by JM Stewart
It still hit him as wrong, though, to be going to bed without her, and dejection hung heavy in his chest. So, he stared at the computer screen. He ought to say something, anything, to ease the moment, but all he could do was wait, heart on his damn sleeve.
She was the first one to speak.
MadHatter3000: I should go. It’s late, and I need to get up early tomorrow. Thanks for tonight. I’m glad I let Christina set us up.
BookNerd: Ditto. Can I “see” you again?
Thirty seconds passed before her reply came back. He held his breath and crossed his fingers. This was make it or break it time. He’d either gained what he’d hoped—a little of her trust—or she’d make an excuse as to why she was going to be too busy.
MadHatter3000: I’d like that.
Grayson pumped his fists in the air. Hell, he couldn’t help himself. He might have whooped if it wasn’t so late, but the lake around him was quiet. He wasn’t sure his neighbors would appreciate the noise at ten o’clock at night. After all, wasn’t that why you bought a houseboat on Lake Union? For the peace and tranquility? It was one of the biggest reasons he’d bought the two-story house. Because simply standing on his dock looking out over the waters could ease the stress of the day.
That she’d said yes, though, was a damn good sign. Mission accomplished. Now for the next step. He had another hint to send her.
BookNerd: Tomorrow? Same time, say, around 8-ish?
MadHatter3000: Tomorrow. 8 is good. Night, Dave.
Those words took the wind out of his sails. There was that damn name again. His chest constricted, but the longer he stared at the name, the more determination swelled inside of him, a locomotive pushing him forward. By this time next Saturday night, she’d know it was him. She’d say his name again, damn it.
BookNerd: Night, Maddie.
Chapter Six
Maddie stopped several feet inside the entrance, Hannah and Cade beside her. The small square room spanned out in front of her, a sea of people. Heart fluttering like a hummingbird’s wings in her throat, all she could do for a moment was stare and try to remember to breathe. Like the last two years she’d attended, the auction was held in one of the ballrooms of a local five-star hotel. The space was beautifully decorated, in a muted but elegant style. Everything, from the soft carpeting to the draperies lining the walls, had been done in shades of blue, lending a calm air to the space.
On the far end stood a small stage, containing a podium with a microphone, where they auctioned off the men. Hundreds of black chairs lined the floor in front, with an aisle running down the center.
People—the majority of them women—packed the space, spilling between the chairs surrounding the tiny stage and the bar off to the right. Waitresses moved through the crowd with trays of champagne flutes, and music piped through the room. A crowd of men and women gyrated to an upbeat tune on a small dance floor off to the left. The entire room pulsed with the cheerful atmosphere, every face alight with the promise of the evening.
Maddie couldn’t have been more terrified. Her palms were slick with sweat and nausea swirled in her stomach. She was too aware that somewhere in all of this was her date. There were only twelve bachelors. He shouldn’t be too hard to find, but five of the bachelors she spotted had brown hair. He could be any one of them.
Hannah settled a hand on her shoulder. “Take a deep breath, sweetie. It’ll be fabulous. You’ll see.”
Maddie turned her head, two seconds from leaving and going home. “Tell me again why I’m doing this?”
Hannah gave her a reassuring smile. “Because you like him, and you need this. I’m going to give you your own advice. Smile, sweetie. You look gorgeous, and you’re here to have fun.”
Hannah was the epitome of calm, a state for which Maddie was grateful. Too well she recalled when Hannah had been in this exact position, standing inside the entrance, terrified of the night before her.
Cade, looking gorgeous in his fitted black tux, flashed a lopsided grin and playfully shook his head. “Christina ought to consider opening a matchmaking service, because good things happen in this space.”
“You’re here!”
Christina’s enthusiastic squeal had Maddie turning her head. Christina and Sebastian strode in their direction. Whereas Christina all but ran like an excited child—as much as one could in a tight pencil skirt and heels—Sebastian trailed a couple steps behind, his gait lanky and relaxed.
