As he does so, Devon resumes his seat and turns on the old charm. I roll my eyes at him as he engages Cole in a conversation about American sport of some kind. I like sports; I’m an avid English football fan and also have investment interests in Formula 1 racing, hence my annual trip to Monaco, but I get left out of the conversation because I’m a girl. Ugh.
Esther arrives and we order. I know it sounds awfully formal, but it really isn’t. It just...is.
Cole asks for black coffee, bacon and eggs after Devon asks for the same thing. Pretty slick move. I have my usual green tea and fruit.
The topic of conversation switches to the gym. Devon asks Cole if he works out, and when Cole replies yes, Devon offers him the use of ours.
“We also have a separate area for sparring,” he says, emphasis on the ‘we.’ “If you’re up for taking on Liv?” He looks at me with a wicked glint in those gorgeous eyes.
“Devon!” I snap.
“What?” he asks innocently. “I’m sure he would love to see you in action. She’s a seventh level master in four different martial arts,” he adds to Cole.
Shithead! Why is he giving away all of my secrets? I am supposed to only be twenty-six years old, for fuck’s sake. I am going to smack that boy as soon as I get the chance.
Cole’s eyebrows shoot up. He stares at me in wonder. “Are you serious?” he asks.
“Erm, yes,” I admit.
“Wow, that’s some achievement. You really are a woman of many talents, aren’t you?” It sounds more like a statement as opposed to a question. I can see the query in his eyes as he processes everything I have seemingly done in a short space of time.
Mercifully, Esther arrives with breakfast and the conversation shifts again to the news of the day. I tune out. Now that the pissing contest seems to be over, they are getting on like a house on fire. Well, so it appears. The old gods help us if it turns out I have to introduce him to CK. I brush that unpleasant thought under the mental mat with a shudder.
After the table is cleared, Devon heads off to do whatever it is he’s going to do, leaving us alone.
“Well, that went better than I expected,” I comment dryly and Cole laughs.
“Hey, I’m a charming guy,” he says.
Mm, I’ve noticed.
He takes my hand and asks, “What are your plans today?”
As it is, I’m free today. “I don’t have anything specific to do today. What about you?”
“Spending it with you, if you want to.” He gives me a sultry smile that makes my heart beat faster.
“That would be nice. Although, I am thinking we need to get you a change of clothes,” I say, eyeing his smart casual from the night before. “I can drive you home and you can change?”
His hand tightens on mine. “I’d like that, very much.”
“Okay then, I’ll even let you pick the car,” I say on impulse, having found out during one of our conversations last week that he, like me, is a sports car buff.
“Ah yes, the garage of wonders,” he says jokingly. “I was hoping you would show me.”
Excited to show him my impressive, yet admittedly, over the top collection, I drag him to his feet.
“Follow me,” I say.
I dash across the foyer to the other side, where the door leads into the enormous garage. I open it with a flourish and flip on the light. The fluorescent lights flicker on, showing my beauties off in all their glory.
“Fuck me,” Cole says, stepping past me and staring in disbelief at the array before him.
I’m beaming as I follow him. There is nothing more rewarding than having your collection admired by someone whose opinion matters to you.
“Well, which one do you fancy?” I ask.
He stares for a long time, deciding.