Page 45 of Skin In the Game (The BlackWater)

Becky laughed. “It’s not nearly as cool as this job, we were basically a bunch of geeks in an office staring at data all day.”

“How’s that any different from here?” Maddie joked.

They headed over to the running machines and Maddie got hers started. She glanced at Becky.

“You not running?” She asked her.

“I’ve got shin splints at the moment. Think I’ll just use the rower for a bit.” Becky replied.

Maddie nodded before upping the pace. She wanted to feel it now, feel the burn. She put her EarPods in then, turning the volume up a bit and zoned out, her legs pounding the treadmill and her mind somewhere else entirely.

Becky appeared beside her after a good half hour and she slowed.

“I’m pretty much done. Wanna grab some food?” Becky said.

“Sure where you thinking?”

“There’s a noodle bar down the road. They do all you can eat after seven.” Becky replied.

“That sounds like all my dreams.” Maddie said grinning.

They headed towards the exit and Becky glanced round as if she was looking for someone.

“Who you looking for?” Maddie asked.

“No one in particular but around this time the real hotties come in.” Becky shrugged.

“Like who?”

“There’s a couple of guys from the armed response team who are gorgeous. And there’s also Brandon and Cole.” Becky stated.

“What?”

“Seriously you should see them when they work out, it’s like watching the gods doing the Olympics or something.” Becky said and they both laughed.

“Why is Cole even here, at BlackWater, Brandon’s the head surely Cole has other places to be, other Black Industries businesses to run?”

“Yeah he comes and goes. He’s been here more since project you know what. I think he likes working out of here because of the security. He doesn’t get that at Black Industries, or Black Tech.”

“Huh.” Maddie said thinking. Maybe that explained it but it still seemed weird that the CEO of a multi-billion dollar company didn’t base himself at the parent site. But then this was Cole Black, nothing he did made sense.

“Who would you fuck out of Cole and Brandon, if you had too?” Becky asked and Maddie raised her eyebrows half surprised at the question and unsure how to answer. They were both hot, it wasn’t like she was denying that it’s just after the weird hair touching thing from Cole she hadn’t let herself think about him like that. Had forced herself not too. Besides he was an arsehole and that definitely affected his fuckability.

“Who would you?” She asked back deflecting it.

“I’d marry Brandon, he’s a total gentleman under it all.” Becky stated.

“And Cole?”

“Omg Cole Black? I’d fuck him every day of the week.”

Maddie half shrieked with laughter.

“Wouldn’t you? He’s so strong and domineering. I bet he’s into all that kinky tying you up stuff. Could you imagine what he’d be like?” Becky stated.

“It sounds like you have...” Maddie teased.

“Way too often. God he’d literally…” She fell silent looking ahead and Maddie frowned looking too and felt her eyes widen.

Because he was standing right there by the door. Cole fucking Black. Wearing a tight top that emphasised every god damn muscle and Maddie found it hard not to stare then.

He looked over at them both and saw Becky practically turned bright red. He looked at Maddie, seeing how the sweat was glistening on her skin and how her clothes were clinging, damp against her.

Brandon walked through the door, squash racket in hand.

“You ready to get your arse whipped?” He said to Cole before looking over to where his eyes were falling.

“I see you found the gym Maddie.” He said looking her over before he could stop himself.

“Yeah Becky showed me.” Maddie replied before glancing at her and seeing that thankfully all the embarrassment seemed to have vanished from Becky’s face.

“Does it meet your standards?” Cole asked her.

She shrugged. “I have high standards.”

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