Cole didn’t get a wink of sleep on Wednesday night. Between the investigation, the upcoming sting operation and knowing Dani and the boys were coming to the ranch, there was too much rattling around in his head.
The topic that really wouldn’t go away, no matter how hard he tried to focus on other things, was that of Colin and Cameron. Could they be his sons? The fact that he couldn’t let it go when he had so much on his professional plate said a lot. Cole was frequently guilty of putting career before anything else. He just couldn’t walk away from the immense satisfaction of it. It all led back to Cole’s childhood fascination with the Rangers and their ability to solve tough cases. No matter what it was, Cole had to find the truth and get to the heart of what was right.
Cole had to find out the truth about Colin and Cameron. Had he and Dani conceived twin boys? Or had Taylor Blake been not only lucky enough to have been with Dani, but to have fathered her children? He cringed at the thought, but the alternative wasn’t much better. If Colin and Cameron were his sons, Dani had kept a massive secret from him for more than five years. Of course, he’d stomped on her heart, so maybe in her mind, they were even.
Cole was out in the yard talking to one of his ranch hands. He’d been working on the investigation all morning and was sorely out of the loop with the state of the ranch. One of the mares had given birth to a healthy foal that morning. The boys were in for a real treat. In the middle of their conversation, a minivan came up the driveway. Dani was in the passenger seat, and a woman Cole didn’t recognize was driving. When it came to a stop, the side doors opened on their own, and the boys unbuckled their seat belts and ran up to him. Cole waved to Dani as the boys nearly tackled him in the driveway.
“Mr. Cole, we’re here!” Cameron exclaimed while Colin nodded in agreement.
“Hi, guys. I’m happy to see you.”
“Hey, Cole,” Dani said, walking toward him. Her perfume got to him first, then the gorgeous skin of her shoulders, left bare by her white tank top. And to think he’d had his hands all over her the other night...the very idea made his whole body come alive with electricity. “I need to ask you a favor.”
“Yes. Of course.” Anything.
“That’s my nanny, Elena. She wants to check out the antiques at Priceless. I told her she could take the minivan since not much can fit in the back of my convertible. Do you think you could give us a ride home when we’re done?”
“I’m happy to do it.” He’d never before felt that the chance to give someone a ride was a prize, but he sure felt that way right now.
“Great. As long as you don’t get any ideas about what this means. We’re just in need of a ride. That’s it.”
Cole fought the sigh that wanted to leave his lips. “Don’t worry. You’ll get no ideas from me.”
“Good. Thank you. I appreciate it. Let me get their boosters.” Dani headed over to the minivan, where Elena was a step ahead, pulling out the boys’ car seats. Dani waved goodbye to Elena, who drove off a moment later.
“What do you boys want to see first?” Cole asked.
“Horses!” Cameron didn’t hesitate with his answer.
“How about you, Colin?” Cole asked.
“That sounds fun. As long as it’s okay with you.”
Cole arched his eyebrows at Dani and put on his sunglasses. “Horses it is.”
The boys tore off, Cameron leading the way down to the stables.
“I noticed you can tell the boys apart.” Dani was right at his side as they strolled along.
“It’s more from the way they talk than their appearance. Colin hangs back a little bit. Cameron’s more outgoing.”
“Ever the detective, huh? Always observing.”
“I couldn’t stop if I wanted to.” What he really wanted to say was that Colin looked and acted a lot like him—same faint freckles, same need to observe before speaking. But again, he had to wonder if his mind was playing tricks on him, if this was all just projection because a part of him wanted a connection to Dani. Even if they couldn’t be together as a couple, perhaps they could be close again. As intense and passionate as their relationship had once been, they’d always been great friends. He’d have been lying if he’d said he didn’t want at least that much again.
When they got to the barn, Cole quietly let Colin and Cameron know what was in store. “Boys, we have a brand-new foal in the barn. A baby horse. She was just born this morning, so we have to be real quiet around her. We don’t want to spook her or her mama, okay?”
“Can you do that?” Dani asked.
Mouths zipped tight, both boys nodded in agreement, their eyes wide as saucers. Cole adored their sweet innocence. It was such a wonderful change of pace from the usual things he dealt with—grueling ranch work and chasing evil men.
“Okay, then. Let’s go.” Cole led them over to the far end of the barn. One of the ranch hands was watching closely, arms resting on the gate to the stall. Cole realized then that they’d have to pick up the boys for them to see. He wanted to give Peanut and her new baby all the privacy they deserved.
