Page 149 of Skin In the Game (The BlackWater)

“How so?”

“What having you locked in his house all day?” She teased. “I’d almost put money on Cole twisting Brandon’s arm round to keep you here.”

“Urgh don’t say that.” Maddie replied pouring a glass of her own.

Charlotte cackled then.

“So tell me, you and Cole, how long have you been a thing?”

Maddie shrugged. “A few months, but like I said before it’s just sex.”

“Sure it is.” She quipped.

“And what about you? You seeing anyone Charlotte?”

“Meh, I have a couple of men who are fitting my needs but nothing like this.” She said and Maddie frowned.

“Like what?”

“Like someone I’d be willing to take back to mine. To share my space with in any capacity.”

“So how do you see them then?”

“Hotels Maddie. I spend an inordinate amount of my salary on hotels.”

Maddie laughed.

“Seriously, it makes it easier, because it keeps it clear what it is and it means they can’t turn up at your house uninvited. It cuts a lot of the bullshit.”

“Wish I’d learnt that trick.”

“With Cole?” Charlotte asked confused.

“No not Cole, my ex before. Besides it wouldn’t work with Cole, he knows where I live from my personnel file and on top of that, he isn’t the kind of man to just take no for an answer.”

“Ha that’s where you’re wrong Maddie.”

“In what respect?”

“Taking no for an answer. You need to teach him that. Teach him you’re in charge, that you’re the boss.”

Maddie smirked trying to imagine it. Her saying no and Cole actually listening. “Are we talking about the same man here?”

“Yes. You can control him I know it. You’re not like the ditsy, empty headed girls he usually goes for.”

“He goes for empty headed girls?” Maddie replied not quite believing it because it didn’t sound like Cole at all.

“Yeah when he’s just after a five minute thrill, but you, you’re more than a match for him, you just have to show him.”

Maddie smirked not convinced but also tempted to try it anyway, after all what was the worst that could happen?

“So enough about my sex life, what about yours?” Maddie said. “Did you come to decision at the ball?”

“Urgh what a wasted opportunity that was. The guy I went back with ended up too drunk to perform if you know what I mean.”

Maddie laughed.

“And worse he spent half the night puking so I didn’t even get a decent night’s sleep out of it.”

“Sounds like some poor decision making on your part.” Maddie teased and Charlotte laughed.

“I think you might be right there.” She said and then her phone went off.

“Sorry give me two secs.” She said picking it up. “Hi mum, what, no. What do you mean? Urgh, sure I’ll speak to Cole. No, I didn’t say that…”

She walked away and Maddie tried not to eavesdrop.

“Sorry family crisis.” She muttered when she returned.

“Anything serious?”

“No, it’s our parents wedding anniversary in a few months and they’re meant to be holding a party at Cole’s house.”

“Here?” Maddie asked.

“No the one in the country.”

“Oh.” Maddie said forgetting that of course Cole had another house.

“Anyway the whole things going to shit, the caterers pulled out, the string quartet are double booked and they still haven’t confirmed final numbers.”

Maddie gave her a sympathetic look.

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