Nemesis(12)

I head into the kitchen, wondering if Ian also stayed the night. Cohen comes in just as the coffee is ready; I hand him his and sit down on one of the stools by the breakfast table.

“Any plans for today?” I ask, inwardly cringing when I realise it sounds like I’m asking if he wants to do something.

“It’s my niece’s second birthday,” he replies, bringing the mug to his lips. “Why? Want to come? We can cuddle there too. I’m sure my brother won’t mind.”

I almost spit out my coffee, then throw him a dirty look and groan. “I personally think it’s too soon to joke about.”

“You’re overreacting.”

“You’re under-reacting.”

“Well then, we even each other out,” he says, sitting down next to me. “We didn’t f*ck, Jacinta, and trust me, I don’t think you understand just how much willpower that took on my behalf.”

“I’m going to pretend none of this happened,” I think out loud, staring into my coffee. “Tomorrow is a new day. A new day not to do shit like this.”

“Are you always so dramatic?” he asks, his expression softening as he looks at me.

“Yes.”

“If you’re going to act like this, we may as well just f*ck,” he states matter-of-factly, taking a drink then putting his mug down. He turns to me and pushes my hair back behind my ear. “You’re beautiful in the morning.”

“No one is beautiful in the morning,” I respond, feeling a little dazed as he stares into my eyes.

“You are,” he says softly, then stands and kisses my forehead. “I better get going. I’ll see you at work tomorrow.”

“Bye,” I murmur, watching him as he walks out.

I sit by myself, finishing my coffee, contemplating my life right now. The bottom line is that we didn’t have sex, so maybe he’s right. Why stress over shit that I can’t go back and change? I think what’s haunting me the most is that I don’t want to change it.

Cohen Lake cuddles like a f*cking champ.

*****

I arrive at work early the next morning, armed with coffee and a determination to act normal. When Cohen arrives, I smile and wave hello, then continue sending emails. He stops at my desk, studies me for a moment, and then says, “Good morning.”

“Morning,” I reply, lifting my gaze when he doesn’t seem to be going anywhere.

“Are we good?” he asks me, scanning my face. He’s wearing a blue shirt today, and it suits him, but I think I prefer him in white, or black like he was on Saturday night. Yeah, him in that V-neck t-shirt…

I nod.

“I’ll see you at lunch then,” he says, tapping his hand on my desk before heading to his office. I watch him disappear then return my attention to my laptop. Maybe Cohen’s right, and I am overreacting. No one else knows what happened, and no one else will know.

It’s the perfect crime.

I smile to myself and get on with my work. When lunchtime comes around, Cohen appears at my desk.

“I’m starving, you ready?”

I stand and grab my bag. “Yeah, I’m ready.”

“I thought we could try somewhere new today,” he says, glancing at me to gauge my reaction. “What do you say?”

“Yeah, okay,” I say, shrugging. We walk side by side to the elevator. He gestures for me to go in before him, and then he presses the ground floor button. The doors shut and we turn to look at one another, a strange tension filling the confined space.

I clear my throat, thinking of something to say. “How was your niece’s birthday party?”

“Good,” he replies, smiling to himself. “It was a Disney princess-themed party. All the men had to dress up as princes.”

My eyes widen as I picture him dressed as a prince. “Please tell me you have photo evidence of that.”

“I do—” he smirks “—but you aren’t seeing it.”

“Why not?” I ask as the elevator comes to a stop. We exit and walk outside, the sunlight and light breeze hitting my skin. “You have to show me, Cohen. You can’t just say that and not back it up with a picture.”

“Why do you want to see it so badly?” he asks, putting his hand on the small of my back to lead me in the right direction.

Because it sounds like a fantasy?

Because I’ll probably think about it next time I’m alone and using my pink vibrator?

Yeah, I’m definitely not going to be saying that out loud.

“I’m just curious,” I say, trying to play it off. “If you don’t want to show me, then fine. I won’t show you the pic of me dressed up as a Disney princess, which was the theme for my birthday last year.”

He stops in his tracks and looks down at me with a narrowed gaze. “Which princess?”

“Jasmine,” I reply, grinning. “I so have the long black hair.”

“I know,” he says, sounding strained. He reaches out and touches a lock. “It’s long and thick and f*cking sexy.”

I pull my hair out of his fingers. He thinks my hair is sexy?

“This is escalating,” I state, walking straight ahead. Cohen falls into line next to me. “So, where is this place?”

“We need to turn right up ahead,” he tells me, once again putting his hand on my lower back. If anyone saw us, they’d think we’re a couple. That’s what it must look like, us walking together, his hand on me. Our cute banter. Except we aren’t that, or anything close to it.