Page 142 of One Eye Open (The BlackWater)

Maddie climbed into the bed still wearing the shorts and jumper she had on. Cole was in the shower and she sat staring at the wall in front of her.

So much had happened. So much had changed.

Cole knew everything. Literally everything. He knew about her dad, about the blackmail but more important than that he knew how she felt. What she’d finally admitted. Finally realised.

They hadn’t spent any time together since she’d said it. They’d waited outside the smouldering remains of his empire watching as they rescued survivors. And then Cole had gone on to the hospital, to sit with them, to be with his people while Maddie had gone back to BlackWater, showered, and spent the next god knows how long with the team piecing together everything they knew.

She hadn’t really slept in the last twenty four hours. None of the BlackWater team had. They hadn’t seen it coming, they’d fucked up. They’d obviously missed something and now people were dead because of it.

The door opened and Cole was there, towel wrapped around his waist. She looked up at him. He had a huge bruise across his chest and more scratches and cuts.

She let out a long low breath.

“We’ll figure it out Maddie.” Cole said and she shook her head.

“It’s not that. It’s everything. I can’t believe you’ve known all this time and you didn’t say anything and I can’t believe Jennifer pulled that stunt.” She said.

“I didn’t say anything because I was so angry I thought I might flip out. I needed to think logically, to get the details and then I was planning on confronting you.”

“So you didn’t know before you saw those pictures?” She asked.

“I had an inkling it was him. I saw his name flash up on your phone but the photos confirmed it.”

Maddie rubbed her eyes. She wasn’t crying, she was just frustrated by the whole thing.

“Those pictures aren’t telling the full story.” Maddie muttered.

“I know that.”

“No you don’t. He touched me and I flipped out. I fell because of my leg and he grabbed me yanking me in for what looks in those photos like a hug. That’s what happened. I didn’t want him to touch me. I didn’t want him anywhere near me.” She stated.

“And I’m going to do everything I can to make sure he doesn’t go near you again.” Cole said.

“How? I won’t let him destroy what you have. I won’t let him take it away.”

“We need to figure out what he’s after. What he wants.” Cole stated getting into the bed.

Maddie sighed looking up at him. Even in his battered state he still looked hot.

“Can we talk about the other thing? The elephant in the room?” She said.

“And what’s that?” Cole asked.

“I said I loved you Cole.” Maddie said watching his face.

He smirked climbing onto the bed. “Oh I know Maddie. I heard you.”

He pulled her down so that she was flat on the bed with him lying beside her.

“Cole.” She gasped.

“Say it again Maddie.” He ordered stroking her hair from her face. “Say that you love me.”

“I do Cole. I love you.” She said staring into his eyes and seeing them darken so much at the words.

She kissed him before he could kiss her.

“Fuck me Cole. Fuck me like you love me.” She said wrapping her legs around his waist and gyrating against his dick.

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