Page 32 of Madden

He nods. I’m sick of everyone laying into me about Brielle.

We’ve had a long history of run-ins with the media. I’m trying to remind myself that while I’ve learned who not to trust the hard way, Brielle has had every opportunity to throw me under the bus since we first met.

She could’ve rejected me and told me to fuck off after our kiss in the parking lot at Whiskey Barrel.

She didn’t, though. She may have a wall up and is hard to read at times, but I know without a doubt she feels this between us, and dammit if I’m not going crazy over how bad I want her too.

“Where are we going?” she asks when I climb in next to her.

“You’ll have to forgive me. This all happened at the last minute. The hotel we’re staying at is not too far from here.”

Abel’s eyes flick to mine in the rearview mirror, but I turn to Brielle, keeping my gaze trained on her. Judging by the look on Brielle’s face, she has the wrong idea too.

“It’s not what you’re thinking. I’m just hoping to get you to myself without anyone around. As you can see, it’s not easy for me.”

She nods. “I like the sound of that too.”

“I talked to the manager of our hotel, and she’s agreed to let us have their restaurant to ourselves for the evening.”

She tenses, her mouth snapping shut before she asks, “What hotel are you staying at?”

“Granite Hotel.”

She flicks her eyes away and nods, forcing a smile. I reach for her hand between us, slipping our fingers together.

“Sound good to you?” I ask.

She stares down at our joined hands when I rest them in my lap, brushing my thumb over hers.

“Sounds perfect.”

She gasps when I press a kiss to the back, watching my lips sweep over her skin.

Abel clears his throat. “Back to Granite then?” he asks, his voice more stern than usual.

“Please.” I nod.

Brielle’s eyes flick over to mine. When she drags her lip between her teeth, I reach over to trace my thumb along her cheek, fighting against the urge to kiss her again.

I’ve been thinking about it since I watched her leave Whiskey Barrel that night.

“In case you can’t tell, I’m happy to see you again.”

I glance from her mouth up to meet her eyes. She hesitates, checking if Abel is watching us.

“It’s just you and me,” I whisper low.

Her mouth curves at the edge. “Then kiss me.”

I smirk, gripping her chin between my fingers, and press a soft kiss against her lips. She moans against my mouth, and I’m half tempted to tell Abel to pull over right now to give us a minute alone.

All I want is more of her in every way I can have her.

---