I make my way up the stairs in their building and knock once before Chloe swings the door open.
She rests a hand on her hip, the same attitude from her sister radiating off her.
“I should have known you wouldn’t let me have her to myself tonight.”
I hold up the bags of food.
“Oh!” she screeches. “Okay, you can stay.”
I follow behind her and as soon as my girl sees me, her face lights up.
“What are you doing here?” She stands from the couch and walks to my open arms. “Not that I’m not glad to see you,” she adds as she looks up at me.
“I thought we could have a double date tonight, since Dallas’s plans got canceled. He didn’t want to be the third wheel.” I smirk at her brother-in-law and he laughs.
“Do you mind, Chlo?” She turns toward her sister.
“I guess not. Plus, he brought food.”
It’s not exactly a double date since her niece is still awake, but she’s damn hilarious. It’s clear how much Maddison adores her, and part of me wonders if she ever wants children of her own. Taylor is busy showing me her new dolls when I feel a pang of guilt in my chest. Besides the other night, we’ve never talked much about a future. We’ve only been together for a short time, but she probably needs to know how I feel about a family, before we get too serious.
Things with her were never supposed to be like this, but now that they are there’s no going back for me. But everything with Destiny did a fucking number on me, and I don’t know that I’ll ever be able to give her what she wants or needs.
“You okay?” Maddison squeezes my knee and I snap out of my thoughts.
“Yeah, great.” I lean down and peck her cheek before turning back to the overly excited five-year-old standing in front of us.
Once Taylor is in bed, Chloe puts a movie on for the four of us and I pull Maddison into my side.
“Thanks for coming tonight,” she whispers as she looks up at me.
“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.” And it’s the truth.
I’ve pushed my earlier thoughts as far away from my mind as possible, but I can’t shake my uneasiness. I love my nephew like he’s my own, but I can’t see myself as a father. Not after what Destiny did. Don’t get me wrong. I grew up with two amazing parents, but that doesn’t mean I should be one.
The rest of the night is relaxing and me and Maddison stay entertained by Chloe and Dallas’s arguing. It’s evident they’re madly in love, and when I look over at my girl, I see something I don’t recognize on her face.
“What?” she asks when she notices me staring at her.
“Nothing. Just thinking about how beautiful you are.”
“Trying to flatter me, Mr. Wright?” She winks before leaning in to kiss me.
I run my hand through her hair, not caring that we have an audience, and then pull away from the kiss.
“Nope. It’s just the truth.”
I look down at my phone and see that it’s nearly eleven at night, and I have another early meeting in the morning.
“Holy shit, I didn’t realize how late it was.” She stretches her arms over her head, giving me a glorious view of her bare stomach. My dick stirs in my pants, and I’m thankful she covered us both with a throw blanket before the movie.
I yawn into my hand. “Yeah, I better get home.”
Chloe and Dallas both stand from the recliner they were cuddled up on.
“You’re welcome to stay, but your girl will have to share the couch with you,” Chloe says.
I stare over at Maddison, shock surely written on my face. The place is literally the size of a shoe box, but it never dawned on me that she was sleeping on their couch.
“Nah, that’s all right. All my stuff is at home anyway.” I stand and then pull my girl into my arms. “Thanks for letting me crash your party tonight.”
“You brought dinner, so you made my wife happy. I was going to make her cook.”
Chloe swats at his arm, causing me and Maddison to chuckle.
“I’ll walk you out,” she whispers up at me and I shake my head.
“No, go get ready for bed.”
She follows me to the door and I slip my shoes on.
“Thanks for coming tonight.” I pull her into my arms again.
I lift her chin so she’s forced to look at me. “I love you, Maddie.”
“I love you, too.” Our lips meet in a smoldering kiss and I know I need to pull away from her before this gets out of control in front of her sister and brother-in-law.
“Good night,” I mumble into her hair.
