As soon as he could manage it, Cole took Fedora outside so they could talk. He’d had enough of the radio silence between them. It was time to hash things out.

Outside of the club, the sudden quiet was refreshing. It was chilly and she had no jacket so he was treated to an encore performance of her nipples—a sight he’d never get tired of. Regardless, he did the gentlemanly thing and put his suit jacket over her shoulders.

“Thanks,” she said. “I was in a hurry when I left and forgot to bring a sweater.”

“It’s not a big deal.”

Biting her lip, she raised her chin and said, “Cole, I came to tell you I’m sorry. I really screwed up.”

He said nothing and she pulled his jacket tighter around her.

“I should have talked to you,” she said. “I see that now, but when he first approached me, I wasn’t sure I was going to do it, so I figured ignorance is bliss and why upset you unnecessarily? Then, after I’d decided to take him up on his offer, I knew I needed to tell you, but…” She sighed. “I basically chickened out because I knew you wouldn’t like it.”

“Damn straight I don’t like it.” He was glad he was able to keep his cool. Yesterday, he would probably have lost it.

“I also was trying to keep my personal life separate. It’s my career, Cole, and I have a right to pursue whatever path I think is right.”

“I’m not arguing that. Not at all. I would never think I had a right to dictate what you should or shouldn’t be doing with your career, but if we’re going to see where this goes, you and me, you need include me in the conversation, at least, as a sounding board.” Bracing himself against a sudden breeze, he took a deep breath and tackled the big question. “Do you want to see where this goes? Or is it over? Because honestly? I don’t think I can be with someone who doesn’t think I have anything to contribute on an issue this big. You shut me out and made me feel irrelevant.”

“I made you feel irrelevant? Ha. That’s the pot calling the kettle black. You flat out told me to my face I wasn’t needed.”

He winced. “I did, didn’t I? Sorry. Sometimes when I’m angry stupid shit comes out of my mouth.”

“You’re a man,” she said with a shrug. “It’s expected.”

“Touché.”

As the music from the club continued to pound along with feminine shrieks and squeals, Fedora stood, wrapped in his jacket, looking so beautiful and vulnerable he wanted so much to pull her into his arms.

“So, are we good?” she asked, uncertainty shadowing her eyes. “Because, you know, I did just pay two thousand dollars to go on a date with you.”

He gave a soft laugh and took a step toward her. The next thing he knew, she had her arms around his waist and her face tucked into his neck. God, it felt good to hold her again. He didn’t want to ever let go.

“Seriously though,” she said, “I promise to talk to you from now on when something important comes up. I do value your opinion.” She tipped her face up to look at him. “Very much.”

“And I promise to be cordial to Anson the next time I see him, which might be much more often than I’d anticipated. I think he and my mom are dating.”

Fedora gasped. “What? When did this happen?”

“I’m not sure. Remember in Seattle when he said he had to stop in San Francisco before going back to San Diego? I think he was visiting my mother. She missed dinner at Jade West, but they had lunch together a couple days later.”

“Are you upset?” she asked, genuine concern on her face.

“A little. I don’t know this guy from Adam and all of a sudden, he’s inserted himself into the lives of the two women I care about most.”

“He’s a good guy. The lawyer I talked to said the contract terms are more than fair. You’ll see.”

“Yeah, well, I don’t want to talk about him right now.”

“I can understand that,” she said. “You probably want to go practice your puck juggling.”

“Shit, wasn’t that just a total clusterfuck?” He cupped her face and kissed her. “Thank you for rescuing me. I needed it, but you know, you could have easily stopped after that first bid. Once I started gyrating with these heavenly hips of mine, I had those women in the palm of my hand.”

She scoffed and grabbed him by the lapels. “Give me a break. You think I want to share you? Ha. There was no way I was going to let one of those crazy women get a crack at you. You’re all mine, mister.”

She said it flippantly, but he heard he question in her voice. Did he feel the same way? Hell yes.

“Then it’s mutual,” he said, touching his forehead to hers. “I don’t want to share you either.”

As she closed her eyes, a smile playing across her lips, he kissed her again, a little longer this time. God, it felt good. Her body fit so perfectly against his and with each moment that passed, he felt a little more settled, like his life was getting back to normal. And he liked the idea of a normal that included kissing Fedora.

---