Chapter 3
THREE
Three
Cole
The entire time while we make our speeches and hand out the checks, all I can think about is getting my lips on her.
Anywhere.
No, that’s not quite right.
Every fucking where.
As Martin and I give out the last of the bonuses, he clears his throat and makes a final announcement.
“We’ve got mandatory overtime on the Blake job this week.”
There’s a collective moan from the crowd of workers and their partners. There are groans of ‘Tomorrow’s Christmas Eve, boss!’ and some of them look to me, but my face is set. This is my partner’s call and it’s my job to back him up, even if I don’t like it any more than they do.
He holds up his hands. “I know, I know. But, work first. So, let’s wrap this up so we can all be bright and shiny tomorrow morning.”
I do my best to hold back my own irritated groan as most of the employees begin to file out of the restaurant, while a few others take up spots at the bar, looking forlorn. I turn, looking for Holly, but she’s not standing where I left her and with a quick scan of the room I come up empty.
There’s a tightness down deep that has her name written all over it. Now that she’s back, now that I know she’s close, my obsession is spinning out of control. I’ve fought these feelings for too long.
Jerked off to thoughts of her.
No, not just thoughts.
Pictures.
I’m not proud of it, but I’ve stolen fucking pictures of her from Martin’s phone. He and Holly text message almost every day, and sometimes I’m with him when a message comes through and he’ll share what’s going on with her, showing me some of the funny selfies she sends him or whatever else she’s doing. Little does he know what seeing her and hearing about her does to me.
Then, when he’s not looking and his phone is unattended, I forward the pictures to myself before deleting the evidence.
After that, when I’m alone at night…or the morning, or in the car, or in my private bathroom at the office…shit, anywhere I can get a second to myself, I stare at them. Flip through each one until the pressure in my balls is unbearable and I grip myself with shame and anger, knowing I’m a sick fuck for jacking off while looking at my best friend’s daughter, but unable to help myself.
I’ve shot my load looking at her pics so many times, each one is burned into my eyeballs, like when you’ve been looking at a light for too long, but it’s not enough.
As I glare around the room and find no sight of her, I start to seethe. After being so close, and now to have her disappear even for a moment, it’s killing me. I’ve wanted her for so long and now she’s back, and something deep down inside tells me she needs me.
And I need her.
Martin is arguing with a few of the laborers, who look pissed and I get it. Overtime is great, but it’s the holidays and the word ‘mandatory’ in Martin’s speech has got them bristling.
Besides, a lot of them have been over-served at the open bar, and that means they’re not on their best behavior.
I start to work my way out of the restaurant’s private function room to look for her, when I hear Martin’s voice from behind and turn to find him standing right at my shoulder.
“Hey.” The annoyance is plain on his face and he jerks his head toward the three employees I saw him with a moment ago. “I’m gonna drive these guys home. They’re three sheets to the wind, and I’m not going to be liable for what happens if they drive themselves.”
“Call them a cab,” I answer, still scanning outside the room for any sign of her in the main part of the restaurant.
“I would, but the weather’s getting dicey and all the cabs are taken. It’s going to be an hour before the next one’s available, and Greg lives about an hour north. Anyway, they’re pretty pissed about the overtime, so I figured least I could do is give them a ride personally. Try to build some goodwill back and all that? ‘Tis the season for goodwill, right?”
I nod, still focused on where she’s gone. “Sure, whatever.”
“Good. So, can you drive Holly back to my place?”
My heartbeat quickens and I answer too quickly: “Yes.”
Martin looks at me for a beat, then looks back to the three guys at the bar, who are getting louder by the minute. “Thanks, man. Probably take me a few hours to get them all where they belong for the night. Holly has a key to my place. Maybe hang out with her until I get back?” He shakes his head on a smile. “I know she’s an adult, but I don’t like her being alone. My protectiveness is over the top, I know, but indulge me, okay?”
My pulse is racing. Not only am I going to have her in my car, I’m going to take her home. To an empty house. “I’ll take good care of her.” I do my best to keep my words steady, the innuendo thick, but luckily Martin is focused on his task.
He slaps my shoulder. “Thanks. I trust you with her. You’re one of the only ones I trust with her. I may have only been her father for a few years, but I swear, if anyone touches her…” He shakes his head. “Man, I feel like I want to cut their fucking fingers off.”
With that, he laughs, then waves his hand in the air as he turns, calling for the three guys. They half stumble toward him, making their meandering way for the front door of the restaurant.
