Momentary Lapse

by Toni J Strawn

  “Got it.”

  Cole scraped his hand through his hair, not sure whether he could believe her or not. He didn’t trust Madison, but he’d have to take her at her word. Hopefully she’d stand by it long enough for him to come up with a better plan.

  But God help her if she fucked with Jess.

  Cole would show no mercy.

  * * * * *

  He was probably stringing her along. Madison’s speculation about Cole’s intentions wavered back and forth as she waited for him to return. It could be his idea of a cruel joke.

  Why else would he make the offer? He didn’t even like her.

  Yes, interest still sizzled between them—how could it not, after the night they’d spent together? The moment Madison had seen Cole at Crovens, it wasn’t fear that had prompted her to run. Or set her heart pounding.

  Madison had wanted to leap at Cole and mount him like a monkey. Wrap her legs around him. Rub her most intimate part against the hardness of his cock.

  She shuddered, dampness seeping into her panties at her wicked thoughts. Thoughts she shouldn’t be having after Cole had made his feelings pretty damn clear.

  So, why was he helping her?

  Two hours later, when Cole turned up with his thunder-faced sister limping behind him, Madison had her answer.

  He was doing this for Jess. And she looked anything but happy about it.

  After a short, less than congenial introduction, Cole dumped Jess’s bags in the spare room. Jess glared daggers at him before stomping into her new bedroom and slamming the door. Cole thumped out of the apartment muttering something about getting food.

  Leaving Madison standing in the middle of her lounge, wondering what the hell she’d just gotten herself into.

  She was expected to babysit that? On the pageant stage, Jess would have taken out the title for Little Miss Moody. The words hideous and mistake flashed through Madison’s mind as she glanced toward Jess’s room. Perhaps moving back to her mother’s wasn’t such a bad idea…

  She stopped before the thought was fully-formed and steeled herself for another quick glance down the corridor. She straightened her shoulders and exhaled. There was a job to do and she might as well have her head snapped off now than wait for Cole to witness her epic fail. Although he’d hopefully be back in time to mop up the blood.

  Madison edged closer to the door and tapped softly. No answer. She sucked in a breath. Twisted the knob.

  Jess sat at the end of her bed, her body stiff as a board with anger.

  “It’s great to have you here.” Madison plastered a smile on her face and breezed into the room. “Anything you need, just ask.”

  “You don’t have to pretend.” Scowling, Jess didn’t even bother looking up. “I know you don’t want me here. Any more than I want to be here.”

  Madison stopped in her tracks. She fought for a moment to hold her composure, then dropped the pretense. Jess had already seen through her. There was little point carrying on.

  “You’re right. Cole set this up, but that doesn’t mean it can’t work.” Madison forged on despite wanting to turn tail and run.

  At the mention of her brother, Jess bristled. “He treats me like an invalid.” She crossed her arms as if daring Madison to think the same. “I’m not.”

  “He treats me like a spoiled brat.” Madison gave a depreciating laugh. “I am.”

  Jess fought to keep the scowl on her face and failed. Her lips curved into a smile, transforming her from a broody teenager into the beautiful woman Madison had hoped might be behind the pouts and posturing. Jess glanced around the room before her eyes came back to Madison. Curiosity sharpened her gaze.

  “So, what’d you do, to end up with me here?”

  Madison decided the truth was best. Or, at least a variation of it. Jess had already proven she wasn’t stupid.

  “I got taken for a ride by my ex-fiancé and can’t afford to live here on my own,” she said. Then snorted. “Actually, I can’t afford to live, full-stop.”

  “That desperate, huh?”

  “Yes.” Madison didn’t bother hiding it.

  Jess stared at her a moment longer. “Okay. I’ll give it a go.” She nodded, seemingly satisfied. “To be honest, the house I moved into was a shithole.” She wrinkled her nose and leaned back on the bed. “Don’t tell Cole though.”

  “I’d never give him the pleasure,” Madison was quick to assure her.

