Page 71 of Cole's Command

“Okay.” Her tone was resigned. “How about a cup of cocoa?”

“Great idea.” He smiled, motioning to the couch. “Take a seat and I’ll bring it over.”

Gathering the ingredients, he watched as she padded over to the place he’d spanked her earlier. Skimming her fingernails over the chair, she pulled in a shaky breath.

I can’t believe he did that. I can’t believe I let him do that!

“Do you like marshmallows?” He chose to interrupt her thought process. Much though he was enjoying her stunned expression, he really did want to understand what she was holding back. He supposed that he would feel less vulnerable if Eden told him something personal about herself.

“Erm, sure.” Glancing his way, she half-smiled before her focus was drawn to the vast windows. “I’ve never known a vista like this before.”

“Yeah,” he concurred, heating milk on the stove. Cole didn’t usually like cocoa, but had decided to join her for the bedtime beverage. “It’s quite unique.”

“I guess you have to be able to get here.” She tugged the robe together. “So, that rules out most people.”

“That’s why I love the lodge so much,” he told her as he prepared the chocolate powder. “It’s beautifully isolated.”

“That tells me a lot about you.” She smirked, peering back at him as he heated the milk.

“I’m not in therapy anymore, Dr. Lewis.” Briefly, he met her eyes while he stirred the milk. “This time I want to know about you.”

“More’s the pity.” She chuckled as he blended the cocoa powder with the milk before pouring it into the mugs and walking back to the sofa.

“Don’t change the subject,” he admonished her playfully. “Tell me about your dad.”

“You don’t give up, do you?” Jesus.

“No.” He handed her a mug. “You might as well know that.”

“Fine.” She took the drink with a smirk. “What do you want to know?”

“I’d like to know whatever it is that leads you to think I won’t want to spend time with you.” I might as well get to the point.

“We were close.” She tipped her head back against the top of the couch. “He was immensely proud of me. But what that meant in reality was that he didn’t like the idea of me having relationships.”

“None at all?” Cole took a seat beside her.

“He didn’t like distractions,” she went on. “He knew I could have a great career if I remained blinkered, and I have.”

“Yes, you have,” he agreed. “But at the expense of a personal life.”

“Perhaps.” A crease appeared in her brow. “This isn’t easy for me to talk about.” ‘I get defensive about Dad.’

“No need to be defensive. I’m only trying to understand.”

“I know.” Not for the first time, she sighed. “Thanks for the drink.”

“You’re welcome, but so far you haven’t told me anything shocking, Eden.”

‘You’re not going to let this go, are you?’ She lifted the cup to her lips.

“No.” He watched as she took a sip. “Because I think it’s important.”

“You’re right.” She squirmed in her seat. “I’m just embarrassed to talk about it.”

“Because...” he encouraged.

“Because I still see him.”