Page 3 of Cole's Command

Lifting the glass to his lips, he drained the contents as he gazed out of the enormous window. Somewhere out there was Fireside, the mountain that housed the family’s lodge. Cole yearned for its frigid air in a way he couldn’t recall ever needing it before. Once his guest was safely dispatched, he made a vow that he’d take to the air and feel its snow between his claws again. Placing his tumbler on the windowsill, he turned, aware that her voice had stopped. By the time he spun to investigate he found her there in the hall with him, his phone in her delicate hand.

Just look at her. He swallowed, doing just that as the unhelpful guidance echoed in his mind. You could gobble a pretty little thing like that up.

Not tonight, he replied mentally. Not with this one.

The decision finally silenced the rabid rambling, his head clearing for the first time since he’d offered the blonde a drink.

“All done.” She smiled, thrusting the device at him. “Thank you, again.”

“You’re welcome,” he replied, feeling much more like the son Michael Vaughn had raised. “No hard feelings.”

Chapter One

Cole

The offices of Lewis, Webber, and Wilson held an imposing vantage. Even in a city full of high-rise buildings, the building’s baroque imitation architecture stood out by comparison to its neighbors. Bold and aesthetically pleasing, it rose like a demi-god among mortals.

It must be why the therapy costs so much.

Smirking at the thought, Cole skimmed his fingertips over the shiny, black paintwork of his Tesla. When his brothers drove to the city, they chose their super cars, demonstrating their wealth and apparent importance, but Cole had selected the Tesla for the exact opposite purpose. Parking in the small lot, he wanted to minimize the impression of his privilege, to play down his wealth and especially his family name, and as he peered up at the building he was about to enter, he remembered why.

This was his first appointment with his new therapist, and after months of working through so-called professionals who were late, didn’t understand him, or sometimes didn’t turn up at all, he was determined that this would be the one who could help him, the one who could finally open the doors to all the emotions he’d kept locked up inside.

Tugging down the lapels of his suit, he locked the car and strolled into the swanky lobby.

“Good morning, sir.” The blonde behind the ebony desk offered him a well-practiced smile. “Can I help you?”

“Good morning.” Cole mirrored her gesture, his gaze grazing over her made-up face and down to her pretty lace blouse. The young woman was good-looking, and the type he might usually have flirted with and fantasized about tying up, but this morning—for once—his attention was on other matters.

“I have an appointment with Dr. Lewis at ten o’clock.” He glanced at his watch instinctively, clarifying what he already knew—there were still ten minutes before his session was due to begin.

“Excellent,” the blonde replied, scrolling on her laptop. “Please take the elevator to the twenty-second floor, and I’ll let Dr. Lewis know you’ve arrived.” She signaled behind Cole, and he turned, noticing the silver elevator in the center of the building.

“Thank you.’ Glancing back, he nodded in acknowledgment, once again admiring her looks. Perhaps if Dr. Lewis turned out to be the professional he’d been looking for, then he’d discover more about her eye-catching receptionist.

Not if. His internal monologue was firm. When. She has to be the right one. He’d searched long enough.