“Really?”
“Sure.” She shrugs. “Just a couple of hours, right?”
“Three tops. I’ll be home by five.”
“Then it’s no problem at all,” she says. “We’ll have a good time.”
“Madison, you’re really saving my life here. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.”
She shrugs again, shooting me a smirk that almost levels me. “Saving lives is kind of my specialty, remember? And by the way, you can call me Maddie. Most people do.”
Getting on nickname basis feels like a microscopic step in the right direction, but I’ll take what I can get.
“Well, then, thank you, Maddie. I owe you big time.”
“Something tells me I might like having a favor to cash in with the Italian Mafia.” She winks, giving me a small wave as she takes her coffee and starts towards the stairs. “I have to go get ready now. I’ll see you at about noon.”
“See you then.”
Chapter Eleven
Joeistalking.Hismouth is moving and words are coming out, but he might as well be speaking another language with what I’m retaining. The investor’s content expression suggests things are going smoothly, yet my attention has been monopolized by a certain blonde doctor who has no fucking clue the power she holds over me.
We sat there for hours last night, just talking and sitting under the stars. The drinks came easily, and the conversation even easier. I opened up about parts of my life that I haven’t shared with anyone, and Maddie took it all in stride. The fact that she barely flinched when I told her I was in the Mafia was still a little baffling, but a welcome surprise. All my cards are on the table now, and she isn’t running scared.
That should be a relief, but it isn’t, because my life would be a lot easier if she had run. If Maddie was turned off by what she heard and put her walls up, I wouldn’t have to fight sohard to restrain myself. To stay away from her. To keep things professional.
I wouldn’t have to stare at the rosy flush in her cheeks and fuck-me look in her eye like I didn’t want to do just that. I wouldn’t have to wake up with an excruciating hard on that even a cold shower can’t touch. I wouldn’t have to lie awake in my room all night fantasizing about what could have happened while she’s right on the other side of the wall.
Jesus, I need to get laid. There’s no shortage of options in a city like this when I’m looking for a nameless, no strings fuck. Tourists looking for a goodWhat Happens in Vegasstory, bachelorette parties throwing themselves at you for VIP access, even some of the local dancers and cocktail servers take little persuasion. The opportunities are endless, but none of that sounds the least bit appealing right now.
It all pales compared to what’s waiting for me at home, which, ironically, is one thing that’s staunchly forbidden. The line between us couldn’t be harder, and honestly, I’m pretty damn proud of myself for walking away from it last night. That resistance took an ungodly amount of strength, though, and I can almost feel that resolve fading.
Last night on its own was enough to rattle me, but this morning was the final nail in my coffin. It’s not just my physical attraction towards her that has me by the balls; I’m obsessed with everything about her. She’s considerate and generous and wickedly smart. As of late, personality isn’t the first thing I look for in a woman, but it’s what really seals the deal for me with Maddie. She’s a knockout in every way, and if I know what’s good for me, I’ll stay away.
There will be no one time with Maddie. No casual. No temporary. I’m already wound too tightly for that. The only problem is, I don’t know how to do anything else. The only exception to my rule was Talia, but nothing about thatrelationship was real. We both saw other people on the side, and apart from when we were trying to have a baby, we never slept together.
Commitment and the long term aren’t in my DNA, so I already know that I’ll fuck things up big with Maddie. Somehow, someway, she’ll wind up hurt. Even worse than my less than stellar loyalty record, my world eats good girls like her up. She’s too pure for the darkness and danger I’d bring into her life, and that’s not something I want on my conscience, no matter how much I want her. It’s stupid and reckless to even consider anything else.
I’ve made it this far. Only five more months to go. How hard can that be?
The thought makes me snort out loud, and both Joe and our investor shoot me confused looks. Fuck, I’ve got to pull myself together.
I used to be good at compartmentalizing. I kept my home life at home, and work had my full attention when I was here. Today, though, that feels next to impossible. Maddie saved my ass by stepping in to watch Ty so I could take care of things.
Except, I’m not really taking care of things. I’m sitting here fantasizing about where I’d rather be and what I’d rather be doing.
Maddie is at the top of that list. It’s like the more my brain tells me no, the more I want her. And if last night and this morning are any indication, she wants me, too.
When I brushed up against her to grab the coffee mugs this morning, the heat between us was hotter than a Vegas summer. The way she pressed against me. The tilt of her hips into mine. The longer-than-necessary linger. The morning could have easily taken a different turn, and I wish more than anything it had. I’ve been relatively well behaved for now, but anymore chance encounters like that, and I can’t make any promises.
Jesus. Just like that and I’m down the rabbit hole again. Luckily, the meeting looks like it’s wrapping up.
Joe and the investor stand up, and I follow suit.
“Thanks for meeting with us today, Roman. I feel like we’ve made some good progress and hopefully we’ll be working with each other soon.”
“Absolutely.” Damn it, I don’t even know his name. “We’ll talk things over and be in touch soon.”
