Page 79 of Madden

“I’m sorry I wasn’t answering. Trey and Layken had their daughter. I just got back from the hospital.”

Her face softens, and she smiles. “That’s okay. I don’t mind surprising you. Abel was here when I got dropped off and let me in.”

“He’s been hanging around more. We’re all on edge.”

It doesn’t help matters that I still have a fuckin’ hole where my window was. We had to order special glass due to the size, and it won’t be here until later in the week.

As much as I want to trust the courts will do their thing and the restraining order will keep her away, I’m not holding my breath. Abel’s also looking into adding extra surveillance cameras to all our properties. It’s just a reminder you can never be too safe.

I won’t be able to breathe easy until I know it’s all done.

“How are you doing?” she emphasizes, running her hands up my forearms to ease the tension she likely can see I’m carrying with me.

“Better now that you’re here.”

She smiles. “It was hard being away from you when I could tell in your voice how this shit weighs on you.”

I nod. “I know it’s your job, and it’s what you enjoy doing, but I’ll never understand why people like Hollywood Tea get off on spreading lies about people. The truth will come out eventually, but shit like this can destroy people’s lives. Their careers. I just”—I shake my head—“I don’t get it.”

She flicks her eyes away and nods in understanding.

The look on her face says something’s on her mind. She’d like to say more, but she doesn’t.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t put it on you. I know it’s not you doing this. It’s just, man, it’s really starting to weigh me down. Ya know?”

“I know,” she reassures me. “If anything, I’ll do my best to help keep your mind off it while I’m here.”

I lift her chin and kiss her again.

“I could use a distraction, and you happen to be my favorite one.”

She grins. “Is that right?”

I bite my lip and eye her seductively.

“Don’t be shy. Tell me what you have in mind,” she urges.

“Mmm,” I hum, slipping my fingers into the waistband of her pants and pulling her hips closer to me.

Her breath hitches, and I smile. “Or better yet, how about I show you?”

“Madden.” She circles her arms around my neck again, and I lift her into my arms.

“Starting with this chair.” I grin, carrying her into the sitting room where we had our interview the first day she was here.

“I remember you in your dress, your hair pinned back perfectly, and that cherry-red lipstick you were wearing. All I could think about was how badly I wanted to hike up that skirt and dirty you up.”

I set her down in front of the chair, and she studies me.

“Take off your pants, Brielle. While you’re at it, lose the shirt and everything underneath too.”

Her cheeks turn a delicious shade of pink, and I grin, watching her fumble while she unbuttons her pants and pushes them, along with her panties, down her legs.

“Jesus,” I hum, kneeling on the floor in front of her.

She pauses, her gaze burning into me while she watches me. I reach my hand between her legs, and she spreads them farther apart, giving me better access.

“Fuckk,” I mutter. “You’re wet for me already.”

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