Tangled Up Hearts (12 page)

“Of course not.” She spoke more sharply than she intended and let out an impatient breath. Was she ever going to experience a time when Cole’s presence didn’t get a rise out of her? Couldn’t she just not feel anything?

His wandering eyes caught hold of hers and held. “Prove it.”

“What?” She scowled at him in an effort to hide the growing excitement thrumming through her. What was he up to now?

“Dance with me again.” He held out his hand to her.

She looked at it with both anticipation and aversion racing through her. “Here?" It was too intimate a suggestion, beyond preposterous, and yet her heart rate was increasing by the second.

“Yes. Here.” His eyes mocked her as one dark brow lifted in challenge. “Scared?”

“What is there to be scared of, Cole?" Her voice did not reflect the bravado she wanted to convey. In fact, it sounded far too husky. Maybe she was getting a cold?

“Then let’s dance.” The music was loud enough even from here and a slow tune was now playing. She looked at his outstretched hand and drew in a breath. Fine. He wanted to dance, then dance they would. She set her drink down on the wide marble balustrade circling the patio and moved into his arms.

Not wanting him to have the upper hand, Alyssa decided to issue her own challenge. “Just how good are you, Cole?”

His brow lifted in question and then his mouth twitched in the beginnings of a smile. Without taking their eyes from each other, they began to move with the music.

Alyssa allowed her body to relax against his lithe, muscular frame and moved her hips in a deliberate, seductive sway. Cole’s lids lowered into a lazy sensual squint. She was playing with fire here and she didn’t care. The excitement racing through her wouldn’t allow her to care. Not yet anyway.

Cole's lips twitched with a smile then parted with invitation. He stared at her with heated intensity and tightened his hold, moving his body in perfect unison with hers. He bent to nuzzle her temple and pulled her closer against him.

Alyssa slid her hands up his chest and wound them around his neck. No longer wishing to deny herself the pleasure of his embrace, she closed her eyes and buried her head beneath his chin. She would berate herself later she was sure, but for now she was not going to listen to her screaming brain. Though it was frantically insisting she get out of Cole’s arms and head back to the party posthaste, she just couldn't bring herself to do it.

The tantalizing smell of his cologne mixed deliciously with his own special scent and she drew in a deep appreciative whiff. It wasn’t fair that Cole not only looked good but felt good, smelled good and, she had to admit grudgingly, danced good. No, he was better than good. Excellent, in fact. Not that it mattered. He was still a snake. But even that thought didn’t diminish the awareness of his thighs brushing against hers. His head dipped lower and his breath teased the sensitive skin on her nape, sending small shivers along her spine. Her breath caught in her throat and she couldn't quench the small sound of desire as it flooded through her, melting her bones to mush.

Cole’s arms tightened as a tremor went through him and his breathing grew rough.

Desire sprung between them so fast Alyssa didn't have any defense against it. He could hardly hide it and she wasn't up for denying her own response. His excitement increased her own and she pressed against him, sighing in pleasure. Why did it have to feel so good in his arms? Her body felt soft and fluid, hot. Being held by him was not enough. She wanted … needed … more.

Cole’s hand slid lightly across the skin of her bare back, sending shivers of delight racing everywhere. Alyssa caught her breath, moved restlessly against him and bit her lip in an effort to contain a moan. Needing to look at him, her head dropped back and she stared at him through half-closed eyes. She felt drugged, languid and yet excited and filled with adrenalin at the same time. They stared at each other for a long intense moment and she wondered how it was possible that this was happening. They hated each other.

Alyssa’s hands moved as if no longer subject to her control and tangled in the soft hair at his nape. Her body pressed closer, retreated, pressed again. Cole made an unintelligible sound deep in his chest. The vibration of it sent another thrill through her, making her desire for him impossible to contain. Their movements became slower, more seductive. The air thickened between them. Cole moved his hand down to her hip and pulled her intimately against him. Alyssa’s strength drained, her bones no longer capable of maintaining her structure. She melted against him, knowing if he let go of her she would sink into a shapeless heap at his feet.

