Page 36 of Cole's Command
“Yes.” Pulling in a breath, she turned to face him. “You’re right, and I’m sorry. I should have done better.”
“You were perfect.” Flashing her a knowing smile, he went on. “That’s not what I mean, Eden.”
“Then what?” She didn’t feel perfect—far from it. Kneeling on all fours beside him, her head was dazed, and everything about the last half an hour was a blur. She wanted him, more than she cared to admit, but her desire was no excuse for the way she had behaved. “What do you mean?”
“You want to know how and why I know what you’re thinking.” Maneuvering beside her, he sat down on his perfect ass and speared her with his gaze. “And believe me, I would love to tell you, but if I do, then everything changes.”
Everything changes? “What changes?” she demanded. “What could be worse than the lack of competence I’ve already demonstrated?”
“It was a kiss, Eden.” He smiled at the memory. “A bloody good one in my view, but still only a kiss.”
“It should never have happened.”
“There are bigger issues than even that scintillating caress.” His expression softened. “Things that once said, can never be taken back.”
“You’re talking in riddles.” She blew out a breath, riled half by her own poor judgment and half by his unwillingness to share. Eden was certain there was nothing he could tell her that would have serious consequences. Even if he confessed a crime, Cole wouldn’t be the first, but she had the sense that wasn’t what he was hiding. “Are you going to tell me or not?”
“Are you making demands on me, Eden?” His eyebrow arched, the gesture far more attractive than it had a right to be.
“Yeah.” Steeling herself, she eased upright, testing how her head felt in the new position. “I think I am. I need to know how you’re managing this, and then I have to decide what to do about my scandalous lack of judgment.”
“Go easy on yourself,” he admonished softly. “I enjoyed your so-called lack of judgment, and if you’re honest, I think you did, too.”
“Don’t change the subject.” Meeting his eyes, she resisted the urge to fall into them. It would be easy enough. “You said we’d made progress, and I agree with you, but to move forward, we have to be honest—you have to be honest, Cole—with yourself as much as me and anyone else.”
“I can be honest.” His brow furrowed. “I want to be honest with you, but I want to protect you, as well.”
“Protect me?” Now, she was really confused. “From what?”
“From what will play out once you know the truth.”
“I can take care of myself,” she insisted, although she accepted how ridiculous it sounded while she was still on her knees, unable to make it back to her chair. “And I think you need to share this truth, Cole. To move forward.”
“Really?” He sounded genuinely uncertain.
“Really.” She was adamant. “Whatever it is, let’s hear it, and once it’s shared we’ll deal with it.”
She needed this, needed him to bare his soul in order for her to feel even vaguely useful as a professional again.
“Okay.” Leaning against the front of her desk, his gaze traveled to the far corner of the room. “But I just want you to know that once it’s been said, once it’s out there, I will be there for you, Eden. I’ll take care of you.”
“O-kay.” Brow rising, she considered whether or not she could make it back to her desk without toppling over on him in the process. “Thanks.” She had no idea what he was talking about, but was happy to concede and reassure him if it helped him be open. “Go ahead. I’m listening.”
“Well, Eden.” Leaning forward, his enormous palm hovered over her hand, gently encasing it as he went on. “The reason I can hear your thoughts is because I have unique genetics.”
“What kind of genetics?” Her gaze fixed on his hand and the warmth it offered her. She should deny him the contact, should pull away, but somehow, she couldn’t find the will.
Because I like it. She shivered at the mental acknowledgement. I like the way his skin feels on mine.
“Eden.”
She lifted her head at his demanding tone. “Yes?”
“The reason I hear your thoughts is because I come from dragons.”