Dani scooped up Cameron, and with a nod, let Cole know it was okay for him to do the same with Colin. Cole held on tight to the boy, struggling a bit with how to best hold him. He didn’t want to drop him. Dani demonstrated, putting Cameron on her hip. Cole followed her lead, and that made things much better. They crept toward the stall and there was the mama horse, eating away while the foal suckled. The boys were both completely still and silent, just watching. Peanut pulled away from her food and let out a blow, probably curious about her visitors. The foal unlatched from the teat and took a few unsteady steps around the stall, shaking and hobbling. Cole watched in awe, just as he had a hundred times before. This was one of Cole’s favorite parts of being a rancher—new life. He loved it when the animals gave birth and there were babies around to care for.
“Wow,” Colin whispered right into Cole’s ear. “She can walk already?”
Cole grinned. “She can.”
Dani and Cole put the boys back down on the ground and led them out of the barn. As soon as they were out of earshot of Peanut, the boys were full of questions.
“Why was the baby sucking on the mama’s belly?” Cameron asked.
“That’s where she gets the milk,” Cole answered.
“I don’t understand how a horse can walk right after being born. Doesn’t she need to learn how to do that?” Colin asked.
Cole was ready to give him the nickname of Mr. Professor. “They’re just born knowing how to do it. Pretty cool, huh?”
“I’ve seen pictures of us when we were first born, and we were very small and wrapped up in blankets. I don’t think we were able to do much more than cry,” Colin said.
Cole swallowed hard as that picture popped up in his head. If these were his boys, he’d missed out on a lot. First steps, first words and—certainly from Colin—first questions. At some point, he was going to have to just come out and ask Dani the hard question, but not in front of the boys. It wasn’t right. And if he was being honest with himself, the answer scared him. If she’d kept this from him, she’d had her reasons. Dani didn’t do anything without good cause.
“Would you boys like to get up on a horse? Go for a ride around the pen?” Cole asked.
“Yes, please,” Cameron said.
“Just nothing dangerous, please,” Dani interjected.
“I promise they’ll get nothing but the oldest, kindest horse. That would be Gentry. She’s out in the pasture right now, but she’ll come if I whistle. We’ll have to get her saddled up, but she loves kids.”
They strolled out past the barn to a small pasture for the horses. The longhorns were kept farther away from the main house. Gentry was easily found with her chestnut-and-white coloring. She was a pretty horse now, but she’d been stunning in her prime.
Cole placed his thumb and middle finger between his lips and whistled. Gentry looked up and, seeming resigned, made her way to the gate. Cole unhooked the latch and started to walk right up to her, but the boys and Dani hung back. “It’s okay, boys. Come on. She won’t hurt you.”
Cameron sprinted into action, and Colin followed. Gentry dropped her head when she got close to Cole and he gave her exactly what she wanted—scratches behind both ears.
Cole took the boys and Gentry down to the small corral next to the barn, saddled up the horse and let them take turns riding her. They took to it easily. These boys were born ranchers—one more reason for him to wonder if they might be his. Dani leaned against the fence, her long hair flowing over her shoulder in the breeze. She kept watch over her boys, but Cole also caught her keeping an eye on him once or twice. When that happened, their gazes locked for a heartbeat or two, making Cole’s pulse thunder in his ears. Then Dani would drop her head or look away, and he’d be plunged right back into self-doubt.
He tried not to think too much about the tension between them, the unfinished business, but it was next to impossible. It was all around him. An indelible force. He’d love it if she’d let down her guard and talk to him about the boys. But how could he expect her to open up about anything when it was his secret that kept them apart in the first place? Especially since his was a secret he refused to share. He didn’t want anyone’s pity because of the tumor.
Just then a familiar, gleaming RV pulled up in front of the house. Cole’s stomach sank. His parents. Those two and Dani did not have a good history. If he was trying to smooth things over with her, his mom and dad were going to stand in the way. No question about that.
“Come on, boys, we’re going to let Gentry have a rest,” Cole said. He waved over one of the ranch hands to have him take care of the horse.
“We were having fun,” Cameron said, seeming disappointed.
Dani strolled over. “Who’s that in the big RV?”
It wasn’t merely big, it was massive. A top-of-the-line Prevost, with a king-size bed in the master suite, hardwood floors, and marble tables. His parents had spared no expense. Cole smiled, as if that was going to make this any easier. “That would be my parents.”
“Your parents are here?” Dani muttered with a biting edge to her voice. “Why didn’t you tell me they were coming over?”