Face illuminated, Christina tip-tapped the rest of the way and threw her arms around Maddie. Christina hit her with such force, she knocked Maddie back a step. Maddie let out a quiet “Oof” and laughed.
Christina squeezed her tight. “I’m so glad you’re here!”
Sebastian came to a halt behind Christina and tucked his hands in his pockets. A grin cocked up one side of his mouth. “It helps if you plant your feet when you see her coming.”
Behind her, Cade let out a quiet laugh. Sebastian and Cade, she’d come to discover, were lifelong best friends. Where Cade was thickly muscled and broad-chested, Sebastian had a lean runner’s build, with wide shoulders and long legs. He had a certain boyish charm about him, and every time she saw him, his eyes held a mischievous glint. He had such a gleam now.
Maddie rolled her eyes. “You’d think I’d be used to this by now. She’s exuberant, I’ll give her that.”
Christina was a hugger. She often wore her heart on her sleeve and could never seem to contain her enthusiasm. It made her a darn good hostess. People adored her. It was, in large part, what made these shindigs of hers so successful. More to the point, Maddie ought to be used to always being hugged, but somehow, Christina always managed to surprise her.
Sebastian chuckled.
Christina released her, a playful admonishing frown puckering her brow, and waved a dismissive hand at the both of them.
“Oh, pssh. I can’t help it. I’m excited.” Eyes gleaming, Christina took her hands and jiggled them like an excited teenager on prom night. “Are you nervous?”
Maddie let out a quiet laugh. “I’m nauseated, actually.”
“Well, you look fantastic.” Christina winked. “He isn’t going to know what hit him.”
At the casual mention of her date, Maddie glanced around, searching the wall of people. “Where is my date, anyway?”
An amused, secretive gleam lit in Christina’s eyes. “Oh, he’s around. I’m not supposed to point him out. He says he’ll come out when the time is right.”
Maddie drew her brows together and pursed her lips. “So not fair.”
The small clutch purse tucked under her arm vibrated, and Maddie nearly jumped out of her skin. Jesus. Her phone. She’d brought it with her, so she could text Dave when she arrived. He must have beaten her to it.
Hannah grinned. “Is that him?”
That they were having this conversation for the entire group to hear made her want to sink into the floor. Did she look as pathetic as she felt?
Her cheeks heated, but she nodded. “Probably.”
She pulled her cell from her purse and brought up her Gchat app. Sure enough, Dave had sent her a message.
BookNerd: You’re here. ;)
His words had the hairs on the back of her neck standing on end. He could see her, was standing somewhere staring right at her, which meant he knew her face, or at the very least what she looked like. Maddie jerked her head up, searching the ballroom around her. “Oh God.”
Her heart began an erratic hammer that was half arousal and all anxiety. Her body was humming tonight. Having made the decision this was what she wanted and needed, arousal had grabbed her. The luscious promise of the night curled through every cell in her body. Every chat they’d had in the last two weeks played through her thoughts, filling her every molecule with a fine, sweet aching.
Hannah’s brow furrowed in concern. “What’s wrong?”
Maddie turned to the left and stood on her tiptoes, searching the crowd for anybody who might be staring at her. All her gaze f
ound was a sea of finely dressed women. Damn it.
She jerked her gaze to Hannah, panic rising in her throat. “He can see me. How does he even know what I look like?”
“Christina, perhaps? He knows her.” Hannah flashed a tight smile and shrugged helplessly. She nodded at Maddie’s phone. “Ask him.”
Maddie turned her gaze to her phone, her trembling fingers finding all the wrong keys on the impossibly small screen.
MadHatter3000: How do u know what I look like?
Knowing he stood somewhere waiting on her messages ought to make him easy to find. That he wasn’t scattered her nerves.
BookNerd: You’re with Christina, and I only see one redhead in the bunch. ;)
Her heart resumed its beat. Okay, so he had a point there, but his casual comment only filled her with more questions.
MadHatter3000: Where R U?
BookNerd: Oh, I’m around.
