“I’m gonna share a secret with you, Maddie. My sisters’ telltale signs when they don’t like some food. Val drinks a lot of water, so she doesn’t have to eat much. Lori only takes very small bites. Hailey will say she’s on a diet. So if Val didn’t eat much last time....”
She shook her head. “Why didn’t she just tell me she didn’t like it?”
“You can’t escape my siblings’ flinch-inducing honesty if you share their blood. They show more tact toward the rest of the world.”
“And I had to sleep with you to find out the family secret, huh?”
“Can’t sell our secrets cheap.”
I pulled her into my arms, kissing that sassy smile. Then I headed upstairs to change into fresh clothes. I’d only brought two of my best suits, but I’d arrange for more to be sent from San Jose. Clothes mattered, especially when dealing with people who didn’t know me. A groomed appearance set a foundation of confidence and trust, even before I introduced myself. I knew how to play that game well.
When I stepped back outside, Maddie was near the front gate, stretching her back. A sack half her size was propped on the ground next to her. She must have unloaded it from her truck all by herself. I hurried to her.
“Maddie! Wait for the guys to arrive and unload.”
“Why waste the time when I can start right away?” She straightened up, making to move for the gate, but I put a hand on her waist.
“Because you’ll break your back. Wait for the guys.”
My voice was firm. I didn’t want her to exert herself. She tilted her head to one side, pushing my hand away.
“Do you think you can give me orders just because your dick’s been inside me?”
She was a spitfire. And hearing the word “dick” from her mouth turned me on.
“I’m not giving you orders. Just looking out for you.”
“Right,” she countered, but her expression had softened a bit. “I’m a tough girl, Landon.”
“I’m not questioning that. But the laws of physics still apply to you. I’ll help you unload them.”
“And wrinkle this mouthwatering suit? It would completely offset the effect of the cuff links. You’ll do no such thing. If you think—”
I pulled her into a kiss, eating up all her fire and sass, palming her butt and rolling her hips against mine.
I’d been semi-hard all morning, but now there was no semi about it. When I ground her against me, I could feel her nipples pebble even through her bra and wor
k shirt. What this woman did to me was insane. My shoes sank into the earth as I scooped her up by her ass. She wound her arms around my neck, her knees pressing at my sides.
I kissed her until the sound of the front gate opening reached us. Maddie pulled back, gasping as I put her down.
“I don’t want the guys to see me like this,” she said.
“Why not?”
“Because I’m their boss.”
I dragged my thumb across the skin around her lips, which was red from our kiss. I’d marked her as mine.
“I’ve messed you up,” she murmured, arranging the collars of my shirt and suit. “Good luck today, Landon.”
I took one of her hands and kissed her palm, holding it to my lips. I’d loved waking up next to her, feeling her warm little body next to me. I’d been cradling her in my arms and hadn’t been ready to let go. I wasn’t ready now either, but we had to start our day.
***
I took a cab to the office and called Adam on the way. As I’d predicted, he hated my news.
“Landon, you can’t do that, man. Look, I’m sorry this is a bad time for Val, but it’s not peachy around here either. Sullivan is going back on every point. He’s trying to renegotiate everything, and he’s aggressive. He’ll have a field day when he finds out you won’t be back for another six weeks.”