Page 15 of Defending Madison

“Okay. Thanks.”

I hold up my room card. “Fourth floor, room four-thirty-seven.”

He’s silent in the elevator and when we get out, I slip the key into the door as he holds it open. “Congrats on your award and win from last season.”

“Thanks.” Because he’s so damn big, I can walk under his arm to get into the bedroom, lugging my bags onto the bed. I lookaround. No sofa. Shit and that loveseat isn’t much bigger than a large chair. He can’t sleep on that.

He nods. “I can sleep on the floor. It won’t be the first time.”

Shrugging, I nod. “Let’s order some food. Then I want a shower, and after, we can talk about sleeping arrangements.” The look of possession that crosses his face stirs my core. No. Not doing that again. I grab the menu off the table and scan, quickly deciding on a burger and a salad. I hand the menu to Dixon. “What do you want to order?”

He peruses the hard back black book binder with multiple pages. I kick off my shoes as he reaches for the hotel phone and hands it to me. “I’ll do a burger, fries, and add a side salad with thousand island.”

“Any other particulars you want me to mention?”

“No. I’ll take it as it comes.”

I push the button for room service and order our food. Hanging up, I nod at Dixon. “She said thirty minutes. I’m going to take a shower.”

“I’ll open for room service if you’re not out.”

“Great.” I reach into my backpack and pull out a team photo, along with my permanent marker. I write a cute message for the clerk’s daughter and put it inside an envelope with the clerk’s name. I hand it to Dixon along with the card for the free meal. “Would you make sure to hand these to whomever drops the meal?” I wave my hand as I walk into the bedroom to grab my bag to take it into the bathroom and close the door. It’s been four years, and I can’t understand how it’s possible, but he’s even hotter. Damn. Light my panties on fire, hot. I turn the water on as I strip off my clothes and step into the stream to wash off the crappy situation and get my libido in check.

Twenty minutes later, I walk out of the bathroom in a heavy pair of sweats and slipper shoes. I couldn’t look less attractive.

Dixon lifts his head from his phone. “You look more relaxed.”

I plop down onto the other chair. “I am. It’s been a long day. I’m surprised to see you in Newark. I thought you were still in Virginia with your SEAL team.”

“I’m helping with the Navy SEAL Foundation in New York. I visited Liberty Park, here in New Jersey, before my flight to Virginia.”

“Oh.”

A deep frown mars his handsome face. “Let me apologize for leaving the way I did that Christmas.”

I pull my shoulders in and rub my hands up and down my arms. This apology arrives just a little late. “Brian explained.”

Dixon shrugs. “I know I hurt your feelings.”

The hair on my nape prickles. How dare he tell me how I felt. “Yes. You hurt me. I admit I’m surprised you just left. I learned something about myself and what I want. I don’t need a man. Frankly, I don’t want one either. They steal my focus from my goal of playing professional soccer.”

He nods. “You’re definitely doing whatever you have to do for that. I watched your championship game. You destroyed their offense. You gave your team that win.”

“It was a great season…” I have no idea what else to say. He diverts his gaze to look out the window. I don’t have to be awkward for too long before a knock on the door disturbs the eerie silence that had shadowed the room. It’s weird that we have nothing to say to each other. We talked and really spent quality time with each other when we went hunting at the cabin. Smiling, he gets up from his chair and strolls to the door.

The hotel staff member pushes the cart into the room and sidles up next to the desk, setting the tray on the flat surface. “Just set the tray outside the door and someone will pick it up. There’s a door tag you can fill out for your breakfast order and the time you want it.” His eyes flick to the single bedroom, and I’m pretty sure I see a look between him and Dixon. Men.

I pick up the envelope with the photo and catch the man. “Hey, can you make sure this gets to the front desk?”

“Sure.” He takes the envelope as he closes the door.

Dixon pulls the table across the stretch of room to the two plush chairs. “It’s not quite a coffee table for eating, but better than standing.”

“Yeah. Thanks.” I stand up to collect my plate and sit back down, palming my silverware.

“I’ll be back in a second.” Dixon grabs the keycard and bolts out the door. Rolling my eyes, I eat the first bite of my burger. A few minutes later the door clicks, and Dixon strolls back in with my favorite soda along with his in hand. “Here.” He hands me my drink.

“Thanks. Wow. You remembered.”

---