Mad Love

by Ashlyn Mathews

  “Do we have to talk about this now? Maybe we should save it for somewhere more private.”

  Yet she doesn’t have a problem setting her hand over mine and leaning in. Anyone looking on would think we’re sharing an intimate conversation.

  “There you are, Maddox. You have surprise visitors.”

  Joe’s booming voice rises above the kids’ conversations. My head snaps up. I dislike surprises. Cillian strides over to the table with a knowing smile on his face. I slide my hand out from under Kris’s. Dammit, why is he here and with Blaise? He was supposed to drop her off at our place by one. Then I’d go home and surprise my wife with crotchless silk panties, a silk scarf, and satin blindfolds.

  “How are my two lovebirds?”

  What game is he playing? Gritting my teeth, I show him exactly what his lovebirds are up to. I rise from my seat, head over to where Blaise is standing with her bottom lip caught between her teeth and her brows slanted low to her cute nose, and kiss the fuck out of her. In front of everyone. Long and hard. Our kiss is so hot, the kids whoop and holler. Yeah, I’ll show these boys and the men how it’s done. She kisses me back, answering my fervor with her fingers shoved in my hair and her body pressed up against mine.

  The whooping and hollering fades from my mind.

  All I feel and hear is Blaise. Her soft body. Those luscious curves I love. How sweet she tastes. Her moans that stroke my mouth as our tongues tangle. Her sex noises get me hard every time.

  “Maddox.”

  “Yes, baby?” I dislike her breaking off our kiss. Air is overrated.

  “You’re in deep shit.”

  “How come?”

  “You know I don’t like PDAs.”

  “I kissed you at the airport in front of a crowd and the paparazzi and you’re not a fan of PDAs?”

  It was the day we left for Belize.

  “Will you punish me later for forgetting?”

  “I’m planning on it.”

  “Good,” I say near her ear. Then proceed to tell her what is in a gift bag stowed in the backseat of the McLaren.

  “I . . . but you said you wouldn’t be coming home today. That you had a business trip in New York.”

  “And Cillian was supposed to drop you off at home rather than bringing you here. I planned on surprising you.”

  We speak in low voices. The others have moved away, giving us privacy. Her pretty eyes widen. She wrings her gloved hands.

  “I ruined your plans by agreeing to come here with Cillian. I’m sorry, Maddox.”

  “No need to be, baby, so long as you dole out my punishment as soon as I get in the door.”

  “I can do that.”

  “I’m counting on it.” I chuck her under the chin. She looks like someone kicked her puppy.

  Cillian clears his throat. “Are the business owners treating you right? If they’re not rolling out the welcome mat, you let me know. I’ll give them an earful for treating an upstanding businessman such as yourself like shit.”

  “They’ve been nothing but kind and helpful, Cillian.”

  Not true. There’s grumbling from some obstinate owners who are doing more harm than good for this neighborhood. I plan on putting pressure on these good-for-nothing bastards and hope they clean up their act. Otherwise, my men will be sending them a personal message as well as a well-deserved beating.

  Shit, that puts me in the same category as Cillian, the mobster who happens to be my father-in-law.

  “That’s good to hear, Maddox. Who is this lovely lady with you?”

  I stare a hole in Cillian’s face. He knows exactly who Kris is.

  “Kristine Holland. Maddox and I grew up together.”

  “Her father was a police officer with Oakland PD. He died in the line of duty when Kris was seventeen,” Joe volunteers.

  “To lose a husband. Your mom must’ve been heartbroken.”

  “She was.” Kris’s eyes tear up.

  “Her mother died from cancer the week before Kris left for Massachusetts for college,” Joe says, filling in the silence of Kris’s sadness.

  “Aw, my dear, I’m sorry for your losses.”

  “Thank you, Mr. McCabe.” Kris’s eyes flicker from Cillian’s face to my hand in Blaise’s. “We should go, Maddox. We can’t be late for our appointment.”

  “Appointment?” Blaise looks from me to Kris.

