Page 90 of Cold As Ice

“Imogen is staying overnight with my friend again.”

“I should probably walk you home and make sure you get in okay then.”

“That sounds like a good idea.” Lust swirled in her eyes, and heat pulsed under my skin. But the moment was broken when a group of guys spilled into the bar.

“Later,” she mouthed, pushing a stray curl behind her ear.

“Later,” I murmured.

Hoping like fuck it came sooner rather than, well, later.

CHAPTER16

MADISON

“So what’s happeningwith you and McHottie?” Hannah asked me as we emptied crate after crate of beer.

“It’s nothing.”

“So you aren’t screwing each other’s brains out, because let me tell you, Mads, the way he looks at you… I figure the sex has to be off the charts.”

My lips twisted as I tried to smother my laughter and my embarrassment.

I wasn’t ashamed; it wasn’t that at all. But I didn’t do this.

I didn’t have no-strings sex with gorgeous guys. I played it safe. I kept guys at arm’s length. I shored my defenses and buried my heart under a layer of impenetrable ice. Because I couldn’t ever afford to let myself be vulnerable again.

“Oh, you are so getting some.” She began dancing around the storeroom, gyrating her hips like the dancers out front.

“Han, will you stop, already. It’s just a bit of fun.”

“Well, good for you, girl. It’s about time you got back on the horse.”

“He’s a hockey player at LU.”

“No shit. I bet he knows all those indecent stretches they do.” She waggled her brows, but I gave nothing away.

What was between Austin and me was just that.

Between us.

“Enjoy it while it lasts, Mads. We all need to burn off a little steam sometimes. It’s just a shame we can’t all find men as good looking as your guy out there.

“I bet McSleazy doesn’t like the fact you have a new admirer.”

“Julian is harmless.”

She gave me an incredulous look. “Watch yourself with that one, babe. Men with more money than sense seem to think they’re entitled to take whatever they want. And he’s always had a thing for you.”

“He’s always been polite,” I pointed out. But I couldn’t shake the creeping sensation of dread.

Something about his constant attention did make me feel uncomfortable at times. But I worked in a strip club. Feeling uncomfortable came with the territory.

“Let’s hope it stays that way.” She grabbed a small crate of beer and headed for the door. “You good here if I go back out there?”

“Of course.”

It didn’t take long to finish the restock. Jack liked us to stay on top of things throughout the week so that the place was ready to go come the weekend when things usually got a little crazy.

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