Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 82973 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82973 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
“Thank you. So…” She bobbed her head awkwardly. “No TV way out here?”
“I didn’t see one in the front room. Kinda pointless with no Wi-Fi or cable.”
“I also didn’t see any books or magazines on the coffee table. What does Jack do out here besides fish?”
Matt suspected the Cajun passed his time out here less by sticking his pole in the swamp and more by submerging it in his gorgeous wife. He’d bet they secluded themselves out here whenever they could finagle a weekend without the kids to play games of Dominance and submission—and good for them.
But the Coles weren’t his concern right now. Madison was.
“Maybe he has some cards or puzzles…” She sounded nervous.
Matt wished he could just set her at ease. “We should talk.”
She flinched. “I know you’re not into me beyond the sex. I get it. You’re not the first to move on; you won’t be the last. I appreciate you keeping me safe, even if it is out of misplaced guilt or pity or…”
“That’s not why I’m protecting you, Madison. Not even close.” He stepped toward her slowly, shoulders squared. “As amazing as we are in bed together, that’s not all I want from you. I’m absolutely into you. I always have been.”
She shot him a skeptical glare. “You apologized for having sex with me.”
“No, I apologized for being rough and explicit with you.”
“Because you didn’t like it.”
“The fuck I didn’t. You turned me on so fast, I lost my goddamn head. Being inside you was every bit as mind-blowing as it was three years ago, only better because I’d had over a thousand days to imagine what I would do to you if I had you under me again, and you still surpassed every fantasy. Stop assuming you know how I feel. I need to do the same with you.” He held out his hand and dropped his voice. “Come with me. Let’s hash this out once and for all.”
Something was different about Matt. He had an air of quiet command, like he was fully in control of everything between them. Like he knew exactly what she needed. His sudden authority was almost sexual. Madison couldn’t put her finger on why or what had changed. Had sleep bolstered him? Had Jack Cole rubbed off on him? Something... Whatever it was, it drew her in mercilessly.
It was dangerous.
I’m absolutely into you. I always have been.
Those words rattled in her head. Was he telling her what she wanted to hear?
But that didn’t make sense. Just this morning, she’d admitted to Matt that she wanted only him. He had responded with crushing silence. From day one, the man had blown scorching hot, then arctic cold. Why bother claiming now that he was into her?
I’d had over a thousand days to imagine what I would do to you if I had you under me again, and you still surpassed every fantasy.
It didn’t matter. Staying alive did. “What else is there to say?”
“You and I will be alone together for days, maybe weeks. I should make a few things clear.” He sent her an expectant expression, waiting palm upturned. “I set up food in the living room.”
Surprisingly starved, Madison stared at his outstretched fingers, reluctant to take them. Whenever he touched her, she melted. “I can get myself there.”
“Why won’t you take my hand?” he asked, his eyes narrowed.
“This place is small. It’s not like I’m going to get lost.”
Slowly, he lowered his arm. He didn’t push…but his displeasure was palpable. “What do you want to drink?”
“I’ll find something.”
“Let me take care of you.”
“You’re already keeping me safe.”
“I’m not keeping score, and I’m heading to the kitchen, anyway. Drink?”
She needed to stop bristling. Her emotions were complicating everything. But how the hell could she just stop feeling? “Water, please.”
With a nod, he left the room and headed down the hall, his wide shoulders eclipsing most of the light. Watching him, she fidgeted. Clearly, he had an agenda…and she had no idea what was on it.
She made a pit stop in the restroom and brushed her teeth. Then she had no other reason to stall, so she headed to the sofa.
As she sat, nibbling her lip and trying to guess what he was after, she scanned the spread of meats, cheeses, peppers, olives, and nuts he’d arranged. Little plates, a dish of mustard, and napkins accompanied the charcuterie board. “You made this?”
From the kitchen, Matt smiled wryly. “Don’t be too impressed. It’s not actual cooking, but I figured you’d be hungry. You slept for five hours.”
Seriously? The sun was still up, but without any visible clocks and no phone, she’d lost connection with time. “No wonder my stomach is rumbling.”
Matt headed toward her, balancing two glasses of agua and a pair of stems, a bottle of red under his arm. “I brought something stronger in case you changed your mind.”