“Well, yeah, it is.” He peered up, looking at me, his cheeks red in embarrassment.
I crawled into his lap, wrapping my arms around his neck. I laid my head against his chest, listening to his heart. He laid back, pulling me with him, covering us both up.
“Forget I said anything.”
“It’s kind of hard to do that. What if we do it on our terms? Let’s go on a date. I didn’t want to push you with things, wanting to let you have some space before I threw my hat in the ring.”
“Oh?” I asked, rubbing my hand over his chest. I smiled into him, a new feeling warming me, and I liked it.
“Yeah, Princess. I’ve been thinking about this moment for years. Let me romance you.”
“I think I’d like that. To be romanced by Maddox King.”
“Good. It’s settled then. Now, sleep.” He kissed the top of my head, and my heart started to race for a new reason.
* * *
Being romanced by Maddox King was romance on a whole other level. The morning after our talk, I woke up to a daisy and a note telling me I was beautiful and to have a good day. Each day after that, there was a new flower and a new note.
Sometimes they were funny one-liners; others were sweet messages. I kept them all in my journal, taping them to the pages until they filled it. I had twenty-one so far, and they’d become my favorite part of the day.
He’d also started walking me to work when he could or picking me up after. We’d walk hand in hand, talking about the most random things. It was a domesticated bliss I’d never seen for myself, but with Maddox, I liked it.
Swinging our hands, I smiled freely, the gesture feeling honest with him. “Do you think Joe and Jodie have sex on the back counter?” I laughed.
“I sure hope so. Often and lots. They deserve it.”
“Oh, God, I won’t be able to get that image out of my head now.” I swatted his arm with my other hand, giggling.
“Hey, you brought it up.” He narrowed his eyes at me, the sides crinkling as he tried not to laugh.
“Maddox! You’re late.”
I sighed, turning to see his boss leaning against his truck, undressing me with his eyes. I snuggled into Maddox’s side, not liking the way his boss eyed me.
“Still got five minutes, Bill. I’ll be there once I’ve kissed my girl goodbye.” He waved, not bothered by the man. Maddox walked me the last two steps to the diner, stopping before the door. His boss was meeting him here this week before they headed out of town for a bigger job.
“I don’t like him,” I whispered, glad I couldn’t see him anymore.
“It’s a job.” He shrugged, leaning down toward me. He was so tall he had to bend down or pull me up to kiss me.
Taking my face between his hands, he kissed me deeply, his tongue swirling with mine. My legs rubbed together, a slickness beginning to develop between them. His wanting to wait was both the best and worst thing.
It had given me time to heal some more, my body beginning to respond like it should, but the greedy hussy in me was ready to take it all the way. Almost a month of kissing, and I was about to combust.
“Be good, Princess. I’ll be thinking of you all day.” He kissed my lips once more before he spun on his feet, heading over to the idling truck. As soon as the door shut, the truck took off, almost hitting a car at his impatience. Shaking my head, I headed into the diner, not hating the day so much. It was a start.
* * *
Maddox was late, and I couldn’t reach him by phone. Shoving my phone into my bag, I took off, deciding to check home. Maybe he wanted to surprise me with dinner or something and forgot to tell me he wouldn’t be here.
I’d only been walking for a minute when Bill’s truck pulled up to the curb. I stopped, hoping it meant Maddox was here. Walking over, I peered into the cab, but I didn’t see his smiling face. The window rolled down, and the driver leaned over. Bill.
“Hey, darling. Maddox sent me to pick you up. We got held up at the site, and he didn’t want you to wait. I’m supposed to take you there.”
“Why didn’t he tell me?” I asked, crossing my arms. The hairs on my arms raised, not liking the situation.
“He dropped his phone earlier, and it busted all over the ground. Why he sent me, so you wouldn’t worry. Come on, darling. Get in, and I’ll take you to him. Nothing to be scared about.”