“Night.” She gives me her signature smile and I’m seriously considering asking her to come home with me, but I know I need to leave so we can both get a good night of sleep.
The drive from her apartment isn’t far, but it gives me plenty of time to think about things. I know I need to have a serious conversation with her about where she sees our relationship going, and what she wants for her future. But this week she’s got enough stress with having to visit her parents, so it can wait for now.
Twenty-Six
Ian
It’s Friday afternoon and we’re getting ready to head to Detroit for the weekend. The retirement party for Maddison’s stepfather isn’t until tomorrow, but I got us a suite for the night. I know she’s not looking forward to seeing her parents, so it was the least I could do to ease the tension a little for her.
“You ready to go, handsome?” She strolls into my office, her black and white polka-dotted skirt hitting just above her knees. It’s making me want to bend her over my desk and do very, very dirty things to her.
“Hey, gorgeous.” I pull her into my arms when she walks behind my desk. “I just need to send one more email and then I’m all yours.”
“I can’t wait.” She kisses along my neck, distracting me from any work that needs to be finished, but I don’t mind one damn bit.
When she stands, I swat her ass. “Ms. Monroe, you better behave or we’re going to be late for our dinner reservation tonight.”
“I’ll try.” She winks before she leaves, pulling the door behind her.
I finish up and then shoot Bri and my mother a quick text letting them know I’ll be gone the next two nights. They both tell me good luck, which from what Maddison has told me, I will need it. But I’ll do anything for her. Even if that means facing her asshole parents.
“Since you won’t let me drive, I get to control the radio.” She starts turning the knob, looking for a station.
I side-eye her. “Uh-uh, missy. The driver gets to choose the tunes.”
“So, I have to listen to oldies for the next four hours?” She throws herself back in her seat, her arms crossing her chest, pushing up her perky tits.
“Damn, woman. You know how to insult a man, don’t you?” I feign hurt as I grab for my chest.
“Are you having a heart attack, old man?” She pretends to be worried, but then laughs when she can’t hold it in any longer.
“Har har.” I scowl as I put on a Beatles song.
“Who sings this?” She leans forward to twist the knob, causing “Here Comes the Sun” to blare through the speakers.
I throw my head back in exasperation. “You’re kidding, right?”
“I suppose this is what happens when I date someone twenty years older than me,” she mumbles and I barely hear her over the music.
“That would make you thirteen.” I arch a brow at her and she giggles.
I oblige and let her pick some music along the way, until I hear her snores from the seat next to me. My heart about nearly thumps out of my chest at the sight of her. Maddison Monroe is a beauty. One I can’t imagine ever letting go of. Will she still want me after I tell her about my past? What if she wants things that I can’t give her?
I push the unwanted thoughts away for now, not wanting to damper our weekend. I made reservations at her favorite steak place and then I plan on taking her back to the hotel and keeping
her under the covers until we have to leave to meet her parents in the morning.
“Hey.” I reach over and squeeze her knee.
She opens her eyes and yawns. “Where are we?”
“We’re just five minutes from the hotel.”
She nods and then pulls her phone out of her purse. “Chloe and Dallas are leaving at the ass crack of dawn tomorrow. I’m so glad we came up tonight.”
I’m sure she is. My girl is not a morning person and pulling her out of bed that early would have put me on her shit list. Plus, a couple nights away with her is exactly what we both need.
An hour later, we’re being seated at Minalli’s Steak House outside, along the river. It’s a bit cool tonight, so I pull her into the chair next to me, so I can keep her warm.
“Your waiter will be right with you.” The young blonde hands us each a menu.
“I’m pretty sure I chose the most expensive restaurant in Detroit.” She looks at the list in front of her.
“You know I don’t care about that. Order whatever you want.”
She gives me a small smile before tipping her head back, inviting me to kiss her luscious lips.
