Page 64 of Taming the Boss

“I’ve never had it.”

She sighed and took out another bowl to start filling with pasta, sauce, and the cut-up hot dogs. “Why don’t we just wait? You can make mine into a leftovers bowl for later too, Maddie, and I’ll eat with you when you come back. Maybe after we take Owen to get more sneakers.”

“Different ones with lights,” he interjected in case we’d forgotten.

“You aren’t into it either, are you?” Maddie asked with a sigh.

“I’m sure it will be fine.”

“Right.” She finished filling my bowl and dumped the rest in a bowl I assumed was hers, then she covered the bowls with the clear wrap she’d gotten at Food Lion and put both in the refrigerator. “Oh, I have an idea. Since you’ve gotta still be hungry, Owen. How about some strawberries and whipped cream for dessert?”

“Yeah!”

I moved up behind Maddie as she took the can of whipped cream out of the fridge and then she found the container of berries I’d gotten. “Save some of that for us too,” I said against her hair before I brushed past her. “I picked up some fresh local berries.”

When I glanced back at her, she was gazing at the fat strawberries while a flush climbed up her throat. She looked up under her lashes at me, biting her lip, and I knew full well she liked that idea.

At least now I knew she’d be back. No matter what.

Chapter 16

Jude had an evil streak a mile long. Why else would he have planted that strawberries and cream idea in my head?

Especially right before I had to drive home and explain to my mom why I needed to pack a bag full of clothes because I’d continue to be away for an undetermined time.

Oh, I knew why he had. He wanted to make sure I wanted him. Wanted more.

Maybe he even wanted to ensure I’d return, although why he’d ever think I wouldn’t mystified me. The guy had made me come over and over. He was hot as hell. He had an adorable son who I enjoyed spending time with. Where was the bad side?

None, that was where.

True, we’d not spoken for half a week but I’d needed some time just to…settle. To come to terms with the options on the table.

And oh, how I had.

Even his occasional mercurial personality quirks just increased the interest factor. Maybe something was wrong with me. I probably shouldn’t react this way to him.

But between his innate sexiness and his brooding dark blue eyes and his bouts of cluelessness about caring for his son, I was definitely reeled in.

Best of all? He so wasn’t a fumbling boy like the ones I’d known in my past. Jude was all man—and could come twice without recovery time between to prove it.

Truthfully, I was fairly sure he’d already ruined me for other men.

I parked in the driveway at my parents’ house beside Christian’s cruiser and steeled myself for whatever awaited me inside. I glanced down at what I’d put on after my nap. I’d put on some new denim shorts and a T-shirt I’d picked up and tied the shirt off over my bare midriff so it looked sort of stylish.

I hoped.

Inhaling deeply, I grabbed my purse and rushed up the front steps to the door. I was about to use my key to go inside when Christian’s authoritative voice boomed out loud and clear.

“What do you expect me to do? She’s an adult, twenty-one, and can stay with whomever she wants to, no matter how ill-advised.”

Yeah, okay, maybe I’d just use Jude’s credit card to buy a whole new wardrobe rather than gathering my own clothes. He’d given me his card to use, so perhaps he wouldn’t mind.

And why did Dare have such a big mouth? Because, really, it had to have been Dare spreading this crap around town. He’d even brought up Christian when he’d stopped by Jude’s, and here was the man in question, claiming he couldn’t intercede in my life.

Which, hallelujah, if he really meant it.

I had my doubts.

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