  Jess gave her another cursory look. “I think we’re going to get along just fine,” she pronounced.

  They smiled at each other. The deal done.

  If Cole was surprised by them acting like long-lost besties when he got back, he said nothing. Jess disappeared into her room while Cole brought in an armload of groceries. He returned a few minutes later with another suitcase, which he stashed in Madison’s bedroom.

  “Your sister is that way,” she reminded him, pointing toward Jess’s door.

  “It’s not for Jess. It’s mine.”

  “Y-You?” Madison spluttered as he stated his claim. “You are not staying here.” No. No. No. “That was not part of our bargain.”

  “Shh.” Cole jerked his head toward Jess’s bedroom and glowered at Madison. When her lips closed tight he smiled and sauntered close enough for her to feel the heat of his body. Her skin prickled, senses heightened as he leaned in. “Don’t give the game away,” he whispered into her ear.

  Madison’s cheeks flamed, her mouth watering as his spicy male scent nipped at her. Reminding her of how good he felt wrapped around her. Inside her.

  “I’m paying you good money for this apartment.” His breath ruffled her hair. “And when I’m here? That bed is mine.”

  Sparks of awareness skittered along her spine.

  “Don’t worry,” he added, twining a lock of her hair around his finger. “I’m happy to share. With you.” He flashed a smile that was pure burning desire.

  Melting Madison’s insides to a gooey mess. He had her twisted up in knots with wanting him so it took her a moment to sort through her emotions and find anger. But she got there. Eventually.

  What she should do was to throw him out on his ass. If she got rid of him, she’d get rid of all these feelings she hadn’t experienced in years—anger, disbelief and irritation mostly—but then there were other base emotions that were harder to find excuses for. Feelings of aching awareness and barely controlled lust.

  And then there was Jess.

  Madison hadn’t known her long, but she didn’t want to let Jess down. Not when the girl had confided in her that she hated her last house. But if Cole thought Madison was going to sleep with him—no matter how tempting the proposition…

  “I’ll take the couch,” she said coldly, reminding herself that Cole barely tolerated her. She wasn’t the only one hiding behind a mask.

  “Are you sure?” A grin twitched at the corners of his mouth.

  He pressed forward and Madison scrambled back until her butt hit the edge of the kitchen counter. Her breath stuttered, fire licking along her nerve endings as his hands settled at her hips.

  “Y-yes.”

  Cole gave up trying to hide his smile. “It’s a two-seater,” he reminded her.

  Madison swallowed back the urge to stretch up and brush her lips over that smirking mouth. She wanted to wipe the smile off his face. Kiss it off.

  Kiss him.

  “I’d rather sleep on a bed of rusty nails than sleep in the same bed with you.” She raised her chin to meet his stare.

  His smile widened. “Let’s see how long you last.” His breath swept her cheeks. Madison shuddered as a tickle of heat raced across her skin. All she had to do was reach up and claim that smart mouth of his…

  She was saved from humiliation by Jess, who chose that moment to come out of her room. Cole straightened and reached past Madison to
snag an apple from the fruit bowl—as if that had been his intention all along. For all Madison knew, it had.

  “Wanna go for a walk, Jess?” he suggested. There was the barest hitch in his breath as he sauntered away.

  Unlike Madison, who felt like the oxygen had been sucked right out of her body. She leaned against the counter, doubtful her legs would support her if she chose to move. Thankfully Cole was preoccupied with deflecting Jess’s grumbling protests and didn’t notice.

  “I saw a line of shops the next block over.” He gathered up his jacket and grinned at his sister. “You can pick out what you want for your birthday.”

  “My birthday’s six months away.” Jess rolled her eyes, not buying his ploy.

  “Exactly. And I’ll need that long to save up enough pocket money. So go get your shoes.”

  Madison straightened as Cole turned his attention to her.

  “I brought steak for dinner. Can you cook?”

  His dubious expression added insult to her already injured libido, but Madison forced herself to smile. A wide shit-eating smile.

