Chapter Three #2
And then he offered his arms to Eve for the first time, tugging her inch by inch with his grip on her wrist, holding his breath
while letting her come closer part of the way on her own. She fit against him like they’d been cut from the same mold and
he struggled not to make the sound forcing its way up his airways. She’s here. I can hold her this way now.
“Crash into Me” by Dave Matthews Band was playing and the scattered notes matched their first few steps, because they were
both nervous and dealing with the sensation of touching, of looking into each other’s eyes while touching, but they were moving in a rhythm by the start of the second verse, his right hand on the small of her back, his
left one clasping her hand, resting it against his shoulder.
“So if you’re not bothering with the fools of this town, what are your plans, now that you’ve sprung the halls of Cumberland
High?”
While looking at the notch of his Adam’s apple, Eve slow blinked, as if she liked the sight, and the muscles below his waist
slowly drew tight.
“Oh, um.” She appeared to mentally shake herself. “You didn’t hear?”
“Hear what?”
“My father decided to retire and move closer to his brother in Texas. He’s selling the house and giving me and Ruth a nest
egg to do whatever we want.” She wet her lips. “I convinced him to leave me the club, instead of selling it too.”
Madden’s gut sank to the floor. He’d never liked her spending time at Cat Fight. Not because he looked down on the establishment
or her association with the place, but he didn’t like her around grown men with sex on their mind. In fact, he hated it with
every fiber of his being. Eve got enough judgment for being the daughter of a strip club owner, though, so he’d grown practiced
at guarding her from afar and holding his tongue. “He did?”
“Yes,” she said, with a classic Eve chin raise. “But I’m going to turn it into something different. Something that feels more
like mine. A burlesque club.” Her slowly building excitement held him captive. “It’s going to be a daring and eclectic speakeasy
straight out of another time. Smoky and mysterious with hidden corners and jazz. Stage entertainment.” Eve looked Madden in
the eye, her smile slipping. “I don’t want to run from who I am. I want to own it. Be unflinching about my legacy in this town, but . . . make it my own. You know?”
He suddenly and violently resented the time he’d spent away from her, this brave and unique human being. He’d spend his life
deep in regret that he’d missed milestones in her life. Changes he should have been there to celebrate with her. “That’s incredible,
Eve. You’ll do it. You’ll do anything you set your mind to—and for the right reasons. You. What makes you happy will always be right.”
She accepted that with a ducking nod. “I’ve had so many offers to buy the property. This town can’t wait to get rid of the
strip club, but . . . part of me wants to show them they can’t drive me out. No matter how hard they try, I won’t give in
or conform.” She shrugged a bare shoulder. “Still think I’m opening a burlesque club for the right reasons?”
“You’re not applying for sainthood, love,” he said, leaning in to speak against her temple. “Everyone has something to prove.
I wouldn’t judge you for that.”
A breathy pause. “Thank you.”
Madden hummed, barely able to keep his eyes open, she felt so good tucked against him.
As the music played, Eve melted closer, too, her breasts grazing, then pressing to his upper abdomen, the fronts of her thighs
flexing against the fronts of his. And he looked her in the eye while their hips settled close, every ounce of his willpower
being poured into not applying pressure to her lower back, herding her in too tight. They looked at each other long and hard,
getting used to the up close and personal contact, the humming current connecting their bodies, hers softening while his did
the opposite.
“How long are you in town?” Eve asked in a half whisper.
His brain was so consumed by the sensation of their shapes locked together in a way he’d never even dared to think about before,
Madden couldn’t remember his flight details right away. “Two days. I’m going back Sunday night.”
“Oh.”
Did she sound disappointed?
He could extend the trip. Miss a couple practices. He’d do it.
But first, he had something to get off his chest.
“Eve, I’ve been wanting to say sorry to you for a long time. Over what happened the day of my aunt’s funeral.”
“Nothing happened,” she said quickly, squeezing his hand.
“You wouldn’t have left otherwise,” Madden insisted. “I looked for you everywhere.”
“I knew you would,” she murmured, almost to herself. “I’m sorry for splitting like that. I didn’t want to be found.”
He accepted that with a deep breath. Understood. “Please don’t disappear on me like that again.”
Eve looked up at him with a teasing squint. “An Irishman discouraging a good old-fashioned Irish exit? Your ancestors will
be appalled.”
“I’d like to see you while I’m here.”
There it was. His interest had been spoken. Out loud.
There was no mistaking what he meant either. Not while he was holding her like this, their mouths only a handful of inches
apart, both of them very obviously attempting to moderate their breathing, the final notes of the music muffling the world
around them.
“Madden . . .”
“Eve,” he said, with a calm he didn’t feel. “I missed you.”
“I missed you too,” she said, then seemed startled over letting the sentiment slip free. “As a friend.”
“Are you sure that’s all it is now?” He lowered his head a hint more, relieved when her pupils jumped to expand. “I’m not.
I never was. You never fit into any single category, no matter how hard I tried to put you in one. Friend, aye, but also . . .
the first person I think about when I open my eyes. The time was never right before, but, love—”
“Eve! You’re here!” Skylar exclaimed, bounding up beside them.
Madden had no plans to let Eve go or stop dancing, but he had no choice when she practically dove backward out of his arms, her face turning crimson. “Sky,” she choked out, gesturing to the tent surrounding them. “Oh my gosh, it’s beautiful in here.”
“My mom is extra, but we love her, anyway.” Skylar looked between Madden and Eve. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen either of
you dance in public. I’m honored.”
“You should be. It’s your party.” Eve’s throat worked, her gaze evading Madden’s. “You . . . and Mad should dance. He’s a
great partner.”
“Oh.” Skylar laughed. “Um, only if you’re up for it, Mad.”
Denial crested in his gut and he ached to have Eve back in his arms. To continue their conversation. To challenge her claim
that this radioactive thing between them was friendship and friendship only. But what was he going to do with Skylar watching
him expectantly? Tell the girl he adored like a sister no? At her graduation party?
“Of course, Sky,” he managed, trying to disguise the frustration.
And before he could blink, Eve vanished, like she always did.