Page 30 of Cole's Command

“How about now?”

Chapter Eleven

Cole

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THINGS WERE GOING BETTER than he’d hoped for. Not only did the tempting Dr. Lewis look delicious in her sharp skirt-suit, but she’d agreed to see him early and seemed keen to see him again. Sure, it was only as his therapist, but his new and uncanny ability to read her thoughts meant he knew what was truly on the gorgeous brunette’s mind, and there was no doubt; she was every inch as attracted to him as he was to her.

“Now?”

Cole had to hand it to her. The hint of a blush at her cheeks was the only physical tell of her unraveling state of mind, but Eden’s professional façade was like a swan gliding gracefully across a river. From the surface everything was flawless, but just below it he witnessed the frantic effort that was going into ensuring the smokescreen remained intact.

“I just remember you saying that I was your final appointment of the day,” he explained. “But naturally, I understand if you have plans. We can schedule again for next week.”

Not that any part of him wanted to wait another week to see the fascinating Eden again, but he had to be reasonable.

Yes. He repressed a chuckle. ‘Needing to be reasonable’ was one motivation for finding a therapist in the first place. He couldn’t just ‘take what he wanted’. His thoughts returned to the blonde who’d come back to his place a few weeks ago. Even if he had the strength, it just wasn’t right...

Eden was a qualified therapist with professional boundaries. He had no right to push them. But even though he could intellectually rationalize the fact, Cole was attempting to do so just the same.

Same old, Cole.

His smirk grew. He hadn’t dared to broach the matter of his darker inclinations with Eden yet, but still they bubbled in his mind, like a familiar old friend. Mental images of her bound and on her knees blurred his focus as she answered, the temperature in the room rising at her small, fidgety moves.

“No, you’re right,” she started. “But I don’t normally see clients past five o’clock.” Even if I want to. She didn’t vocalize the final line, but he heard it just the same, the longing briefly evident in her eyes as they met his.

“Fair enough,” he replied. “I would never want to do anything that made you uncomfortable.”

Liar. There were plenty of things he’d like to do which would push her out of her comfort zone. He inhaled at the scintillating thought. Just imagine how she’d look bent over that desk.

“Oh, you’re not,” Eden assured him, his own thoughts momentarily overpowering the volume of hers. “I’m just saying it’s not normal practice.”

“Of course, I’d pay you extra.”

“Don’t worry, Cole.” Her tone was wry for the first time, confirming who was still in control of the situation. For now. “You would be billed for all the hours we talk, but I can’t expect my assistant to stay late just because of our impromptu session.”