  “Of course. I’ll have dinner ready by the time you get back.”

  “Perfect.”

  He acted like there hadn’t been a bucketful of sarcasm heaped into her answer.

  But later, at dinner he did eat everything on his plate. And he and Jess cleared the table after.

  The siblings were at least being civil to each other now, so they must have made up on their walk. In fact, the whole evening came straight from a scene set in domesticity. Madison found herself looking on while Cole and Jess laughed easily, their interactions more entertaining than a sitcom.

  And more than ever, she felt like an outsider, resentful of the easy relationship they shared. Or maybe it was the fact Cole seemed different when dealing with his sister. Lighter. Happier. Pleased to be in her company.

  Madison couldn’t even excuse herself to hide in her bedroom. Having relegated herself to the couch, she was stuck in the lounge until everyone else went to bed.

  “I’m done.” Jess hoisted herself up around ten o’clock. “’Night, Cole. Madison.” Her limp was more pronounced as she retreated to her room.

  Cole followed his sister’s progress, worry etched in the lines of his face. Madison had to bite her tongue from asking what had happened to her. Something told her that whatever had befallen Jess had been painful for them both.

  It’d be too much to hope Cole would go to bed early too.

  He glanced her way. Madison stretched and pretended to yawn, even as her senses pinged awake. He followed her lithe movement with interest. Interest that sparked memories of Cole and his mouth softened against her clit, tongue delving into her wetness, growls of satisfaction reverberating through her until she was drenched in pleasure.

  The simmering heat in Madison’s belly kicked downwards, tugging at her sex with all the grace of a cattle-prod. Her life was in turmoil—was it any wonder her hormones were too? Squeezing her thighs together didn’t help. The sensual pressure increased, until her throb of need was a deep, hollow ache.

  What the hell was wrong with her? Madison sat up straighter. She crossed her arms over her aching nipples and pressed down. It felt good. Too good.

  Madison jumped up and unpacked the spare blanket and pillows from the cupboard in a not so subtle hint. It was way past time to go to bed—alone, even if her brain was the only part of her agreeing with that thought.

  “You don’t mind if I work, do you?” Not through torturing her, Cole set up his laptop at the small dining table. “You can always sleep in my bed if you’re tired. If I disturb you.” He challenged with a grin.

  Madison hid the grit of her teeth behind an answering smile. “Go ahead. I’m not tired at all.” She jammed the bedding back in the cupboard and resettled on the couch with a book to wait him out.

  The bastard milked it for all it was worth, staying up until well after midnight, pretending like Madison wasn’t even there.

  Or perhaps he really didn’t notice her.

  She was surprised at how much that little thought tweaked her confidence.

  Her gaze slid off the page, straying to Cole again. She told herself she was studying her enemy. Dark blond hair dipped low over his brow, his mouth pulled into a frown of concentration. All business. There was no sign of the teasing joker who’d spent the evening entertaining his sister. Madison followed the line of his jaw, the finger-ruffled hair, curling around his neck.

  “See anything you like?”

  Madison lifted her book to cover her burning cheeks. “No,” she lied. “Just wondering how you’ll sleep tonight. Badly, I hope.”

  Cole barked out a laugh and closed his laptop. “Oh, I’ll sleep just fine. Unlike you.” He nodded toward the couch. “Sure you won’t change your mind?”

  Tempting…tempting…tempting.

  “No.” Madison’s answer wasn’t as firm or unyielding as she would’ve liked. No thanks to the lithe stretch he popped while she was talking.

  She bit at her lip, trying not to remember what lay under his shirt. The hard planes of his chest, the dip of his stomach dusted with a smattering of hair, hips she’d love to dig her fingers into. Madison tried not to groan at the image of her licking down past his navel, Cole pushing into her mouth so she could suck his cock so hard his eyes would roll back in his head.

  Her breath grew heavy. She wriggled in her seat as heat prickled over her skin, her clitoris swelling with the naked desire to say to hell with it, crawl into bed and do all of the things she’d just been imagining.

