12
Cole
Abby was hunched over a drawing board in the corner of her office when he walked in the room.
“Hi.” It looked as if she wanted to smile.
“Hi,” he answered. “I hear congratulations are in order.”
“I still can’t believe it.” She looked up from her drawing. “I won.”
He nodded. “You sure did. And I hear you are going to Vegas with us for the weekend.”
He saw the blush on her cheeks. He wondered how that conversation transpired between her and Deacon.
“I am. It seems like the right thing to do to keep the integrity of the project.”
He grinned. “Of course.”
She leaned over the desk again.
He wanted to walk behind her and push the skirt to her hips. He wanted to sink his fingertips into her flesh while he explored every part of her from behind. His mouth went dry. What was this girl doing to him?
“That’s good to hear. Are you ready for the trip? I wanted to let you know we leave in the morning.”
He walked beside her, curious to see what she had drawn. She quickly scurried in front of him, bumping against his side. Her ass rubbing into this thigh as she covered her artwork.
Her heard the gasp from her lips when his hands rested on her waist to steady her. It was a spontaneous reaction, but he didn’t want her to fall. His fingers lingered, pressing gently into her hipbones. Abby leaned into him for a second. Long enough he could feel the heat of her body pressed against his chest before she abruptly wiggled free.
He grinned, but she was turned away from him. Everything in him told him to pull her back toward him. She would take a little more. Give a little more. But she stepped toward her computer, putting something solid between them.
“I’ll have Douglas pack your things.”
“I can pack for myself.” Her green eyes fired.
“There are several events, including dinners, cocktail receptions, and the official launch presentation. Douglas will pack for you.”
“I’m free now. You and Deacon don’t have to do things like that anymore.”
He sighed. “That’s not why we do it. Listen. For the past two weeks you’ve done nothing but work. If you would just take a second to get to know us, I don’t think you’d be in such a hurry to leave.”
“Maybe you two haven’t taken the time to get to know me. I’m not impressed by the money. I don’t need money to be happy.” He saw the sudden look of vulnerability in her expression.
“I’m not talking about money.” He walked around to her side of the desk.
She stiffened when his hand covered hers. He could hear her breath quicken. He leaned against her, pressing her body.
“I’m talking about everything else in life, Abby. Pleasure. Happiness. Deacon and I know how to give you that.” He moved away, giving her space as the cool air rushed between them.
“I said no sex,” she whispered.
“That’s not sex.” He took a step back. “There are levels of intimacy we could show you. I don’t even think sex is how you describe it.” He winked.
Her cheeks turned a bright crimson red.
Suddenly, he thought he knew what her weakness was. It wasn’t that she wasn’t attracted to them. It wasn’t that she wasn’t interested. It wasn’t that she was ready to move out.
She didn’t want to be vulnerable to them. She didn’t want to let down her walls. She was like Deacon that way. She wanted to stand on her own.
“I’m going to Vegas because it’s the right thing to do for the foundation.”
“I understand. We couldn’t be happier you’re going.” He inhaled. “You’re a free woman now. Don’t let what happened in the past keeping you from being happy now.”
“It’s not that simple, Cole.”
“But it could be. It could be as simple as the three of us sharing something amazing.”
“I don’t get it.” She shook her head.
“We want to give you something. I swear Deac’s a good guy. Gambles too much. Looks for thrills maybe where he shouldn’t, but Abby he would keep you safe and protect you until he died. Just like I would.”
“You’re just saying that.”
Cole shook his head. “No. I’d never lie to you. Not about my best friend.”
“I don’t know what to say. I don’t know what you want.”
He smiled. “Why don’t we take this weekend to figure it out?”
He saw her eyes sparkle.
“I’ll let you get back to work.”
He strolled to the door.
Walking back to the executive offices was one of the hardest things he had done. All he wanted was to take her in his arms and kiss her. Carry her to Deacon where they could love her together. Show her how they could worship her beautiful body. Take her to places in paradise she’d never dreamed of. But the only way to get to Abby, was to let her make the decision for herself.