Page 46 of Spades

“You paid for my drinks last night. And you drove me home.” I run my hand slowly up and down his upper arm—damn, I can feel those corded muscles through his jacket. “And I hope it’s not presumptive of me to assume you’ll be doing me the same service this evening.”

Maddox swallows, eyeing my breasts, which are fully on display in this tight black dress. “I’ll gladly service you in any way you choose.”

I sear my gaze into his. “Good.” I turn back to the counter and push the card forward. “So there it is. All of my drinks tonight, as well as anything Mr. Hathaway orders, are on this tab. Thank you.”

Dudley grabs my credit card and brings it to a vintage-looking computer in the back of the bar while DeeDee prepares our drinks.

Maddox grabs my hands. “While we’re waiting on those drinks, how about I show you the Hearts section for a dance?”

I bat my eyes at him, fanning myself like a debutante. “Maddox, I thought you’dneverask.”

He smiles, those tiny flames in his eyes beginning to erupt. “Just one rule. On the dance floor,Ilead. Non-negotiable.”

God, this man takes my breath away. This little game of back-and-forth we’ve established tonight issohot. I squeeze my thighs against the tingle between them.

Maddox guides me to the Hearts section. The dance floor, in front of the stage where the singer and instrumentalists are playing, is already populated by a few couples. The floor itself is laid in a gorgeous cherry-red hardwood, lit up by a pink disco ball that catches the lights off the floor-length candelabras that line the perimeter of the area. The singer—Bianca, I think her name is—is framed radiantly by a pink spotlight, its blushing beam also bouncing off the disco ball, giving the section its rosy hue.

Maddox grins at me, his dark eyes cutting through the soft pinks. “Shall we?”

“Let’s.”

Bianca’s voice fills the room, smooth and rich, carrying the melody of the old Rodgers and Hart classic “My Funny Valentine.” The song is slow, intimate, a quiet confession set to music.

Maddox wraps his arm around my waist, his hand resting just above my hip, firm and possessive. I settle mine on his shoulder, and together, we move—our steps unhurried, in sync, as if we’ve been doing this forever.

The lyrics describe someone imperfect but adored beyond reason. I bite back a laugh. Maddox’s physique is far from imperfect. His broad shoulders command attention, and his presence cuts through the dance floor like a blade. And his mouth? After last night’s kiss, I know for a fact there’s nothing weak about it.

He dips me just enough to steal my breath, his grip steady, his confidence unshaken. Then, with a smooth pull, he guides me into a spin before bringing me back, our bodies flush, not a whisper of space between us.

The song’s final plea echoes around us—stay just as you are. Don’t change.

My heart stumbles. That, I understand completely. There isn’t a single thing about Maddox I’d alter, not even the smallest detail. He’s determined, magnetic, breathtaking. And, God help me, if he kisses me again, I might just let him do a lot more.

I feel a twinge—not just in between my legs, but in my heart.

I look into Maddox’s eyes, but I see through them into his soul.

And I think I might be falling in love.

That’s crazy, though, right? It’s our second date. Third if you count our impromptu tea in his haberdashery two nights ago.

Yet…I feel something for him I’ve never felt for any other man.

Bianca wraps up the song with a jazzy flourish from the band. People on the dance floor applaud. I would join them if my hands weren’t still glued to Maddox.

He looks at me, his eyes flaming again. He reels me in for a kiss.

And everything in me shatters.

This kiss is far more chaste than what we experienced outside my apartment last night, but the emotion behind it is palpable. My lips meet his in a gentle whisper.

For a moment, his tongue slips between my lips, and I delicately tangle mine with his. I get lost in the pink lights of the Hearts section, rising into the rosy clouds of a sunset overlooking all of Chicago while wrapped in the bliss of Maddox’s embrace.

Then I open my eyes. Oh, God… We’ve been kissing on the dance floor, in full view of everyone in the club, for several minutes now. A warmth of blood rushes to my cheeks as I break the kiss.

Maddox opens his eyes, catching the looks we’re getting as well. “Sorry about that.”

I place a finger on his lower lip. “Don’teverapologize for kissing me, Maddox Hathaway.”

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