Was that him saying he didn’t want it? He sure acted like he was enjoying himself. Especially when he went down on me without prompting.
Suddenly feeling exposed, I pulled the blanket resting at the foot of the bed around my naked body.
He sighed, running a hand through his thick hair after fastening his belt buckle. “I don’t want it to feel like I’m taking advantage of you, Bristol.”
“You’re not,” I protested. “I was consenting. You didn’t force anything on me.” Meeting his tortured gaze, I said for good measure, “I want you, Maddox.”
He shook his head. “You think you do, but it’s because you’re reeling after seeing your ex. You think that sleeping with me will help you forget about what happened.”
I cringed, knowing his assessment was partially true. Yes, I wanted to forget about Nix and all of his bullshit, but I also wanted Maddox because of what we’d previously shared.
“I’m done playing games,” he declared. “So, I’m gonna be straight with you. It’ll break me if you wake up tomorrow and push me away again. I don’t want to turn into another one of your regrets.”
All I could do was clutch the blanket closer to my chest as he slid his arms through his shirt sleeves and began to button the front.
“I think there’s something here between us beyond casual sex. And I’m interested in exploring that. Until you’re sure that’s what you want too, I can’t agree to take this further. I’m walking away now in hopes that we can have a future. I’m sorry if that’s upsetting, but it’s how I feel.”
Was he fucking kidding me? He was willing to walk away from a guaranteed offer of sex?
Because he wants something more. Isn’t that what you want too?
Honestly, I wasn’t sure what I wanted anymore. The pain of having my heart broken was too fresh; the wound ripped open last night at seeing Nix. Maddox was right about one thing: casual sex wasn’t the cure. But there was no guarantee that jumping into another relationship was either.
Stepping forward, he knelt on the bed, coming close enough to cup my cheek. Softly, he said, “You deserve to be the center of a universe. And if I’m being honest, you’re starting to become the center of mine.” He huffed out a wry laugh. “I almost threw away my coaching career for you without a second thought. And I would do it again in a heartbeat.” I leaned into his touch. “But you’re not there yet. And that’s okay. I’m happy to wait until you’ve shed the past. I’m a patient man.”
Maddox pressed his lips to mine quickly before pulling back.
“I’ll see you at work tomorrow.” He dipped his chin and left the room. A few minutes later, I heard my front door latch and knew he was gone.
I was torn between melting into a puddle at his words or being pissed that he’d left me hanging. Anger—or more accurately, frustration—won out with the persistent throbbing between my thighs, a reminder of how close I’d been before he walked away.
A switch was flipped, and the weak woman Nix left behind was gone.
Maddox made a point of saying he was done with games, but in reality, he’d laid down a challenge. Maybe he was playing hard to get after I’d rejected him too many times, wanting me to experience how it felt to beg.
Oh, there would be no begging. Not from me. Not after tonight.
I’d have him on his knees by the time I was done with him. No man was so strong they could walk away more than once. I was determined to push the boundaries of his restraint.
I knew one thing for sure: I wouldn’t be the one with regrets.
After getting a much-needed assist from one of my handy helpers since Maddox had failed to finish the job, I pulled up the covers and reached for my phone. The orgasm helped to relax my body, but my mind still churned after the events of the evening.
Most people had their parents as the top number on their speed dial, but mine was Dakota. If anyone knew how to flip the script on Maddox, it would be her.
The phone rang on speaker as I lay in bed.
After a few rings, there was a breathless “Hello?”
“Hey, it’s me.”
There was a muffled male voice in the background, which I could only assume belonged to Braxton. Dakota said to him, “It’s Bristol.”
Braxton’s voice became clearer as he asked, “Is she okay?”
“I’m fine,” I spoke loudly, hoping he could hear me through her earpiece.
I heard the unmistakable smack of lips before he said to Dakota, “I’m going toget water.”
