Page 35 of Cold As Ice

“I know. It’s just a bit of fun.” I nodded, unsure who I was trying to convince more—him or myself.

My heart galloped in my chest, every breath laced with anticipation. I hadn’t done this in so long… too long.

“Austin, I—”

“Shh.” He lowered me to my feet, his hands gripping my hips a little too roughly as if his control was a thin restraint on the verge of snapping.

Part of me wanted him to snap. But the other wasn’t sure I was ready.

“It’s been a while,” I said, repeating the words I’d whispered the first time he got me naked.

“I won’t hurt you, pretty girl.”

But it wasn’t my body I was worried about.

“I’ve jerked off so many times in the last few days to this memory.” His big hands shaped my waist, my ass, and my breasts.

“Thanks, I think.” My nose crinkled, and a smirk tugged at his mouth.

“Trust me when I say it’s a compliment.” Austin tugged my sweater dress up my body and over my head. The urge to cover myself, the soft swell of my stomach, and the silvery lines along my hips were overwhelming, but I stood proud.

He thought I was beautiful, and with his heated gaze on me, I felt it.

“I want to see you, too,” I said boldly.

“It would be my pleasure.” Austin stripped out of his hoodie, t-shirt, and jeans, leaving him in nothing but skintight black boxer briefs that left absolutely nothing to the imagination.

He threw his wallet down on the bed. “Get on the bed, Madison,” he ordered, sending a thrill through me.

I liked him like this. All dominant and in control.

As seductively as possible, I shuffled backward onto the bed. His hungry gaze continued to track my movements as he grabbed his wallet and retrieved a foil wrapper.

The guilt coiled in my chest tightened, but I shoved it down.

I could have this. It didn’t mean anything beyond tonight. I was on birth control, and Austin clearly took precautions.

It was fine.

“You good?” he asked, noticing the strain in my expression.

I nodded, running a hand up my stomach, letting my fingers flutter over the curve of my breasts. His nostrils flared as he watched—fixated—on the movement.

The way he looked at me made me feel so beautiful.

I’d missed that.

I’d missed it so much. Wondered if I’d ever feel that way again after giving birth to my daughter.

“Take it off,” he said, his throat rippling as he swallowed hard.

I unclasped my bra with ease and pulled it off. Austin inhaled sharply, his knee hitting the end of the bed. He crawled over me, hovering there, staring down at me with such intensity that I couldn’t breathe. My lungs smarted as I tried to catch my breath, to break his hold over me. But he was so freaking intense.

“Aus—”

He crashed his mouth down on mine again. My hand slipped around his neck, fingers slipping into his hair. His body pressed down on me, all hard lines and raw, unfettered power.

Things moved fast then.

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