Page 10 of Worthy

“Kinda risky, chasing your client’s nephew.” Dex grabs a lime and a knife from the counter.

I open my mouth to respond and stop short as his words sink in. Itiskinda risky. Rick Gerome has given my family tons of business over the years, and he’s a genuinely good guy I wouldn’t want to piss off. But Maddox is legit the hottest guy I’ve ever seen, and something about the way he’s both sexy and serious, feisty yet reserved, just speaks to me. I want to get to the bottom of those contradictions. I want to see him blush from my teasing then lose his composure and pin me down to make me stop. Iwanthim.

I can’t say that though. People will either interpret it as Maddox being my latest conquest or read into it and think I want something more than a quick romp. And while I’d be down to hook up while he’s here—a summer fling if you will—broadcasting such an intention won’t earn me any favor with Madd’s uncle.

“Don’t worry, I know he’s out of my league,” I tell Dex. “But a guy can dream.” I sip my beer.

Chapter three

Maddox

Ispend the weekend locked in the house for two reasons. One, since the guys didn’t work over the weekend, I had two whole days with no distractions to break my concentration, and that allowed me to make some good progress on my thesis. And two, I was too ashamed to even think about leaving.

I’m well aware how news travels in a small town, and a new person would probably draw attention no matter what. But said person driving Cade’s truckafteraccusing the guy of being stupid enough to block his car? Well, let’s just say I had little interest in facing him after that.

I felt like the biggest asshole in Katah Vista, Colorado.

Sure, I was kind of distant in the beginning because it’s obvious he’s trouble, and I didn’t want to encourage him, but I never meant to be downright rude or condescending toward Cade.

I’m sensitive to coming off that way because of my family, too. Despite being wealthy, they aren’t the type of people to look down on others. Well, with the exception of their thoughts on my career choice—hence my escape to the mountains to distance myself from their disappointment—I’ve been fortunate to be raised bypeople who taught me to treat everyone as equals. Even if others don’t treat us the same way.

It's generally assumed that since we’re wealthy, we’re elitist and aloof. My appearance doesn’t help considering I got my mother’s luxurious hair and my father’s athletic build, and since I’m on the quieter side—getting lost in my thoughts with too much ease—I play into the entitled stereotype without meaning to.

I try hard not to be an asshole, but sometimes despite my best efforts, that’s how I come off. And now, my treatment of Cade the other day is eating at me. I feel like I owe him an apology or…something.

Taking him up on his offer to show me around could work, assuming he’d even want to after I judged him so poorly, but that idea still has me a little leery. I’m way too attracted to him to trust myself in his company for an extended length of time, especially knowing I wouldn’t be the first or last person to cave to his charms. Normally, his lifestyle would be a massive turnoff—not that I object to casual hookups, I just don’t view them as a way of life the way he appears to. Yet, even though I don’t go for players, he tests that boundary for sure.

So, my amends can’t be anything involving the two of us alone. Cleaning his truck might be a nice gesture, if this town had a car wash, or I knew where to find a hose and a bucket, which I don’t. Buying something is always an option, though it requires leaving the house, and it would just make it look like I was buying his forgiveness. What else is there?

All I know about him is he works construction, drives a truck, likes to flirt, and would give you the shirt off his back–literally.I’m somewhat ashamed to say I wore said shirt all weekend because it held his woodsy scent. Still, not a single thing I’ve learned about him since comes close to telling me how to say sorry for acting like an entitled prick.

By the time Monday morning rolls around, I haven’t come up with a solution, and for lack of any better ideas, I go with the old adage about the way to a man’s heart being through his stomach. Not that I want to get to his heart or anything, but maybe going through his belly is a good way to make an apology.

And not to toot my own horn, but I make a mean breakfast burrito.

I hear voices in the backyard just before eight, and spot Cade and Deacon walking the property. Cade seems to be pointing out different spots in the yard, maybe where they’re supposed to dig, and Deacon is nodding along. I guess it’s now or never.

The guys stop cold when they see me approach and give me a puzzled stare. Shit. This feels really awkward now. I blame the serving tray. I probably look like some frontier era househusband trekking across the lawn.Is that even a thing?Why didn’t I just chuck the burritos in a bag? Oh, right. I made coffee too. Jesus, this is embarrassing.

“Um, hey. Thanks again for the truck and I’m sorry about the mix up with the trailer last week. I should’ve realized you had no way of knowing I’d need the car. So, I uh, made breakfast, if you want it.” I hold out the tray of food.

Cade’s blue eyes roam over me, curious and somewhat amused. His cousin is the first to recover. “Sweet, I only had cereal this morning.” He comes to me and grabs one of the burritos and tears into the foil wrapper. “They’re still warm. Breakfast on the job, hot coffee—” he takes a mug “—man, I love this town.”

Cade creeps forward like I could pounce at him any second.

Why is his brow arched? Was it something I did? Said? Did I make this worse?

Belatedly, I realize making a guy breakfast is something you’d do when you have a crush, and with his ego there’s no doubt that’s what he’s assuming.Fuck!Now I’m blushing. Hopefully, since it’s prettychilly, he’ll attribute my color to the air and not my mounting embarrassment.

“Thanks, Solo.” He takes the tray from my hands.

“Solo?” his cousin asks around bites.

“Maddox,” I correct.

“Deacon.” He lifts his coffee like he’s giving me a wave.

“Why don’t you head back inside?” Cade nods his head toward the door.

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