Claim
sman could resin a beauty Grace–not even him.
Cole’s lips curled into a barely–there smile as he said, “shoo Late now. What will you do about it?”
Grace that her eyes in resignation, mentally preparing for the worst. If they got caught, she would just throw herself into Cole’s aims to confirm the rumors that the ten of them had a thing.
The reputation might suffer, but if it meant marrying into the Jensen family, it was a prior she was willing to pay.
But to her surprise, Winton didn’t sit in the back seat. Instead, he opened the front passenger door. Grace wandered why he wasn’t seting with Cole
Gram didn’t have time to think about it. As Winton opened the door, she quickly stepped onto the footird of Cole’scar, squatting there
She hid behind Wasser’s seat, out of sight, praying he wouldn’t notice her. Though it was awkward, it was better than being chin the act
Colle prated his chin on his hand, watching her intently with a look of quiet amusement. Grace was curbed bed him, face pale with anxiety. She caught his gate and looked up at him with pleading, vulnerable eyes
ay, the kind that kept everyone at arm’s length.
She looked so obedient now- me was the ley, untouchable elegance the d to carry, the kind that
He found it incredibly amusing
pure
Without saying a word or making any move, he just stared deeply into her eyes, enjoying the tension in the air.
Graceferlike a small lamb trapped in the territory of a protiter. Surrounded by the scent of danger, a chill can down her spine as the weight of being the hunted sank in.
Only then did the realize just how intimate their position looked
She quickly averted her eyes, trying to focus on something else.
Cole had removed his coat, sevealing a well–tailored striped vest over his shirt. The top button was fastened tightly against his throat, adding a touch of elegance to his demeanor.
There was no conversation, but the atmosphere was charged with a subtle tension Grace’s cheeks flushed, a heat spreading across het fate.
She remembered that night after driniding, lying in his arms, her fingers lightly grazing over his throat. She had felt a strange, singling sensation in her palm every time he swallowed
Cole picked up his phone and typed quickly. A moment later, he held it up in front of her “Your face is red. Are you thinking about me?”
At that, not only did her face nimred, but her ears and neck also flushed
The car started, and winton’s voice came through. “I heard Zane had a girlfriend in Maralia. Did you meet hat this time?”
Grace hadn’t expected the first thing Winton would bring up would be about her. Her heart jumped ints her throL
She glanced at Coke, wondering how he would respond
Cole, still lounging casually with his chin propped up in his hand, answeredlazily, “I didmeet her,”
“I think he’s really serious about her. He even skipped such an important dinner today to be with her. What kind of woman is she to make my son so infatuated?”
Cole stated Grace’s audious face, his fingertip gently ring her chin. In her wide, pleading eyes, he enunciated each word. “A beautiful young lady. “
The hear from his touch radiated through her skin, spreading from her chin down her entire body
Winton red coldly. “There are plenty of beautiful women out there. Zane’s not some naive country bumps Skipping out on something this important over a woman? if she’s that kind of temptress, we’d better deal with her before any marriage agents are finalized.”
At that moment, Grace’s delicate chin still rested in Cole’s palm, giving her the appearance of a tempucess. She tried to pull away, but he treated her like some harmless pet.
The rough pad of his thumb teased her soft skin, sending flashes of memory through her—his hanch roaming every inch of her body that night.
Cale asked, “Oh? What do you plan to do about it?
Wintun replied, “He’s still young and don’t know any better. Code, It’s up to you to handle that woman. Make sure she disappears without a teace.”
Cole’s lips curled into a knowing stille as he answered, “Understood, Winton. I’ll take care of her.. thoroughly.”
Grace wasn’t real se was her imagination, but the word “thoroughly” sounded far too suggestive when it came om hà mouth.
Right then, the car jolted slightly over a bump
Grace had already lost feelingir legs from crouching so long. The sudden movement sent her tumbling forward, right inin Cale
Her face landed directly against film, the warun of his body pressing against her check, and the this fabric of his stack against her lips.
He let out a soft grunt.
Realizing exactly where she had landed, Grace quickly shifted away, mortified.
Her face flushed a deeper and
before he could treat any fan, Cole bent slighty, wrapped an arm around her wait, and palled her into his lap.
Her papilted in stock. She shook her head flerely.
But her strength was no match for lips. She ended up sprawled helplessly agains his cliest.
From the trave mix, Tristan caught a glimpse of these. It looked
thing of a scandalous mag–race, her curves
en hugged by a maditional de ens, rated against
Cole’s clout. The all in her dess had slipped high, trwaling a long, laki ketangled around his
Turin facei weja equally exquiune, giving off the unmistakable vibe of a hillianalie mugil with his sugar baby
He casually planerd over, only to meet Cobra cald, wamlig gaze Tristan’s heart nearly stopped.
Brandbally, Winton didn’t notice a thing.
Tristan pretended nut to notice and adjusted tier craiviru inltor so that Winton wouldn’t be able to catch a glingse of them
Grace Tried to snuggle again she knew that most people in the front wouldn’t just turn around and state, but the possibry that he might be the kind of man who would keep her on edge.
in the heightened tension, Grace’s boxdy was still with anxiety, yes the sang am wrapped around her want showed no sign of loosening. The man who seemed dangerous was actually tar from sale Grace now deeply ingerited getting into this ca
Deping pressed against Cole’s chest, the only resistance the cooler waste, post, tuting to yield.
Henver, Cole seemed in terush to resolve it, curious to see how long she could hold out
Wieden, even the commandala, ahlived the tople “Cole, betweera Ma. Kyða and Ms. Grace, which one do you lavar (naje?”.
Grace felt like she had stepped into a conversational minefield–every topic a
somehow ledight back to her.
Cole remained unhurried, tossing the question right back without missing a beat. “What do you think, Winton?”
cours. Ms. Nydia is younger and less composed, but there’s
Wien continued. “My Grace is poised and elegant. She has the kind of image and temperament suitable for a family like ou something about her. I heard Mr. Harper absolutely does on Ms. Nydia and Mrs. Harper,
“My Grace has the Langford family behind her, but her mother is no longer around. She doesn’t hold as much sway in the Harper family. Both women have their merits.”
Grace couldn’t help but think about how family alliances were always about maximizing benefits, Beauty and talent came second. She and Nydia were just commodities placed on the table for others to pick from
Winton said. “Cole, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this.”
“It’s not me scho’s getting married.” Colle responded lazily.
The mention of marriage seemed to perk Winton up. “You’re not getting any younger. Have you thought about settling down? When I was your age, Zane was already out there making a
name for himli”
At that moment, Cole’s geared to Grace, his lips curling to a slight smile. “Maybe it’s time,” he said, his tone laced with an unmistakable meaning.
“So you already have someone in mind? Who is she? Lean help make introductions.”
Grare met his burning gate, and her heartbeat immediately lost its rhythm.
The air around them seemed to shift, thickering with something warmer, heavier–like heat sealing in from all directions, seeping into her skin and setting every nerve alight. Sensing her tension, Cole’s warm hand suddenly slid along her waist. The touch was so unexpected that dare nearly cried out.
To stop herself from making a sound, Grace bit down on the collar of his shirt.
Her warm breath brushed against his ear, teasing and featherlight, sending a sharp jolt through him. Unable to resist, Cole wrapped one arm tightly around her waist, the other lifting hei chin–and without warning, he lessed her.