More than anything she wanted another mind-boggling kiss. Her lips parted and her eyes dropped to his mouth. He was ready for a kiss, poised to accept it, his breathing getting deeper as he waited. Alyssa dragged her gaze from his tantalizing mouth to look into his captivating eyes. The moonlight reflected on their surface as
he stared back at her with focused concentration. When she still hadn't made a move to close the space between them, he dropped his eyes to her mouth and she wet her lips with the tip of her tongue.

Cole went still. “Alyssa.” He spoke her name barely above a whisper and he couldn’t have said anything more appropriate at that moment. It was her undoing, making her downfall complete. It had been a long time since he’d called her that.

“Cole.” She could no more restrain herself from uttering his name than she could control the shudders that shook her. There was longing and need in her voice and she didn’t care. Besides, it was impossible to hide and she really needed his mouth to be on hers. Now. His head dipped. Alyssa’s breath hitched as anticipation thrummed through her. Hoping to move things along and end the wait, Alyssa closed her eyes and lifted her chin, her lips parting in preparation.

“Oh dear, I’m so sorry.” Paul’s voice was like a splash of cold water, drenching their heated world back to reality.

The spell broken, they sprung apart and Alyssa turned to see Paul beating a hasty retreat. Appalled that they'd been caught in such a situation, Alyssa called out to him. "Paul, wait!" Praying he'd comply with her impassioned request, she threw Cole a look that was sure to convey her confusion then rushed to join her friend. He looked so uncomfortable that she slipped an arm through his and pulled him along with her into the house, closing the door behind them and drawing him away from the hearing range of the other guests. "Paul..."

“I’m so sorry, Alyssa. I was worried about you. I didn’t know Cole was with you.”

“Don’t worry about it.” She bit her lip, wondering what she should say. How to explain? Lowering her voice to a hushed whisper, she attempted to try. “Paul, what you saw … I don’t know what that was about. We were dancing and … well …” She shrugged helplessly and stared at him with entreaty.

“I told you the strength of feeling that flowed between you and Cole has to be something more powerful than hate. Have I not told you that given an opportunity, you may find an understanding of where those feelings were coming from?” Paul patted her arm and gave her a reassuring smile. “Don’t look so distressed.”

“But I can’t stand him, Paul.” How could it have happened? She did not want to be attracted to Cole. He would use it against her and make her powerless around him. “I don’t trust him.” Feeling close to tears, she wanted nothing more than to leave the party and go home. How was she supposed to face him again? What was he going to think of her now?

“Come on.” Paul entwined his arm with hers and pulled her along with him, giving her hand a reassuring pat. “Let’s go mingle with your friends and forget about it for now.”

Forget about it? Not in this century. But to give him credit, Paul kept her busy. He did not allow any time for her to think. “Just concentrate on Trisha and Jack,” he reminded her every now and then.

It was good advice and she did her best to keep her attention on the newly engaged couple. It turned out to be something she could easily do for Cole had disappeared. Although she wondered where he had gone off to, she was grateful for his absence. Then she noticed that Serena was nowhere about either and that bothered her far more than she wanted it to.

Dinner was set out buffet style and the twenty some guests, mostly all family though a couple of close friends were also included, were expected to utilize the seating areas scattered about the room. Paul and Alyssa sat on a window seat overlooking the back yard and enjoyed their meal in relative seclusion. There was still no sign of Cole or Serena and that went a long way towards ruining her appetite, making her pick at her food until Paul finally took it away.

Toasts were given throughout the meal and Alyssa's head began to grow fuzzy and dizzy from all the alcohol she was consuming. Taking note of her condition, Paul went in search of coffee and kept her well supplied with the sobering beverage for their last hour there.

It was a relief to both of them when the party began to wind down and guests started heading for the door. Glad this interminable night was about to end, Alyssa turned to Paul. "Are you about ready to call it a night?"

"I am as ready as you are."

Alyssa stood up and handed him her empty coffee cup. "Would you mind disposing of this? I need to visit the ladies room before we head out."

“I’ll let Trisha and Jack know we are leaving and will meet you in the foyer."

