Page 19 of These Jagged Edges

No, not asks, because this man doesn’t ask anyone anything, he demands.

Maddox drops his arms. "I wasn't trying to be an asshole, and it does anger me." I sharply inhale. "It makes me angry that some piece of shit dared to put his hands on you."

He steps closer, his long stride closing most of the distance between us. My heart flutters with every word he says. “I could never be angry at you for that Evie.” He toys with the end of my braid. “Now tell me about that break.”

"I'm confused. Why does this matter? Why are you even asking? Because you know people break bones all the time, and nobody is keeping track, Maddox,” I ramble.

"Because I don't want to hurt you! Somebody's already done that enough in your life," he says sharply, dropping my braid.

I look at Maddox, and I can tell he's not asking like some sicko, he's asking because he's concerned. "I'm only answering you about this area," I tell him, pointing at my left arm. I can tell he wants to argue with me about it by how tightly his jaw is clenched, resembling a piece of granite, but he surprisingly gives me a curt nod.

"I had a nasty proximal humerus fracture on this arm, and when the seasons change, it aches."

“Was it an accident?” He knows the answer, but he asks anyway.

"No, I was shoved off a balcony because the pregnancy would hinder the rest of his life, and I, of course, just wanted to trap him," I say sarcastically. "Thank goodness the chaise lounge broke my fall, or it would have been my neck that ended up broken.”

He becomes unsettling still as a murderous look spread across his face. I swallow, the man is violent for a living, but if this is what you face stepping into the ring with him, I can easily see why he has so many titles under his belt. It’s as if the shadows bend to his will and brutality snap like a dog on a chain fighting to beset free.

I can feel the rage pulsing off him in waves. None of that rage is directed toward me, but I still can't help the pit of anxiety welling up inside me, and if these past few months has taught me anything, it’s that Maddox would never hurt me. Don’t get me wrong, Maddox Wilder is a bad motherfucker. It would be a downright lie to say I’m not afraid of him right now, but no matter how much pain and grief has shaped him into who he is now, the fact remains he isn’t the kind of man who would hurt women.

"Maddox," I say softly.

He doesn't seem to hear me and instead of listening to every alarm sounding off in my head, I step closer. I reach out to him with a shaky hand, taking his large hand in mine, and place it over my heart, letting him feel the frantic beat in my chest.

Trying my best to mask the anxiety in my voice, I softly say his name once more. Those green eyes lock on mine, and I know he's snapped out of whatever headspace he slipped off into. "There you are, Big Guy. Tell me five things you see."

He stares at me for a few seconds as if trying to decide something, assessing me with those stormy eyes. "Your freckles," his rough voice finally answers.

"Four more."

"All that pain you try so hard to hide behind a pretty smile."

What is he doing? I squeeze his thick wrist tighter as goosebumps coat my skin; I can’t speak.

"Those pretty eyes always give away how much fear still lingers deep within you." Oh shit.

"T-two more," I stammer as the blood pumps faster and faster through my body.

"Your courage." Maddox brings his face closer to mine, his green eyes look down at my lips.

"Maddox—”

"How many more, Evie?" His lips lightly brush mine. "Tell me."

My blood is like liquid fire, burning through myveins. I feel alive and am humming with a deep need for this man. Maddox Wilder is the storm I've been waiting for, and once he's done with me, I know I'll never be the same.

Hell, I don’t want to be the same.

"One more," I whisper.

Cradling my nape in his large hand, he pulls me flush with his hard body. "You. I fucking see you." Then crashes his mouth onto mine.

Maddox's kiss is wild and frantic like he's been starving for this. The man growls when I lick the scar that runs across his soft lips. Wrapping his arm around my waist, he easily picks me up, my legs instantly wrapped around his hard middle. He walks forward until my back softly hits the mirror. My shirt rides up and his hand brushes my bare skin setting me ablaze.

So, this is what it’s like to be burned by those delicious flames of his.

You let another man touch you, Petal?Trent's harsh words whisper inside my head, and I freeze up. Fear consuming every molecule of my body.

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