Page 87 of Cold as Ice

“Come on,” Elliott said persuasively, “let’s get you two some punch.”

“Punch?” Mal asked, eyeing suspiciously the big bowl full of smoking dry ice and colored an unnatural shade of green.

“You’ll like it,” Ramsey said.

Elliott put a hand on his arm. “It’s safe, I promise. I oversaw its creation with Ramsey, here.”

“If you’re sure . . .” Mal trailed off.

“I appreciate how much you worry about me,” Jane said, “but I trust Elliott. And Ramsey. Nobody’s gonna roofie me, I promise.”

“If you’re sure it’s safe,” Mal said.

“Promise,” Ramsey said.

Elliott picked up two red plastic cups and poured punch into both of them. Handed one to Jane and then passed the second one to Mal.

Their fingers brushed as Mal took the cup.

Mal shivered, and he swore Elliott swayed closer. “Seriously, though,” Elliott murmured, “I didn’t know you’d be here—”

“And you still wore that?”

Elliott chuckled. “I’m not hooking up with anyone else. You know that. Maybe I just like showing them all what they’re missing.”

“Is that what you’re doing?” Mal couldn’t help the frown he knew he was making.

“Making you jealous?” Elliott grinned. “I hadn’t meant to, but I think I’m enjoying it.”

“I’m not—”

“It’s alright,” Elliott cajoled. “Trust me, you’re not gonna be alone. This angel thing—I didn’t think it would be so hot, but holy hell, Mal, did youpaintthis shirt on? And is this glitter?”

“Don’t ask,” Mal said.

“Iwannathough,” Elliott said, the corner of his mouth tilting up into one of those irresistible Elliott smiles.

“It was all Jane’s idea and a bad one to boot, but she insisted and well . . .”

“And you’re surprisingly sweet and easy under all that difficult exterior?” Elliott teased. “Evenangelic?”

“Listen,” Mal retorted, “I’ll show you how sweet I am.”

“Ooooh.” Elliott grinned. “Please.”

Jane tapped him on the shoulder and he was forced to look away from Elliott for a second, which actuallyhurt.

“You good here? I’m going to go play beer pong with Ramsey,” Jane said.

“Wait—”

“Malcolm, I’m not gonna fuck with her,” Ramsey said seriously.

“Even if I wanted him to, which I donot,” Jane said firmly. “Remind me to tell you why that would be.”

“Oh honey, don’t tell him, tellme,” Ramsey said persuasively, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. Jane glared and he just laughed.

“You two have fun,” Jane said, shooting him a meaningful look, and then they were walking off.

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