wanted her there but hadn’t wanted to pressure her. His position at the door was not just to greet his guests but to ensure he saw her as soon as she stepped into the party.
Cole recognized her handwriting on the envelope and stroked his name as he strolled away from the door. He had taken a few steps and paused. “Wait,” he said.
How would a handwritten note from Jillian even get there if she was thousands of miles away?
He opened the envelope and removed the note. “‘You are the sexiest man in the room. No question,’” he read aloud.
He turned. Then he smiled.
Jillian stood in the hall outside the ballroom, looking stunning in a chocolate cami maxi dress cut on the bias with a deep vee and thin straps. A delicate brown lace jacket, worn open, trailed behind her, perfecting framing her sultry body in the clinging silk. Her normally curly hair was pulled back into a sleek ponytail; her eye makeup was dramatic and her lips were covered in a nude gloss.
Beautiful, he mouthed, clutching her note as he walked over to her.
As he stood before her with his heart thundering at a frenzied pace and his entire body electrified by her very presence, he would be even more a fool to deny his feelings for her. They consumed him. They pushed him to reach for her and pull her body to his kiss as he lowered his head and feasted of her lips. The moan he released was pure hunger.
He broke their kiss with reluctance and looked down at her. “All your gloss is gone,” he said.
She shrugged as she reached up to wipe the remnants of it from his mouth. “Tohellwith that gloss,” she said.
“I’m feeling like to hell with this party,” he said, his inches swelling to life.
“And miss your big moment? Never.” Jillian lifted on her heels to taste his mouth.
“I’m having another big moment right now.” Cole looked down at his rising erection.
“Oh, big indeed,” she said with a sassy wink.
