Page 42 of Playing By His Rules

But when morning came, he woke up in bed alone. Madison was gone. He groaned and pulled his pillow over his face. For the first time ever, he’d put everything on the line for a woman, and sent her running scared. And as much as he wanted to drive to Madison’s apartment and hash out her fears and issues, he refrained, knowing that could do more damage than good. He’d given her so much to think about the previous night, on top of everything that had happened with William earlier that day, and the best thing he could do was allow Madison time to process it all—in the hopes that she’d choose him.

He refused to think anything less.

He was heading home today. He couldn’t stay in Vegas forever, but he needed Madison to know he wasn’t giving up on her. Picking up his cellphone, he opened a new text, deciding to up the ante.

I love you,he typed out, unable to deny the truth, even if he’d just met her. He just knew his feelings for Madison were soul deep and the forever kind.I want you in my life. When you’re ready, I’ll be waiting for you.

He sent the message, hoping she didn’t make him wait too long.

Chapter 18

“Have you accepted the job offer yet?” Andrea asked.

Madison took a bite of toast and chased it down with a drink of iced coffee, wishing she could avoid answering her sister’s question. Or give her an emphatic “yes” for an answer. And really, she should have jumped on the offer the moment it dropped into her email on Friday. The interior design company who wanted to hire her had sent a very generous proposal for employment—benefits, vacation time, and a salary that would more than cover her monthly bills.

But she hadn’t been able to pull the trigger, and now it was Sunday and the company needed a firm answer and a signed contract by the following morning, or they could rescind the proposal and find another person to hire.

“Mmm, not yet,” she said, side-eyeing the paperwork sitting on the table beside her, awaiting her signature. One swipe of her pen along the dotted line, and she’d be gainfully employed again.

“Why not?” her sister persisted, before eating a spoonful of cereal. After swallowing, Andrea put her finger to the business card that Stephanie had given her Wednesday evening, with the promise of a job offer, and pushed it across the table toward Madison. “Would this have something to do with your procrastinating? Or maybe the text that Rick sent you when you ran out on him Thursday morning?”

“Have you been snooping through my phone?” Madison asked incredulously.

“Maybe.” Andrea shrugged unapologetically. “I just couldn’t believe that a great, solid guy like Rick would just let you go so easily . . . and clearly, he didn’twantto let you go judging by what he texted you, but you didn’t give him the choice.”

Madison glanced away from her sister’s too direct, penetrating stare. When she’d arrived home early Thursday morning, Andrea had taken one look at the marks on her face and neck and freaked out, until Madison told her the whole entire story about William, how Rick defended her honor, and how much she hated the whole mess she’d caused between him, his bosses, and the CEO of the company.

When she’d snuck out on Rick, she’d truly believed her leaving was for the best . . . until she’d read his text message and nearly cried. He loved her. He wanted her in his life. And when she was ready, he’d be waiting for her.

And yes, she believed him. She was the one with the hang ups, not him. Because when had a man ever offered her those kinds of promises that came with a sense of security, stability, and unconditional acceptance? It was that text that had her hesitating to sign the employment contract, which was ridiculous since it wasn’t as though Rick had asked her to marry him. Even if she were to try a long-distance relationship, she still needed a job and a steady paycheck.

“I’m trying to make the best decision for us,” Madison replied, which was true. Despite whatshemight want, she still had her sister to think about.

“How about you make the best decision foryou,” Andrea said, as if she’d read Madison’s mind.

She sighed and picked at the crust on her toast. “I don’t know what the best decision is anymore.”

“I think you do,” Andrea said, before taking a drink of her orange juice. “You’re just too scared to step out of the safe box you’ve tried to create for the two of us. But news flash, big sister. Playing it safe hasn’t gotten you very far in life, has it?”

That felt, well, harsh, and she narrowed her gaze at Andrea. “You know I’m not a risk taker.”

Her sister rolled her eyes. “Oh, please. We’re not talking about being frivolous with money, or accepting a job because you need a paycheck, or worrying about me even though I’m more than capable of taking care of myself. This is about a man who stated he loved you. Isn’t a man like Rick worth any risk you need to take to be with him?”

The question made her chest tighten, mostly because she already knew the answer. Yes, he was worth the risk. He’d offered her everything and had asked absolutely nothing of her in return . . . when she was used to being the one who was always giving—time, money, emotions—and never receiving anything back. Yes, her sister loved her, but being the oldest, it had been Madison who’d been forced to step up and take care of Andrea. Given her past, it was difficult to wrap her mind around Rick being such a selfless, caring, kind man when she was so used to being taken advantage of.

When she’d left Rick’s suite Thursday morning, it had been with the thought, and fear, that somewhere along the line Rick would decide that she wasn’t worth the effort. That he’d get tired of their arrangement, and she didn’t think she’d be able to survive that kind of heartbreak. But her heart was hurting, anyway. Three days without him, and she missed him terribly.

She met her sister’s gaze, feeling a spark of hope blossom in her chest. “Yes, Rick is worth the risk,” she said, and couldn’t deny how much lighter she felt admitting that truth.

Andrea beamed. “Oh, I love it when I’m right.”

Madison laughed. “What else are you right about?” she teased.

“That Rick is the best thing to ever happen to you.”

Madison couldn’t disagree.

“Oh, and I’m right about us moving away from Las Vegas, too,” her sister added without missing a beat.

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