Page 70 of Long Hard Road

“Fine.” She opened her eyes and smiled. “Good morning, gorgeous.”

I groaned. “Don’t look at me like that. We have company.”

“I’m just smiling,” she protested.

“Yes, in a way that has me wanting to fuck that smile right off your face.” I tugged lightly on a strand of hair. “You doing okay?”

She nodded. “Yeah. I’m a little sore and a lot tired, but in a good way.”

“Okay.” I pressed a kiss to her forehead. “We’ll take it easy tonight. Let you recover before I get you screaming my name again.”

“Can you hand me my clothes?” She hugged the blanket to her chest as she sat up.

I looked around the room and finally spotted her pants under the coffee table. I handed her those and then retrieved her shirt from the back of the sofa. “Who undressed you last night? A neanderthal?” I joked.

“A very horny man,” she said, struggling to her feet while keeping the blanket around her body. “I don’t suppose you found my bra?”

“Nope.” I held out her clothes and when she reached for them, I pulled them back. “Nate.”

“Not until I get a kiss.”

She shook her head and stepped back. “No way. Morning breath.”

“I don’t give a shit about that.” I grabbed her arm and pulled her toward me. “Kiss me.”

Madison sighed and briefly touched her lips to mine. “Clothes now.”

“Kiss me like you mean it, Madison. Kiss me like you did last night when I was deep inside you.”

She let go of the blanket and put both hands on the back of my neck, pulling my head down as she raised up to meet me. I hooked an arm around her and yanked her against my body as our mouths collided in heat and want. Tongues tangled and lips battled in a familiar rhythm like we had been kissing for years rather than just a couple of days. Damn if I wasn’t addicted to those lips.

I shuffled her backward toward the bedroom and through the open doorway. I nipped her lip before pulling back slightly. “Get dressed, angel.”

Her eyebrows pinched together in confusion at my abrupt withdrawal. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah, you’re just naked while another man is right in the other room. I’m not sharing you with anyone, Madison. Get dressed. Please.”

“Now who is begging?” she teased, taking her clothes from my hand.

I groaned and ran a hand through my hair. I was falling so damn hard for this woman. “You are going to be the death of me, angel.”

She was busy pulling on her clothes when I turned to leave. It was the last thing I wanted to do, but it was necessary. I needed a little space to clear my head. As much as I would’ve loved to stay cuddled up with Madison all day, we really did need to talk to Ellison. I wanted to know who the hell was tormenting my girl.

Ellison was at the sink, holding a mug of steaming coffee as he looked out the window. “It’s beautiful here,” he said. “I expected to hate this place, but I can see why some people might prefer a quiet life.”

“You live in LA?” I didn’t give a shit where he lived, but it seemed polite to ask. I picked up the coffee I had poured before Ellison arrived and took a sip.

He grunted a response that was probably a confirmation. “This is good coffee.”

“You better have saved some for me.” Madison was barefoot and rumpled when she came into the room. I wanted to run my hands over her tangled hair.

“I’ll pour you some,” I said, anxious to have something to do with my hands so that I wouldn’t reach for her. I knew she wouldn’t want me mauling her in front of Ellison.

I grabbed a mug and filled it while Ellison turned to face Madison. “Rough night?”

“Nothing I couldn’t handle,” she said, winking at me when I smirked in her direction.

“Alright, enough of that.” Ellison sighed as if she had traumatized him for life. I handed her the coffee and stood next to her despite his glare. “I have some updates for you. Maybe we should talk alone.”

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