Free Branded by Candace Havens

work. And then he’d turned to talk to one of my cousins about horses.
    Whatever.
    “You have fun.”
    Stripping off my dress proved difficult. There were buttons from my neck down to my waist. I was about to give up and just take a nap in the dress when there was a knock on the door. As much as I wanted to ignore it, there wasn’t a thing keeping whoever was on the other side out.
    “Come in.” I twisted my hands, trying to reach the buttons to no avail.
    “Addy said you were sick.” Cole stepped into my room and shut the door. He wore a red button-down with his dark jeans. God. He was so hot. Part of the reason my head hurt was I’d tried so hard to keep from looking at him.
    My heart beat double time in my chest. Crap. I had to get over this need for him. Even now I was obsessed with his hands and how they’d captured mine, holding them above my head.
    “I brought you these,” he said as he put a glass and a bottle of ibuprofen down on the desk by the door.
    “Thanks.”
    “Do you need anything else?” His voice was so soft I almost didn’t hear him.
    “No. Well, I could use some help with this dress.” I turned and pointed to the buttons.
    For a few seconds, he didn’t move, and then he crossed the room. He lifted my hair and put it over my shoulder, his fingers touching the nape of my neck. I was sure he could hear my stupid heart pounding. It was about to shoot out of my chest and fly across the room. Sounds like an exaggeration, but I swear the skin and bones were the only things keeping it in my chest.
    The more I tried to calm my breathing, the more his touch excited me. His fingers worked the buttons down to my waist.
    I thought he was about to leave, and then his fingers traveled down my spine. Fire burned deep in my core, spreading quickly. He pushed the dress off my shoulders and it slid to the floor. I stood there with my back to him in my pink bra and thong, and my six-inch heels.
    “Turn around.” His voice was low and hoarse, but it was definitely an order.
    I did what I was told.
    There was no denying the pure animalistic growl coming from his throat. “So fucking hot.”
    Puddle. Me. There. Couldn’t move. Couldn’t breathe.
    “I’m just going to check on Callie and I’ll meet you downstairs.” My grandmother’s voice was on the other side of the door, which wasn’t locked. Cole didn’t hesitate. In two strides, he was in my closet.
    She knocked. “Hon, are you okay?”
    I pulled up my dress so it was covering most of me and went to the door. Opening it a crack, I smiled. “I’m fine. Just a bad headache. Sorry. I would have said something, but you were busy.”
    “Do you have something to take?” She put a hand to my forehead. “You do feel a little warm.”
    Grandma, you have no idea.
    “I do. You threw a lovely party today. I think I just overdid it a little. Maybe one too many Bloody Marys. Nothing some aspirin and a nap won’t cure.”
    Her brow furrowed. “Okay. Well, text me if you need anything. And I’ll send up some herbal tea in a few hours.” She touched my cheek. “You really are flushed. I hope you aren’t coming down with anything.”
    “I’ll be okay. Go on and say good-byes for me, please. I know Adina is looking forward to helping you make sure everyone takes home the gifts you bought them.”
    “I just adore that young girl,” Grandma said. “She feels like one of mine. And that brother of hers is as good as they come. Those kids have been through hell and back. I’m glad you’ve made friends with them. You are good for one another.”
    I had no idea where that came from, but I was very aware of Cole a few feet away.
    “I know what you mean about Addy. She is precious, and I can’t say that about many almost sixteen-year-olds.”
    “Isn’t that the truth.” Grandma laughed. “Okay, my darling girl. Like I said, if you need anything, let me know.” She kissed my forehead.
    I shut the door and turned the lock this time.
    “I should