Cole's Mistake (Haven, Texas 8)

He’d carve his own path. He slid Keira off his lap and stood, still holding onto her.

“How are you feeling, little bit? Any dizziness? When was the last time you had a checkup?”

“Um, I don’t know. But I feel fine.”

“Keira hates going to the doctor.” Her husband threw her under the bus, grinning when she glared at him. “What? You told him I swear all the time.”

She huffed out a breath, crossing her arms over her chest.

“All right, then, Monday morning you make a doctor’s appointment. I want you checked over fully, understand me?”

She gave him a mutinous look.

“I’ll make the appointment,” Julian said. “I’ll take the time off to take you, Keira.”

She softened. “You don’t have to do that. You’re busy at work.”

“I happen to know the boss,” Cole offered. “He’s a reasonable man. I’m sure he’ll let him have the time off.”

They both gave him incredulous looks. “Francis Lyle asked for a day off to attend his brother’s wedding and you said no,” Julian told him.

“He asked for the day off for the bachelor party,” he countered. “Which was on Saturday night, but he wanted Monday off. He just wanted an extra day to recover. He was needed on an important job. Besides, he’s a dick.”

Keira giggled. “He is a dick.”

Julian’s eyebrows rose. “Why do you say that, Keira?” There was an easy note to his voice, but Cole saw the laser-sharp focus in his eyes.

“He always stands too close when he’s talking to me, just so he can try and look down my shirt.”

Cole straightened. “That bastard. Why didn’t you tell me? That’s harassment.”

“I’m going to kill the fucker. How dare he fucking look at my fucking wife,” Julian swore.

“Relax, you two. He’s never done more than make a few lewd comments and try to stare down my blouse.”

But Cole could see he’d made her feel uncomfortable. Lyle was a dead man. “I’ll take care of him.”

“No. I will.” Julian gave him a firm look. “She’s my wife.”

“And she’s my personal assistant and Lyle is my employee.”

They clashed, neither of them willing to compromise. Keira cleared her throat. “Maybe we could stop talking about Francis Lyle and start discussing other things.”

“What, like your punishment, kitten?” Julian asked.

4

Shit. Maybe she should have left them to their arguments over who got to deal with Lyle. Truth was, she’d be happy if they got him to lay off her. He was only getting pushier and nothing she said or did seemed to sway him.

Keira wasn’t good at standing up to pushy men. Her father had spent years teaching her that she wasn’t worth as much as everyone else. And for the longest time she’d believed it. Sometimes she still did.

“What sort of punishment?” Cole asked. He looked slightly uneasy and she shot Julian a look.

But her husband just raised an eyebrow. She got it. Cole said he could give them what they needed. He wanted to stay even though he knew what would happen. So, it was time to test him. Although, personally, she thought they didn’t have to do this tonight.

“Maybe we should put this off until later.” she said hopefully.

“Nice try, kitten,” Julian told her mercilessly as he took hold of her hand and led her into the living room.