Page 84 of Slade's Vow

Coulter looked away from Alex’s stare to see the man of the hour weaving his way through the dense crowd. Luckily, he was stopping and shaking hands with those he’d thought worthy enough to allow here, which would probably buy him an extra minute or two…at best.

He locked gazes with Crawford from across the room. The man eyed him closely, and even from here it was clear he’d taken notice in the familiar way Coulter and Alex were conversing.

Think, Coulter. Think!

If Alex blew this for him, they would both end up dead. And as the powerful man made his way closer, there was only one plausible idea racing through his head.

He slid his beseeching gaze back to Alex, who was still looking at him as if he’d grown two heads. “I promise, I’ll explain everything later,” he repeated. “But for the sake of both of our lives, I need you to play along.”

“Play along?” She frowned again. “With what?”

They were running out of time, and he knew what had to be done. She’d hate it. Might even slap him into next week. Either way, he was damn good at improvisation. So he was ready for whatever reaction the spunky woman decided to give.

Praying the plan he’d come up with wouldn’t end with Crawford signing their death warrants, Coulter leaned in close and cupped her cheeks with both of his hands.

“Colt, what are you?—”

“For the rest of tonight, my name is Cole Morris. And I’m not your sister’s brother-in-law…I’m your date.”

“You’re my what?”

“Here he comes. I’m serious, Alex. If you blow my cover, we’ll both wind up dead.”

“Your cover?”

“Please, Alexandria. Do us both a giant favor, and just…play along.”

He pulled back to look into her mesmerizing stare. Alex opened her luscious mouth, most likely to search for more answers he couldn’t give.

But rather than attempt another half-assed explanation, Coulter held her flawless face in his hands, and then…

He kissed her.