Maddie rolled her eyes and punched in another reply.
MadHatter3000: Tease. ;) How will I know U?
BookNerd: You’ll know. Tell me, baby, are you aroused?
Maddie wanted to laugh. He had no idea.
MadHatter3000: I’m shaking.
Her palms were damp, and her mouth had gone dry too.
BookNerd: But are you wet?
This question had her stomach flip-flopping and warmth blooming inside of her. Oh, God help her, she was. Her panties were damp and had been since she’d left her apartment an hour before. The thought of that fantastic chest, up close and personal, had her clit throbbing. She yearned to taste his mouth. If all she got out of this nerve-wracking experience was a hot kiss, she’d die a happy woman.
MadHatter3000: Yes.
BookNerd: Good. You look beautiful, by the way. That dress suits you. Of course, all I want to do is hike it up around your waist and bury my cock inside you…
The very mention had desire and anticipation flaring inside of her, from the tips of her breasts to the soles of her feet. Heat prickled along her skin. The shaking in her hands, though, had spread to every limb. Maddie was sure even her knees were knocking together.
She took a deep breath, drawing her inner vixen around her. She’d had one of those once. You can do this. You want this, remember? She held tight to the need, ignored the panic his words set off, and typed in a playful response.
MadHatter3000: Not fair that u can c me, but I can’t c you. Come out.
BookNerd: Soon, baby. Very soon.
Maddie locked her screen and returned her phone to her purse, then met Christina’s gaze. “I need alcohol for this, or I’m going to come out of my skin. I’m going to go nab a glass of wine.”
Hannah touched her arm. “Text me if you need me, okay?”
Maddie smiled and nodded. “Thank you.”
Christina stepped forward, wrapping her in another hug, softer this time. “You can totally do this, sweetie.”
“That’s what I’m holding on to.” Maddie hugged her back then released her. “I’ll find you guys in a few minutes.”
She pivoted and made her way to the bar on the right, sliding a little unceremoniously onto a stool with a quiet, exhausted huff. “Red wine, please. Whatever you have.”
The blond hunk behind the bar, like all the bachelors, had muscles on top of muscles. He flashed a polite smile, but his blue eyes held a flirtatious gleam. “Cabernet Sauvignon?”
Maddie nodded. “Perfect.”
“Hello, Maddie.”
The familiarity of the low, masculine voice behind her shivered all the way down her spine. The effect of that voice settled low in her belly and drew up flashes of memory. His voice along the phone line as he murmured naughty things to her. Her on her bed in the dark, fingers buried inside herself. God, he’d brought her to amazing orgasms so many times she’d lost count. Just the deep bass of his voice had her melting over her stool, and launched her heart into her throat.
Grayson.
* * *
Grayson tucked his hands in his pockets in an attempt to cool his jets. Every nerve ending was lit up like a bonfire and all sensation seemed to pool in his aching cock. God, she was beautiful. Simply to be in the same room with Maddie had a mixture of arousal and anxiety pulsing through him. This was the moment of truth, when he’d find out how she’d receive him. He’d either pull this off or blow it sky high.
The bartender set her wine on the counter in front of her, and Maddie lifted the glass to take a sip. She didn’t so much as glance in Grayson’s direction, but he didn’t miss the way the liquid in the glass rippled, a telltale sign her hands were shaking.
When she didn’t say anything, he tried again. “You look beautiful, Maddie.”
It wasn’t what he wanted to say to her. He had so damn much he needed her to hear. The need beat behind his breastbone, hammering along to his erratic pulse. He had to take this slow. He wouldn’t let her off the hook and tell her who he was until the auction began, but Christ. He ached to take her in his arms, crush her to him, and make her listen.
Maddie sat straighter on her stool. “Eat your heart out, Lockwood.”
