Cole's Mistake (Haven, Texas 8)

“Could you come with us?” Julian asked in a quiet voice. He was so tense she was worried about him. She knew what it cost for him to ask that of Cole. If Cole rejected him . . .

“Of course,” Cole said immediately.

She blew out a br

eath in relief. Right then, she didn’t want him to leave, even if she hated that he’d seen her completely lose it. That he’d seen her so weak.

Julian walked out into the living room and sat on the sofa. He immediately buried his face in her neck. She could feel his hot breath against her skin as she wrapped herself around him. She turned her head to look at Cole who sat next to them.

“Are you sure Joel isn’t going to be mad at me?” Her voice sounded lost and sad. She stared at Cole worriedly.

“Keira, I promise no one is upset at you.”

“Julian is.”

Julian tightened his hold on her, making a noise in the back of his throat.

Cole stared at Julian worriedly.

“It’s because I locked the door,” she explained. “I promised I wouldn’t do that. He doesn’t like it when he can’t get to me. I messed up. More than once, tonight. That’s some kind of record, right?”

She felt a tear roll down her cheek. He reached over to brush it away then stopped before touching her. She stared at him, his rejection flooding her. He thought she was crazy.

“You didn’t mess up—”

She snorted. “Right. I completely wigged out. I’m fucked in the head. I practically attacked some innocent Dom. It’s a wonder they’re not fucking coming for me with the white jackets.”

“Okay, first of all, I don’t want to ever hear you say derogatory things about yourself, understand me? Second, no one thinks badly of you or is mad at you or embarrassed by you. Third, since when do you swear?” His voice was pure Dom and it sent a small shiver through her. Julian still wasn’t saying anything, he just clung to her.

“Oh, since about the time a madman locked us up and tortured us,” she replied without thinking.

Silence filled the room.

“What?” Cole whispered.

She closed her eyes. She shouldn’t have said that. Why had she said that?

Because this is Cole. You want him to know. You want him to help. But she had no right to say anything, not without Julian giving his consent.

“I shouldn’t have said that. I’m sorry.”

More silence.

“Keira,” Cole began.

She shook her head. “Please don’t. Please. I can’t. I can’t do it.”

“Okay, baby. Sh, don’t get upset.” Cole reached out and rubbed his hand up and down her back. His touch combined with Julian’s felt like home to her.

“How about I go and make you both something to drink? Do you want some sweet tea? Or if you’d rather I could go and get Jardin for you?” He started to rise when Julian shot out his hand and grabbed hold of Cole’s arm. He didn’t say anything, just held onto him.

Her breath caught. Her gaze went from Julian’s hand around Cole’s arm up to Cole’s shocked face.

“He wants you to stay,” she said unnecessarily.

“Then that’s what I’ll do. For however long both of you need me, I’m here.”

About the time a madman locked us up and tortured us.