Page 160 of Cowboys & Navy SEALs
“I miss you, Cor,” Madison drawled, thrusting out her lower lip into a petulant pout. She looked at Delaney, a conspiratorial chuckle rumbling in her throat as she touched Corbin’s arm. “How strong is your relationship with Bea, anyway?”
“It’s Dee,” Corbin said firmly. “And it’s ironclad.”
Madison’s face fell at the same time Delaney went rigid. Corbin was sure that if he looked at Delaney right now he’d see steam coming from her ears. Madison had always been catty, one of the reasons why the two of them didn’t work out. That and she was too clingy. And bossy. About the only thing Madison Wells had going for her was her looks. But even then, she couldn’t hold a candle to Delaney. And Delaney had class, whereas Madison didn’t. Ironic considering Delaney was born into poverty and Madison with a silver spoon in her mouth. It just went to prove that true culture and class had more to do with the inner person than privileges they were given at birth.
“I’m just teasing,” Madison purred, laughing lightly. Her brows furrowed as she studied Delaney. “Have we met before?”
“No,” Delaney said stiffly.
Madison cocked her head. “You look so familiar. What’s your last name?”
“Smith.” Delaney tightened her hold on Corbin’s arm. He glanced at her, noticing that her face had gone pale, alarm reflected in her eyes.
“I could swear I’ve seen you before … or someone like you,” Madison continued. Corbin could feel the huntress going in for the kill.
“Maybe I look like someone you know,” Delaney said.
“Maybe.” Madison pursed her lips. “Hmm. It’ll come to me. I never forget a face.”
Silence dragged like a lead ball between them.
“Well,” Madison finally said in a chipper, Bambi voice, “Nice meeting you, Dee.” She smiled but her eyes remained cold. She looked at Corbin, her tone going silky. “Good to see you too, Cor.” Before he realized what was happening, she leaned in and gave him a kiss on the lips. Then she patted his cheek and laughed. “One for old time’s sake.” She looked at Delaney. “Better hold onto him.”
“Oh, I will,” Delaney countered, a bite in her voice.
Madison sniffed and sauntered away.
When Delaney turned to him, her eyes were blazing. “So that was Madison Wells.”
“Yep.” He knew instinctively that the less he said, the better.
She put the mug of hot chocolate down on the side table. “Why did the two of you break up?”
The last thing he wanted to do was rehash his past relationships with Delaney. “Because Madison was controlling, vain, and not exactly the nicest person as you’ve just witnessed.” He rolled his eyes.
She scoffed. “That’s an understatement. I guess the more appropriate question is … how in the heck did you ever pair up with her to begin with?”
He sighed. “She was a cheerleader, I was a football player. I was young.”
A smile played on Delaney’s lips. “And stupid.”
“Yep, that too,” he chuckled.
“Well, at least you had the good sense to get away from her.”
“Amen to that.” He turned to face her. “Had you been in the picture, I never would’ve started dating Madison.”
Delaney blinked in surprise, a smile tipping her lips. “You’re certainly charming.”
“Just telling the truth.” He glanced around, putting down the mug. “Now would be a good time for us to leave before someone recognizes you straight out.”
“Good idea. That was a close call.”
“Yeah, too close.”
“Hey, you two. How did the skiing go?”
They turned as Addie stepped up to them.