  “Apartment shopping. Maddox and I are touring apartments together.”

  “You should go, then.” She slips her hand out of mine. “Hale, take me home please. Cillian can catch a ride with the others.”

  She pivots and walks away from me. Blaise is a regal queen with her head held high and her shoulders pulled back.

  “Blaise, wait up.” I catch up to her. “It’s not what you think.”

  “What am I to think?” She stops in her tracks. Jabs a finger into my chest. “Will you take her as your lover? Will you be like your father, going from one woman to another? Or will you be like Cillian, taking a lover yet vowing to love his wife until death do them part?”

  This Hale guy scrutinizes me. Peers down his nose as though I’m undeserving of Blaise’s words, her kisses, and her touch. Why do I hate the guy and have since I saw him touching my woman? I take Blaise by the arm and guide her away from his watchful eyes.

  “Our marriage is what we make of it, baby.”

  “You didn’t answer my questions.”

  “You are my lover and my wife.”

  “One woman is enough for you?”

  “You. You’re all I want and need, Blaise. Please believe me. Do you?”

  I cup her face in my hands. Implore her with my eyes to say yes. She loves my eyes. My eyes are her weakness. That’s what she confessed as I made love to her nice and slow in our bed after I took her virginity in that alley.

  “Those puppy eyes . . . ” She presses her mouth on mine, and I’m in heaven. “Get your closure, Maddox, then come home to me.”

  God, I love this woman.

  Holy fuck. I love Blaise.

  Then why can’t I say the words?

  I glance over my shoulder. Kris is waiting for me.

  I haven’t gotten my answers for why she broke up with me. That’s the reason I can’t let go and give all my heart to the woman standing before me with hope in her two-color eyes.

  29

  Blaise

  Saturday finally arrives and I pace in the penthouse, waiting for Granger and Gia to arrive.

  My makeup and hair are done. The only thing that will complete the party look is the dress. The doorbell rings. I hurry over and glance at the monitor. Granger and Gia are on the other side. Both look stunning in their evening wear.

  I open the door and gesture for them to come inside. Gia follows me to the bedroom. In one hand is a garment bag. In the other is a brown bag. I glance over my shoulder and catch Granger checking out Gia. She’s decked out in a royal-blue beaded halter neck dress, the hem hitting above her knees. I waggle my brows. He glowers.

  That brother of mine! Geez, wait until I tell him we’re related and he can never get rid of me now. He’ll crap his pants.

  My mood light, I sit on the bed and clap my hands. “Open, open, open.”

  Smiling big, Gia pulls the bag over the dress. Black. The dress is black. My anticipation pops like a balloon stabbed with a needle. Gia sees my reaction; I don’t hide my emotions well. Her smile slips.

  “You don’t like the dress?”

  I blink. “I love the dress. I don’t have matching black gloves. Do you suggest red or white gloves?”

  Maddox told me of Gia’s passion for fashion. That she aspires to someday have her own line of clothing and open a boutique. I can help her make that happen.

  “White will go well. A great contrast. Light and dark. Innocence and danger. You’re going to look so good my brother will be on you like white on rice.”

  “I doubt it. There’ll be many beautiful women there.”

  “Why do you do that?” She hangs the
dress on the hook on the back of the door and sits next to me on the bed.

  “Do what?”

  “Doubt his feelings for you.”

  “His history with women. The fact that he’s still heartbroken over this Kris woman.”

  “He cares about you, Blaise. I see the way he looks at you when we FaceTime.”

  “That’s his constipated look.”

  Pregnant pause. Then she bursts out laughing. “You’re a hoot, you know that? By the way, where is my brother?”

  “He said he has business to take care of and will meet us at the party.”

  “What kind of business does he have on a Saturday night?”

  I stare at my gloved hands. “No clue.”

  “You didn’t ask?”

  “It’s none of my business.”

  “That ass is your husband.”

  “We’re a business arrangement.”

