Page 16 of Deserving Maddie

"Then yeah, I guess you do." She threw her hands in the air.

Maddie didn't care that she sounded like a bitch, or that it was probably the wrong thing to say to the overly grumpy man who looked like he was ready to toss her off his property. She was at her wit's end. She just wanted to get home, change into her oversized sweatpants, and curl up on her couch with a glass of wine and some ice cream. Was any of that possible? Not really, because she had two teenage humans who required her attention. One who was permanently pissy because of their new situation, and one who would likely want to talk her ear off. Any other time, she loved listening to her daughter talk about her day, but not today. She was overstimulated and flat-out miserable with how her day was going.

Maddie was too busy lost in her own thoughts that she didn't realize Ray's boss wasn't yelling at her like she expected him to. She looked up in time to see a smile that would knock any woman on their ass. Mr. Grumpy had gone from sexy to downright hot as fuck. And were those fucking dimples? Holy lawd. If she had a set of pearls, she would be clutching them now.

"Name's Wes, and I can assure you I'm no doomsday prepper."

"Did you know you have dimples?" Her brain short-circuited and she blurted the question out before she could stop herself.

Well, that was the wrong thing to say. The dimples were gone and replaced with a scowl. One much more menacing than the one he first gave her.

"So I've been fucking told," Wes snapped.

Alrighty then. Note to self: Ray's boss did not like to have his dimples mentioned. She stored that bit of information away in case she ever had the misfortunate of getting a flat tire on his property again.

"Moving on," she said. Because, yeah, now things were super awkward and she really needed a topic change before she said something else stupid. "Would you care to help a lady out? I left my phone at work, so there won't be anyone else riding in for the rescue."

Ray looked like his head was about to explode when he howled, "You're driving out here without a phone?!"

"Yes, Ray, and before you start complaining about safety, because you look like the type of man who would bitch about that, I already know how unsafe it is. Obviously, that's just the type of day I'm having. Evident by the flat tire and no phone. Not to mention getting lost on some strange dirt road with a grouchy owner who likes to scowl at helpless women."

She couldn't be sure, but she thought Wes mumbled something likeshe'll fit right inunder his breath. Maddie wanted to ask what the hell that even meant, but Ray's boss was already back in the driver's seat, ignoring her request for help.

"Come on." Ray waved her over. "I’ll send one of the guys out to grab your car. Do you have a spare?"

All of the wind escaped her sails and her shoulders hunched forward. "No," she sighed. "The stupid dealer said it didn't come with one and it was on my list of things to order."

Just one of the many things she would be adding to the long list of ways she had failed since Anthony had died. She was not rocking this single-mother thing at all.

"No worries. We can get it taken care of now."

She hesitated for another minute, but realized she didn't exactly have any other option. She couldn't foresee anyone else coming down the road anytime soon. Not if Wes was that territorial of his property. People probably knew better than to make their way down the road.

"Wes won't bite." Ray leaned down to whisper in her ear as he opened the door for her. "I can't make any promises for me, though. Not when you look so damn delectable in that skirt."

Maddie could feel the tips of her ears getting red. Thank goodness she chose to wear her hair down today. It was probably her only saving grace to hide the visceral reaction Ray's words had on her body.

"You can't say things like that out in public," she hissed. "Or in front of your boss, for that matter."

Any hope she had of looking unaffected was completely obliterated the moment Ray tipped his head back and barked out a laugh. There had to be something perversely wrong with her that the column of his throat turned her on. Or maybe it was just the way the muscles in his shoulders and chest vibrated from the notion.

"I can assure you he has heard far worse."

"I have," Wes grumbled. "Doesn't mean I enjoy listening to it. Now get your asses in so we can get this done already."

Maddie did her best to scurry into the truck. Not an easy feat in a pencil skirt. The last thing she needed was to flash her underwear to Ray or his boss. The man didn't seem to like her as it was, and she didn't miss the wedding ring he wore. So accidentally giving him a show was a no-go.

No one spoke on the quick ride to … wherever. She had no idea where they were taking her, and her confusion only intensified when they pulled up in front of what could only be described as a large industrial barn.

"Okay, so not a doomsday prepper, but a farmer . . ."

She was trying desperately to piece together what it was Ray did for a living. It wasn't like that came up during either of the two times they were together. Mostly because they were too busy fucking like rabbits to have much of a conversation.

"Do I look like I fucking milk cows for a living?"

"No, it sounds like you're a grumpy ass who yells at people for a living and cusses a lot." She finally had enough and snapped back at him. "Which makes no sense because apparently, you're Ray's boss and he seems to be happy most of the time."

Her outburst didn't seem to faze Wes one bit. That was a relief because for a hot minute after she finished yelling at him, she was pretty sure he would kick her out of his truck.

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