Her eyes cut to me, mouthingman petting,and I just shrugged.
“I think he means mani-pedis.” Daisy laughed and ruffled his hair, earning her own hug.
Madison recovered from her own fit of laughter. “Well, hello, Grant. What have you been up to today?”
“Oh, just some stuff.” He went in for another squeeze from Daisy, who, of course, instantly melted. Yep, he had mad skills, all right.
“Daisy, will you go to the movie theater with me?”
He pulled back, and she leaned down to him. “That is a fantastic idea. Tonight?”
He nodded. “Let’s look at your phone and see which movie. Okay?”
“Sure. Can Jim come with us? He loves popcorn.”
“Me too!” Grant grabbed her hand. “It has to be just us, okay? Me, you, and Jim.”
“Is that okay, Jax?” She grabbed her phone from her pocket.
“Actually, that’d work out great. I have quite a bit of stuff to get done tonight since Grant and I had some fun this afternoon.”
“Madison, are you good?”
“Yes, Daisy, I’m fine. I have a list of emails to respond to. You go and have fun.”
Grant led Daisy out of the coop. “Come on, Daisy, let’s go tell Jim about the movie.”
Madison’s eyes narrowed at me. “What are you up to?”
“Nothing.” I started slowly pacing the coop. “Who knew the kid loves movies?”
“Really?”
“Yup.” I continued pacing as if cornering my prey. “But I’m taking you out to dinner.”
She crossed her arms across her chest. “That didn’t sound like an invitation. I don’t like being bossed around.” She pursed her lips, and I loved this game. I wanted to rattle her.
“You know you’re breathless at the thought of me bossing you around and taking all your control away.” I stepped close. “My hands touching and working you into a frenzy until you can’t bear it anymore. Begging me to take you to the place only I can. Nobody else, only me.”
Her eyes were wide. “I, uh, well.” Her cheeks glowed pink, confirming what we both knew.
“If I can take the English language away from you with a few words, just imagine what it’ll be like as I traverse every inch of you, making you mine.”
I watched her chest rising and falling, her teeth drawing in her lower lip nervously.
“Give me your phone.”
She grabbed it from her pocket and handed it over. I punched my number in it before handing it back. “I’ll text you with an hour's notice once we know when they’re leaving for the movie.” I couldn’t fight the smirk I felt on my face. “Wear a dress. I like dresses.”
“Maybe I don’t want to.”
“Oh, you want to. Notice my number in your contacts undermy guy.”
Her eyes darted to the ground, then back to me. “So?—”
“Yes.” There it was. I put it out there, and her head was spinning and digesting. I was planting the seed; would she take it or throw it back in my face? She studied me, a thick silence filling the space between us.
Come on, girl, give me a sign. The silence is killing me. I can’t read your expression, and there’s no smile. What is going on in that mind of yours?
