That did the trick, and Maddox’s laughter filled the space. Pressing his forehead to mine, he whispered, “Scared the hell outta me.”
My hands threaded through his hair. “I’m sorry. And I’ll clean all this up. Just point me in the direction of where you keep your broom.”
I moved to slide off the counter, but he held me steady. “You’re going to sit right here. I don’t want to see your feet touch the ground until I’ve cleared it of every sliver of glass, do you understand?”
A thought tickled at the back of my brain, and I protested, “You’re barefoot, Maddox!”
“I’m a big boy. I’ll be fine.” He gave me a stern glare. “I expect to find you sitting right here when I get back with the broom.”
“Fine,” I grumbled, wincing as he stepped around the mess I’d made.
This is why we can’t have nice things. Because of me. I’m a little girl compared to his grown man, and it shows. Why would he even want to be with me when I’m a walking disaster with baggage for days?
“I can see your brain working overtime from here.” Maddox’s voice had my head snapping up to find him standing near a closet, broom in hand. “I’m not mad. I’m just glad you’re not hurt. You’re all that matters. Got it?”
Swallowing, I managed a nod, pushing my doubts to the back of my mind.
He eased me onto my feet after sweeping the glass and soaking up the remaining wine with a towel. I noticed the food was off the burner as we passed the stove, and he ushered me toward the stairs.
Nervous laughter fell from my lips as we entered what could only be Maddox’s bedroom. “Are we skipping straight to dessert?”
He pinched my ass as he stepped past me, and I jumped. “Tempting, but no. You’re in desperate need of dry clothes.”
Crossing my arms, I teased, “Not sure we’re the same size.”
Maddox’s eyes heated as they trailed over my body in appreciation from where he stood, digging through a dresser drawer. “No. Definitely not.” He plucked out a T-shirt and a pair of joggers before handing them to me. “But this will have to do.”
“Thanks.”
“Dinner’s almost done. Get changed and come down when you’re ready.” He pressed a kiss to my lips before leaving the room.
Now that I was alone, I took a moment to appreciate that I was in Maddox’s private space. Whoever he paid to decorate did a great job capturing his essence. The room screamed of masculinity.
The walls were mostly cream, but black crown molding lining the ceiling matched the black-stained hardwood floors. The only pop of color came from a slate blue accent wall behind the mahogany headboard of a king-sized bed made with black silk sheets.
Everything smelled like him, and I wondered if there was a way to smuggle a pillowcase out of there without him noticing so I could put it on my pillow at home. Bringing the clothing in my hands to my nose, I took a deep whiff of his scent, finding the hints of sandalwood and amber comforting.
Resigning myself to the fact that I was going from overdressed for dinner to underdressed, I stripped off the wet clothing. The chardonnay left my skin sticky where it had soaked through the fabric, so I stepped into his bathroom in search of a washclothto wipe myself down.
The ensuite matched the theme of the bedroom. Black marble was featured on the sinks, and an open shower stall featured three shower heads. A white claw-foot tub rested beneath a corner window facing the west, perfect for sunset baths.
There were two doors inside the bathroom. The first revealed a toilet room. The other was the linen closet I’d come in here to find.
Snatching a washcloth, I ran it under warm water from the sink before cleaning myself off the best I could under the circumstances. Maddox would probably have no issue with me showering, but he’d said dinner was almost done, and I had already caused enough delay.
My panties were another casualty of my earlier blunder, so I slipped into Maddox’s joggers commando. I was an average-height woman at five-five, but Maddox had at least ten inches on me, so I was forced to roll the waistband of his sweatpants three times and then the ankle cuffs twice. I looked ridiculous, especially after adding the T-shirt, which swallowed me whole, the hem coming to rest slightly above my knees. Deciding to go all in with the frumpy look I was sporting for dinner, I threw my red locks into a messy bun atop my head.
So much for making an impression on a “first” date. I looked like a little girl playing dress-up in her dad’s clothing.
Taking a deep breath, I walked down the stairs. This was the moment of truth. He either took me in all my messy forms, or he didn’t.
I knew I was safeguarding my heart by even thinking that. Maddox had already proven himself to be a better man than anyone I’d dated. Nix would have screamed at me for being a klutz the minute he heard glass shatter before spouting off how much money he’d spent on that particular bottle. Then, he would have demanded I clean it up, not caring if I was cut or bleeding as a result. God, what the hell had I been thinking, being with him?
Because you’d never had a guy treat you right, and that was your benchmark.
I paused at the threshold to the living room, keeping out of sight as I heard Maddox setting what sounded like the island for dinner.
“Might as well stop lurking and come join me.” The humor in his voice carried to where I stood.
