Page 19 of Devoted

Maddox tenses slightly as I work my fingers free of hisgrasp.

I head to the kitchen. "I think I need some fruit to counteract the donuts," I say, airily, hoping to erase the last moment. "Sure you don't wantanything?"

"No, I'm good." I can hear the disappointment of me pulling away my hand in histone.

I turn from the refrigerator with a cold apple, even knowing I don't want it. Maddox is standing at the glass door staring out at theocean.

"We could take a walk?" I suggest as I cut the apple into slivers. "If you have time. I'm sure you have to head backsoon."

Maddox doesn't turn to look at me as I walk up behind him with one slice of theapple.

"Is that what you want?" heasks.

"To walk? Sure. There's a neat bunch of rocks at the end of the cove that's filled with slimy littlecritters."

He turns. "I meant do you want me to head back to the city? I know this wasn't my visit day. I just had some time and—" His long lashes always make him look just a touch more vulnerable than he really is, the curse of being far too good looking for the real world. His face snaps up as something apparently occurs to him. I don't realize my misstep until he mentionsit.

"How do you know about the slimy creatures?" Before I can offer my defense, he continues. "Ten, it's not safe for you to wander outalone."

"I've started running again and frankly, it's the best thing I've done for myself since I got free of that place. And your paranoia, thinking Kane is lurking in every crevice and around every corner, is fuckinglaughable."

"Really? Because out of the two of us, I was the sober one in that Lace Underground. And I can tell you with certainty that Freestone's obsession with you was not just some passingfancy."

"You were seeing things you wanted to see. I'm sure Kane is long gone and living on his island paradise in—" My mouth drops. "Oh my gosh, I forgot about the island purchase. The first time we were on the yacht, my chance to escape came when Kane took off with a realtor to look at some islands. He was planning to buyone."

"Shit, that would have been good to mention. Do you have any idea if he bought one? Or where it might be?" The momentary tension is gone. I'm relieved to have him drop the subject of my running on the beach. It seems the one thing we can always agree on is policework.

"As you might recall, the trip ended badly. Kane drugged me and flew me back to Lace Underground. I'm not sure where the real estate purchase ended. I'll mention it to Clark. Freestone and I never discussed business." I regret the statement the second it leaves my mouth. Maddox's reaction ispredictable.

"Yeah, I'llbet."

I throw the piece of apple at him. It bounces off his chin. He catches and eatsit.

"Boy, Maddox, when something's eating at you, you just don't hold back." I stomp away with a frustratedgrunt.

"You're right. Sorry. Ten, seriously. I'll work on it." His footsteps are right behind. I stop short and spin around. He nearly slams into me. We're only inches from each other. "I've just never been in a situation like this. I'm having a tough time fighting my male ego over this." His honest confession, no doubt, took some courage. It helps tamp down the anger I'mfeeling.

I take a few steps back. "You know what, Maddox? I'm pretty new to this situation too. Only we're coming at it from totally different angles and viewpoints. And frankly, I think I've got the harder end of it. Besides, how do you even know you love me? Maybe this is just like you said—a male ego thing." My question seems to momentarily stun him. My old friend, insecurity, raises its pathetic head. I put out my arms. "I mean look at me. My gosh, I'm shoe grit compared to some of the women I've seen you with. Your ex-fiancée, for example. We haven't even kissed. Maybe you'll hate the way I kiss. Hell, maybe I'll hate the way you kiss. Maybe all those women who adore you were doing it out of pity because you are such a terrible kisser they felt sorry for you." I laugh. "Wow, someone had just a few too many sugarydonuts."

There's a glint in his green eyes that is not quite humor. "You want to know how I know? Because, every fucking time I was with one of those other women, Tiffany included, I'd be thinkingI'm not with Ten.Why the hell am I not with the one woman who really matters?And as for the kissing thing—" He reaches for my hand and pulls me into his arms. His mouth coversmine.

I'm instantly drugged by the scent of his soap, the powerful feel of his arms around me, the undeniable skill of his mouth and tongue. My knees shake enough for him to tighten his hold on me as I'm lost in the erotic deliciousness of his kiss. I can feel it through my entire body. My earlier fears are gone. The heat swirling through me has nothing to do with the artificial arousal brought on by nectar or the sensual demands of Kane Freestone. This is genuine. This is me standing in the arms of the man who made me realize just what it meant to be inlove.

I'm breathless and lightheaded by the time he pulls his mouth free from mine. The fleeting notion of a wild bout of sex is dashed when he lowers his arms. I'm just as relieved as I amdisappointed.

I tap my chin. "O.K. so my theory about women taking pity on the bad kisser isout."

"Too bad. Cuz I'm out. Your kisssucked."

My mouth drops with shock. He takes hold of my face. "Just kidding." He kisses me lightly and draws his thumb across my bottom lip. "If you knew how often I've dreamed about these lips, you'd think I wasnuts."

I blink up at him. "I do think that. After all, you seem to want me. That pretty much puts you under the screwed up column." I throw my arms around his neck and hop up for anotherround.

He's cautious, too cautious about where he places his hands, keeping one on my hip and one on the small of my back. It's one hurdle, I tell myself. We are past the kiss hurdle. We just need to keep moving forward. Both of us, on our own, and, at the same time,together.

13

Maddox

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