“Hey,” Dylan protested. “Don’t mock us bachelors.”
Tess clutched at her chest, mouth open in mock shock. “I wouldn’t dream of it. And wait a second. Since when are you a bachelor?”
“Since my girlfriend decided she didn’t want me anymore.”
Oh, man. Poor guy.
“I’m so sorry,” Tess said. “But, welcome to the bachelor group. We lose one, we win one.” She winked at Cole. “Never thought I’d say this, but I do detect some husband material in you.”
Everyone at the table chuckled. An icy shiver slithered down my back. My hands clenched at each other in my lap. My throat wasn’t working properly. I had to fight for the next breath. Wincing, I tried to compose myself. I hoped Cole hadn’t noticed my completely inexplicable reaction to a joke. I chanced a glance at him, and my stomach bottomed out. He did notice it. Hell, my whole body went rigid, so he probably felt it too.
The playful glint in his eyes had dimmed. I covered the hand he had on my waist with mine, squeezing it lightly. Oh, no. I didn’t want him to be hurt by my reaction—not even to feel bad about it. But I had no idea what to do or say, especially since we were surrounded by his family and guests. His gaze was hard and intense, as if he wanted to read my thoughts. I squeezed his hand even more, smiling at him. I didn’t get a chance to say anything, because the evening’s MC asked everyone to be quiet. Hunter went up on the stage to give the opening speech. I was honestly only half listening. I was too lost in my own thoughts, trying to make sense of my reaction. How was I supposed to explain to Cole something I didn’t even understand myself? The room erupted in cheers and clapping, snapping me out of my thoughts. Hunter had finished the speech.
“Fair lady, how about a dance?” Cole whispered in my ear.
“My pleasure. I have to warn you though, I’m not much of a dancer.”
“Leave it to me.”
“So cocky,” I teased. He let go of my waist, pulling back a little.
“Always. It’s just my nature.” He wiggled his eyebrows. I grinned, happy that flirty, cocky Cole was back. I was determined to keep him in a good mood, because I didn’t like that worried expression from before one bit.
“Hypothetically, if I told you that I like your cocky side, would that go to your head?”
“Hypothetically? Yes. Realistically? Hell, yes.”
I chuckled as we rose from the table, heading to the dance floor.
“You can tell me what other sides you like.” He spoke directly in my ear in that sexy voice I could never resist.
“Mr. Winchester. You can’t use your bedroom voice in public.”
He blinked several times before chuckling. “My what voice?”
“You know what I mean.” The tips of my ears felt hot again.
“No, I don’t. Please explain.”
“It’s the voice you have when—” One glance at him revealed that he was grinning from ear to ear. I punched his shoulder playfully.
“You were just making fun of me.”
“I like making you blush, Laney. You’re so fucking gorgeous.”
I was blushing even more furiously when he pulled me close and we started dancing. Okay, this wasn’t so bad. As long as I let him lead, I wouldn’t trip over my own feet.
“I’ve never actually wanted a gala to be over, but now I can’t fucking wait for it.”
“Why?”
“To take you home. Make you blush some more, then make you pant and scream my name.”
Holy shit! He’d gone from making me blush to dirty talking in less than a minute.
“I wanted to take this dress off you the second I saw it,” he went on.
“I suspected that by the way you kissed me when I opened the door but didn’t want to assume anything.”