“Do you want some ice?”
Braden was surprised the woman bought the story. If he’d hit somebody, he wouldn’t have burst a blood vessel on the back of his hand. His knuckles would have the damage—unless he had backhanded them.
“We’ll get some after we get settled,” Maddie said.
“Well, all right.” Shelly looked like she wanted to doctor him up, whereas Maddie acted like the hand was no big deal.
“Brad’s my husband.” Maddie continued with her introduction as if it hadn’t been interrupted.
Braden’s stomach pitched like he’d been thrown out of an airplane. It was a terrifying and exhilarating feeling. Husband? Maddie wasn’t looking at him, but he couldn’t take his eyes off of her. The story shouldn’t surprise him since he could already tell she was the queen of cover stories. Of course she would skip acquaintance, dating, and engagement, and escalate right to a fake marriage.
“Well, then.” Shelly clapped her hands together. “That’s wonderful, dear. Just wonderful.” She gave Maddie another hug and then hugged Braden. She smelled like yeasty bread. “You’re a blessed man.”
“That’s for sure,” Braden managed to get out. Maddie was only playing a part, but he’d burn his own house to the ground to pretend he was married to Madison Delta and somehow get past her barriers. She was struggling with demons. He’d had a brief feeling earlier that she needed him, but now he second guessed it. He didn’t know if he was the right one to eradicate the darkness she was fighting.
Despite his churning thoughts, he released Maddie’s hand, wrapped his arm around her, and drew her close. Maybe he could kiss her for the sake of the charade. “My Ma—”
“Mal,” Maddie interrupted him, giving him a nudge with her elbow. “He likes to call me Mal. Little nickname.”
Oh, yikes. He’d already forgotten she was supposed to be Emmaline.
“Mal. Interesting nickname from Emmaline,” Shelly mused.
“It beats Bad Brad,” Braden said.
Shelly laughed at that.
“Or Exquisite Emmaline.” Maddie winked at Braden. “That’s what he used to call me.”
“I wouldn’t mind someone calling me exquisite,” Shelly said.
“Especially because it’s true of Emmaline.” Braden brushed his lips across her forehead and she melted into his side.
“Yes, it is. And she did call you Buff, Beautiful, Bad Brad,” Shelly reminded him.
“Good point.” He lifted his free arm and flexed. “If the name fits.”
Shelly and Maddie both laughed.
“Do you have a room?” Maddie asked. “We’re exhausted after the drama with that idiot hitting on me and my Bad Brad defending me.” She fluttered her eyelashes at Braden. Anyone else doing the same move would’ve been silly. On Maddie, it was irresistible.
Shelly looked her over. “You do look a little pale, sweetheart. Do you need some tea or food?”
“No, thank you. We’ll save it for your delicious breakfast.”
Even though Braden had dinner a couple hours ago, those baguettes smelled delicious. But he followed Maddie’s lead. They needed to be alone and sort out the mess they were in.
“All right then. Let’s get you settled.” Shelly bustled around the desk and typed quickly into the desktop computer.
Maddie extended a credit card before Braden could reach for his wallet. He saw the name Emmaline Staker on it and realized him paying wouldn’t be too smart for their cover.
“Are you going to change your last name to …” Shelly asked.
“Hufflepuff?” Maddie asked. “I don’t think so. I mean, maybe if it had been Gryffindor.”
Braden smiled. “I’ve been thinking of changing my last name to Staker instead.”
Shelly handed the credit card back. “Staker might be more fitting for our Buff, Beautiful Brad.” She winked.