Cole's Mistake (Haven, Texas 8)

God, he was arrogant. He was in the wrong yet still issuing threats. Why was he so attracted to the bastard? It confused the hell out of him.

He wasn’t always an ass. He could be generous. He could show kindness, not much and he had very little empathy. But he had flashes of it.

He was protective, especially of Keira, which Julian appreciated. Some men might get jealous, but sometimes it felt like Keira needed more than just him watching over her. She’d give away the clothes off her back if he allowed it. Her kindness and generosity knew no limits. She was almost the opposite of Cole.

“Please, let him go, Bruce,” Keira said to the big bouncer. Julian flicked a gaze over to his wife. He knew Bruce had a soft spot for her. Hell, all the people who worked at the club did.

But Bruce didn’t look away from Cole. “Can’t do that, Keira. The boss wouldn’t like him harassing you. He wants him gone.”

“I’m not leaving without the two of you. You’re coming with me.” Cole glared at them both.

“I’ll walk you to your car. Bruce will keep the trash here while you leave,” the other bouncer said. He couldn’t remember his name.

“That’s very kind of you, Jimmy,” Keira gave the other bouncer, who looked like he could have been an extra in Mad Max, a blinding smile. He blinked for a moment, obviously not expecting that. Then a look of adoration flitted across his face.

“But Cole wouldn’t hurt us,” Keira told Jimmy. “I don’t think he’s going to give up until he speaks to us.”

“I won’t. You drive off and I’ll just follow you home.” Despite the fact he was still pinned to the SUV, Cole exuded alpha maleness and control.

How the hell did he do that?

“We’re not going home with you,” Julian told him.

“Fine. Then let me drive you home. But I need to speak with you both. I need to know you’re both okay. That you’re safe.”

Julian looked down at her Keira, her pale blue eyes stared up at him, complete trust shining at him. He wasn’t sure he deserved that. Fuck. Was this the right thing to do? He had no idea. Would he regret it if he didn’t do it? Yeah, he thought he would.

“Fine, you can follow us home. We’ll talk there.”

Cole felt like pounding something with his fists.

He followed closely behind the tiny, dented, red two-door car. Fuck. This is what they drove around in? It was a tin can on wheels. How had he not known they were driving the streets of L.A. in a death trap? When the thing had started up, it had rattled and whined so badly he’d almost jumped out of his car and dragged them out forcefully.

He’d had to grind his teeth and hold onto the steering wheel for dear life to stop himself.

Unacceptable.

He took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. He had to get himself under control. The reason he hadn’t demanded they get out of that ridiculous vehicle was because he knew he was already walking a fine line with them.

He’d fucked up. He’d fucked up monumentally. What had he been thinking? He’d intended to go in quietly and get them out without creating a scene. He’d meant to ask them to return with him to his penthouse where he’d explain, calmly, that there was no need for them to use his brother to get his attention. That the kiss two months ago had been a mistake and things needed to stay strictly professional. That pulling shit like this wasn’t the way to get him to notice them. Fuck, he already noticed them. He just couldn’t fucking have them.

Except his dick didn’t understand that. And right now, he was beyond being reasonable. Screw professional. Screw keeping a distance. Not tonight. Tomorrow, he’d remember the board and his duty and blah-blah-blah. Right the fuck now, he just wanted to be balls deep in the two people who meant the most to him.

Yes. Both of them. He’d never been attracted to a man before, but damned if he didn’t want Julian just as much as he wanted Keira. He wanted the other man on his knees, sucking him off. He wanted him on all fours as Cole fucked him from behind.

He wanted him to submit. Keira was the easier one. She wore her emotions on her sleeve. He knew she’d been interested in him for a long time. But she was married. His PA. She was also far too sweet and innocent for his tastes. He liked women who were confident, tough, self-assured.

He’d chew her up and spit her out, and he didn’t want that for Keira. But he couldn’t seem to walk away.

They drove down a dark street. What had happened to the streetlights? He looked at his GPS. What the fuck? He was sure their HR records showed them living in an apartment closer to the city.

They drew into the driveway of a tiny house. He stared ou

t the window in disbelief as he pulled in behind their car. What the fuck was this?

Anger surged inside him. This is where they lived? In one of the most dangerous suburbs in the city? In a house that looked like a good puff from the big bad wolf would make it crumble?

What the ever-loving fuck?