Page 57 of Deserving Maddie

"I don't have much," Ray explained. "The DEA is blocking us at every turn. They refuse to share information and flat-out told me we needed to stay away from Wraith or there would be issues."

Wes didn't look the least bit pleased.

"I'm being stalled on my end as well, which tells me they have someone inside and don't want it blown," Wes informed them.

"I tried hacking into their system and there is no file I can find, so I agree with you. Either there's no case or they don't want anyone finding out they have someone undercover."

"So what does that mean?" Trista demanded.

"It means we need to back off for now," Wes told her. "If they do have a man undercover, I won't be the reason he's killed. But we keep a close eye on the situation. We can revisit things if he makes a move first."

Trista didn't seem happy, but she knew better than to argue. There were certain instances where she wouldn't win the argument no matter how hard she tried. This was one of those times.

Ray left the situation room and checked his watch. He was set to meet Maddie in thirty minutes, but he felt like picking her up instead.

He knew he'd made the right decision when her eyes lit up the second her secretary showed him into her office.

"Hey!" She got up to give him a hug. "I thought we were meeting at the diner?"

"My meeting was over early, so I figured I would surprise you here instead. Your secretary is sweet, by the way."

Anne was an older woman and reminded him of what a mother, or maybe a grandmother, would be like. Not his, of course, but a normal person's.

"She's amazing. Anne's the first person in Texas who was truly nice to me. I feel like I can trust her with anything."

"Good." He kissed her on the cheek. "You need people like that in your life. Are you ready to go or did you need to finish up anything? I know I'm early, so I don't want to interrupt your time."

Ray liked the way her eyes softened every time he said something that, to most people, would be considered normal, but to her was probably going above and beyond. It made him thankful her husband was dead so she could finally be shown how a woman should be treated.

"Nope, I was done and just twiddling my thumbs until it was time to leave."

"I guess it's a good thing I showed up, then. I can give your thumbs a break."

Her laugh was addicting. He wanted to hear it every day. It was only second to her moans. He wanted those every day as well, but that would take more time.

Ray walked her out to his car and opened the passenger door for her. Before she got in, she stood on her tippy-toes and planted a kiss on his cheek. He waited until he was in the driver's seat before he softly asked, "What was that for?"

"Because I don't think you realize just how much some of the things you do mean to me. Your patience alone is something I will forever be grateful for, but it's all the extras that make me feel so special."

He reached for her hand and brought it to his thigh to hold.

"Youarespecial. And I'm going to spend every day that I can showing you as much so that you never question it again."

She gave him the softest of smiles.

Ray held her hand the entire drive over to the diner. He was learning that touching her grounded him. Without her, he felt lost, but each time his phone beeped or when he had the pleasure of talking to her right before she fell asleep, his world was back on its axis.

Leah greeted them and led them to a table. Arlo's wife didn't have to cook anymore, now that her catering business was a huge success, but she still liked to help Terry out when she could.

"Hey, guys. Can I grab you some drinks while you look over the menu?"

Maddie ordered a water with lemon and he stuck to his usual. A sweet tea. There was no need for him to look at the menu since he ate at the diner at least once a week, but he gave Maddie time to look over her options. He was happy when instead of choosing a salad, like some women did on a date, she went with Terry's famous burger and fries.

"So, has Kat stopped poking fun at you over your little text mishap?"

Maddie dropped her head into her hands and groaned.

"No. She's now at the point where she randomly texts me information about orgasms. This morning, it was how many a woman could have. Then, before you showed up, it was on the importance of staying hydrated. Obviously, we already knew that information, considering that's what got us into this mess in the first place."

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