Payson couldn't stand to watch her friend soupset; she walked over and pulled her friend into a hug. "Don't doanything stupid. Please, be careful," Payson begged of herfriend.
"He's not going to rule my life ever again.I'm not stupid and will protect myself. I'm going to get changedand try to calm down before Aiden gets here; he’s overprotective asit is. Aiden and Chase are planning to park here, hang out for abit, then we can all walk together to the beach party." Maddy puther shoulders back, head held high, and headed to her bedroom tochange.
20
Chase pulled into Maddy's driveway, parking next toAiden's slick sports car. Maddy had invited them to park at herplace and walk to the beach, as they had done when her grandparentsowned the cabin. Parking on Beachside would be a disastertonight.
He couldn't help but feel a bit nervous.Keeping his distance had been tough. Rather than clearing his mindof her, it had gotten worse. Her offer that night in the truck hadbeen... more than tempting. It had been bad before, but now hedidn't even have to close his eyes to get lost in increasinglycreative fantasies of her.
He’d barely held on to his shred of controlyesterday at his place. Totally unplanned. She’d tasted so good.Those moans of pleasure still echoed in his head. The cold showerafter she’d left had barely helped.
He finally turned off the engine and slammedhis head against the steering wheel, groaning out loud. Dammit.He'd wanted her for so long. One night, that's all she'd askedfor.
What if he wanted more? Over the years, he'dhad plenty of one-night stands. She was not a one-night stand. Shewas... everything. He understood she was terrified to ask foranything more. Terrified to want anything more.
That day at the cemetery he discovered howmuch he needed her in his life. Full time. When she finally openedup and told him all about her nightmare of a relationship withDylan, he'd had trouble not murderously driving straight to Dylan'shouse to kick the shit out of him. Not that he knew where Dylan wasstaying. His emotions were all over the board when he was aroundMaddy these days.
Eventually, Chase reigned in his racingthoughts enough to climb out of the truck. Payson opened Maddy’sfront door to let him in. "Hey, Payson," he nodded as he walked inthe door. As he entered, he heard Aiden shouting and pacing theliving room in front of Maddy, arms gesturing wildly. She sat onthe plush couch, leaned back, arms folded across her chest.
Payson stopped him before he could tear intothe room and defend Maddy, whispering "Give him a moment. I thinkhe's winding down."
He nodded and walked toward the arguing pairmore slowly, like he was trying to calm a growling bear. Maddyglanced to him and rolled her eyes. He winked back.
Aiden realized his friend was behind him andswung around. Still shouting, Aiden looked to Chase, pointing hisfinger at Maddy, "She's not going tonight."
Maddy calmly rose from the couch and walkedinto the kitchen. She casually returned and set a handful of beerson the coffee table. She politely invited her guests to have a seatin the living room, playing the polite, imperturbable hostess.
Maddy sat on the couch and opened her ownbeer. Payson obediently took a seat in a living room chair. "Aiden,I appreciate your concern. Really. I'm not going to be foolish."Maddy then turned to Chase to bring him up to speed, "Dylan stoppedme after the parade. He left this creatively hand-shaped bruise onmy arm,” she gestured to her arm where faint finger-imprintsvisible.
She continued on calmly, as if the bruiseswere nothing, “And, he threatened to release some nude photos ofme–again–if I don't see reason and… shack up with him. My legalcounsel here requests that I obtain a restraining order and nevergo out in public again. I'm considering my options but have notagreed to his recommendations at this time. I have agreed to hiremy own attorney, but not tonight."
The corner of Chase's mouth turned up. Heloved her grace under pressure. Almost as much as he enjoyedwatching how she could fluster her brother. She would have been agreat attorney. Although, she was an amazing cop, and that wouldhave been a sad thing to miss.
Chase popped the top off his beer and stoodnext to Aiden. "Maddy, he might be right," but before she couldpounce on him, he continued, "Please, when you’re off duty, don'tleave the house without one of us. Your parents will be back soonand can help, too."
To make peace, Chase sat down next to Maddyon the couch. Without thinking, his hand fell to her bare knee.Realizing his mistake, he pulled away abruptly. He quickly lookedto Aiden, fearing he'd been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.Aiden was still pacing and had been looking the other way. Closeone. He glanced to Payson who had clearly seen.
She raised her eyebrows at him, and thecorner of her mouth turned up into a sly grin. Aiden was about torant again, when Payson put her feet up to block his path. "Aiden,sit," Payson commanded like a seasoned general. "Let's let Maddydecide what is best for her. She told us all what happened rightaway. She had me walk home with her. For now, she has agreed to notgo anywhere alone. She already installed a fancy alarm system." Hebegrudgingly sat back down and opened his beer.
"No offense, Payson, but you don't look likemuch of a bodyguard." Aiden was sure on a roll. He was in full-onbig brother mode. He shook his head judgmentally while taking hisfirst swig of his beer. Sitting on the edge of the leatherchair.
Maddy was about to jump to her defense whenPayson interjected, "My muscles may not be as impressively bulky asyours, but I know some basic self-defense. Most importantly, Maddycan kick his ass while I call for help," she added with a smile atMaddy.
Maddy was clearly done with the debate. Whilethe others watched for her reaction, she tipped up her bottle andgulped a large last swig of beer and abruptly rose from the couch.Gasping for a big breath after the large swig, she inquired in herbest hostess voice, "Who's ready to go?"
Without waiting for an answer, she hopped upfrom the couch, grabbed a jacket and her flip flops, and headed forthe front door. She grabbed her keys and phone from the entrytable. She motioned for the others to go out the door first. "Well,I need to set this pretty new alarm. Everybody out."
The other three quickly obeyed and marchedout the door. Chase made sure he was the last one out. As he passedMaddy, he stopped directly in front of her, leaned down, behind thecover of the open front door, and gently touched his lips to hers.The contact was brief, but intense. There was so much passion hecould feel even with the brief contact. Chase knew he wouldn't beable to stay away any longer. He ran his hand through hischronically tousled hair as he stepped outside, joining theothers.
Maddy and Payson led the way down the beach,laughing together about some shared joke. Chase and Aiden trailedbehind as they walked down the beach toward the festival. The sunwas starting to make its descent to the west, casting long shadowsacross the beach. Salty ocean air swirled around in the warm seabreeze. The heat from the day kept the sand just on the comfortableend of hot.
He tried paying attention to his friend butcouldn't have said what he was talking about. He managed anoccasional "uh-huh." Watching Maddy's long legs walking barefoot onthe beach, hips swaying in the short cotton sundress, flip-flops inhand.
"What do you think?" Aiden asked.
Gorgeous. Sexy. Amazingly long legs thatwould wrap around him perfectly. Wavy brown hair that his handsached to bury into. A hearty laugh that echoed deep into his core.Wait, what? "What?" Chase managed to respond, completely lost.
"Man, are you hearing anything I'm saying?You're in your own little world today. Not sleeping much?" Aidenshoved his friend in the shoulder playfully.
