Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 87067 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87067 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
“Order dessert,” Rowe hissed in his ear. “One dessert, two spoons. And hold the woman’s goddamn hand.”
Cole clenched his teeth so that his smile was more of a grimace. “How about we try the cheesecake? We can share it.” He extended his hand halfway across the table and Monique stared at it for a moment, as if she’d never seen such a thing. Luckily, it took only another second for her to grab it and smile at the server.
“Yes, that sounds wonderful. One cheesecake to share, please.”
The young man in a pristine white shirt and black slacks nodded and quickly headed to the kitchen with their order, not giving any sign that their behavior was strange. His departure allowed them to breathe a sigh of relief.
“I’m sorry. I am out of practice with this dating thing,” Cole apologized softly. He couldn’t remember the last date he’d been on.
Monique laughed and squeezed his hand. “It’s okay. I don’t think either of us looks too natural right now. Maybe that’s why he hasn’t shown up. I’m not being very convincing.”
“Or maybe he knows I’m not your type.”
At that, Monique threw her head back, her laugh sounding free and true for the first time all night. “Oh, no. That can’t be the reason. Derrick is jealous of anyone who is more attractive than him. Trust me, Cole, you’ve got him beat, hands down.”
“Whoa, Cole,” Rowe teased.
“Oh, my God! Is he blushing? I think he’s totally blushing,” Quinn joined in his ear, reminding him that there was a tiny video camera concealed as some jewelry pinned to the front of her dress. There was nothing worse than having an audience or being the center of attention. While he was more than happy to help Monique, he was looking forward to this entire thing being over at last.
“Oh no,” Monique whispered.
For a moment, Cole was sure she’d heard Rowe and Quinn’s teasing comments, but then he followed her eyes toward the front door. There was no missing the tall, broad-shouldered man with a bright-red face. He looked like a volcano ready to explode. The hostess attempted to step in front of him, but he placed a restraining hand on her slender shoulder and moved around her, making her rock on her high heels.
Nearly everyone was aware of the man as he plowed through the restaurant, their wide eyes following him. The pleasurable atmosphere had been ruined in a matter of seconds, and it was only going to get worse from here. Cole couldn’t imagine how Rowe had talked Ian into letting them stage this operation in the middle of his restaurant.
Then again, Ian was only too willing to help out someone who needed it.
“You fucking whore!” Derrick shouted, pointing at Monique.
Cole glanced over at Monique to see a deep flush of embarrassment paint her cheeks, but there was a steely resolve in her narrowed blue eyes and a tremor of fear in her hand. Cole stood up and started to move in front of Monique, but Rowe was in his ear again.
“Don’t block the camera. We need to get him threatening her. Monique knows the plan. Don’t move until the threat becomes physical,” Rowe growled. “We’re standing by.”
Part of Cole wanted to tell his boss not to bother. He’d be happy to put this bastard in his place. Monique didn’t need this shit, especially from her ex-husband.
“You have no business here. Leave Monique alone,” he stated firmly.
Derrick’s head whipped around. His lip curled with disgust as his eyes traveled the entire length of Cole. “Who the fuck do you think you are?” he snarled.
“I’m the man who’s treating your ex-wife to a nice dinner and pleasant conversation.”
“You? Like you’re good enough to sit at the same table as her.” He stepped closer, getting right in Cole’s face so that he was practically drowning in the sharp, almost chemical scent of his cologne. “You need to stay away from her, or I’m going to beat your fucking head in with a crowbar.”
Cole clenched his teeth and held the man’s gaze. Oh, he very much wanted to smash his fist into this man’s nose, but the point wasn’t to get him threatening someone else. They needed proof that he was a threat to his ex, though this definitely helped her cause.
They stared each other down. Cole didn’t budge, didn’t back down, didn’t blink. He was vaguely aware that Rowe was whispering something in his ear, or maybe it was Quinn. It didn’t matter because the words weren’t registering over the pounding of his heart and the rage flowing through his veins.
When Derrick was satisfied he’d made his point, he turned his attention to Monique. His hand snaked out lightning fast and gripped her forearm. He gave her a little tug toward him, threatening to pull her completely off out of her chair.