  She sighs. “Blaise—”

  “Hey, it’s his loss. My other bodyguard Hale is picking me up and taking me to the party. I can’t wait for you to meet him. He’s nice. Taught me how to dance. Now, come on.” I rise, and grabbing her hand, I tug her up off the bed. “Help me get into this gorgeous dress, why don’t you?”

  I stare at the dress. Black satin. Off the shoulder. Cinched waist adorned with clear jewels in the shape of a tiara. Lining the edges of the mermaid-style dress, from the waist to the hemline, is tulle. It truly is gorgeous, and Maddox is definitely missing out. I had wanted him to be the first to see me in this, but now he’ll probably be the last. He won’t show up at the party until halfway through.

  “You two don’t need to wait with me. Hale is on his way.”

  Gia and Granger are with me in the building’s lobby. Hale texted that he’s running late.

  “I’m not leaving until I see the whites of his eyes.”

  The glass double doors open. Hale walks into the lobby with his hands behind his back. I smile. What is he up to?

  “Look, there he is.”

  Hurrying to him, I grab Hale by the arm and tug him over to Granger and Gia. I make introductions. The men size one another up. Gia studies him beneath her thick mascara-laden lashes. I hold my breath. My night cannot start with a bloodbath or daggers shooting from Gia’s eyes. She likes me. Is hoping for something more between me and her brother.

  “Thank you for offering to take Blaise to the party. Keep an eye on her. Don’t let her out of your sight. Otherwise, I’ll quarter you alive,” Granger warns.

  Hale nods. On the elevator ride down, I mentioned to Gia and Granger that Hale is mute.

  “O-kay, then, we better get a move on it.” I let go of Hale’s arm and practically shove the Gs out the door. “Don’t want to be late for the party.” Otherwise, the hosts might have the nerve and the inkling to shave off hundreds or thousands from the twenty grand they’ll be depositing into my account tomorrow morning.

  Why are large sums of money being routed to my great-uncle’s account? As far as I’m aware, he’s retired. Rylan took over Arthur’s security business two years ago.

  After waving goodbye to Granger as he glances over his shoulder at me, I focus on Hale.

  “Ready?”

  He shakes his head.

  “No?”

  Shaking his head again, he removes his hands from behind his back. In his hand is a bouquet of white and purple lilacs.

  “My favorite. How’d you guess?”

  He reaches inside his suit jacket. When he removes his hand, he’s holding a small white jewelry box.

  “More surprises? You didn’t.”

  Smiling, he takes my hand in his and sets the box in my palm. I open the box. My breath catches in my throat. I pull the heart-shaped necklace out. Hale takes the box from me and pockets it.

  “It’s beautiful. Thank you.”

  He pulls his cell phone from the inner pocket of his dress jacket next. My phone chirps. I take my phone out of my matching purse and check my messages. There are none from Maddox. I don’t let his silence get to me.

  Tonight isn’t about moping. It’s about helping Gia make her dreams come true one dress at a time.

  Hale: It’s a mood necklace. And I chose the lilacs because their scent reminds me of your perfume

  Sweet of him. We put our cells away. For his ask, I’ll need both hands and so will he.

  I hand him the necklace, and lifting my hair, I turn away from him. Being careful not to touch me, he slips on the necklace, then offers me his hand when I face him again.

  I walk out with a man who isn’t my husband. He’s my bodyguard. Maddox made it clear he is my husband and the one who gets to guard my body.

  Why isn’t he here?

  Is business more important than a night out with his wife? Is another deal more important than being there to support his sister? She confessed to me on one of our private calls that she rarely goes out, fearful for her life after what was done to her rapists. Does he need more money for him to be happy?

  I’d rather be dirt poor and happy than abandon my loved ones for the sake of more money.

  Another day.

  Another dollar.

  Money comes and goes.

  What Maddox won’t get back, though, is time.

  30

  Blaise

  We arrive at the party a half-hour late. Good thing we did. The commotion I garnered as I entered the grand estate’s ballroom with Hale at my side is enough for me to raise my rates for the next party.

  “Blaise, how are you, dear?” Mrs. Stanton addresses me before her eyes flicker to Hale.

