Page 21 of Playing By His Rules

But everything about Madison was different, like he’d just been biding his time until she came along and made his locked heart click open a few degrees. It was a ridiculous notion. He wasn’t a guy who believed in insta-love, but he recognized just how special this woman was and he wanted more than just this one night with her to see what might develop between them.

Eventually slumber overtook him, though he woke up early like he always did, his body’s natural alarm clock set for six am. Dawn was just breaking over the Las Vegas strip outside the bedroom window, and with Madison still sleeping soundly, he untangled their limbs and went into the bathroom to take a shower, thinking to the day ahead.

It was Sunday and he had no plans business wise until tomorrow around noon when he was scheduled to meet with Reign’s board of directors for an initial meeting, which left all day today open and free. He imagined taking Madison to brunch, and maybe the two of them doing something fun and frivolous together, like goofy touristy stuff where they just enjoyed each other’s company and get to know one another better.

Grinning to himself, he got out of the shower and dried off with the hotel’s plush towel, wondering if this is how Declan had felt about Summer—completely smitten with her from the first moment they’d met. Infatuated and stupidly excited to spend more time with her. These foreign feelings were a first for Rick.

He pulled on the pair of sweatpants he’d brought into the bathroom with him and brushed his teeth, imagining waking Madison up with a few kisses along her neck, then licking and sucking her breasts until she sighed and moaned and stretched, and eventually settling between her thighs and rousing her with a good morning orgasm.

With that sinful plan in mind, he opened the bathroom door, stepped into the bedroom, and came to an abrupt stop, his chest tightening with dread and cynicism as he scanned the empty bed. Madison’s dress was no longer on the floor where she’d left it the night before, and when he ventured out into the living area in hopes that she’d gone to make some coffee, there was no one in the kitchen. Her shoes were gone, along with her purse, which meant only one thing.

She’d left without saying goodbye, or giving him her number, or even allowing him the chance to ask her to spend the day with him. Then again, what did he expect, he thought irritably, as that fine line of rejection twisted in his stomach like a dull knife as he realized that last night had just been a job for her. She’d more than fulfilled her end of the bargain, he’d been a client, and there was no reason for her to stick around this morning.

He jammed his fingers through his damp hair, his anger spiking—not toward Madison, because he fucking refused to believe that her motives had been anything but real and pure. Or that last night meant nothing to her but a paycheck. He’d been around enough shallow women to judge the difference, to know that what he’d shared with Madison had been more than just an obligatory fuck.

No, his anger was self-directed, because he’d done nothing to reassure her that he wanted her around this morning. And sneaking out and leaving, while he was in the shower, was far less uncomfortable than an awkward parting of ways for a woman who didn’t make it a habit of sleeping with men she’d just met.

He swore beneath his breath in frustration. He had no way to contact Madison, which meant he had to wait until tonight, and hope that she returned to The Penthouse again.

He was certain it was going to be the longest day of his life.

The Uber cameto a stop in front of her apartment building, and Madison got out of the car, her body aching in the most delicious, pleasurable ways as she walked toward the complex—very aware of the fact that she was wearing the same clothes as last night. Also, she was bare footed and carrying her heels, her hair was a tousled, tangled mess, and her make-up was mostly rubbed off. Anybody who glanced at her could easily guess how she’d spent her evening because she probably looked well and truly fucked.

And she had been, she thought with a secret smile.

She ought to be embarrassed, but any shame was overridden by the knowledge that last night with Rick had been nothing short of incredible. Like he’d had a direct link to every dirty fantasy she’d ever imagined and effortlessly made them a reality. She’d never had multiple orgasms in one sexual encounter before, let alone three of them. Then again, she’d never been with such a dynamic, compelling man like Rick, either, who’d clearly enjoyed being in control and making her come.

He’d demanded her acquiescence numerous times, and she’d willingly given it to him. It had been so easy to trust him with her body, as well as letting him take care of her afterward, as if it had been the most natural thing in the world to do. It was almost frightening how comfortable she’d been when he’d pulled her into his arms and she’d fallen asleep cuddled up next to him, feeling safer and more protected with him than anyone before.

She wasn’t used to feeling such security with a man, and never one she’d just met. All the males in her life, from her father to various boyfriends, had always left her feeling cautious and guarded, and it made her realize just how easy it would be to fall for a respectable man like Rick. A foolish thought considering he was there in Vegas on a business trip, and he’d been at The Penthouse for an escort—not exactly the kind of man looking for a long-term relationship.

And neither was she, she reminded herself. Especially when her life was such a hot mess at the moment as well as the foreseeable future.

This morning, when she’d felt him move off the bed then heard him get into the shower, she’d made the decision to quietly slip out and head home. In all honesty, she didn’t want to have to face him in the light of day. It had nothing to do with an awkward morning after situation, and everything to do with the feelings he’d stirred that had no business coming into a one-night arrangement like theirs. She more than liked Rick and getting attached wasn’t an option.

She’d never been in a position like this before—having been paid for a night of her company—and didn’t know the protocol. She figured it was easier for both of them if she wasn’t there when he came out of the bathroom, to avoid any weird vibes or conversations. And this way, he didn’t have to find a polite way to ask her to leave, either.

God, she sucked at being an escort, she thought as she unlocked the apartment door with her key and stepped inside. It was almost seven in the morning on a Sunday, and she was surprised to find Andrea sitting at their small dining table drinking a cup of hot tea and thumbing through her cellphone, when she normally slept in on the weekends.

“Good morning,” Madison greeted her sister as she set her purse on the table, then headed over to their Keurig to make a much-needed cup of coffee.

“Morning,” Andrea replied, a bit of shock on her face as she took in Madison’s rumpled appearance. “Wow . . . I’ve never seen you so . . . disheveled.”

Madison laughed in an attempt to make light of the situation as she started the coffee machine. “Like something the cat dragged in?” she said over her shoulder, using one of their father’s favorite expressions.

“Umm, not quite.” Humor now glimmered in Andrea’s gaze as she met Madison’s. “More like someone who got laid last night.”

Madison’s mouth popped open, then snapped shut at Andrea’s accurate assessment, prompting her sister to smirk.

“It’s true! You’ve got bed head, smudged eye liner, and a noticeable mark on your neck,” she pointed out, which made Madison shiver at the memory of how she’d gotten that love bite. “Most importantly, you changed out the pink bracelet you were wearing last night, to red.”

Oh, crap. Madison felt her face warm at being called out. She’d forgotten to take it off and was still wearing the telltale band. She’d also explained to her sister the different colors and what they meant, so yeah, she was busted.

She gave Andrea a stern look. “Not a word and it’s not up for discussion.”

Her sister took a drink of her tea and rolled her eyes at Madison over the rim of the cup, before setting it back down. “I’m an adult, Maddie, and it’s not as though I haven’t hooked up with a guy before.”

Madison poured flavored creamer into her coffee and stirred. “Not what I want to hear,” she said, despite her sister being twenty years old and having had a few boyfriends.

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