Page 10 of Adored By Jonah

Liz sighs heavily. “Fine. But I have a taser and know karate so don’t think you can try anything on me.”

Tucker grins and holds his hands up in surrender. “My truck is this way.”

“Of course it is,” Liz mutters. “You better take care of her. I know where you work.” She says pointedly, then turns around to follow Tucker.

“She’s a firecracker,” I laugh and Maddie joins me.

“She’s just looking out for me. I think she blames herself for my bad marriage.” Maddie says rubbing her upper arms like she’s cold.

I quickly get her into my truck and turn the heater on as soon as I get in. After she tells me where her house is, and I’ve started to make my way there, I clear my throat. “Why does she blame herself?”

“Hmmm?” Maddie asks, looking over at me.

“For your marriage?”

“Oh,” she says, her eyes going wide. “Well, she’s the one who introduced us. I’ve told her a hundred times it wasn’t her fault, but she still takes the blame.”

“She sounds like a good sister.”

“She is, the best I could ask for,” Maddie smiles.

“My brother Justice is the best man I know. Even better now that he found his woman.”

“Was she lost?”

“No. I mean he found his soul mate, the one woman he’ll love until the day he dies.”

“You believe in all that stuff?”

I nod. “Don’t you?”

“I guess I used to when I was a kid.”

“But not anymore?”

Sighing, she shakes her head and looks out the window for the remainder of the drive.

Before I have a chance to put my truck in park, Maddie is grabbing for the handle to get out. “I’ll get your door and walk you inside.”

“I can handle it.”

Parking, I look over at her. “Maddie, I’m going to make sure you get inside safely, now wait right there,” I say, then get out of the truck leaving no room for argument.

She’s renting a small two-bedroom home from Mr. and Mrs. Kramer, an older couple who were friends with my grandfather. They’re good people. At least I know she’s getting a fair rate and a well taken care of home.

When we make it up the walk to her front door, Maddie turns around before opening it. “Thank you for the ride home.”

“No problem at all. I can pick you up tomorrow so you can go pick your car up from the bar.”

“No need. Liz picked me up.”

“Look Maddie, I know I keep asking, but-” I’m silenced when Maddie stands on her tiptoes and plants a quick kiss on my lips before pulling away.

“What the hell was that?” I ask, staring down at her in utter confusion.

“A kiss?” She asks with her brows pulling together.

“No,” I growl. Pulling her close, I sweep my hand along the curve of her chin and plant a long, soul defining kiss on my woman. “Thatmy Sweet, was a kiss.”

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