Cole was already on edge. His parents had not been particularly kind to Dani when he and Dani were together. “I didn’t know they were going to. They’re retired now and living out of that thing most of the year.” He pointed in the direction of the RV, just as his parents climbed out. Of course, they managed to spot Cole, Dani and the boys right away. “But they drop in unannounced every now and then to check in on things with the ranch. I’m so sorry. I know they’re not your favorite people.”
“Great. And I have no car. I really don’t think this is a good idea.”
Cole couldn’t help but notice the panic in Dani’s voice. This was a big deal for her. “Don’t worry. I won’t let anything bad happen.” If only he could be so certain that he could keep that promise.
“I swear to God, Cole. If they say one thing to me, I’m leaving. I will call Elena and get her to pick us up.”
Cole rested his hand on her shoulder, trying to ignore how good it felt to have his fingers on her bare skin. “I will drive you myself if something happens. Or better yet, I’ll tell them to leave. Just give them a chance, Dani. They’ve both mellowed out a bit with retirement.”
Dani pressed her lips together tightly. “Hmm.” She did not seem convinced.
“Come on. Let’s just say hello.” The four of them made the trek up to the driveway. Cole’s mom, Bonnie, approached them, her curly blond hair up in a ponytail. Always impeccably dressed, she was wearing a sleeveless black blouse and white Capris, her trademark diamond stud earrings glinting in the sunlight. Mom spread her arms wide, but to Cole’s great surprise, that embrace was not meant for him—it was for Dani.
“Dani Moore. I can’t believe you’re here. It’s so nice to see you.” She gave Dani a pat on the back and stepped back. “You look just as gorgeous as always.” She turned to Cole’s dad. “Gus, doesn’t she look amazing?”
“She does. She does.” Dad was looking especially tan, and dressed like he was ready to go golfing, in khakis and a blue polo. Now that he was retired, he always looked more at ease than he had when he was still running the ranch. He hugged Dani, too, then shook Cole’s hand. “Son. Good to see you.”
“Nice to see you guys. I wish I would’ve known you were coming.” Seriously. Maybe give a guy a phone call next time?
“And who do we have here?” Cole’s mom asked.
Colin and Cameron introduced themselves. Cole was impressed.
“Would you boys like some cookies? And to check out our RV? If it’s okay with your mother, of course.”
Dani crossed her arms. “Oh, sure. Go right ahead.”
As soon as his parents walked off with the boys, Cole had to check in and see how Dani was feeling. “That wasn’t so bad. I mean, considering how you feel about them.”
“Anything I feel about them is because of things that they said. I never wanted anything but to be accepted, Cole.”
“I talked to them about it that one time, and they got better, didn’t they?”
“And then the accident happened and it got ugly. You weren’t there in that hospital waiting room. It was awful.”
Cole sighed. Everything came back to the accident. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know what to say. If I had been there, I would’ve told them to stop. I would’ve told them it wasn’t right.”
Dani shrugged and looked off in the distance, shaking her head. “I guess I just need to get over it, but it’s hard.”
“I understand. I’d appreciate your willingness to put up with them for a little while today.”
“I’ll do my best.” She started to walk toward the RV. “Plus, there’s no way I’m getting the boys out of here until they’ve had a chance to swim in your pool.”
* * *
After spending several hours with Cole’s parents, anybody could’ve knocked Dani over with a feather. Bonnie and Gus hadn’t just been nice or pleasant. They’d gone out of their way to be kind. Dani almost asked Cole if his parents had been abducted by aliens.
They’d spent a few hours sitting out by the pool while Cole swam with the boys. Cole had bought the fixings for sandwiches and a fruit salad for lunch, and Bonnie not only deferred to Dani’s expertise in the kitchen, she applauded it, declaring the herb aioli she made “divine.” Now that it was getting to be late afternoon, Dani was ready to head home. The boys were tired and she was, too, even though she’d had an incredible day.
“Cole, do you mind taking the boys and me home?”
Cole hopped up from the couch, where he was sitting with the boys and his dad. “Yeah. Absolutely. I’ll grab my keys.”
Bonnie pulled Dani aside. “It was really nice to see you today, Dani. I just want to tell you that I’m sorry for the way I acted with you when you and Cole were together. And especially for the things I said after the accident.” She placed her hand on Dani’s shoulder. “I hope that maybe now that you’re a mom you can understand a bit of what makes you feel protective. That’s all it was. Me going overboard with being a mama bear. I’m not proud of it. And I do regret it. Please accept my apology.”
