Heaven And Hell novel Chapter 106

Cole let her go so abruptly that she staggered back a step; then he drew a long breath, holding it in. Tearing her gaze from the floor, she gaped at him. "I'm sorry," she whispered, even though they both knew who was fully to blame here. He smiled darkly, struggling for composure.

"Your cat made the first mistake by jumping on you," he said quietly. "This one was mine. Sorry."

"What?" she said, unable to believe her ears.

"Contrary to what you obviously think of me," he drawled, "I am not in the habit of taking advantage of you --"

"I wasn't in danger of being taken advantaged of," Olivia scoffed, scowling at him.

Lazy mockery lit his periwinkle eyes. "Weren't you?" he queried lightly, as amusement seemed to drain the tension from his body.

"No!"

"Then I suggest you set the hem of your sweater aright before I'm tempted to show you how wrong you are, and put my hand around your bare waist again."

Olivia opened her mouth to probably make a scathing remark about his conceit, but his bold, glinting smile was too much. "You -- you're unbearable!"

"Quite right," he agreed and turned his back so she could fix herself up.

She seemed to desperately try to control her emotions and match his casual mood. Cole was sure she didn't have a boyfriend, or if she did, and he'd kissed her a few times, it was never in the way Cole did.

"You really are unbearable!"

"We've already agreed on that."

"You're unpredictable, too."

"Oh? In what way?"

She told him he could turn around again; he did. "Well," she continued, clearing her throat. She seemed to do that a lot when she was nervous, "you're really cold, to be honest." He almost smiled. "And then you start cracking wry jokes, grinning, and then kissing me. I think you're beginning to be like Brad -- you both look far more cold, fierce, and haughty than you really are."

He blinked, momentarily stumped. "I am not that obese menace," he snarled, pointing at the fat cat who fell asleep on top of the hay. "You must be terrified of hamsters if you find that beast fierce."

"Hmmm, you're right," she teased, her breathtaking blue eyes sparkling under the dim, yellow light. "But you two have the regal elitist thing down-pat."

A smile touched the corners of his sensual lips. "Don't mention that to anyone else, or you'll ruin my reputation."

Olivia crossed her arms, tipping her head to the side. "Do you even have one?"

"Of the worst sort," he averred flatly, shooting her a challenging look. "Care to hear the sordid details?"

"Naw."

"Well, don't you have something else to do, Uri? I am paying you, you know. I suggest you start now before I cut your wages for this month."

With a hearty smack on Cole's back, Uriah saluted him and spun on his heel, disappearing round a corner.

When Cole went up the stairs and entered the hall where his bedroom was located, a gentle voice stopped him in his tracks.

"She's quite a girl," his grandmother said, coming up behind him. He turned around and lifted his dark, straight eyebrows at her.

"I suppose you're feeling much improved?" he drawled.

Lady Portia smiled, her green eyes twinkling. "Oh, I'm sure you know the answer to that!"

"Hmm, yes. You and Aunt Marge ganging up on me and dragging Dad into your little plan. I do know that."

"Your father was happy to be included in something again," she said gently, feeling all the love for her son and grandson. "He was saying how proud he is of you, when he took me to my room to rest."

Cole's mouth pinched at the corners, refusing to acknowledge the topic. He had no time to talk about his father with anyone. He knew his grandmother and grandaunt were trying to mend the bridge between the two of them, but they also knew how difficult it was to persuade Cole to see reason when he didn't think there was any reason at all. But Lady Portia would not allow for the two to burn the bridge any more than it had already been burned.