Rescue Me(25)

Meredith smiled, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. Curious. She didn't strike him as a business woman.

"How did you get into that? I would have thought you were into something more athletic. Or artistic." He was thinking about what a natural she was on the boat and in the dance studio.

She shifted uncomfortably as Brandon continued. "She has a brain on her. Don't be fooled by the pretty face."

"What's that supposed to mean?" she asked sharply.

"Nothing at all, little sis," Brandon said, placating her. Again, Cole was struck by the strange dynamic between them. It was as if Brandon didn't get her at all.

"It's something I knew I could do well, and make a career out of. Can't say the same for dancing." He thought he detected a note of sadness in her voice. He'd have to ask her about it in private. Except he wasn't supposed to care about that. That wasn't keeping it light. But he found that he really wanted to know more about her, and that scared the hell out of him.

Time to change the subject. "What's good here? I don't even know what half of this stuff is," he said, waving at the menu.

"Everything, of course. But we'll go with the Prix Fixe. It's a five-course meal based on what the chef wants to feature. It changes every week.”

"Works for me." He was more interested in the company than the food anyway.

Cole set the menu down, accidentally knocking Meredith's tiny excuse for a purse onto the floor. Bending to retrieve it, he was treated to a view of the length of her toned leg, exposed from ankle to thigh by the way her slit fell open over her crossed legs.

Unable to resist, he ran his hand up her calf as he sat up, a wicked glint in his eye.

Meredith jumped, letting out a yelp.

Brandon, who had been reading the menu, looked up with a start. Cole occupied himself with buttering a piece of bread, keeping his face carefully blank.

"Sorry," Meredith muttered. "I, uh, got my hair caught in the chair." Cole rolled his eyes as Brandon turned back to the wine menu. If looks could kill, the daggers she was shooting at him would have pierced him straight through the heart.

"So when did you start dancing?" he asked innocently, handing her the slice of bread.

She took it from him gingerly, as if she were afraid to make contact with him. He turned to her on the pretense of being utterly engrossed in what she was saying, but placed a hand on her knee, working his way slowly up her thigh.

She gritted her teeth. "Since I was four." Her voice came out a little shaky, and Cole grinned in satisfaction, letting his hand creep higher. He was getting to her. This could be fun.

"That's a long time. Why'd you stop?"

She looked taken aback by the question and cut her eyes at Brandon. "Life got too busy."

He wondered again why she was so willing to give up what was evidently her passion. He'd meant to keep the conversation light, but had obviously treaded into murky water with the topic of dancing. He was irritated to find that he wanted to know more about that too. He wanted to know everything about her, it seemed. And that worried him. A lot. He pulled his hand back, needing to compose his thoughts. As much as he wanted to keep things fun and easy, he kept finding himself in too deep with her.

***





Meredith felt a shiver run down her spine as Cole let his fingers fall away from her thigh. She instantly missed his touch, even though she knew they were playing a dangerous game. They were directly in front of her brother, and all she wanted to do was jump him and have her dessert before the meal ever arrived.

But there was an intoxicating thrill to flirting with Cole in plain sight. Maybe she should play along. It could be fun. And the new Meredith was all about letting go.

She shifted in her seat to face Cole directly and placed the buttered bread to her lips, her tongue darting out to taste the butter. She knew she'd hit the mark when his eyes fixated on her mouth. Placing the bread between her lips, she took a small bite and closed her eyes, letting out a little hum of delight. "Oh, this is delicious."

Brandon looked at her like she was crazy. "It's bread."

"Yes, but it's just so soft and creamy."

Cole's mouth twitched and she knew she'd achieved her goal. Game on.

The sommelier arrived with the bottle of wine Brandon had requested and she waited while he poured up their glasses. Swirling hers in her glass, she lifted it to her nose, inhaling deeply. Cole's attention was immediately diverted to the way she let her chest rise and fall as she breathed in the fruity aroma. She licked her lips for good measure. The heat she had become accustomed to lit up his face. Out of the corner of her vision, she saw Brandon frown at her. "Aren't you going to have some wine? It's delectable."

The men grabbed their wine glasses and they all clinked them together in a toast.

"To vacation and unexpected adventures," Cole said.

"Indeed."

They had made it through the first few courses before Cole had his hand back on her leg, this time much higher, teasing her with a light sweep of his fingers back and forth on her inner thigh.

"So, Brandon," she said, attempting to keep her voice smooth, " how is everything coming along? Do you think you'll get to back off the crazy schedule any time soon?" Her voice pitched up on the last word as Cole's fingers came dangerously close to finding out she wasn't wearing any underwear. She didn't know what had inspired her to leave them in the drawer, but she felt exhilarated knowing there was no barrier between his hand and her center. Brandon leaned forward, eying her, and she kept her face carefully blank.