Dani could hardly believe what she was saying. And, she had to admit, she did understand what Bonnie was saying. She had her hyperprotective moments, too. “Thank you, Bonnie. I appreciate that. I really do.”
“Now that you’re back in town, I hope that you and Cole can spend some more time together.”
“We’ll see. We’re getting reacquainted right now.” Dani didn’t want to say any more.
“Ready?” Cole asked.
“Yeah. I think the boys already ran outside.”
“Of course they did.”
Cole got the boys, the booster seats and everything else loaded into the truck, and off they went to Dani’s house. Despite their busy day, the boys were a flurry of conversation. Cole stayed quiet, so Dani did, too. She needed time to think about today. She’d had a good time, even with his parents, which she had not thought was possible. And to think, just that morning she’d been dreading seeing Cole. She still didn’t like the way she behaved around him, acting as if she had no common sense. She didn’t like that he still had that kind of control over her, whether he realized it or not.
When they got to the house, Cole asked if he could come in and see her new place. It was against Dani’s better judgment, but it was so hard to say no to Cole, especially after he’d gone out of his way to make their day so special.
Of course, once the boys realized Cole was coming in, they weren’t about to let him leave.
“Can he stay for story time?” Cameron asked.
Dani had very little resolve at this point. “Sure. But you both need a bath first. I don’t care how much time you spent in that pool, you’re both filthy.”
Just then, Cole received a phone call from one of the FBI agents, and excused himself, walking into the kitchen. He’d gone for hours without working, so that was no big surprise. He was front and center for story time, though, listening to Dani read one of the boys’ favorite books about trains that could talk. She glanced over at him at one point while she was reading and couldn’t help but notice the way the boys wanted to be near him. It created the strangest feeling in her chest—both happy and sad. That was the way things should’ve been. The way they could’ve been.
“Can Mr. Cole read us a book now?”
Dani wasn’t sure she could take any more sweet and tender moments between the boys and Cole. It was too strong a reminder of how the life they could’ve had together never materialized.
“Maybe some other time, honey. It’s late. You both need to get some sleep.”
Dani closed the door on the boys’ room after tucking them in. Cole was still by her side. It had been the most incredible day—the horses, the time spent laughing in his kitchen and watching the boys swim in Cole’s enormous, over-the-top pool. She’d certainly had her pangs of guilt over not telling him about the boys all these years, but that was a scenario of Cole’s design. She’d never wanted to break up. She hadn’t wanted to leave Royal, that was for sure.
“Heading home?” Dani half hoped he wasn’t, even when she knew what a bad idea it was for him to stay. She had so little willpower when it came to him.
“I’d love a glass of wine if you’re offering.”
She owed him that much for such a wonderful day. “Absolutely. Let’s go downstairs.” They descended her sweeping staircase and trailed into the kitchen, where Dani pulled out a bottle of cabernet and opened it. She sniffed the cork and handed it to Cole. Working at the Glass House gave her access to some incredible wines, most of which were private reserve and difficult to find.
He took a whiff and shrugged. “Smells like wine to me.”
“You are a true connoisseur.”
He winked and tossed the cork in the trash. Dani didn’t want to admit it, but she liked that he was so comfortable in her house already. He looked good here. Too good. Good enough that all she wanted was for him to take his shirt off. How could she have let herself forget until the other night exactly how much she loved his chest and shoulders? She would’ve been lying if she said that she didn’t long to touch him again, to have him pressed up against her. Being this close to him was only making her lips twitch with the memory of his kiss.
Cole raised his glass and clinked it against Dani’s. “To a great day.”
“To a great day.” Dani sipped her wine, trying to keep her eyes off Cole, but it was impossible. Part of it was just general admiration. He’d been in the sun most of the day and had that glow that took her breath away. The way it played off his icy blue eyes just wasn’t fair. No woman should have to withstand the pressure of being in the same room with that, knowing that it was best if she walked away. It was so impossible it should be an Olympic event. And now, with the bronze medal in Resisting Cole Sullivan, is Danica Moore of the USA. She could’ve taken the silver if she hadn’t allowed him to kiss her the other night and let it snowball from there.
Cole was staring off into space, absentmindedly gnawing on his lower lip, which was ridiculously sexy.
“You seem preoccupied. Everything okay?” Was he thinking what she was? That a kiss might be a bad idea, but a whole lot of fun?
