Page 122 of Skin In the Game (The BlackWater)

“Jessie Cooper.” She said looking at him full on then and seeing the momentary confusion before the penny dropped. His hand froze, his fingers still touching her and she glanced down at them before looking back at his eyes.

“See you around dad.” She muttered taking the glasses and walking away without looking back.

Her heart was thumping so fast. Her head felt like she was spinning and she mentally tried to calm herself, tried to remember her Blackops training.

“You okay Maddie?” Becky said and she nodded passing Douglas his drink.

“Yeah I think I just need some fresh air.” She said smiling. “I’ll be back in a moment.”

She headed for the door as quickly as she could without looking like she was rushing. She glanced around checking no one had followed and in particular that he was still at the bar. She caught his eye and realised he was watching her still, and she shook her head before turning and heading out into the garden.

The fucking audacity of the man, she thought as she walked away from the crowds by the door and over to the stone balustrade that overlooked the ornamental roses below.

She could feel her heart rate slowing slightly, her hands were no longer shaking and she let the cool air wash over her, breathing it in, breathing the emotions out.

“You spoke to him.” Cole said and she jumped not even realising he’d been there.

“Yes.” She said looking away.

“You okay?”

“I’m fine Cole just getting some fresh air.” She said irritated.

“What did you say?” He asked.

“What?” She half snapped.

“To your dad, what did you say?”

She screwed her face up.

“I saw you at the bar. He had his hand on you.” Cole stated.

“Yeah well he didn’t have a clue who I was so I decided to enlighten him.” She said.

“How did he react?”

“If you were watching then you saw it already Cole.” She snapped and he shook his head slightly.

“I didn’t realise he was going to attend.” He said.

“It doesn’t matter.” She replied and he narrowed his eyes but didn’t say anything.

“Come on.” He said taking her hand and she looked down frowning.

“What are you doing?” She asked aware that right now there were at least a dozen BlackWater employees, not to mention a few bureaucrats and god knows who else around who could see them.

“I’m cheering you up.” He stated leading her back inside.

“Seriously?” She said.

“Yes. That frown ruins the whole beauty of that dress and the body beneath it.”

“Urgh.” She muttered and he grinned before spinning her around and she realised he had led her right onto the dancefloor.

“We can’t.” She said quietly.

“Can’t what? Dance like normal people?” He quipped.

“I can’t. Not with you.” She stated.

“Maddie sometimes you’re ridiculous you know that?” He said before spinning her once more.

“And sometimes you’re insufferable.” She replied as he caught her grinning.

“How insufferable Maddie?” He asked before spinning her again.

She rolled her eyes and he caught her once more, with his hand slipping further down her waist and she felt a rush of something through her, that he was touching her, that he clearly didn’t give a damn who saw or what they thought.

“You’re doing this on purpose aren’t you?” She said.

“Doing what?” He grinned innocently. So fucking innocently. Like butter wouldn’t melt.

“Showing off, winding me up.” She said.

“Is it working?” He asked.

“Not for a minute.” She grinned.

He laughed. “I bet if I checked you’d be dripping right now.”

Her jaw dropped at how loudly he said it. “What?”

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