Page 15 of Seduction in the Mountains

"Enough, Cole." His nickname for me grates, and I jump up, my hands on my hips as I glare at him. "I didn't runfromyou. I rantoJeremy."

Cole also stands, moving closer. "It's not a competition between him or me, Miranda. I want you, and he’s part of the whole Miranda package. But Jeremy will grow up and move on, and that time will come quicker than you realize. And then what? You've lived your life for your brother? It's not fair to you. He doesn't want that for you."

"Get out!" I splutter, practically growling at him. "You do not come in here and tell me I'm not living my life, Cole Rose!"

"Miranda, I'm not—" He tries to reach for me, but I cut him off.

"No!" I stomp over to the door and hold it open for him.

"I didn't say you don't have a life, Miranda. You've built an incredible life, but you deserve to have someone taking care of you." The sincerity in Cole's voice makes my blood boil.

"The whole town looks out for me, Cole," I bite out.

"Not helping you, Miranda. Taking care of you. Fulfillingyourneeds." His voice drips with sex. I need him to get out of my shop right now before I make a terrible decision.

"Leave," I command.

A muscle tics in his jaw as he clenches his teeth, still wanting to argue with me. Having apparently made up his mind, he nods once.

When he gets close, he leans in, forcing me to look at him. "There's more than one way to run, ghost."

I glare at him as he barrels past. Slamming the door behind him, I flip the lock so he can't come back and change my mind.

Anger fuels my body, forcing my legs to work even though I want to rage at the man who has changed everything. I start my routine, wiping tables and chairs, desperately trying to tamp down anything but my fury.

"Are you crying, Mir?"

I whip my head around to find Jeremy standing at the curtain. His concerned expression breaks my heart.

"A little," I admit. I wipe my eyes, summoning a smile. "But nothing that a night with my favorite person can't fix."

He hesitates, looking worried now.

"What's wrong?"

"Uh, this is bad timing." He grimaces, suddenly looking more like a teenager than a boy, and my heart squeezes. "I was going to head over to the park. A bunch of kids from school are hanging out, and Jaxon's meeting me there."

"Oh, of course, Jer. Go have fun. I'm great." I wave my towel toward the door, motioning for him to go ahead, but he doesn't move. "I want to stay in and read tonight, anyway. I'm way too busy for you, mister." I grin so he knows I'm teasing.

Jeremy looks relieved. "Okay, I'll be home by nine." He runs over to give me a kiss on the cheek before racing out the door.

"Be careful!" I call after him.

As the door slams shut, Cole's words niggle at my brain, forcing me to process the onslaught of emotions brought on like a tidal wave by one simple question.

When do you get to be happy?

Chapter 9

Cole

"Doyouwanttotalk about it?" Levi's deep voice cuts through my sullen thoughts as he hands me another beer.

I take a swig before responding. He was talking to a group of guys when I stormed in and sat at the other end of the bar without a word. He left me alone for an hour while I stared at the TV screens hung over the bar. I don't even know who's playing.

"Depends," I say, focusing on the beer bottle. "What's the school's policy about dating a student's guardian?"

Levi's friend, Alex, whistles, and I glance up at him. "Do you want me to go over there?" He points to the other side of the bar. "This sounds like a personal conversation."

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