Page 9 of Adored By Jonah

I shrug. “It’s a small town and I’ve lived here my entire life. It’s easy to get to know people after thirty-six years.”

Maddie chokes on her drink and sets it down in front of her, trying to clear her throat. “You’re thirty-six?” She gasps.

Nodding, I rub her back hoping to help her breathe easier.

“You don’t look a day over thirty.”

I smirk. “Must be the good genes and country air.”

Maddie shakes her head at me and takes another sip from her drink. When she sets her glass down she levels me with a look. “If you’re coming over here hoping to score, I’m not interested. I’m not that kind of girl.” She slurs.

I notice her eyes are starting to glaze over, even tipsy my woman is a stunner. I wish she knew how

“No? What kind of girl are you?” I ask, brushing a tendril of hair out of her face.

“I’m closed for business, that’s all you need to know,” she growls sexily, crossing her arms over her chest and putting up a front.

“Good,” I say moving in closer.

“Good?” She asks, adorably confused.

“Yeah, good. Lucky for me, I don’t want just one night with you, I want all of them. I want to spend the rest of my life showing you how a real man treats their woman.”

She slides off her barstool and levels me with a look. “I’ve had one too many drinks to have this conversation with you.” Then she goes to take a step back and stumbles over her feet. I grab her forearms before she goes down and pull her towards me.

“I got you,” I say, sliding my hands up her arms, resting them on her biceps as we gaze into each other’s eyes. There’s something here, neither of us can deny it. I hope one day soon she’ll give in instead of pushing me away.

“Well, I’m ready to go,” Liz says walking up, interrupting our moment.

“What happened to you?” Maddie asks, pulling away to look at her disheveled sister with a wet top.

I look over Liz’s shoulder to find Tucker looking apologetic.

“Jesus, I’m sorry. I didn’t see you coming around the corner.”

“Is that supposed to make it better?” She turns around and shouts, waving her hands up and down to gesture at her front.

Tucker narrows in on her chest and Liz pushes him back before turning around. “Can we leave now?” She asks Maddie.

Maddie bites her bottom lip to keep from laughing and nods her head.

“Wait, who’s driving? Neither of you look like you should be behind the wheel of a vehicle.”

Maddie snorts. “You’re one to talk, you’ve been drinking all night.”

“I had two beers and didn’t finish the second. But I’m happy to know you were keeping an eye on me.” I smirk. Before she can say anything else, I stand and put my hand at her lower back. “Come on, I’ll give you two a ride home.”

“Perfect, let’s go,” Liz says, walking towards the entrance of the bar.

Rolling her eyes, Maddie gives in and follows her sister with Tucker and I following behind. When we get out to the parking lot Liz is waiting with her arms crossed, still fuming about whatever happened between her and Tucker.

“I’ll give her a ride home,” Tucker says, nodding towards Liz.

“I don’t think so. I don’t even know you.” Liz exclaims.

“He’s one of my best friends and a perfect gentleman,” I say, squeezing his shoulders.

“We do live on opposite sides of town,” Maddie shrugs at her sister.

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