?Chapter 260:


    Elliana turned and stared at Cole, her face pinched in confusion. Why had he stopped the car out of nowhere? Was Cole really throwing a fit over her subpar kissing skills?


    Cole leaned back in his seat, eyes closed, his expression as unreadable as stone. Without warning, his voice rumbled low through the silence. “You getting out or what?”


    Elliana’s brows pulled together. Who was he even talking to? Before she could figure it out, all four doors popped open. Myles, Aron, Hugh, and the driver bolted out like the vehicle had just caught fire. Elliana looked through the window and spotted the four of them standing in a neat row, heads lowered like soldiers awaiting orders. A flicker of irritation crossed her face. She turned back toward Cole.


    “Why’d you kick everyone out?”


    Cole said nothing. His lips remained sealed.


    “Even if you’re fed up with them, at least keep the driver. Who’s gonna drive now?” Elliana murmured.


    Cole finally opened his eyes and looked straight at her. “I wasn’t talking to them. I was talking to you. I said you need to get out.” Elliana’s mind went nk for a second,pletely caught off guard. She stared at him in disbelief. What happened to the doting husband role he’d been ying? Anger red in her chest. Was this really happening? Was he seriously ditching her because her kisses weren’t top-notch?


    “You’re such a jerk!” Elliana huffed, her voice sharp with frustration. “So what if I’m not an expert kisser? You’re seriously gonna kick me to the curb over that? Nobody’s a pro from the get-go! I’m not some kiss genius, okay? Let me practice first. I promise I’ll improve.”


    Cole let out a lowugh that shook the silence in the car. He looked genuinely entertained by her re-up. “If you’re asking for more practice, I’m game. You set the pace and choose the ce. Noints here. But don’t you have somewhere to be? Wasn’t meeting Hailee on the agenda?”


    The sudden reminder knocked the wind out of her mood. She had been so caught up that she almost forgot she was supposed to meet Hailee. Cole, on the other hand, had kept her schedule in mind. Feeling a little awkward, she gave a quick farewell. “Alright, I’m heading out.” Elliana’s hand reached for the door, but before she could open it, Cole tugged her back in.


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    Without warning, he lifted her onto hisp, narrowing his eyes in mock irritation. “You were really just gonna leave like that?”


    Elliana caught on right away and leaned forward, nting a quick kiss on his lips. So that was what he was after—a proper goodbye. But just as she began to pull…


    Away, Cole deepened the kiss, pressing in with force. When he finally let up, his voice dropped low. “Call me if anythinges up.”


    “Okay,” Elliana whispered, her voice soft and a little breathless.


    Cole loosened his grip, allowing her to go.


    She stepped out of the car, adjusting her posture as she closed the door behind her.


    Standing by the roadside, Myles, Aron, Hugh, and the driver stared at her like she’d just walked out of a movie. None of them could figure out why Elliana was the one getting out now.


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