Tempt Me - By Shiloh Walker Page 0,12

her, wishing he could see even a little bit of genuine sadness in her eyes, but all he really saw was wounded pride and cold anger. If he’d seen something of the woman she’d been once, maybe...but there was nothing. Just the ice queen.

Sighing, Cole turned away and moved off into the crowd. He could leave. He should. Mara had the keys to the car and the condo in her purse. But he could call a cab and get a hotel for the next few days until he figured out where he was going to stay, what he was going to do.

Yes, he could leave. But he didn’t. Nor did he really want to. He found himself in the small sitting area tucked in the corner of Lush & Lace, staring into his glass of whiskey and brooding. When somebody slid onto the corner of the couch next to him, he bit back a sigh, convinced it was Mara.

But it wasn’t.

It was the redhead. Lacey.

She stared at him, her vivid green eyes echoed by the green design of her corset. It was one that Rocki had called an underbust, and although the woman was almost as slender as Mara, he had to admit, it did wonderful things for her. Still, he found himself wishing it was Rocki sitting there. He could hear her voice, husky, low, full of laughter and humor, filling the room next door.

“So you’re engaged to the Wicked Witch of High Street.”

Cole burst out laughing. He couldn’t help it. He supposed he shouldn’t laugh, not so easily. But hell, the name was fitting.

Lacey continued to stare at him, a smile dancing around her lips. “Well?”

Cole, still chuckling, lowered his gaze to his whiskey glass. “It’s not exactly your business, is it?”

“Well. Not exactly. But I keep seeing you staring at Rocki. And I’ve seen her staring at you. I’d be really excited about that. But if you’re engaged...well. I don’t like it. She needs to get back in the game, but not with a married guy.”

Smirking, he took a sip of his drink. Then he sighed. “Well, that’s not going to be an issue with me,” he said.

“And that’s because ...?”

“Damn. You’re nosy.”

“Yeah, I am.” She gingerly leaned over to the side, something that was too graceful to be called a slump. He couldn’t exactly describe it. “You got any idea how hard it is to slouch in one of these?”

“No. And I’m happy not knowing, too.”

Lacey laughed. “Awesome. Because I’ve got to tell you, men in corsets? They just don’t work for me. I’m glad to hear that’s not your thing.” She tapped her index finger on the arm of the couch, still watching him closely. “I’ve got to say, you just don’t seem to fit with her. Mara, I mean. She’s so...cold and bitchy. You seem perfectly human.”

“Don’t you think you should get to know people a little better before deciding shit like that?” he asked irritably. He took another drink and settled deeper on the couch, staring up at the ceiling.

“So I’m wrong? You’re cold? You’re not human? Maybe she’s not as bitchy as she seems?”

For the longest time, he was quiet. Then he answered softly, “No. But she didn’t used to be that way. Lately, though...well. It doesn’t matter. Not any more. Not after tonight.” He closed his eyes.

“And what happened tonight?”

He popped one eye open and stared at her. “It doesn’t concern you.”

Lacey hummed under her breath. “Okay. Well, answer this. You got the hots for Rocki or not?”

He didn’t answer, but he suspected the slow crawl of red up his cheeks did the answering for him.

Lacey laughed. “Awesome. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go cause some trouble. You got your checkbook handy? You might need it.”

Frowning, he opened the other eye and watched as she slipped out of the room, moving into the crowded mess of the restaurant. What the hell...?

“What the hell?” Rocki muttered, watching as Lacey came back up on stage.

“Ladies and gentlemen. We have one final date to auction away tonight.” Then Lacey paused and added, “Although it’s more for the men. Sorry, ladies. And guys, some of you have been asking for this for a long while ...”

Dread curdled in Rocki’s stomach as she stared at the back of her friend’s head. Oh, shit.

She wouldn’t.

Then Lacey looked back at her with a wicked smile. “Tonight, folks...Lush is going on the auction block. One date—one night of Lush’s company. A movie, dinner, a night at