Page 172 of Skin In the Game (The BlackWater)

“No.” He replied going to grab her. She pushed him away but he grabbed her again, quicker this time and turned her round to face him.

“Leave me alone Cole.” She cried as his arms wrapped around her.

“Not this time. I told you before to stop fighting me.” He said.

“I don’t want you.” She stated and he laughed.

“It doesn’t matter what you say Maddie, I’m not leaving, I’m not going anywhere and I’m not going to let you run anymore.” He tightened his grip, tightened his arms around her. She could feel the heat of him, smell him too, that intoxicating all-encompassing god damn beguiling smell.

“Let me go.” She said struggling again but he felt her relenting, felt her body starting to give up, starting to melt into him.

“Enough Maddie.” He said into her ear and she shuddered slightly, shutting her eyes.

“I can’t do it. I can’t.” She half whispered and he stroked her hair, brushing it off of her face.

“Is it not worth at least trying?” He asked and she shook her head.

“No.” She said and he laughed.

“Now I know you’re lying.” He muttered before lifting her chin up and kissing her. She gasped, feeling his lips, feeling his stubble too, feeling as his tongue dived aggressively into her mouth and wrapped around hers, caressing hers.

He loosened his arms and she broke free, stepping back.

He narrowed his eyes, she was still fighting he realised, still not giving in.

“You are so god damn stubborn.” He muttered and she shut her eyes, trying to ignore the fighting emotions within her because half of her wanted him gone, wanted to run too, to hide, but the other half was so close to jumping on him, to ripping his clothes off, to being reckless.

He stepped closer and she kept her eyes shut, not wanting to look at him, not wanting to see the arrogant glint in his eyes. His hands where on her jeans she realised, undoing them. She shook her head slightly but he either didn’t see it or simply ignored it.

“Cole…” She said quietly and he sshhd her.

He lifted her top up, slowly, carefully, and she lifted her arms despite her protests. He slipped it over her head and tossed it, his focus on her face and she shivered then, opening her eyes, and finally looking at him.

He took his own clothes off and she half glared watching him. He ran his hands slowly over her skin, his fingers caressing her and carefully, really carefully he pulled her jeans down his eyes looking at the stitching, looking at the wound on her thigh.

She gritted her teeth and glared at him again.

“I told you I own you Maddie. That hasn’t changed.” He said and she glared even harder. “I told you that you could make it easy or hard but either way, I win. I always win Maddie.” He said, his voice hard then.

She narrowed her eyes as he moved his hand, brushing her underwear and she jerked her head, her eyes blazing and he saw that old wildness flash in them and he stared her down.

He slipped his fingers under the fabric and ran his fingertips across her. She bit her lip, not wanting to give in, not wanting to let him win even in that moment. He moved his hand further, increasing the contact, his fingers moving right up to touch her clit and she gasped in spite of herself.

“Give in already.” He ordered and she shook her head.

He circled her, feeling as she got wetter, feeling as her body shifted to increase the contact, to increase the pleasure as he teased her slowly, lightly.

He looked back at her face and she met his eyes as his fingers ran up and down her. He could see her pupils dilating, her chest rising and falling quicker now as if she could barely control her breathing.

And then suddenly she was kissing him, as if her body moved without her control. Her tongue was wrapped around his and her arms were round his neck. He grabbed her, pulling her tighter to him and she wrapped her legs around him too, ignoring the pain that shot through her leg.

He shoved her against the wall and she cried out half breaking free and looking down at her thigh.

“Are you intentionally trying to pop my stitches?” She muttered.

“I’ll be gentle.” He said and she snorted.

“When is Cole Black ever gentle?” She replied and he smirked.

“Let me show you how gentle I can be Maddie.” He said grabbing her hand and half yanking her up the stairs to her bedroom.

“That’s not gentle.” She snapped and he laughed.

“Lie down Maddie.” He ordered.

“You expect me just to give in don’t you?” She said.

“Yes.” He said.

“Why?”

“Why would you not?” He replied before pushing her so that she fell back onto the bed. “I’m Cole Black. Who doesn’t want me?” He added grinning.

She shook her head at him. “You arrogant fuck.”

He laughed as he straddled her, placing a finger over her lips.

“Let me show you gentle Cole.” He said and she sighed.

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