Page 71 of Bite Me Alpha Cole

“Will I do?” I ask, sarcastic, crossing to the Prince who stands a few feet outside the tent.

He turns and I instantly regret the question when he holds a cup of coffee out to me, his eyes freely moving up and down my body. I invited that, didn’t I?

“Sure,” he says, shrugging. “Here. Cream and sugar.”

Part of me resents taking anything from him but…damn it. I want that.

“What is all this?” I murmur, as suspicious as I am pleased. I sip the coffee, pissed again when it’s…perfect. God damn it, when did he learn how I like my coffee?

“Come on,” Cole says, striding off to the big fire pit, where I see a little fire burning even though no one is sitting there. Did he set that up? “We need to have a little chat.”

“I was told there would be a video call?” I snap, scurrying after his long strides.

“There will be,” he says, glancing down at me as I come to his side. “But first, you have to agree to a few conditions.”

I grumble wordlessly as I walk with him to the fire. I hate conditions.

Cole ignores my noise, sitting down calmly on one of the logs. I settle across from him, quite curious and trying not to let him see it. I’m well aware that we’re justignoringeverything that went on last night, which is weird - but I’m not going to bring up my bad behavior if he’s not.

“Are you warm enough?” Cole asks, frowning at me, looking me over again.

I scoff and roll my eyes. “Will you justtell me?”

Cole laughs, looking down at the fire. “Listen, Nadia. I heard everything you said to me last night. Or at least, I tried to. And I’m very sorry. I’m going to try to be better.”

My mouth falls open.

He raises his gaze to my face.

I snap my mouth shut, determined to let him eat his fill of crow.

“I wasn’t fair to you, and I wasn’t kind. I’m sorry that I didn’t trust you. I should have. I’ve arranged for –“

“I’m sorry too.” I bite my lip, looking down, pissed off at myself for giving in so quick. I mean, three seconds ago I was ready to indulge in a pleasant morning of sipping coffee and listening to the Prince grovel.

Stupid conscience.

Cole pauses.

“I am,” I say, nodding solidly, not looking at him, my stupid pride not able to bear it. “I let my temper get the better of me, and I didn’t let you talk. And I was mean to you. And –“ I huff a sigh, lifting my eyes, meeting his stupid gorgeous green ones. “Do I have to list all my flaws or will you just take a blanket apology?”

He hums like he’s thinking about it.

“Please?I’ll…be better. I’ll work harder at keeping my cool. I’m sorry.”

Cole smiles at me, and I scowl. Stupid…beautiful perfect smile with all those ridiculously white teeth. “We’re good, Nadia,” he says, his voice low and humming.

I nod, kind of staring at him. Kind of unable to help it.

He clears his throat and drops his gaze. “I’m giving you clearance.”

“What?” My word is a shocked huff of breath.

“I’m including you,” he says, nodding as he picks up a stick and pokes at the fire, studiously avoiding looking at me. “On all of the briefings that I have with your father from here on out – and the video calls with the Capital. You were right last night – it’s not fair for me to have information that you don’t. I’m not going to hold back anything anymore.”

I just stare at him, totally shocked.

Cole puts the stick down and turns his gaze back to me. I lean back a bit, overwhelmed.

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