I follow behind them as the last stragglers from the party file out of the room, saying good night to the staff as they pass. With a glance, it’s clear that Holly isn’t among them and I need to find her, fast.
When I don’t see her in the open area of the restaurant either, but when I pass the coat room, I practically lose my shit.
“No, thank you…” Holly is pressed up against the wall, turning her head away as Nathan, one of the newest members of our rough carpentry crew, leans in close to her, holding a twig of some greenery over her head.
“Just pretend… It’s mistletoe.” His words are thick. He’s not even old enough to drink, but clearly the bar tender didn’t ask for ID because he’s loaded.
“She said no, asshole.” I bark, marching forward in three long strides and putting myself in the small space between them my hands balling into fists at my sides.
Nathan’s eyes go wide and he lowers his hand. “Just having some fun.” He slurs out. “Besides, look what she’s wearing! She’s lookin—"
“Pushing yourself on a woman who is clearly not interested is not in any way, shape or form fun. Nor is it acceptable. Capeesh? No matter what she’s wearing. So, if you want your head to continue to be attached to your neck, you’ll get your drunk ass out of here in the next three seconds.”
“Cole…” Holly’s voice comes from behind. “It’s okay.”
She’s sweet. Too sweet.
I spin my head around and shoot her a warning look. “Not okay.” I turn back to Nathan, who is still standing there looking stupid. “Did I stutter? Can you not count to three? Get. Out.” I bark the words right into his face, and it finally snaps him out of his stupor. He turns his face away and nods as I look back at Holly. “Don’t leave this room. I’ll be right back.”
She starts to protest, but the look on my face shuts down whatever defense she was about to mount. A moment later I’m on Nathan’s heels, marching him to the front of the restaurant my hand gripping the back of his shirt practically lifting him off the ground. I find a chair and drop his ass down making sure he knows he’s going to wait there while the hostess calls him a cab.
He can wait the fucking hour Martin said they’d take for all I care.
When I’ve got that settled, I go back to the coat room, grab her coat.
“Put this on.” I hold it out and she slips her arms in giving me a confused look.
When I’ve got her coat on, I take her hand and half drag her behind me heading to the front door.
“Is the party over?” She looks into the back room to see it’s empty. “I just went to get some gum out of my coat and he followed me. I tried to just be polite…”
“Sometimes being polite can get you hurt. Sometimes you need to be a bitch.”
She gives me a wary look. “Yeah, I’m not so good at that.”
That’s why you need me around.
It’s what I want to say, but I hold back, instead leading her past where Nathan sits giving him another death glare and out into the chill of the parking lot.
“Where are we going? Where’s my dad?”
“He’s driving a few other over-indulgers home. Said for me to give you a ride to his house. I’ll wait with you there.”
She looks like she’s going to protest but I keep us moving, needing her in my car, next to me, more than I need my next breath.
I lead her out into the cold air, a fine freezing mist covering everything with a layer of ice. I hold her elbow as she tries to stay steady on the heels she’s wearing until we’re at my pickup and I open the door, helping her up and inside.
“Oh my God it’s freezing out.” Her shoulders quiver and she rubs her hands together in front of her chest.
“Put your seat belt on.” I lean in, covering her legs with my suit jacket and her scent once again raging through me like a fire, agonizing, searing my flesh as it warms me, making hot blood surge to my thickening dick.
She clicks the belt on, and I close the door, making my way to the driver’s side and getting myself behind the wheel.
Once I’ve started the car and got us moving, I shift myself in my seat, my uncomfortable hard on making it difficult to drive. Holly finally breaks the silence with her soft voice.
“Thank you.” She murmurs, and I turn to see soft eyes. “Back there. You’re right. Sometimes, I need to not be so nice.”
I nod. “It’s one thing to want to be on the nice list, but sometimes the naughty list is where you need to be.”
She giggles and I so badly want her to know how I feel. How in love with her I am and have been all these years.
But fuck, she’s so young. She’s my best friend and business partner’s little girl. He’d hate me forever. It would wreck our business.
Besides, what’s a young, gorgeous, smart girl like her going to do with an old asshole like me?
Nothing.
Exactly.
Still, I can’t help thinking, we’re here.
Alone.
Together.
I swallow hard and all the rational reasons I shouldn’t do what I’m about to do evaporate.
This may be my only shot.
I’m not going to miss.