Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 45531 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 182(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45531 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 182(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
It’s difficult to say these words. I know it could end in disaster. Mom might hate me. She could tell us to stop. What would I say then? After giving myself to this man and knowing he belongs to me, I’ll never be able to stop.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Jacob
The dishwasher rumbles as I pour a glass of water and look across the kitchen divide of Maddie’s apartment. Veronica sits opposite her daughter, still wearing her work clothes, Maddie sitting with her legs crossed in a casual jeans and T-shirt combo. Even with the casual combo, I can strip her clothes away and reveal those naked thighs and those round, perfectly plump breasts. That’s why I’m in the kitchen, pouring this water, to give myself a second before we get started.
At least the guy I hired for the dishwasher did his job.
It’s been a day since Maddie and I shared the true depth of our passion… since we gave ourselves to each other. When I sit, Maddie shoots me an anxious look.
“I suppose this is about the photos,” Veronica says, glancing at me, then at her daughter.
I know I’m not the man who hugged her at work—the man she got excited about. I’ve also wondered if she’s had a crush on me, and the thought sickens me. I only want Maddie, just her, forever.
“I didn’t want to keep it a secret,” Maddie says.
“It,” Veronica repeats. “What is it, exactly?”
I’m sitting on the couch next to Maddie, conscious not to let our legs touch, not to wrap my arm around her. Veronica deserves respect.
My body is tired, and my eyes are heavy from the long day at the office. Trent’s plan backfired. Attempting to shame us publicly only made me more certain I want to be with Maddie. There are people out there who support us and are withholding judgment. Even if they weren’t, would it matter? I won’t let internet trolls get between me and my woman, and Trent is going to get what he deserves. I’ve already hired people to dig into his business.
“Maddie?” Veronica says when she doesn’t answer. “All I know is there’s a photo of you holding hands, kissing… that’s it. So, what are you?”
Maddie inhales sharply. I know why. Explaining the fullness of our connection is going to be difficult.
“I’m sorry, Mom, but I need to ask you something first.”
Maddie leans forward, and I resist the urge to gently rub her back. I can tell how amped-up she is.
“Have you got a crush on Jacob?”
For a second, I’m certain Veronica didn’t hear the question. She looks at Maddie, then at me, her eyes narrowing.
“Do I… what?”
I shift awkwardly. It seems we’ve misjudged this if the absolute disbelief on her face is any sign.
“Mom, I’ve heard the way you talk about him. You’ve dropped major hints. You want him to pay attention to you. You want to get closer to him…”
“For my job, Maddie,” Veronica says. “He’s my boss. Of course, I want to be on good terms with him, but, and no offense, Jacob…”
“None taken,” I say quickly, trying to stop the bubbling excitement from rising in my voice.
I have to take this meeting seriously, and I am, but to hear that Veronica isn’t romantically interested in me is the best news we could’ve received. It means there’s going to be no weird love triangle messiness. Not that it ever would’ve been a triangle since there’s only one woman in this room I love.
Love. There’s that word chasing me, and I’m done running from it.
“I don’t think about him like that,” Veronica goes on. “He’s been cold and distant and standoffish, so yeah, I wanted to bridge the gap, but it was never a crush.”
“What about the man who hugged you yesterday?”
Madison asks this almost reluctantly, then shoots me a look. I read the message on her face. She’s not calling me a liar, but she has to be sure.
“He’s a colleague of mine. I told you. His name is Raymond. Wait… did you think Jacob hugged me? No offense, again…”
I can’t help but grin. Her tone is lighter than I expected, not at all severe, and cutting like I feared it could be.
“None taken.”
“But Jacob isn’t the warm, lovey-dovey type.”
“Not at work,” Maddie says quickly, then winces.
“I supposed I could’ve been kinder to my employees,” I allow. “I’ve never thought about my mood. If I did, I just assumed that was who I was. Then I met…”
“My daughter?” Veronica says.
I nod, realizing I’ve gone too far to back out. “When I met Maddie, she showed me I didn’t have to be such a grumpy asshole all the time. She showed me a different side of myself. Maybe in the future, I’ll be less of a douche at work. Well… until I need to be.”
That gets a chuckle from them both, Maddie looking at me with light and—I hope—love in her eyes.