“I’m fine. I was just so distracted by you and the boys today that I stopped thinking about the investigation into Jason’s murder. Now that things have quieted down, I guess my mind naturally wants to go there.”
“I’m sure it’s hard to keep your mind off it. Spending time with Megan yesterday really put everything into perspective. She’s struggling. She’s sad and mad and I think she’s even a little scared, not knowing what Rich might do.”
“I know. The whole thing is a nightmare, especially for her.” The crease between his eyebrows got deeper. Dani knew that meant he was stressed. “After spending time with the boys today, I realize just how much this is going to impact Jason’s daughter, Savannah. She’s not that much older than them.”
“What’s the next step? With the investigation?”
“You know I shouldn’t talk about it.”
“I know, but it’s my best friend we’re talking about. And you know you can trust me to keep my lips shut. I know exactly how dangerous things can get if someone goes around flapping their mouth.” Dani’s dad had worked in law enforcement. She knew not to talk.
“I’m coordinating a sting in the Sierra Nevadas near the location where the plane carrying Jason and Rich went down. There’s a sheriff up there who is a real slimeball. Everybody says he’s crooked, but nobody’s caught him. We got a tip that he took a bribe to lie about who died in that plane crash and have the body cremated before anyone could identify it.”
“That’s horrible. Did you say the Sierra Nevadas? Whereabouts?”
“Durango City. It’s a real mess. The sheriff is pretty slick, but we’re worried about him getting skittish. He doesn’t trust anyone. And it’s my job to figure out how we get him to confess on tape to everything that happened.”
Dani couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “What’s this sheriff’s name?”
“Billy Orson. Real son of a bitch.”
She’d heard Cole correctly. The sound of that name made the hair on the back of her neck stand up. “I’ve cooked for him before. In his home.”
“What? Are you serious?” Cole set down his wineglass.
“Yes. Remember when I got my first job out of culinary school working for that catering company? We got hired by the sheriff to cater this very extravagant party he threw. I guess he had the hots for my boss. They’d met in Vegas on vacation. As near as I could tell, he was just trying to get her into bed.”
“And what happened?”
“We were flown out there. Just the two of us. I was the sous-chef. He hired servers, but we did all of the food. I remember thinking that it made no sense that a sheriff would have a house that big and fancy. And he paid for us to fly out there, first class. Anyway, he was a total creep. Kept hitting on me all night.”
“Do you think he would recognize you?”
“Probably not. It was seven years ago. My hair was shorter and much lighter.”
“Do you remember the house well?”
“Yeah. We spent an entire day there and stayed overnight.”
Cole leaned against the kitchen counter, rubbing his forehead.
“Are you okay?”
He looked up at her, nearly knocking her over with the intensity in his eyes. “Yeah. Just got a lot of stupid ideas going through my head.”
“Like what?”
He straightened and waved it off, stuffing his hands into his back pockets. “It’s crazy.”
“Just tell me.” She topped off her glass and his, as well. Judging by the tone of Cole’s voice, they both might need it.
“So I’m running a sting to catch the sheriff. I got myself a spot at a cocktail party he’s hosting to court investors in a pipeline project up in the mountains. I’ll be posing as a hotshot money guy from Houston. But one of the FBI agents helping us on the case is convinced I won’t be able to get him to confess anything. She says I need a woman with me.”
Dani put two and two together so fast her head was spinning. This was perfect. She could finally help Megan in some real way. And all she had to do was go to a cocktail party and talk to an overly flirtatious scumbag? She’d done that so many times in her life, she could practically do it in her sleep.
But she also had to think about the boys. “Are we talking a dangerous situation? I mean, it’s a cocktail party. How dangerous could it possibly be?”
“The FBI will be on-site that night. So not super dangerous. But still.” He pressed his lips together and looked right at her, shaking his head. “I know what you’re thinking, Dani. What about the boys?”
“Precisely why I asked if it was going to be dangerous. I know the house. That’s got to count for something, doesn’t it?”
“It does. Still doesn’t mean I think it’s our best shot. I need a woman who can persuade him to talk.”
“Like a woman who’s been around law enforcement her whole life? A woman who is smart and, most important, knows how this guy operates? I am not afraid of him. If he was standing in front of me right now, I know I could get him to talk.”
Cole drew a breath through his nose. “I’ll think about it. And I’ll talk to Agent Stanton about it. See what she says.”
Dani had to admit she was a bit disappointed. “Okay. I understand if I might not be the right person to do it.”
