Page 14 of Defending Madison

The woman speaks to me in a sticky sweet high-pitched voice. “How can I help you?”

I try to ignore the man’s scent as I turn, plastering a friendly face on my annoyed soul. “My flight to Phoenix was canceled. I’d like to get on the next available flight.”

“Well.” She cocks her head. “All flights have been canceled because of the storm. We’re handing out hotel vouchers, but this storm is expected to ground flights through the day after tomorrow. You’d better hurry. I hear the hotels are filling up fast.” Her hand grabs a piece of paper and I pluck it from her hand as she yells, “next.”

“Shit.” I hustle to the door with a group of people. It’s obvious we’re all searching for the holy grail of hotel rooms to wait out the storm. The bus to the Newark Campbell Hotel idles at the curb. I hand my voucher for the cheap airport hotel to a young couple with three small children as I run for the bus’s sliding door. Jumping on the Campbell Hotel bus, I text my boss, friend and agent, Lily, to ask if she can get me a room. She responds with a thumbs-up emoji as a text. I sit down with a smile. Whew. The bus comes to a stop in front of the ornate and luxurious Campbell Hotel. I heist my carryon and backpack higher onto my shoulder. My week in the Bahamas wasn’t worth this mess.

A man nods at me as I get off the bus. “Ma’am?”

Fuck. When did I become a ‘ma’am’? “Hi.” I follow the guy, who’s probably only a few years younger as we enter the lobby. The opulence of the décor makes me smile. Women, and especially professional athletes, typically don’t make a lot of money, but my team, the Phoenix Bobcats won the Women’s professional soccer championship in November. I can’t help but smile. I had a big part in that and was named League Defender of the Year as a rookie. Scorers and goalies usually getthe accolades in soccer, but defenders make the difference by keeping the ball for their team, thus giving their offense time to score. I picked up two endorsement contracts and a team bonus, so I can afford to stay here. I’m lucky enough to have a work-from-wherever-I-am, remote job with my agent’s company. This little time will give me a chance to do some work for Lily while I wait out the storm. I glance up to the smiling, handsome man at the desk. “Good evening. Welcome to The Campbell Newark.”

“Hi. I’m Madison Bennett.”

His smile increases. “You’re a soccer player. My daughter has your poster on her wall.”

I feel the blush creep up my neck. “That’s sweet. What’s her name? I’ll autograph my team photo for her.”

“Oh. Wow. Lauren. She’ll be thrilled. Thanks.”

“Of course.”

The man beams as he turns his head to his screen. “I’ve got one room left, and it’s yours. You must know someone who got you one of the reserved rooms.”

I present my credit card to the clerk and feel my shoulders relax. A nice shower to wash off this crappy situation would be nice, and I should call my brother to tell him I’m stuck here.

“Thank you, Miss Bennett.” He hands me back my credit card.

“No, thank you. I’ll drop the photo for your daughter in the morning.”

His warm smile reminds me of my dad, and my heart clenches. Enough time has passed that I remember the good times more than his faults.

“I know she’s going to love it.” He hands me a card. “Here’s a free meal with room service.”

I hold it up with a shake and a smile. I turn and run into a hard, warm body with a scent I instantly recognize. Dixon. Looking up, I catch his annoyed then pleased smirk.

“Madison?”

“Oh shit. Hi.” I move to skirt around him as his large hand wraps gently around my waist. “Let’s get you out of the melee.”

“Thanks, but I’m heading to my room.”

He nods. “I’m hoping to do the same.” I frown and his brow lifts. “What?”

“He said I got the last room.”

He cracks his neck from side to side as he walks me around the throng of people. “Well, shit. I guess I need to find another hotel.”

My head and heart war with each other. I could just share my room. It’s the right thing to do. I understand my brother made him leave me after the hunting trip. It didn’t lessen the hurt or my annoyance, but…

“Madison?” Dixon’s scruffy face reminds me of our time together and a part of me wants to not offer, but I chew on my lip and ask.

“Why don’t you just share my room? I’m sure there’s a sofa or something.”

The shock on his face is totally worth the scolding my mind is giving my heart at the moment. “Really?”

“Sure. I guess this storm caught everyone off guard. Just come with me. We can be adults.”

He nods and reaches for the carry-on I have on my shoulder. I pivot to slip his grasp. “I’ve got my bag. Just handle yours.”

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