Nodding her thanks, Alyssa rushed off, her need for the bathroom becoming crucial, and when she saw there was a line, she headed up the stairs.

The second floor was in near darkness but Alyssa knew the way and had just reached her destination when she heard a noise and paused. Serena was coming out of one of the bedrooms a few doors down and Cole was close behind her. When he reached to close the door, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her body against him.

“Cole, I don’t want the evening to end. Come home with me.” Before he could answer, she pressed a hard kiss to his mouth then murmured against it. “The night is still young and I’m not in the least tired.”

Cole wrapped his hands around her arms and straightened away from her. “Serena, we just finished …” Whatever he was about to say trailed off to nothing when he saw Alyssa. “Al? What are you doing up here?” He made to move toward her but was hindered by Serena’s clinging arms.

Alyssa reached blindly for the bathroom door. “I’m sorry. I came to use the bathroom.” She slipped hastily from their sight and closed the door with exaggerated care. She wanted to slam it, splinter it and then kick it to smithereens but come hell or high water she was not going to let Cole know she was upset about him and Serena coming out of the bedroom. Her body was trembling with anger, disappointment and perhaps even some hurt and it was the latter that pissed her off. Surely she wasn't hurt by his actions.

Fearing he might try to come after her, she locked the door then leaned against it with a sick feeling in her stomach. The man was the lowest of scum. Did he take great pleasure in running from one woman to another? Well that certainly explained his absence. He must have taken Serena up to his old bedroom as soon as she left the terrace. Thank God Paul had interrupted them when he did.

With hands splayed across her face, she groaned quietly. God, she’d almost made a complete fool of herself with that insufferable man. Her hands dropped to her sides and curled into tight fists. He was despicable. A thoughtless bastard. Why would he play with her emotions like that? Well it sure as hell wouldn’t happen again. Ever.

That decided, she finished her business, splashed some cool water on her face then drew in a deep breath to calm
the emotions rioting through her. She wanted to scream, rail, cry, pound something. A few more deep breaths and she was as ready as she was going to get to face whatever was out there to deal with. Hopefully she wouldn’t run into him again before she left. She had half a mind to plant her fist in his hateful face. With that tantalizing picture filling her head, she opened the door and went absolutely still.

Cole was leaning again the doorjamb, his arms folded casually as if he was prepared to wait there all night if necessary. He straightened when she opened the door. “Al, listen …”

“There is nothing you have to say that I care to hear, Cole. So get out of my way.” She waited for him to move but the icy tones of her furious voice had no effect on him whatsoever. He didn’t budge.

“What are you so uptight about anyway?” Casually poised he may be but the edge in his voice gave it away that he wasn't quite so calm and collected as he'd have her believe.

“I think you are despicable, and I think you had also better move.”

“Oh? And if I don’t?” His dark brow lifted with feigned interest, but his body was taut and belied his relaxed stance.

“If you care about Trish at all, you’ll get the hell out of my way.” Her voice lowered in response to the cold venom flowing through her. She wanted to scratch at him, kick him, pound him. The rage in her was making her sick and yet she could not calm
down. Her hands tightened into fists. “I hate you, Cole. I don’t like being played with.” If her eyes were bright with tears it was because of anger. Certainly there was no hurt floating around in them as well. Her throat ached because she was holding back a slew of words better left unsaid. If her chest hurt it was because she was trying to control her breathing and not because her heart felt as if it was bursting apart. She would not give him the satisfaction of seeing how worked up she was over what she saw.

“I was not playing with you, Al.” His arms dropped to his sides then gestured with helpless frustration. “I knew you would jump to the wrong conclusions." After running his hands up through his hair and letting out a sigh, he took a small step toward her. "I think we better straighten this out if our truce is going to hold.”

Alyssa brushed stiffly passed him. “Oh it will hold all right but not thanks to you. I, for one, intend to keep my word to Trisha. You, on the other hand, can go straight to hell.”

Cole let out an exasperated breath and when he spoke, he sounded nearly as angry as she was. “If that’s where I’m headed, Al, I’ll see you there.”