Page 37 of The Billionaire's Secret Heir

Madi pulled away. She turned toward the front door, her back to Beckett. He watched her back as she lifted her hands in front of her face.

Beckett was drawn to Madi’s shaking back. He was drawn to her sorrow and the outpouring of emotion causing her shoulders to shake. His hand hesitated for a moment, just as it had that day by the pool, and then he placed a palm flat against her back, just between her shoulder blades. Her whole body seemed to sigh with relief. He could feel his own relaxing as well.

“Madi, I have thought about little this week other than this house and your reaction to it. I want to see your face light up. I want to watch Becka enjoy this space. Really, this is selfish. I wanted this to make you happy, because it makes me happy as well.”

She scoffed. “Sure, this is selfish. I don’t even want to think about the cost of all this.”

He put both his hands on her shoulders and leaned closer, speaking almost into her hair. He thought he heard her sigh. “Please don’t worry about the cost. I have a lot of money. Too much for one person. Other than my house and cars—”

“Cars? Plural?”

He chuckled. “Cars, yes. Other than that, I don’t spend a lot of money.”

“What about your fancy suits? And shoes?”

“You noticed those?” Beckett felt suddenly self-conscious.

Madi turned to him, laughing. “I don’t really know men’s fashion. I guessed.”

“You got me. The point is that I really don’t want you to think of it that way. People say it’s the thought that counts, right? So, don’t be concerned about the money.”

She rolled her eyes and looked for a moment like she might give another joking response. Instead, her eyes searched his. “Okay. I just struggle with letting people help me. And I’m usually the one taking care of people. This flips the script on me and I don’t quite know how to handle it. And it feels like something I don’t deserve.”

Beckett stilled at her words. There was a story there, one he wanted to know. Who else had she taken care of besides Becka? This wasn’t the time to press, so instead, he looked at her with pleading eyes.

“This seems like a bigger conversation. And one I want to have. But for now, will you come inside? If you don’t like something or want to change it, we can do that. But to think you don’t deserve it—well, that’s simply not true. This is a gift. One I really want to give to you and to Becka. You walking through the door is you saying yes to a gift.”

The moment while he waited for her response seemed so long. Partly because it took all his self-control not to wrap his arms around her and pull her to his chest. He wanted to soothe the hurt that he could see in her, whatever made her feel like she was undeserving of kindness. Unlike the women that Beckett had dated or spent time with in years past, Madi didn’t want something from him. Just the opposite: she didn’t want what he was trying to give her. Which only made him long to make her feel cherished and wanted and loved all the more.

Kit had been so right. Beckett was totally and completely smitten. How had it happened? Every time he was around Madi, his feelings only deepened. They took him to the edge of his comfort, toward the edge of a cliff. Beckett felt ready to step over and free fall for this woman that he was just starting to get to know.

Madi gave up her own dreams for Becka. She fought for the ones she loved. She had a history of being the caretaker for other people. Despite her frequent tears, she had a strength and a grit that Beckett admired. More than admired—he was in awe of it. He often buried his emotions and hers were right up on the surface. That felt exceedingly brave to him. It only made her more beautiful.

Her rich brown eyes looked up at him. “Thank you, Beckett.”

He loved the way his name sounded on her lips. The urge to press his lips to hers burned brightly, but he pushed it down as far as it could go. He didn’t have a clue if she felt the same way and wasn’t going to scare her off right now. Beckett stepped away from her and opened the door.

Watching her face as they moved through the guest house was a joy. She couldn’t help her big reactions to all the details and thankfully didn’t protest any more. Beckett managed to keep himself at a distance from Madi, hands in pockets as he followed her throughout the house. She peppered him with questions about certain choices Kit had made and about the safety features. Her hands were everywhere, touching all the surfaces of the furniture, smoothing over the bedding in her room, fingering each new outfit hanging in Becka’s closet.

After she had been through the whole place, opening every door and cabinet and inspecting every part of the small house, Madi faced Beckett on the soft rug downstairs. Her smile was bright. Before he could react, she launched herself at him, wrapping her arms around his waist in a hug. Sighing, Beckett’s hands found her back as he held her close.

Her voice was muffled against his chest. “I am so grateful, Beckett. Not just for the child-proofing, but the personal touches and how you made this place feel like my … home. This is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me.”

Beckett grinned. He wanted to say something about it feeling like home, but ignored that for now. “As far as the safety goes, everything looks good?”

“I didn’t know how they could fix some of the things, like the stairs. It’s amazing. You got my style completely, in a way that I haven’t ever before. I love everything. How did you do that?”

“That would be Kit, my designer,” Beckett said. “She’s amazing.”

Madi backed away. Beckett kept his arms around her, not letting her completely pull away. Her arms rested on his lower back and he had to focus not to be distracted by her touch.

“Do you think Becka will like it?” he asked.

“Are you kidding? This is incredible. She’s never going to want to leave.”

I never want you to leave.

“Well, leaving isn’t something you need to consider. Stay as long as you like,” Beckett murmured. He picked up her hand and placed a gentle kiss on her fingertips. They both froze, eyes locking.

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