Page 34 of Come Back to Me

The biggest wrinkle in my plan is this unexpected happiness! I am genuinely happy with Cole. Not even my sense of revenge wants to risk losing what I have with him. In fact, it has done the opposite. I find myself afraid again; afraid that Carter will find me or even worse, find Cole. I don’t know what he is capable of. I know he was probably behind the mugging, but I don’t understand why he would choose that way to get at me. The police haven’t made any progress, but Richard says his investigators feel confident that they will nab Carter soon. I am basically stuck being a prisoner until Carter is found and returned to the hospital.

I am lifted from my thoughts by the telephone ringing. “Hello…”

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Parker. I have a visitor that isn’t on your list. He is insisting that I call you to approve him.”

Before I can answer, I see Foster (Cole’s head of security) walk around the corner, shaking his head no.

These men are exhausting. I don’t see how my safety can be in question with them here guarding me around the clock. I barely leave the apartment.

“His name?” I ask into the receiver.

“Jack Simon”Oh!

Foster comes closer, holding up a finger to indicate he wants me to put the call on hold. I pull the phone away to muffle our voices.

“Foster, I’m fine. Jack is harmless. More of a nuisance than anything. I don’t think he would try to hurt me, and you and the other ninjas are around. Why are you worried?”

Foster crosses his massive arms across his chest and smiles down at me. “I’m not worried about that douchebag hurting you. I would break him in half. But Cole just called to say he is on his way. I think you might be worried about what he will do if that kid is here with you when he gets home.”

He raises an eyebrow as if to articulate the direness of the situation. Oh geez, he has a point. Men and their bravado. There’s no reason for Cole to be mad. I’m his, I’m here and not going anywhere with anyone but him. The easiest and most efficient way to deal with Jack is to look him in the eye, respond to whatever he needs, and send him on his way. I hope to have him gone before Cole even gets here. “Send him up, Sergio.”

Foster chuckles and shakes his head as he turns, giving direction into his earpiece. As the elevator door opens and Jack walks out, I stand in the entry to greet him, hoping my proximity to the door will keep his visit short.

“Hey,” he says with a smile. “How are you doing?”I’m really not interested in small talk. I just want to know what he wants.

“Why are you here, Jack? I thought we said our final goodbye in the coffee shop.” He looks wounded, like I’ve pulled the rug out from under him.

“Damn, I didn’t think this would be so awkward. I’m sorry, Mia. I’m really sorry for how everything went down. I need to make peace with you. I acted like a child and said a lot of things I didn’t mean. I want to make it right between us.”

“Look, Jack, I don’t know what to say. You were a colossal jerk, but I kind of get it. I’m not excusing the way you behaved or the things you said, but I am not opposed to making peace. No one wants bad feelings between us, and I don’t believe in grudges.” I smile, hoping he can see my sincerity. “You were a rock for me when everything went down and I will always appreciate that.”

In a matter of seconds, Jack crosses the foyer and grabs my face, planting a forceful kiss on my mouth.Whoa! What the fuck is happening?How did this go from me being polite and courteous to getting assaulted?! Clearly, he missed my point.

I push against Jack to free myself and finally manage to push him off, yelling, “Get off of me!” Jack looks confused, and then indignant.

“What the hell, Mia, why are you yelling at me? You want me, I know it!” That’s when Foster comes rushing around the corner.

I hold up my palm, glaring at Jack, wiping my mouth. “I’ve got it, Foster. I’m fine.”

I feel my hand being pushed down, and look to see Cole.

Shit.

I’m so stupid. I need to fix this drama.

“Cole, I think Jack misunderstood something I was saying to him. He came to make peace and apologize…” I hope this will pacify him, but think to myself,actually, Jack just tried to stick his tongue down my throat, and I don’t trust he won’t try it again.

Cole doesn’t take his eyes off of Jack. Jack is looking at me. I can see that he is hoping Cole will listen to me. Judging by the way Cole is looking at Jack, he might kill him. Cole seems calm on the outside, but his eyes look wild.

“Cole, look at me,” I say with conviction.

He turns his head to me, looking directly at my mouth and then my eyes, then he wraps his hand around the back of mouth and kisses me. Slow and deliberate. I know what he’s doing, removing any trace of Jack. When he pulls away I am a bit hazy and out of focus, but clear enough to be pissed off. I smile and quietly whisper, “that was unnecessary, you’re being a dick.” And yet, even in this crazy moment, all it takes is one kiss and I am so turned on right now!

He gives a sideways grin and turns his focus back to Jack. “So Jack, how have you been?” Cole walks to the bar and starts to make himself a drink.

“Whaat? Are you serious, Parker? You want to know how I am? Frustrated, that’s how I am. I’m frustrated that Mia can’t seem to make up her mind.”

C’mon, Jack! Take the gift, he is letting you live…