Page 96 of Muddy Messy Love

Cole’s eyes glint with mischief as he comes back up, and I take in the purply-pink circle marring one boob. My blood heats, and I squirm.

He marked me.

“You’re bad,” I whisper seductively. I drag my hand across his chest and head south, over his abs and down the valley of hisV, ready for round four. But abruptly, he rolls off the bed and stands, offering out his hand.

“Come. You’ve made us late enough already.”

“I’vemade us late?” I scoff. “I was dressed—almost ready to go—thank you very much.”

“Yes, but you knew that dress would end up on the floor when I saw you in it. That was your evil little plan. No one dresses like that to babysit.” He winks with a devilish smirk. “Now hurry up.Hannah will have my balls if we keep her waiting any longer. This was your idea, don’t forget.”

I roll my eyes but give him my hand to help me up. He’s half-right. I knew he’d love the dress, just not that much. And in defence of the tiny hemline, I intended to tame it with tights and boots, only I didn’t get the chance. As soon as I slinked it over my head, Cole strolled out of the bathroom all wet and warm with a towel hung around his hips, rubbing his glistening skin dry with another. We both froze, our eyes roaming each other before meeting again. And that was it. Goodbye, dress. Goodbye, towels. Hello, bedroom wall. Then floor. Then bed. We’re ridiculous, and that knowledge makes me giddy.

I re-fix my dress, then pull on my tights. “Do you mind dropping me home afterwards? You’re welcome to stay. I just want to get a full day in the studio tomorrow, since Mum will be out.” She has new friends. I’m not sure how.

“Whatever you want,” he says. “It seems you’re becoming quite the workaholic.”

As I wrestle on my sparkly boots, I smile. I guess I am. I wasn’t lying when I said the studio would be my escape. That’s where I am every night I’m home until Mum’s bedroom door clicks shut. “Maybe I’ve learnt from the best.”

“Or maybe you’re just avoiding your mum,” Cole says, shuffling into his jeans.

“Well, duh. But maybe I’ve also emailed photos of my work to galleries. Maybe I want to be ready in case anything comes from it. Not that it ever will.”

I look up to find Cole has stopped dressing. Over a brilliant smile, his brows are high. “That’s incredible. Why didn’t you tell me?”

I shrug. “Like I said, it’s unlikely anything will come from it.”

“Bollocks,” he says. “I’ve seen your work.”

“Well, I haven’t heard anything back, and it’s been a couple of weeks.”

“You have the talent, baby. Now you need the connections.”

I glance up as I tie my laces. “Connections?”

“Yeah. People in the industry. People who know people. Ones to help get your foot in the door.”

I scan my brain. “Other than my old art teacher, I don’t know anyone.”

“Have you asked anyone else? Old friends? Family?”

“That seems sleazy. I can’t use people like that.”

Buttoning his jeans, Cole shakes his head. “Only you would think of networking as a moral abomination.” The mattress dips as he sits next to me and tucks my hair behind my ear. I’ll never tire of him doing that. “How about asking your man friend, then? Surely he supports your dreams.”

I arch a brow and smirk. “Man friend? That is the cheesiest thing you’ve ever said.”

His eyes darken. “Well, I think we’ve established I’m no boy.”

That we have. Many fucking times. “Well then,” I say, “do you know anyone with connections like that,man friend?”

His dimple sparkles. “I do. Forward me your email and photos, and I’ll make a few calls.”

“You’d do that?”

He drops his mouth to my ear. “I’d do anything for you, Miss Masters.” He catches my earlobe between his teeth, his hot breath feathering my neck, and I shiver as warmth curls down to my core, but then he retreats.Tease.

As he walks to the closet, his lean, muscular back is on full display, but I’m too busy dissecting his offer to appreciate the sight. Images of fancy gallery openings carousel through my mind in a spin of satin and champagne, but I’m jumping the gun. It’ll probably never happen, and even if it does, do I want it credited to screwing the right man?

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