“You look stunning tonight.” I pull away from her and slide one hand up the skirt she changed into at the hotel. The one she wore to work today was sexy as fuck, but this one makes me want to lose my mind. All I have to say is if I weren’t with her, she wouldn’t be prancing around in it. Am I a controlling asshole? Most definitely.
“What are you doing?” she whisper-yells as my hand hits the edge of her barely-there panties. She looks around, clearly making sure no one around us is paying attention to what I’m doing. Honestly, I don’t give a shit.
“Oh, God.” She leans into my mouth to muffle her moans, but I’m not sure it’s helping. My girl is not quiet in bed, and I have a feeling she won’t be right now either.
“Does that feel good?” I nibble on her lobe, my finger finding its way into her warm, wet pussy. This is turning me on just as much as it is her. I’d give just about anything for her to stroke me through my pants, but I’m pushing it right now with her.
“So good.” I pull my finger out and then roughly shove it back into her at a punishing pace and she shakes around my hand.
“Ian.” She swats at my chest. “I can’t believe you just did that to me in a public place.” She rights her skirt and then stares out at the water, lost in thought.
“Are you mad?” I grab her arm. I know she’s not. She was a very willing participant.
She turns back toward me and shakes her head. “Nope. Just horny as hell now.”
I throw my head back in a laugh.
We order our food and finish it off in record time so I can get her back to the hotel. I spend the rest of the night devouring her body. Showing her exactly how I feel about her.
Twenty-Seven
Maddison
I wake when the sun peeks through the hotel curtains. My body is sore after the night we had, but it’s a reminder of what my amazing man did to me.
I reach over to his side and realize it’s empty. Slowly I sit up in the bed, still tired from not getting much sleep, when the smell of bacon hits my nose.
He must have snuck out early this morning to get stuff for breakfast. If I keep him around, I definitely won’t starve. Which as much as it scares me, I plan on keeping him around for a long time. I’ve never wanted to settle down with anyone until Ian. I’ve dated plenty, but I’ve never been in love before him.
“Mmm, smells amazing in here.” I tie a hotel robe around my naked body as I walk into the kitchen. He informed me as soon as we crossed the threshold last night that I wasn’t allowed to wear clothes until we leave to meet my parents.
Damn it. The thought of seeing them after all these months puts a knot in my stomach. I’m tempted to call my mother and tell her I’ve come down with something, but I’d never hear the end of it. Plus, Chloe would kill me if I didn’t show.
“Hey, gorgeous.” He holds one arm out to me and I walk to him. He’s wearing black gym shorts that sit low on his hips. They look sexy as hell, but it’s not fair that he’s allowed to wear clothes if I’m not.
I grab him by the waist. “Why are you clothed, Mr. Wright?” I pull the elastic on his shorts and let it snap.
“Ow!” He laughs and grabs my hand. “My cock wouldn’t be much use to you if I splattered bacon grease on it, now would it?” He arches an eyebrow, causing me to giggle.
“Good point.”
He sets the spatula down after stirring the eggs on the stove and then turns toward me. He slowly unties my robe and then slides it down my body. Next, he grabs one of my boobs in the palm of his hand and bends down to the twin nipple, wrapping his mouth around it.
“You’re gonna…” I start but I can’t complete a full sentence because I’m so lost to the desire he’s making me feel.
“I’m gonna what, Maddie?” he whispers into my ear as one of his hands slips down my naked stomach seeking out my wet core. His finger dips into me and if he wasn’t holding me up, I’d be on the floor by now because my legs are wobbly underneath my body.
“Burn the bacon,” I finish, and in the next second I’m coming hard. The world spinning around us as I’m lost to his touch.
“The bacon is fine,” he mumbles as he pulls back, a smirk playing at his lips.
“You think you can always distract me with orgasms?” I prop a hand on my hip and he turns his back to me, finishing breakfast. It isn’t lost on me that his shoulders are shaking in laughter as I scold him.
“Did it not work, Ms. Monroe?” he replies without turning to look at me.