A quiet laugh left Cole’s lips. She loved that sound. She loved hearing it in the middle of the night, his mouth near her ear, his body warm against her. “You’re perfect for this. You’re beautiful and smart and sexy. What more could I possibly want?”
“I don’t know, Cole. What more could you want?” She hated the way her voice cracked, but this was clawing at the essence of what had hurt most about their breakup. She hadn’t been enough for him. And she still didn’t understand why.
“Nothing. Nothing at all.”
She wasn’t sure if they were talking about the investigation or their past, but she had to make her case one more time. “Then let me go to this party with you. Let me help you get some justice for a little girl who doesn’t have her daddy anymore.”
That idea really hit home with her. Her dad had protected her so fiercely when she was growing up, buffering her from her troubled mother. It nearly killed Dani when that was all taken away from her. She hated the thought that Savannah was having to go through the same thing.
“I promise I will think about it.” He reached out for her shoulder. His touch brought up every conflicted feeling, her heart and her body at war with each other. “You’re so amazing for even offering to do it. Thank you.” He squeezed her bare shoulder then trailed his fingers down the back of her arm. His touch was impossibly light, but there was no mistaking what it was saying. It left a white-hot path in its wake, warming Dani’s face and chest. “I’m only considering it because I would die before I let anyone so much as lay a hand on you. I would never let anything bad happen to you. Never.”
“That’s good to know.” Cole did not throw those words around lightly, but the reality of their past was that he had not only let something bad happen to her, he’d done it. “It’s getting late.”
“It’s been a long day. We’re both tired.” He nestled his fingers in the palm of her hand, then began to journey back up the length of her arm. He stepped closer to her, until they were toe-to-toe. He dropped his head. At that scant distance, it made his shoulders that much more deliciously imposing. She watched as his chest rose and fell with every breath, hypnotizing her with its steady rhythm.
She couldn’t help the way she was drawn to him. When his hand reached the tender underside of her upper arm and his fingertips grazed the side of her breast, she sucked in a sharp breath. She dared to look up into his face, just as a self-satisfied smile crossed his lips.
“I’d forgotten how much I love it when you make that noise.”
Before Dani knew what was happening, she was kissing him, if only to get him to not talk about her weakness for him. She flattened a hand against his solid chest, curling her fingers to feel the flex of his muscles, while her other hand grabbed his neck and tugged him in closer. Taking what she wanted was so liberating, she didn’t know which way was up. His arms snaked around her waist, his hands smoothing over the small of her back and trailing down until he squeezed her bottom. Dani bowed into him. Memories of the other night swirled in her consciousness. Had it really felt that good to take off his clothes, or was she making too much of it because she wanted to end the longest drought of her adult life? Maybe this required further investigation.
Cole angled his head and took the kiss even deeper. He’d always known how to make her feel desired. “I want you, Dani,” Cole muttered between kisses. As if his words weren’t quite enough, he grabbed her thigh and hitched her leg up on his hip.
“I want you, too.” She couldn’t lie. She pressed her center against his hipbone, creating heat and friction that left her dizzy.
They kissed again, Cole’s lips so firm and insistent, his tongue quickly seeking hers. He cupped her breast with his hand, brushing against her nipple with his thumb. Through the thin cotton of her dress and her silky bra, it was almost as good as if he’d touched her skin. But she wanted more. She wanted the real thing.
She pulled the strap of her dress off her shoulder, and tugged down the front of her dress. “Touch me, Cole. Please.” She was breathless, her chest heaving.
Cole looked at her, slack-jawed and his eyes heavy with lust. She could see his internal struggle, the way his eyes stormed. She would’ve been mad at his hesitancy if she hadn’t endured so much of it herself the other night at his house.
“I want to Dani. I do. But maybe you were right the other night. Maybe it’s a mistake if you and I give in to this.”
The reality of her situation slammed into her. Where would she be after a casual tryst with Cole? It would be that much harder to stay away from him. Once she had a real taste of him, she knew she’d only want more. And she had other people to worry about—Cameron and Colin, to be exact. She sighed heavily. “I understand. It was a great day, but you should probably go.”
Cole gently let her leg go and stepped back. He drew in a deep breath through his nose and neatened his hair with his hand. “Okay, then.”
“Sorry.” It had to be physically difficult for him, but she was just as raring to go as he was.
“Don’t apologize, Dani. It was my idea.” Cole snapped up his keys from the kitchen counter. “I don’t think my ego can take you calling me a mistake again.”