  Except it would end badly. Cole couldn’t be clearer about what Madison meant to him. He accused her of using him to get back at Logan…while it may have started like that, it wasn’t how it’d ended. Not for Madison anyway. It hurt that Cole hadn’t shared the same visceral experience. She’d gotten a glimpse of the man behind the rough exterior he now hid behind. And having seen Cole for what he was really like, Madison didn’t want a shadow version of the truth. She wanted Cole, yes. But she wanted the real Cole, not the one who only saw Madison as the babysitter.

  Madison refused to meet him on those terms.

  She lifted her chin. “Goodnight then,” she said with pseudo-politeness.

  “Sleep well.” Cole tipped an imaginary hat before retreating to her room.

  Chapter Ten

  Okay. It was official. The couch was the most uncomfortable thing to sleep on in the known universe. A slab of granite would have more give.

  Madison rubbed the tender spot at the juncture of her neck to relieve the hard knot of muscles. The amount she’d paid for the hellish couch, it should double as a hovercraft, let alone be useable as a bed.

  And it didn’t help that Cole looked so damned relaxed when he finally emerged from her room.

  “Good morning, Princess.” He made a play as if to ruffle her hair.

  “Seriously?” Madison stabbed him with her glare, having already spent the good part of an hour straightening out her bedhead in the cramped guest bathroom. She pushed past him to get dressed—in her own damn room—and shut the door behind her.

  Cole hadn’t even made the bed. Madison pressed her lips together when she surveyed the tangled mess of sheets, the dents in the pillows as if they’d gone several rounds with a certain sun-worn fist. Good. Hopefully his conscience had given him an uncomfortable night’s sleep. At least as bad as hers. Every time Madison had closed her eyes, someone had slid into her thoughts like butter, until she swore she could taste Cole, his scent seeping from her pores under cover of darkness.

  She straightened out the bedclothes, her hands curling into the still-warm sheets. Infused with his heat. Her pulse thudded hotly, making her want to slither into bed and wrap herself up like a cocoon. Madison brought the pillow up to her nose and drew in a breath. Her eyes closed with pleasure.

  It sme
lled of him. And her. A subtle blend of cinnamon and spice and longing. Her nipples hardened and she pulled the pillow to her chest, subconsciously wriggling against it, enjoying the sharp tingle of pleasure. She needed more. Rocking forward, Madison slipped her fingers beneath the elastic of her panties, gliding through the wetness to find the silken nub of nerves.

  “Aaaah.” Better. Madison pressed the heel of her hand against her clit as her fingers slid downward, deeper, finding the entrance of her sex to work the tips of two fingers inside.

  Her head rolled back, earlier aches and pains forgotten as a swell of sensual pleasure buoyed her upward. She breathed deep, imagining it was Cole pushing into her, his hand pressing against her clitoris. The pillow fell to the floor as she worked her body harder, a sheen of sweat enveloping her, her breath coming in short pants.

  Felt. So. Good.

  “You want coffee?” Cole called through the door.

  Madison froze, yanked her hand from her pants, horrified at what she’d been doing. She ripped the sheets off the bed and wadded them into a ball. Frustration fueled her anger and she slammed out the door, striding past Cole to dump the bedding in the laundry.

  “What are you doing?” He wandered over to stand in the doorway.

  Too close. Madison shoved her hands behind her back. She swore she could smell the musky scent of her desire. Her lip curled as she breathed through her mouth.

  “I’m not sleeping in those sheets tonight.” She poured disdain into her voice. Anything to draw his attention away from the flush of her cheeks, the stiff peaks of her nipples pushing against her shirt. “Not after you’ve been in them.”

  Cole’s eyes darkened. And not from desire. “You’re right. You won’t be sleeping in these,” he said, grabbing the bedding out of the hamper.

  “Give those back!” With her emotions running high, Madison tried to wrestle the sheets back.