“Ugh!” I throw my hands up before grabbing my robe off the floor and walk to the sliding glass door. Our suite has a perfect view of the river.
“Ready to eat?” He wraps his arms around me from behind. “It’s probably a little chilly this morning, but we can grab a blanket and go sit on the balcony if you want.”
I run back to our room for a blanket as he makes both our plates and meets me outside.
“Thanks for going with me today,” I say around a bite of bacon. Damn, this man can cook. How can something so simple taste so wonderful?
“I’d do anything for you, gorgeous.” He takes a sip of his coffee before setting the mug on the table beside us and then pulls me into his side. “Do you understand that?”
I melt into his touch. “Yeah. It’s just you have no idea what you’re getting yourself into today.”
He turns me toward him so I’m looking at his face. “I don’t care about any of that. All I care about is being with you and making today easier for you.”
“I love you.” I pull his head down to mine.
“And I love you. More than anything in the world.”
As much as I’m dreading what today will bring, I’m thankful to have this man by my side.
We finish our breakfast and then spend the next twenty minutes in the shower. Ian, once again distracts me. Not that I mind one bit.
He walks out of the bathroom tucking a fitted, light yellow dress shirt into the pants of a navy, pinstriped suit and my mouth waters. He looks good enough to eat.
“Like what you see?” He interrupts my dirty thoughts and I look up at his face.
“Very much.” I stand from the bed after putting my strappy heels on. I’m wearing a knee-length halter dress the same color as his shirt. I forewent a bra, which will make less work for Ian tonight once we get back. I grab my short-sleeved cardigan off the back of the desk chair.
“Why are you covering this fine body up?” He pulls me into him for a quick kiss.
“Because my mother would have a coronary if I showed up at her house revealing that much skin.” I roll my eyes, but it’s the truth. Marta is a real bitch, but she’s a proper bitch.
“Jesus,” he mumbles. “What will they think of you dating an old man?” He smirks and then pulls away to slide his shoes on.
“You’re not that old.” I wink.
“But I don’t give a fuck what they think. I’ll go to this stupid party to make an appearance, then come back here and forget it ever happened.”
We pull up in front of the house I called home for the last five years, a cold chill running down my spine. I look around trying to find Chloe and Dallas’s car and relief washes over me when I spot them.
“I’ll be by your side the entire time.” He squeezes my leg in reassurance before getting out and rounding his car to open my door.
“Hey.” Chloe pulls me into a hug. “How was your night?” She’s got a shit-eating grin on her face and I slap at her arm but can’t help my own smile that pulls at my lips.
“Amazing. And I even woke up to him making breakfast.”
“Damn. Dallas used to do shit like that. And then we got married.” She stares off in the distance, seeming to be strolling down memory lane.
“Whatever. He always does sweet things for you and Tay.”
“You’re right. He does.” She grabs my hand and squeezes it. “Are you ready for this?”
“No. Do you think it’s too late for us to leave?”
“Unfortunately, yes.”
Dallas wraps his arms around her from behind, just as my guy wraps me in his.
“Where’s Tay?”
“You think I would subject her to these crazy people?”
I shake my head. “Touché. She’s better off as far away from them as she can get.”
The four of us turn toward the front door of the house when we hear it swing open.
“Are you coming in or spending the whole day outside being antisocial?” our mother asks, venom in her tone.
“Fuck my life. I’m so glad to see she hasn’t changed in the two years since I saw her last,” Chloe grumbles before we make our way up the stairs that lead to their house.
Here goes nothing.
Twenty-Eight
Ian
As soon as her mother spoke, I felt Maddie tense in my arms. I’ve been through a lot of shit in my life, but at least I had the love and support of my parents. She is the most incredible woman I’ve ever known, and it fills me with rage that her own flesh and blood can’t see that.
Her Arrogant Boss (The Wright Kind of Wrong Book 1) Page 11
