Page 19 of Madden

Chapter Six

Brielle

“Madden, please,” I murmur, holding my hand up.

He takes another step toward me, only now I’m left with nowhere to turn. I jerk my hand away from his chest. I swear, I could feel his heart beating wildly beneath my palm, or maybe it’s my own.

I refuse to think he feels anything for me. I overheard him talking to Brix. How could I have missed it? He was damn near shouting at him.

I took it as my sign to get the hell out of there. Of course, he isn’t letting me go so easily.

His chest is damp with sweat, and I clench my hand into a fist, detesting how it only makes me want him more. I hate how my body reacts to him.

He and I are from two completely different worlds.

Whatever this is between us, I know nothing good could come from letting my walls down and getting close to him.

“Please, what?” he whispers.

The urge to look up at him grates on me until I give in, tilting my head back until our eyes lock.

He stares at my lips when I quickly dart my tongue out to lick the dry skin, causing his nostrils to flare. If I thought he was unaffected by me, he’s proving I might be wrong about my assumption.

“Don’t go,” he adds. “Stay for a little while longer.”

“I don’t think that is a good idea.” I shake my head.

“Why not? You said you were having a good time. Who cares if your flight leaves early? You can sleep on your way home.”

“It’s not what you think. I’m not tired, it’s just…” My voice trails off.

“Is it what happened yesterday? Or what Brix said inside?”

So he does know I heard them talking. This isn’t exactly something I want to get into again.

“It’s not about yesterday, Madden. Like I said, what you do in your home has nothing to do with me. It’s not about Brix, either. It’s just, I don’t think it’s a good idea for us to do this.” I motion between us. “I just started at Limelight, and the fact I landed an interview with A Rebels Havoc is huge. I want to make a good impression, and I think being with you could make things messy.”

“Define being with me?”

“Madden.” I grit my teeth. I hadn’t meant for it to sound like it did, but he can’t play stupid with me. Look at us right now. We both see what’s happening between us.

“No one needs to know. Not if you don’t want them to anyway.”

He presses his hand against the side of the car, leaning in closer to me. I’m met with the subtle smell of his woodsy cologne mixed with the musky scent of his sweat.

I can’t believe I’m thinking this, but damn if it doesn’t entice me more.

“What do I need to do to convince you to stay?”

I suck in a sharp breath, tightening my fist around the strap of the camera bag.

“What if I told you I’m fighting so damn hard against the urge to kiss you, to see if you taste as good as I think you do?”

Oh God. There he is with his dirty talk again. Only this time, it’s aimed at me.

How could we go from meeting the way we did yesterday to him pinning me against the side of a car and tempting me with a kiss?

I tilt my head back, inching closer to him, unable to resist. His warm breath feathers over my lips, and I dig my nails into my palm, trying to control myself.

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