Momentary Lapse
she’d walked in the bar, a shudder had whispered down Cole’s spine at the sight of her. He’d known exactly what she represented. Everything he hated. Wealth. Privilege. Power. But he’d still had to snap his mouth shut, aware his slack-jawed stare had mirrored every other jackhole’s in the bar.
    And for the first time in what seemed like forever, Cole’s stale libido had roused itself from slumber. He’d taken note of the slashing cheekbones framing soft, brown eyes that oozed with hidden secrets. Sweet, sizzling secrets that would twine themselves around a man’s cock and squeeze until you couldn’t remember your own name.
    How long ago had he sworn off women like Madison? In the not-so-distant past, Cole had hunted rich socialites like prey, eager to exploit them before they used his name as a stepping stone to further themselves. Be their little bit of rough.
    It had made him feel good, for a while anyway. That he’d held all the cards—at least in the bedroom. He got to say whether or not they received pleasure. He got to decide when he left. Except lately, even that had failed to make Cole feel better. Nothing seemed to soothe the bitter ache left behind from too many nameless encounters.
    Then Madison St. James had walked in and his cock had jumped to attention. Still, Cole had firmly decided to go and leave it be. Until his phone had rung.
    It’d been Marcus.
    â€œYour timing is impeccable as always,” Cole had bit back a groan as he’d answered.
    â€œKarma’s a bitch,” had been his friend’s reply. “And you deserve it after stirring things up between me and Abby.”
    â€œFair call.” Cole couldn’t help but chuckle.
    Marcus’s issues with his pretty taxation consultant made life a lot more interesting. Everyone could see the two of them were on a collision course to greatness. Everyone except Marcus and Abby, that was. In causing trouble, Cole had been doing his friend a favor. Marcus just didn’t know it yet.
    â€œI wanted to make sure Abby had options,” Cole had goaded. “Wouldn’t want her missing out on a little bit o’ Cole if she’s that way inclined.”
    Which they both knew she wasn’t.
    But Marcus had still taken the bait. He’d snorted. “Abby has more sense than that.”
    â€œSo, did you want anything in particular?” Cole’s gaze had kept straying to the bar. And the beautiful woman sitting there. “Or did you just call to ream my ass?”
    â€œWhat? Am I holding you up?” Marcus’s tone had turned sly. He knew his friend too well. “What happened to ‘don’t you just get sick of it all’?” He’d mimicked Cole’s jaded words from the last conversation they’d had. The one which had come right after Cole’s sex-drive slid from fourth gear to reverse.
    â€œYou know me.” Cole had thrown out a laugh he’d far from felt.
    He’d meant every word. Then.
    But if Marcus had been able to see Madison—who at that moment had been contemplating the shot glass of Russian nasty at the bar—he’d have been wondering why the hell Cole was still on the phone.
    She’d flicked a quick glance his way, then tipped her drink back like a seasoned pro…and just about spat it over the bar. Amusement had turned to grudging appreciation as she’d held it in, choked it back, her shoulders shaking under the onslaught. His cock had given him an extra little nudge, and left Cole wondering if maybe this woman wasn’t exactly what he’d needed tonight.
    â€œYeah I know…when there’s a pretty girl and all that,” Marcus had said wryly. “Perhaps I should fly in and join you. Give whoever is occupying your time some options, in case a measure of Marcus is what she’s after.”
    â€œToo late.” Cole had briefly diverted his attention back to the phone. The

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