  I can guess the questions running through her mind. Where, oh, where is my husband? Who is this man with me? Is he my lover? Why is my rumored lover, Granger, with the beautiful brunette?

  “I’m doing well, thank you for asking. Mrs. Stanton, this is my friend, Hale Stafford. Maddox is running late. He sends his apologies.”

  My answers appease her. She turns to Hale with a radiant and flirtatious smile. “Any friend of Blaise’s is a friend of mine. If there’s anything I can get you, please search me out.”

  She moves on to the other guests. The empty space she leaves behind is soon filled by a group of eager partygoers in search of the latest news. How am I doing? Where’ve I been holed up? How’s married life? What’s with the TMZ article and pictures of me with the mobster Cillian McCabe?

  I detest small talk but make it anyway. I answer their questions with more questions. If Maddox were here, he’d laugh, then chastise me, followed by a kiss that would have me craving for more to the point I’d demand he take me home right away so he can make love to me until I fall apart in his arms.

  “How else would I be doing? Holed up? Who says anything about keeping to myself? What do you think marriage life should be like? TMZ? Pfft. A bunch of nonsense.”

  The crowd laughs.

  I gingerly run my hand across my bodice and down the front of my dress as though I’m smoothing out imaginary wrinkles. The ladies’ eyes widen.

  “Love your dress, Blaise.”

  “Where’d you get it? I’d love to order something just like it for a party next Saturday.”

  “As far as I know, you can’t find this dress anywhere. It was made special for me from an up-and-coming designer.”

  “Who?”

  “Gia Stassi. She’s over there.”

  I point to where Gia is loading her plate with fruit. Granger hasn’t left her side. That dog. Is he hoping he can scale the walls she’s put around herself to somehow get to her heart and body? Good luck with that, buddy. Gia’s armor is thicker than mine.

  “I’m sure she’ll love to take orders.”

  “Awesome. Thanks, Blaise.” The women leave and hurry over to Gia. I hold back my smile. First one to Gia will get her order in first.

  My cell chirps. I pull it out of my purse and check my messages.

  Hale: Sneaky

  I smile. “You wouldn’t have me any other way.”

  His eyes light up with de
light.

  For the rest of the night, we make our rounds with the crowd. I miss Maddox, but it’s nice to have Hale with me. People give us curious stares. I ignore them and listen intently for my phone to chirp. Hale always has something funny or interesting to say.

  We’re talking to one of the guests, a romance author by the name of W.S. Spinx, when out of the corner of my eye, I catch Hale looking at me. My phone chirps. I excuse myself from the interesting conversation about his struggles keeping the sex scenes in his books fresh and lively, and read Hale’s message.

  Hale: There’s a garden in the back. Would you like some fresh air?

  Don’t I ever. I return to him, and taking his hand in mine, I ask him to take me there. Along the way, he lets go of my hand and settles it on the small of my back. His hand is large and warm. His hold is gentle yet possessive.

  A sliver of apprehension settles in my stomach. I inhale and exhale and let go of my fear. I haven’t been completely alone with Hale. The only man I’ve been alone with is Maddox. I suspect Hale wants more from me than friendship. I’ll have to set the record straight. That Maddox is the only man for me.

  Where is he?

  He should be here by now.

  Hale leads me to the garden through the French doors. The moon is high in the sky. The stars twinkle. There are white lights strung up on the branches of trees, the bushes, and the trellises.

  “It’s so beautiful and much cooler out here. Thank you for thinking of me and my comfort.”

  My words spur him on. He tugs me against him, his hand going from the small of my back to my hip. Damn it, I’m giving him mixed messages. I need to do a better job of staying within the boundaries of our friendship. Pretending I almost ran into an imaginary object in our path, I shimmy out of his hold and keep a sizeable distance between us. He has the nerve to laugh. I shoot him a sideways glower. He laughs some more and reaches for me. I sidestep his reach and hurry ahead of him. Hale follows me, his steps unhurried.