Page 74 of A Heart That’s True
Preston’s face turns an unnatural shade of red. “This is absurd.”
“Excuse me.” Ah—shit that came out of my mouth—out loud.
“Kate,” Cole whispers.
“Sorry,” I say, my cheeks heating from humiliation.
“No Kate, I want to hear what you have to say.” Alan points his cane at me, an evil twinkle in his eye.
I glance at Cole to make sure it’s okay.
“Go ahead,” he whispers sweetly.
“It’s not so nice when you’re on the other side of a threat, is it Preston? At least Alan has a legitimate reason for what he’s doing.”
“Yes, Preston, exactly why are you selling? You always seem to enjoy holding that threat over Coulters, head. Why are you going through with it now?” Alan asks, turning in his chair to face Preston.
Before anyone else can answer, I do. “It’s my fault.”
“Kate, no.” As if Cole can’t take the distance between us anymore, he pulls me to him, sitting me on his lap.
“It is,” I whisper to Cole.
“Cole’s right. Kate, this is not your doing, nor is it Cole’s. You look so much like her, my late wife. Every time I look at you, I think I’m twenty-five years younger, just starting out in life again. You have the same spark for life my wife Katherine had. I think you speak your mind unintentionally, but my wife did it purposefully. She put me in my place with no trouble at all. I hope you do that with Cole. He needs it.”
I smile at Cole, who purposefully kisses a hidden hickey on my neck.
“At first I was mad that my son was willing to be so brash in his decision. I thought I was seeing the kid again who didn’t care about anything but himself. But the longer this week has progressed, the more I see how much Coulter loves you, Kate. But I made a decision and rescinding it only makes me look weak.”
Cole kisses my neck again and then looks at his dad. “Falling in love with Kate wasn’t something I planned. I don’t think you can plan love; it just happens. I married her because I love her and want to be with her always. I knew what I was getting into and I was, and am willing to pay that consequence.”
Alan smiles and winks at me. “That’s all well and good, Coulter, and I am beyond happy for you. But Preston has no right to sell those shares. Not without my permission. The point is moot. Unless, Preston, you are still selling your shares to the Everett brothers?” Alan turns his chair to face the brothers. “Because I will follow through on my threat.”
“No,” Preston sighs, running a hand over his face.
Both Race and Kit stand up. “Now wait.” Race points a finger at Cole.
“What the hell?” Kit pipes in.
Cole holds me tight, standing us up. At least this time, he sits me back down on the ground. He keeps us connected, placing his hand on the small of my back.
“Relax fellas, I’m still in. Grandpa, unless you’re willing to loan me a few million dollars, I need the Everett’s. We’re business partners.”
“I will loan you whatever you need. In fact, you can take your inheritance now for all I care. It stipulates you had to be married to get it and by dang, you’re married.”
Cole looks at his dad. “Kate and I are married, you didn’t make it in time. The officiator signed our marriage certificate. I received the official one in the mail today.”
“I know son, congratulations.” Preston sits back in his chair, sighing in resignation.
I click my tongue but hold it. Congratulations, sheesh—how about an I’m sorry for all the trouble you’ve caused this week and for being a top-notch grade A, jackass! Cole’s hand slips from my back, cupping my ass. “Oh.” Now that one I don’t hold in and everyone looks at me.
“Do you two need a minute?” Of course, it’s Kit who opens that cocky mouth of his.
I cross my arms defiantly. “Kit Everett—,” This time when Cole squeezes my butt, it gets my heart racing and my body vibrating. “Sure, if you’re willing to wait.” It comes out in a whoosh before Cole can grope me again.
This makes the men in the room laugh. But it just makes me mad. I don’t enjoy being the pun in this joke. And a “humph” escapes.
Cole pulls the men’s attention back to the business at hand. “Fine, I’ll take the money, but then I’ll turn around and sell you the shares we agreed on, Race, Kit. We’ll merge the Everett Corp in with Prescott-Holt, making it Prescott-Holt & Everett. I’m still in. I see a future with you as my business partners and friends.”