Page 15 of Come to Bed

The silky voice infiltrated Maddox’s stupor, but he didn’t move his gaze from the glass in his hand. He assumed it wasn’t directed at him.

The same smooth voice laughed softly. “Ouch, it burns. I was just trying to find someone for a good chat. I am officially, once more, disgustingly single. But it’s fine, I’ll respect your boundaries.”

At that, Maddox finally moved to glance towards the noise, and he stiffened. Striking sage green eyes met his, they were a brilliant shade and he found himself lost for a moment before she was snapping her fingers in front of him. He was silently thanking his old military buddy for suggesting this bar.

“You good, my dude?”

He blinked rapidly at that and took in the rest of the beautiful woman attached to the eyes. She was a sexy, curvy, small thing, with a noticeable ferocity. It was in the way she held herself, as if she would fight him if need be. He almost laughed as he thought it.

He didn’t believe in love at first sight. But lust? Even in his drunken trance he felt himself harden uncomfortably.

“Earth to strange man at the bar, if you’re having a stroke, blink twice.”

He met her gaze. “I’m good, sit with me?” He gestured to the vacant chair to his left.

Her brows rose dramatically high, but she sat elegantly beside him. Her curves stretched the shorts she wore delectably, and he forced himself to look away. He adjusted himself as discreetly as possible, before refocusing his eyes on her. It was a mistake. The blouse she wore allowed an unobstructed view of the top of her large chest. His brain was short-circuiting.

“So how about this weather?” the woman quipped softly.

He chuckled humorlessly. “Isn’t it storming outside?”

“It is,” she confirmed. “So, you want to talk about why you are clearly drowning your sorrows? Or how about a game instead? I am something of a mind reader, I’ll have you know.”

“Is that right?” He decided to play along with the eclectic girl. He was drawn to her energy. He needed it. Maddox flagged the bartender. “Her drinks on me, and can you grab me a coffee?”

“Rumple shaken,” the woman advised the bartender when he turned to her expectantly.

Maddox snorted. “You are over 21, aren’t you?”

“I’ll have you know I quite like my alcoholic mouthwash. Get drunk while keeping your breath minty fresh, but Scotch is always a good second.”

Maddox smiled at her. “So, before we start your mind-reading. How about a name?”

The bartender returned with their drinks, fast as usual. Ellie threw the shot back in one impressive gulp and Maddox averted his eyes from the column of her throat as she swallowed, the way her eyes glassed over, how the movement jostled her chest. She was enthralling. He wanted his hand around her throat, his lips on her neck. The thought startled him. Maddox, instead, chugged down the lukewarm black coffee, ignoring the flavor. He didn’t want anything about this woman to be forgotten or to make a fool of himself. He couldn’t remember the last time he spoke to a woman as interesting as her. Or to anyone at all for that matter. He needed the jolt to clear his mind.

“Isobel. But most everyone calls me Izzy.”

He didn’t plan on being “most everyone.” “I’m Maddox, can I call you Ellie?” He didn’t tell her about it also being his first pet’s name. He doubted she would appreciate the namesake.

She let out a lyrical laugh. “Of course, Mad dog.”

Maddox grumbled at her, and she placed a soft hand on his, stroking it.

“I kid, I kid. Maddox is fitting.”

Maddox tried to ignore her touch, but as she went to pull her hand away, he reached out and grabbed it. “I’m sorry,” he stated. Startled at his own actions he dropped her hand. “I haven’t been touched in awhile,” he divulged sheepishly.

Ellie gave him a soft smile, it wasn’t pity in her eyes, but something else. She placed her small, smooth hand back on his. “I understand, sometimes when I’m touch-starved, I make my best friend hold me, just to feel something.”

A flash of unwarranted jealousy radiated through Maddox, startling him. Maddox couldn’t help but fall into the woman’s touch. She was radiating kindness and empathy. He felt cared about more by this basic stranger than anyone else he had known for years.

Most of the world turned their back on damaged men. And Maddox was most assuredly damaged.

“Hm, my mind reading might have to wait. As it’s a two-handed sort of thing, but how about twenty questions?”

Maddox raised a brow; the coffee was doing its job and he felt himself become more coherent. He gave her another appraising look, doing his best to ignore her curves. “You are over 21, aren’t you?” He was mostly joking.

“Hardee har har.” She flagged the bartender down and ordered another drink. “I would offer you one, but I think the coffee was a good choice. Join me at the booth?” She pointed behind them, and Maddox found he wanted nothing more than to have her pushed against him in it.

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