“Another change,” he says, rolling the coin through his fingers. “You want a girlfriend, and Sage wants to join a football team.”
It’s almost as though saying it out loud makes him process it in a different way because his face relaxes as he mutters it again, this time to himself.
“Maybe change is what we need, Grey.”
The line forms between his brows, but he doesn’t disagree with me. “Maybe. Send Sage up on your way out, please. Maybe I’ll take him out to dinner.”
“What do you think about me and Madison?”
“I think it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks, Brax. This is something you have to do on your own. But if you want my opinion, I think she makes you happy. Now go before you’re late. And send Sage up. I’m starving.”
“Don’t forget Pops.”
“Oh, I would never,” he says sarcastically.
I chuckle and enter the hallway as Madison exits her room. She stops short when she finds me.
I stalk her slowly, even though heat rolls through my veins faster than a Bugatti.
“You look beautiful,” I whisper when I’m close enough that her light citrusy scent creates a Pavlovian response.
She juts a hip out to the side as she leans against the wall. “You haven’t even looked at my outfit.”
She’s right. I fall into her cerulean-blue eyes every time she graces me with a glimpse.
“I don’t need to.” Lifting my hand, I rub one of her curls between my thumb and forefinger. It’s so damn soft. “You always look beautiful.”
“Charmer.” She’s shaking her head while staring up at me through long, thick lashes.
“I want to kiss you.” The words mix with a rumble of desire in my chest.
“Yes. I mean, okay.”
I love that I fluster her when I’m this close. “But I’m not going to, not yet.”
“What?” She frowns. “Why not?”
“Because I’m taking you on a proper date, and a gentleman wouldn’t kiss you until you’ve gotten to know him better. Are you ready to go?”
“You’re really weird. We’re basically living together. Oh, God. Notliving together, living together. I mean you’re staying in an inn that I live in. I think I’ve gotten to know you pretty well over the last couple of months.”
Leaning in so we’re sharing breath, I grin wide and carefree, then press my cheek against hers. “You want me to kiss you.”
Her chest hitches, and heat warms my neck when she exhales.
“That’s a dumb question.” She shivers, and I love the feel of it against my skin.
“It wasn’t a question, sunshine. You want me to kiss you, and I will, but I’m going to make you work for it.”
She swallows, and I feel it everywhere.
I press my lips to her cheek and hold them there a beat longer than necessary before pulling away.
Madison’s pupils have dilated, and her chest heaves. She’s fucking perfect.
She stares up at me with her lips slightly parted, and I almost give in. I’ve never wanted anything as badly as I want to pin herto the wall and run my fingers and tongue over every inch of her body.
My dick agrees and twitches in my pants. It’s my sign to back away, but even space won’t be enough to ease the ache of wanting her.
