Page 96 of Skin In the Game (The BlackWater)

“No? You always seem to enjoy mine.” He replied raising an eyebrow and she rolled her eyes.

Something told her there was a strong possibility she wasn’t going to get much sleep tonight.

He pulled off the main road and onto what looked like a private estate. All the houses were huge and she braced herself for it, for Cole’s home. He pulled up at the end of a tree line road, pushing the button to open the huge gates that blocked the entire view ahead.

Maddie couldn’t help it she gasped then.

“And you said you didn’t like surprises.” He muttered.

She laughed. “Is this really your place?”

“It’s my town house yes.” He said.

“What does that mean?”

“It means it’s not my only house.” He stated.

She rolled her eyes at him. Of course Cole Black would have more than one home, she thought.

He drove right up to the front of the house and then got out and pulled her bags from the boot. She took a deep breath looking up at the place, it was huge, sleek, modern, with great glass windows that rivalled even her own apartment’s ones.

She shook her head slightly before getting out and following him up the three stone steps and onto the porch.

“Welcome to my home Maddie. I’m sure you’re going to enjoy your stay here.” He said with a grin that made her blush like a god damn school girl.

He opened the door and she followed him in. Inside she’d half expected a ridiculously furnished, lavish space but it was so different from that. The floors were marble, the walls were neutral. Everywhere looked understated, minimalist and yet luxurious at the same time.

He kicked his shoes off and she did the same, feeling the cool marble beneath her feet.

Cole was watching her she realised, assessing her face as if he cared about what her opinion was and it gave her that same sense of nervousness she’d felt back when he was being gentle to her, back when he was being considerate.

“It’s beautiful.” She said and he smiled, a real genuine smile that didn’t feel like there was some kind of hidden meaning to it.

“Come on, let’s get you settled in.” He said.

She followed him upstairs and along the hallway noting all the doors that seemed to come off of it.

“How many rooms does this place have?” She asked.

“Seven bedrooms, five bathrooms, and the master suite.”

“Jesus, this place is a mansion.” She replied and he laughed.

“No it’s not, the house in Devon is the mansion. This is just the town house.” He replied and she shook her head at him.

He opened the door and held it for her to walk in and she glanced around seeing the huge bed and minimal furniture.

“You can keep your clothes in here.” He said showing her the huge dressing room off the side and she felt her heart racing then because the way he said it, the way this all felt like it wasn’t just a temporary thing.

“Cole…” She said and he narrowed his eyes.

“What Maddie?” He said.

“This is just temporary.” She stated.

He smirked. “Are you worried I might not let you leave?” He asked her and the tone of his voice was so seductive she felt herself shiver then.

“That’s not what I’m saying.” She said quietly, trying to ignore it.

“Or that you won’t want to?” He asked and she swallowed, stepping away, nervous, and also unsure how to even reply because suddenly this thing between them felt like something, something more than what she’d been telling herself it was. That this might be more than just sex and she wasn’t sure how to mentally process it and she certainly wasn’t ready to with everything that was going on.

She walked into the dressing room, looking around, looking at all Cole’s belongings. Looking around his space. She could feel his eyes watching her still and she put her bags down and then turned to face him because she felt pretending he wasn’t there or that he wasn’t watching her would only make it more awkward. He was leaning against the door, his eyes running up and down her in possessive way he always did.

She took a deep breath then deciding suddenly that it didn’t matter, whatever this was, whatever he was thinking, in that moment she just didn’t care anymore and she walked up to him seeing as he raised an eyebrow.

She kissed him, her lips slowly brushing against his and he kissed her back almost immediately, his tongue wrapping around hers.

He broke away and looked at her for a moment. “Come with me.” He said taking her hand and she swallowed at the look on his face. He crossed the bedroom leading her to the door opposite and then stopping outside. She could tell this room, this space was something without even seeing it by the look on his face.

“What is it?” She asked before she could help herself and he grinned.

“This is where you take the next step Maddie.”

“Next step to what?” She replied.

“Surrendering yourself completely to me.” He said opening the door and leading her just inside.

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