Page 5 of Madd Love

“Nothing really, just that our firm was tasked with the Prince and new Princess of Lovolia’s security when they visit America. We’re excited about the opportunity to work with the crown and the royal guard accompanying them.”

“That’s neat,” I quietly reply, barely listening as I watch Maddox strut through the restaurant to his table. He’s with Tyson Crawford, the lead singer of their band, Beauty of Atrocity, and every woman in this restaurant is turning to watch them strut over to their table. I can guarantee there isn’t a dry pair of panties in this place.

They both look sexy as hell, the bastards.

“I’m sorry, Jen. Am I missing something here?”

I snap my attention to John.

“What’s going on? Be straight with me.”

Shit, I can’t believe I zoned out like that. How freaking rude of me, but that’s how it is when Maddox is in my orbit. I’m drawn to him.

“Shit, John. I’m sorry.” I sip my water and decide it’s best, just to be honest. “You were right when you said this city is a small town. I don’t know if you know who Maddox Case is, but he just came in. Well, he’s not my boyfriend. We’re not even dating, but he’s something.”

That’s about as honest as I can put it without telling this man that Madd is my fuck buddy.

John turns in his chair and peers over at Madd and Tyson. Of course, that is the exact moment Madd locks eyes with me. He smiles, really big at first, but then he notices my company.

If looks could kill, dear John would be dead.

John turns back in his seat to face me, chuckles, and damn, even his confident laugh is sexy. “Looks like we’ve been spotted.I can guarantee you that the look on his face is the look of a very jealous man.”

I scoff at the absurdity of John’s words. “Trust me, John, he isn’t concerned with me and what I do or with whom I do it.”

Just as long as I am around to fuck when he needs it.

I sip my water and glance at Maddox. Damn him. He looks so good tonight: dark gray button-up shirt and black slacks. The band must have had a meeting with studio execs. It’s the only time any of them really dress up.

I don’t know why any of this bothers me now. It didn’t until recently, and I don’t know when that changed for me or why. Once upon a time, our arrangement was simple and a way to scratch that itch; lately, it seems to be getting more complicated.

“Trust me, sweetheart, if the man has any sense, he should be jealous right now.” John smiles at me, leans back in his seat, grabs a piece of bread from the cutting board, and pops it into his mouth. “Jesus, this bread is phenomenal.”

I can’t help but laugh; he sounds like Evelyn. And as for John, well, he’s pretty impressive himself.

“I like you, John. You don’t play games.” I tip my glass in his direction. I opted for water tonight. I have to wake up way too early and open the bakery, but now with Maddox here in front of me, I wish I could guzzle a bottle of this restaurant’s finest.

“Figures that I meet a cool lady, and she’s already spoken for.”

I practically choke on my water. I ask, sputtering, “What? No, no way.”

John chuckles that seductive laugh. “Ah, I see neither of you has realized it yet. That’s okay. Sometimes these things come with age and time. This guy, Maddox, is a fool if he doesn’t make you his and soon.”

Psh, this guy doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Maddox wants what’s between my legs, not what’s in my heart.

FOUR

Maddox

I watch Jen laugh at whatever the man in the suit says. He pops some bread into his mouth and smiles before his eyes cut to mine.

Listen, I’m not a jealous man; I have never been, but right now, color me mother fucking green with envy.

This stranger is on a date with my woman. The same woman I had to sneak away from her job so I could make her come. I know how stressful catering events get for her, so I drove to Rim and Christina’s. I needed to help my girl alleviate some of her anxiety.

And let’s not mince words, Jenismy girl. Even if I can’t get her to go on an actual date with me, even if I can’t get her to commit, she is mine, nonetheless.

“Who the fuck are you giving the evil eye to?” Tyson asks, but he spots the problem before I can answer. “Oh, shit. Is that your girl, Jen, on a damn date?”

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