“But you made me better,” she says finally. “I know what you did for me.”
“Huh?”
“You made me upset so it would be easier for me to focus during my cases. And you…” Her voice catches. “You brought me back my passion for volleyball.”
It takes me a moment to understand what she’s referring to. The coaching.
“I don’t know how you knew I could coach when I didn’t know myself.”
“I didn’t. Not really.” I admit. “I was just trying to make it up to you the only way I could.”
“I’ve been striving for perfection, but never found happiness in that pursuit. I’ve never been happier than I have been the last two months, and I have you to thank for that.“ Her fingers tiptoe up my chest, coming to rest on my shoulder. “Thank you.”
“I like you, Maddie,” I whisper, bringing her lips within an inch of my own, giving her plenty of time to back away, or to decide she wants this. “A lot.”
She doesn’t move. “I’m growing fond of you as well.”
I pull her closer. “Kiss me, Maddie, I’m not letting you out of here until you do.“
Her hands rest on my chest and she gazes up at me. “Is that a threat or a promise?“
It’s all I can do to wait for her to close the distance between our lips. I let her have all the control she wants. No matter her fears, this will never be a mistake. When she draws in a breath, we switch roles and I take control of her mouth and attention, the way I’ve wanted to for years. And she responds. The way I’ve wanted her to for years.
I run my hands down her sides and across her back, trailing my fingers up her spine. Memorizing the feel of her body against mine. I back her up against the shelves and she gasps. I take advantage, deepening the kiss and stealing her breath as she’s stolen mine. I move my kisses to her cheek, her jaw, her neck, until her fingers on my scalp angle my lips back to hers.
Best. Prom night. Ever.
The door cracks open.
“You two again? Don’t you own a home?”
We pull apart, facing the owner of the gravelly old voice.
“Get out of here, Al. We haven’t gotten to the good part yet.” Maddie grabs the door and pulls it closed.
“And what is the good part?” I ask, scooping her into my arms where she belongs. My fingers drift over the silky material, tracing her curves.
“I was lying. We actually need to get out of here. My dress ripped on those shelves, and I didn’t want him to see my backside.”
My hands freeze on her hips, and I force them to stay there. “Your dress ripped?”
She purses her lips. “These things tend to happen around me.”
I slip out of my suit coat and drape it around her, dropping a kiss on her cheek. “I can’t wait to see what else happens.”
Chapter 33
Maddie
27 days later
My fingers twitch around the lunch container in my hands. Why am I doing this? Taking my boyfriend lunch isn’t what scares me. I’m more worried about seeing my former colleagues.
I know. I don’t have to visit him at work. But I wanted to. I want to prove I’m past this, that I’m a supportive girlfriend, and I love—yes love even though neither of us has said it—my boyfriend enough to do this.
I’m also planning to stake my claim since Bri won’t stop hitting on him in the break room.
I step into the elevator and push the button for the top floor. The last time I was in this building, I was carrying my meager belongings away with me, unsure of where to go next. Now, I’m running summer camps for a high school volleyball team and loving every minute of it. I still train a few clients at the gym because, unfortunately, coaching does not cover the bills. Not even the gas one. But I’m happy. And most of that has to do with the man who looks divine in a navy suit. Yes I know, I called him divine instead of the devil, the irony is not lost on me.
