Page 22 of Mistletoe Mistake
“Sorry,” I mumbled as I staggered to my feet, my cheeks flushing red partly from embarrassment and partly from how turned on I was. My legs felt like jelly as I stepped out of the cabin, but Cole's hand on my waist helped to steady me.
Jackson and Holly waited for us at the bottom of the steps and the grins on their faces made it clear that they had caught at least a glimpse of our... display.
Shit, I needed to get myself back under control. My whole body was throbbing, aching with need, and I wanted nothing more than to get back to Cole's room and make everything he had just described to me a reality. How did he manage to get me so worked up with just his words? I had spent whole nights in bed with a man without being as close to orgasm as I felt right now.
“So, where to next?” Holly asked smugly, her arm still linked through Jackson's. “Or are you two ready to call it a night?”
I did my best to ignore her suggestive teasing. Realistically, we needed to stay here for a little longer. Cole insisted on paying me with this outing, so I wanted to make sure we spent enough time here that we could have equal time in his room later, not to mention that I'd never hear the end of it from Holly if I disappeared with Cole right now.
“I think it's time for that beer, then we can check out some of the market stalls.”
We spent another hour walking around the park, drinking our pints and visiting the market. From the outside, it would have looked like any regular double date, and sometimes, it even felt that way too. Conversation flowed easily enough and Cole's hand often found its way to my waist, just a light touch, but I was always aware of it even through the layers of clothing.
Not having eaten anything yet that evening, Holly and I split an order of churros while Cole and Jackson each got a bratwurst. I thought about asking Cole if I could have a taste of his sausage, but I managed to hold my tongue. I couldn't even imagine what he'd say to me if I gave him an opening like that.
“You are physically incapable of walking by one of these booths without taking a look, aren't you?” Cole's tone betrayed a mixture of exasperation and amusement as I stopped at yet another craft stall.
“I'm a designer,” I reminded him. “I'm always on the lookout for something that's going to inspire my next project.”
“Your next project meaning my hotel?” he clarified.
“Maybe.” I gave him a cheeky smile as I picked up a truly hideous driftwood sculpture and held it up for him. “What if we built the whole thing around something like this?”
His eyes widened in alarm for just a second before he realized I was teasing him, and he shook his head, his eyes gleaming at me. “I'm going to have to keep a close eye on you, aren't I?”
“I would suggest it.” With a wink, I turned back to place the sculpture back on the table.
Cole stepped closer to me, the warmth of his body pressing against my back as he murmured in my ear. “It's a good thing you're so much fun to look at, then.”
Fuck. I couldn't take it when his voice got all low and gravelly like that, and it instantly took me back to the things he'd said to me on the ferris wheel and the way he'd made me feel.
“You know, I think I've probably seen enough here for tonight,” I said, trying to sound casual and unconcerned and not at all like I was desperate to start ripping his clothes off.
It didn’t make any difference. Cole knew exactly what I was getting at anyway, his hands coming to my waist and pulling me back against him even more firmly. “Are you saying I've fulfilled my end of our deal?”
“You've done pretty well,” I admitted, stepping away from him before I melted entirely. With my body trembling in anticipation, I led him away from the booth and over to where Holly and Jackson were waiting. “You didn't make any children cry with your Grinch-like spirit, so I'll count it as a win.”
“He hasn't made any children cryyet,” Jackson amended, having overheard the last part of our conversation. “We still have to get out of the park, there's still time.”
Although Cole glared at him, Jackson didn't seem bothered in the least, and the dynamic between the two of them made me smile. Clearly, Jackson didn't take himself or Cole too seriously, and despite outward appearances, I got the feeling Cole appreciated it.
We set off towards the exit and the taxi rank at the edge of the park. “How long have you known Jackson?” I asked Cole once we had fallen back to walking two-by-two, Jackson and Holly in front of us, chatting to each other.
As his gaze moved over to the back of Jackson's head, I could spot the true affection that he had for his friend. “Since high school. Back then, he was one of the few people not intimidated by or jealous of my family's status. He's always called me on my bullshit, and that's only gotten more important to me as time's gone by.”
I definitely understood the value of a true and honest friend. “Has he always worked for you?”
“He would say he workswithme and notforme.” Cole sounded amused by the distinction. “But no, actually. He went to college and got a business degree, and then he did a few years at another company, and when a spot came open at Stamer, he applied for it like anyone else. He didn't want people thinking he only got to where he is because he knew me.”
I could certainly appreciate that too, and it made me respect both of them even more. “And what about you? Did you work anywhere else?”
Cole gave an amused snort. “No. My dad started grooming me to take over the business as soon as I started to talk. I went to college too, but only to get the piece of paper. I always knew this is what I would do.”
“Do you like it, at least?” It would be a lot of responsibility for not much return if he didn’t even enjoy it.
Thankfully, he reassured me on that point. “I do. Hotels are special places, and I want people to feel that when they stay at one of our places. That's where you come in, Gemma. You're going to make our new London hotel very special.”
“Don't think I missed what you did there,” I warned him. “We're not talking about work, remember?”
