Page 9 of Come Back to Me

I laugh quietly. “I don’t know, just daydreaming. I’m still trying to process the last few days before something else happens.” He’s looking at me with those baby deer eyes, all big and shiny and…cautious. He’s trying to say the right thing.

“It will take time, Mia, and I’m here for as long as it takes.”Whoa.

“Jack, you have been so understanding and seriously crazy for sticking around through this whole mess. I appreciate it. Thank you.

“You’re welcome. Besides I’m not all good. You never know when I’ll flip the switch and get all dark and broody. Girls dig that, right?” His laugh has a welcome sense of ease that I need.

We pull up in front of his apartment and I scooch to his side of the cab. He leans down and before I can say anything, plants a kiss on me. It’s one of those kisses that make you ache in all the right places and leaves you feeling a little woozy but those feelings never happen for me.

I can’t think about Jack and his lips. Right now, I have to focus on the task at hand. Cole Parker. I say goodbye to Jack with understanding that I’ll pick him up after my “session”.

I’m not sure what the hell I am doing, but I’m standing inside the Pantheon building. I googled him in the bathroom after the cops jolted me with his name, but all I’ve learned is that Cole Parker is a successful businessman who guards his privacy with a fierceness typically exclusive to the very wealthy. I read that his companies are far more charitable than most. As for what I could dig up on the man himself, he is described as powerful, ambitious, focused, and a shark in the board room.

The floor is open all the way to the top, with steel beams that crisscross to create a woven effect. It is massive and intimidating, sleek and industrial, making you feel like you want to be on your A game. I realize, too late, that I am standing in the lobby looking up like an insane person, when security approaches me.

“Ma’am, are you here on business?”

Shit, double shit, how am I going to get up to the top floor?Talk about a fail! Way to be inconspicuous, Mia.

“Yes, I have a meeting on the top floor,” I say breezily, hoping they can’t see that I’m sweating to death. “This lobby is insane,” I say with a laugh, all the while walking toward the elevators.

The guard puts his hand out to stop me, and then begins to lean into himself as if someone is speaking in his ear. “Miss West, Mr. Parker will see you. Please head to the elevator bank and press the fortieth floor. He is expecting you now.”

“Like I said, top floor meeting, thank you.”What is happening?!The guard follows me into the elevator, inserting a key and pressing 40. I look away to hide my embarrassment. Note to self: Watch more spy movies to ever try and be sneaky again. I mean, how the heck did he know? Did he expect me? How would he know to look for me? My mind is reeling as the elevator dings. I step out into the entry of an expansive and beautifully decorated lounge. Masculine—rich mahogany with deep chocolates and reds. I imagine it’s the exact kind of space the Devil might have.

As if on cue, Cole Parker rounds the corner. From the first minute I lay eyes on him, there is no mistaking his devastating sex appeal. He has a square, chiseled jawline that serves as a base to the most beautiful face God ever carved onto a human. His eyes are clear and icy blue, offsetting the stark contrast of his black hair. He is built like a swimmer, broad shoulders and a trim torso. I’m sure there is a six pack under that two thousand dollar suit.

I only know what the world knows about this man. Cole Parker is a ruthless businessman. Although young, he’s risen to the Forbes list in only five years. He’s never been photographed with a woman, and he’s on everybody’s most wanted list.

Warning bells should be going off in my head. This guy is nothing but trouble and yet I couldn’t be more confident about where I am.Stop it, Mia!How can I be caught up in fantasy lust when more than ever I need to keep my head in the game? And if I’m with Jack,why am I suddenly thinking sinful thoughts about Cole Parker?

I must get it together. He’s just one sexy guy in a million. Don’t let the swanky office fool you.

Even in my confusion, I know that Cole Parker is different, I can feel his energy from a distance. There is something about his presence in the room. I’ve never felt this way around Jack… My mogul smirks at me, as if he can read my thoughts. “Mia! I’ve been wondering when we would get a face to face.” His tone is casual, and his voice makes me hesitate for a second. It’s familiar, and it throws me.

“Forgive me, but I assumed you didn’t know who I am. Were you… expecting me?” Is this guy serious? He drops me at the hospital and disappears. Now he’s wondering why I haven’t reached him sooner to hang out?

“ I’m happy that you’re feeling better and up to coming here. I guess Richard decided to pass on my information.”

Richard knew?! I’m pissed!What else aren’t they telling me, why is this being kept a mystery? Before I can stop, my mouth gets the better of me. “What in the hell is going on?!… and before you call my stepfather, let me just clue you in. He didn’t tell me anything, I remembered you. I remember that day of the mugging, you saving me and disappearing like some mystery superhero. I’ve just about had it with everyone knowing about me except me. Tell me right now what you know, or I’m going to explode.”

Cole looks at me with a hard stare. “Sit, Mia… please.” I sit.

“First, I’m sorry Richard withheld my part in your accident. Second, I do not want to be party to any of your family drama. Third, would you like something to drink?”

I feel like a child, slightly embarrassed by my family and that I’ve brought my nonsense into the space of a complete stranger. I have clearly lost my damn mind, but in my defense he doesn’t feel like a stranger. It feels like we’ve known each other forever, even though we are just now meeting for the first time. Being face down and bloody when he saved me doesn’t count.

I walk into his office, which is filled with expensive artwork. I sit down on an oversized couch, which makes me feel even more like a child because it’s so deep I have to sit at the edge in order for my feet to touch the plush carpet on the floor. Cole doesn’t have the same problem I am having; he relaxes into the sofa and fixes his eyes on me.

“Can I get you a drink?”

“Yes, water would be great.”

“Make yourself comfortable, I’ll be right back.”

As he walks away, I’m relieved to have a minute alone to gather my thoughts. I came here to ask this man some pointed and difficult questions, and now I have a million more since finding out that Richard knew Cole was the one who helped me. Why wouldn’t Richard just tell me who it was? Did Cole know more than he was letting on?

“You look like you have a million questions,” he says, putting the water glass on the table in front of me.

---