I finished my speech, tossed back the rest of my wine, and glared at him, daring him to say anything that might set me off again.
If he was shocked by my words, he didn’t show it. He just leaned back in his seat and studied me. It was an interesting tableau. Cole’s eyes on me, his face carved in question. Half-naked women serving drinks behind him. Even more naked women dancing on platforms all around us.
I’d dropped down into Wonderland, and all I needed was someone to hand me the bottle labeled Drink Me.
About the time that I was certain he wasn’t going to respond at all, he spoke. “It’s a losing battle, sweetheart. No way is Evan going against your uncle’s wishes. Especially since we all know that Jahn was right.”
“I don’t know it.”
For the first time, his expression turned brotherly. “You’d end up getting hurt, Angie. And that’s the last thing any of us want. Shit.” He ran his hand over his buzz-cut hair. “Honestly, it’s a damn good thing that Evan’s the one with the hard-on for you,” he said, as my body started to melt simply from the spoken acknowledgment that not only was Evan attracted to me, but he’d told his friends as much.
“Not that you’re not adorable,” Cole continued with a grin. “But you’re not my type.”
“What do you mean it’s a good thing?” I asked warily.
“Evan has the most self-control of any of us, and the highest capacity for self-deprivation. You’re sweet, Angie, and Evan doesn’t do sweet. And if he thinks that something he’s doing will hurt someone he cares about, then he simply doesn’t do it. And that’s that. Trust me, Angie. Whatever debt you think he owes you from that alley, it’s going to remain unpaid.”
“Sweet,” I repeated. “He thinks I’m sweet?” My head was swimming. After everything he said to me about taking flight. About wanting to tie me down and fuck me silly?
After the way his tongue had teased my clit? After the way he’d made me come?
After all that, he thinks I’m sweet?
“Aren’t you?” Cole asked, and I could hear the laughter in his voice.
Instead of answering, I signaled for Beth, calling for her to bring me a flight of tequila shots. She arrived with three, and I tossed them back while Cole watched.
“Trying to prove something?” he asked.
“Not a damn thing. I just prefer tequila over wine. What?” I asked innocently. “You didn’t know that?” I pressed my finger to my chin. “Hmm. Maybe you three don’t know me as well as you think.”
“Angie—” There was censure in his voice, but I cut him off.
“No. I told you once I wasn’t dragonbait, and I meant it. You haven’t got a clue what will and will not hurt me, so don’t sit there acting all smug and pretend like you really believe that you three are in cahoots with Jahn to keep me safe. Because that’s bullshit.” I glared at him. “And don’t make assumptions about what I want or need.”
Sweet.
The word grated on me, which was ironic since I’d been playing the role for almost eight years. But it wasn’t sweet that I wanted Evan to see. More, I’d believed that he’d seen under my sugary coating to the gooey center inside. Wild and tasty and very high in calories.
Apparently I’d been wrong.
Apparently I’d just have to fix that.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t sure how.
Cole reached over the table and put his hand atop mine. “I’m going to go take care of that liquor delivery, and then I’m going to drive you home. We can talk on the way.”
“I’m not going anywhere. I’m waiting here for Evan, and I don’t particularly feel like talking.”
“Fine. I’m still going to go take care of that delivery. And you may want to wait here, but last I checked, I owned the place and you didn’t. So I’ll be driving you home and you can just bitch about it.”
“Cole—”