Page 25 of Cole's Command

There was her voice again, its smooth tone skimming through his mind. Cole didn’t know how he was able to discern the private thoughts of the woman who’d ironically captured most of his headspace all week, but as he stared at her flustered expression, he had never been so thankful. Quieting his mind, he tuned into her, hoping to hear more.

‘Better to be safe than sorry.’

His brow rose at the words, not because of the sentiment, but the tone he heard them in. It wasn’t Eden’s, or, to be clearer, it was, but it sounded as though she was processing them in someone else’s voice—a man’s. His heart sped up at what he was hearing. She was thinking about another man’s words—obviously someone who cared about her given the air of caution in their words—but Cole didn’t have to wait long to discover who the mystery man was.

Her father.

An unreasonable sense of glee rose as he overheard her reflections. The man on her mind was her father—not potential competition for her affections. According to his daughter, her dad had been an ardent advocate of Eden, but for reasons apparently even unclear to her, he had actively steered her away from relationships. ‘There’s no room for romance.’ Cole inhaled at the paternal advice, stunned by how different it was from that which his own father had peddled. ‘Boys will only get in the way. Ignore them.’

Staring into his eyes, Eden’s gaze hardened as though she, too, had only just processed her father’s advice. I have avoided romantic relationships.

Her awed tone suggested it was a revelation to her, and Cole was surprised to hear it. Surely, as a therapist, she’d spent time working on herself? Could it really be true that the woman he was paying to help him needed help herself?

I can help her. His own thoughts burst to the fore, temporarily subduing Eden’s. That’s what she needs. A man to help her work through her issues. A man like me.

His lips twitched at the enticing concept. Yes, there were multiple reasons why they shouldn’t be together. He was paying for her professional assistance, she was too old for him, and he wasn’t even looking for a relationship, but at that moment, few things had ever sounded better. He’d noticed the way her gaze had devoured the look of him, seen the restrained hunger in her eyes, and he knew she was interested, but he decided then was not the moment to pursue her.

I shouldn’t pursue her at all.

He’d play the gentleman instead, make sure he got her on her way and look forward to his appointment the next day with ever increasing fervor.

“I agree, it’s better to be safe than sorry.” Mirroring the opinion of her thoughts he enjoyed the puzzlement in her eyes as she processed his words. The statement had been generic enough that he could have concluded it for himself, but her furrowing brow conveyed how odd she’d found the coincidence.

“W-what?” she stammered, her uncertainty ratcheting up his desire for her one hundred-fold.

Cole, like his brothers, had a penchant for domination play, and savored the opportunity to make a lady unsure as she waited to see what he’d do next. If he ever got the chance to play with Eden, he’d leaving her fucking gagging with anticipation.

“I said, it’s better for you to be safe than sorry.” He swallowed, envisioning the scintillating scene in his mind’s eye.

Stripped and bound, he could blindfold her at first so that she didn’t know where each touch was coming from, let alone what form it would take. Perhaps it would be a gentle caress, or maybe the flick of his crop. She literally wouldn’t know what had hit her.

Or his lust.

Aligning with her thoughts once more, Cole was ecstatic at what he garnered. Surely, she must have been thinking of him, although the way she shook her head made him wonder.

He’s not attracted to me, and even if he is, so what?

Cole wanted to beam at her assessment, but managed to somehow contain his reaction as he listened on.

He’s a young guy—they’re always horny, aren’t they? Cole might be young, and charming, but he’s first and foremost my client. And attractive, she added as an afterthought. Don’t forget how good-looking he is.

“I totally understand your answer.” His voice was velvety as he answered, but even as he spoke he realized he had to get a handle on himself. At this rate, she’d find him grinning like a Cheshire cat and how would that look?

“Right.”

Cole noticed the way her hand stiffened on the steering wheel as her thoughts continued to come in loud and clear. In fact, the more time that passed, the easier it became to process what she was thinking as one of them spoke. He gazed at her face as the lines traveled through his mind.

What was she doing thinking about him that way? It wasn’t only his youth and his body that mesmerized her, there was something more about him.

Gods, if Cole heard much more of this, his resolve for etiquette would slide away and he’d have to act upon his dark kidnap fantasy.

That can’t happen. His jaw tightened at the pulverizing thought. Even if he overcame all of the obstacles and asked the lady out, he couldn’t justify snatching her away and satisfying the depths of his desires. I need consent.

Oh, God, this isn’t happening. Eden’s breathless thoughts were back, their significance amplified in Cole’s mind. I am not having this thought process.

“Thanks,” she replied, her single word response quite in contrast to the frenzied blur of feelings he’d been privileged enough to experience.

A hush surrounded them as her focus turned inward, and as Cole’s attention joined hers, he was thrilled with the imagery she silently conveyed. It appeared that not only could he hear what she was thinking, but if he concentrated, he could also tune into what she imagined, and the graphic scenes of stimulation she was mustering were a fascinating insight into the lady he wanted to bed.