Page 79 of Bite Me Alpha Cole

I press my hand to my chest. “That’s true,” I say, workingveryhard to stay calm and fair. “But Cole, it’s notmy jobto educate you – youhavethe resources. Youhavethe press and the internet – I am not the only one making these claims! Is it possible, at all, that peoplehavebeen saying these things, and you just aren’t hearing it? Because it may notfeelreal to you?”

He clenches his jaw, stubborn and not liking my accusation.

“Think about it,” I say, moving to the edge of my chair to lean even closer, finally feeling like I’m getting through to him on my terms. “That was ahorribleday for me, Cole – painful physically as well as emotionally. And you didn’t evenknowthat I broke my arm. I think itispossible that…you just haven’t noticed what it’s like being a human in this world. Or tried to look.”

He scowls and looks away. I can almost feel him giving in.

I slide back on my chair.

“I’m sorry,” he murmurs, uncomfortable. “I…didn’t think of it that way.”

“Okay,” I whisper, nodding, realizing that we’ve taken a step and that maybe that’s enough for now.

“But I didn’t shove you,” he snaps, turning his gaze back to me.

I raise an eyebrow, not believing it.

“It wasJude!”

“Oh, whatever -”

“Itwas!Nadia, I –“ To my surprise Cole laughs, low and frustrated, and slips suddenly forward off his chair. He goes to one knee on the ground before me, his hands wrapping around my elbows. I gape, and he gives me atinyshake that somehow brings a smile to my lips. “IswearNadia – I remember it! Jude – that jackass – he played too rough, and he clipped you as he ran by, and you went down! I was so mad at him!”

I roll my eyes to the ceiling, but mostly for the chance to turn my face away from him and hide my growing smile.

“Please,” Cole whispers. I take a deep breath and look at him again – at this impossibly handsome Prince, kneeling before me. Something about that is…quite nice, isn’t it? “I ambeggingyou to believe me or forgive me, Nadi. Either one. If you want to believe it was me, that’s fine - at least until I can strangle a confession out of Jude. I’m sorry. But sixteen years isenoughfor this grudge.Please!”

I narrow my eyes even though my heart has already agreed. I mean, I’m enjoying this whole groveling thing, and I don’t think I’m going to get more of it anytime soon. Nice guy that he is, Cole Kincaid has his pride.

“And I hear you on the rest,” Cole says, pressing a hand to his chest. “I’ll work on it, and I’ll listen and do my own research. But if we can find somecommon ground–“

“Ohfine!” I say on a hefty sigh, tossing my head back and giving in, unable to bear it anymore. “Fine, Cole, I’ll let it go –“

But I inhale a sharp gasp of air as suddenly gravity shifts beneath me. A victorious snarl sounds in my ear as I find myself suddenly snatched off my chair and in his arms, Cole hugging me close like he’s so happy he can’t help it. I burst out laughing, leaning against him for a second before starting to smack at him.

“Let me go, you big pig!”

“No!”

I laugh harder, smacking at him uselessly with my flat palm. “You can’t just snatch me up! My waffles are getting cold –“

“Screw your waffles –“

And then we’re both laughing so hard we can’t speak. Cole falls back on his ass and takes me with him, holding me tightly but carefully against his chest. My laughter fades and I push myself slightly away so that I can see into his face. Cole loosens his arms, letting me go, beaming at me, so happy it’s infectious.

“You won’t call me a sheep again?”

“I promise,” he whispers, bringing his face closer. “Besides, you’re more of a little lamb –“

I growl and smack him, but Cole laughs and absorbs it. We both know he’s kidding.

“New start?” Cole murmurs, more serious now and so full of hope that my stomach flips over.

“No,” I say, turning my head consideringly. “Not a new start – I’m not going to forget anything. I just…we’ll move on from it. Okay? I won’t hold it against you anymore.”

He nods, agreeing to it as I get to my feet and straighten my chair, a little blush coming to my cheeks as I realize that more people have filtered into the mess tent now. Not a lot – and no one’s looking at us but…

Yeah. I don’t know. My blush grows, and I take my seat, concentrating on my waffles, which are indeed cooler but still good. I chew happily for a few moments –

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