He’d rather eat her. Her little black dress fit her phenomenal curves to perfection. Made of a soft, velvety material, the dress clung to her shape, with a little scrap of black satin twisted across her hips, drawing his gaze to her slender legs. Her hair was long and loose, flowing down her back in luxurious, thick waves he ached to sift his fingers through. One look at her and every one of their recent chats filled his mind. God, how he ached to get her alone somewhere.
When he took a seat on the stool beside her, she darted a glance at him, panic flashing across her face, there and gone a breath later. He nodded at the bartender. “White wine, please. Chardonnay if you have it.”
The bartender nodded. “Yes, sir.”
Maddie sat so still for a moment he wasn’t sure she even breathed before finally turning her head and meeting his gaze. Despite her icy stare, she had a death grip on the stem of her wineglass. “Is there something I can do for you?”
With this, he smiled. Hell, he couldn’t help himself. God, how he loved her fire.
He leaned his elbow on the bar and turned his stool to face her. He was only going to say this once. If she didn’t listen, he’d have to move to plan B. He hoped, though, it wouldn’t come to that. “Actually, there is. I was hoping we could talk.”
She stiffened and slid off her stool, picking up her wineglass. “I have nothing to say to you.”
He reached out, managing to catch her free hand before she got away, stopping her retreat. He didn’t imagine the shiver that ran through her, or the way she froze solid, back stiff. Her awareness of him prickled in the air around them. “Good. Because I have quite a lot I’ve been waiting three years to say to you.”
She wrenched her hand from his grasp and spun to face him, her pale blue eyes full of an odd mixture of anxiousness and hurt that hit him like a fist to the gut. “You lied to me, Grayson. Everything I thought we had ended up being lies. God, what a fool I was. I must have been such an easy target, huh?”
She pivoted, her glorious hair swirling over her shoulder as she stormed away, marching toward the entrance.
Not willing to let the conversation go so easily, he followed her out into the hallway, stopping outside the entrance. He wanted, needed, to play it cool, keep her guessing, but the words left his mouth on a desperate desire to get her attention, to stop her from walking away again. He had one chance at this. He couldn’t screw it up.
“Did it ever occur to you that you weren’t the only one who had something at stake? That you weren’t the only one who was scared?” He called to her retreating back, then dragged his shaking fingers through his hair. In frustration. In outright fear. Christ, that had to be the most vulnerable thing he’d ever said to her. Now he could only wait and hope the words would hit their intended target—her heart.
Halfway down the hallway she came to a dead halt, but didn’t turn around. He counted five heartbeats
before she pivoted to face him. The tears glistening in her eyes cut him to the quick.
She swiped angry fingers under her eyes and glared at him. “That’s awful rich coming from the man who lied about who he was. I’m sure you had your reasons for that little charade you pulled three years ago, but I should’ve been the one you shared them with. Stupid me for thinking I meant anything even remotely significant to you.”
Encouraged, he shook his head, closing the space between them with slow, careful steps. He was lucky. She didn’t run, but wariness widened her eyes and her back stiffened. When he came to a stop in front of her, he swore she was shaking, but she stared him dead in the eye, chin jutting at a stubborn angle.
“Trust goes both ways, Maddie. I had plans to tell you the weekend we were supposed to spend together, but someone leaked the story before I was ready. And you believed every word of it. You didn’t even give me a chance to explain. You didn’t bother to ask if any of that stuff was true. You just assumed and shut me out.”
That article had been full of half-truths and wild accusations designed by its very nature to sell papers. He’d been all over the news that week. He’d had a hell of a lot of fallout to tame afterward, explanations to make to his employees about the real reasoning behind his actions. Most people at the very least admired his initiative. He’d played the compassionate proprietor, told them that he’d done it for the sake of his staff, which hadn’t been a lie.
It had worked. People in the office treated him with more respect and less misguided contempt. There were less rumors going around because he’d coupled his efforts with better incentives for his employees. More luxuries to show them he did indeed have their best interests and the interests of his—their—company at heart. Better health insurance. Profit sharing. Rewards for their hard work. Company picnics. Morale had increased, which meant profits had as well. People were happy. Everybody except one.
