Page 32 of Bargaining

“I know, but don’t forget you’re supposed to be enamored with your new fiancé.”

The dazzling smile slipped off Gabe’s face and was replaced by wariness as we approached. Not surprising. Cole had been nothing but nice to me, but I couldn’t help but notice most people seemed to be on guard around him. It was the aura he gave off, cold and controlled, like a coiled snake waiting to strike.

“Cole. It’s been a while.”

The two men shook hands and exchanged pleasantries.

“It’s a pleasure to see you again. I’d love you to meet my fiancée, Charlotte.”

Cole rested a possessive hand at the base of my spine. Warmth radiated through the fabric of my dress, and his thumb moved lightly back and forward, stroking. The light strokes reached much further, as though they’d found their way between my thighs. Tingles raced across my skin, and my cheeks flushed.

Gabe quirked a brow. “Fiancée? Congratulations.”

We shook hands, but Cole’s palm still rested at the small of my back and the contact was short-circuiting my brain. His little finger traced the bumps of my spine. My body stiffened in shock. It had been so long since a man had touched me. We probably should have rehearsed touching like this to at least give my poor ovaries a chance of acting normal after such a long dry spell.

“We were childhood sweethearts.” Cole shot me a charming, indulgent look as he answered a question that no one had asked. “I went back home and all those feelings came rushing back. It was like we’d never been apart. I knew there was no way I could leave her behind. Isn’t that right, darling?”

Darling.The rough tenor to the word sent a shiver through my body. I was too startled to do much else than nod. He sounded so convincing, even when he was talking utter bullshit. Cole had apparently found it very easy to leave me behind.

Gabe’s tight expression relaxed a fraction. “When are you tying the knot?”

Cole slipped his hand around my waist and pulled me close. “As soon as possible. I can’t wait to make this woman my wife.”

Gabe nodded his approval. “Good for you. Married life is a treat. My wife is around here somewhere. We’ve got most of the team here tonight, celebrating. I’ll have to introduce you.”

Cole’s thumb traced smooth circles at the base of my spine, and to my annoyance my body responded desperately. Heat curled through me and pooled in my lower belly. How embarrassing. It was hardly my fault. I hadn’t had sex for at least a year. Maybe longer, and then it had just been some crap hookup. The giant whale carcass hanging from the ceiling watching this all unfold had probably seen more action than me.

I had a man who looked this hot and smelled this good touching me and gazing at me as though I was the only person in the room worth looking at.Nope. I can’t do this. This is inhumane. This situation requires more alcohol.

I took a gulp of champagne, struggling to keep my composure. “My family has always supported Calverdale United.”

Gabe smiled and lifted his glass. “Glad to hear it. You should come and watch the game next week.”

Cole traced his thumb up my spine again. My nipples hardened painfully. It was probably some classical conditioning psychology from my teenage years, like a dog trained to salivate when a bell rings. Cole had been my first kiss, and now his touch was a bell clanging in my ear, even though my brain knew how dangerous he was.Enough.This man was terrorizing me with his sexiness.

“Excuse me,” I whispered in Cole’s ear. “I need to go to the ladies’ room.”

He frowned. “Everything OK?”

No. You’re touching me and I like it too much.

“Fine.” I knocked back the rest of my champagne. “Won’t be long.”

Get it together. You can do this.

I stepped out of the bathroom. I’d been in there an unreasonably long time, but I’d had to wait until my breathing settled down. This was too much. This whole thing was a terrible idea. It wasn’t as though it was going to get easier, either. This was a bunch of people that Cole had said he didn’t even care about impressing. What about when we did this in front of people who knew him? At some point, we’d stand up in front of an audience and have to kiss.

My nose bumped into something solid. I stepped back, and a hand reached out to steady me. I’d crashed into a handsome man. But of course. It was impossible to step a foot in this place without being in the orbit of another indecently attractive posh person in formal wear.

“Excuse me. Are you OK?” The man spoke with an American accent that I hadn’t been expecting.

I smoothed my hair. “Fine. Sorry. My fault.”

He stuck out his hand. “Reuben Thorner. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Thorner?”

He flashed a wide grin. “Yes. Did I see you arrive with Cole? I’m his brother.”