Page 8 of Cole's Command

“Good morning.”

Stepping toward her, Vaughn thrust out his palm, which she took, offering an unyielding handshake. “Nice to meet you.”

“Mr. Vaughn.” She had to lift her chin to meet his gaze now that he was that much closer. Jeez, how tall is this guy? “Likewise.”

Eden had known tall men before. Her father and uncle had been well over six feet in height, but it had been a while since she’d spent time with either of them. At close to six feet herself, she couldn’t recall a time a client had towered over her the way Vaughn did. It was almost unsettling.

“Joe.” She glanced at her assistant. “Have you offered Mr. Vaughn a drink?”

“Not yet.” Joe’s brow creased at the admission.

“I’ve only just arrived,” Vaughn added, as though she was supposed to cut her assistant some slack based on his verdict. Little did Vaughn know that she and Joe had already had their issues that morning.

“Can I get you refreshments, sir?” Joe smiled at her client, no doubt grateful for his intervention.

“A coffee would be great.” Cole replied, looking at Joe although surely he could sense the weight of her gaze.

Stop staring.

She inhaled, forcing her concentration back to the task at hand while the men talked. But somehow, she couldn’t. Vaughn’s unexpected stature had taken her by surprise, and if she wasn’t mistaken, she sensed heat rising to her face. She had to pull herself together.

I’ve got a job to do.

“How do you take it?” Joe asked, as he stood up from his seat.

“Black, please.”

“Of course.” Joe answered. “And for you, Dr. Lewis?”

She glanced Joe’s way at the sound of her name. “Just water, please.”

Her thirst had morphed into a craving and she was gasping for a drink, as if her guest’s appearance had somehow raised the temperature dial inside her body.

Gesturing to the open doorway behind her, she smiled at the nonsense idea.

I’m just hot, she decided. I should have gotten another drink before Vaughn arrived. It’s nothing.

Glancing back at her client, she murmured the two words that started almost every appointment. “Shall we?”