Chapter 9
MADDY
THE PRESENT – LATE MARCH
“Mom, I’m home.” I pulled my key out of the opened front door, left my carry-on and garment bag at the bottom of the staircase, and dashed into the kitchen. I had to head back out to attend a TV awards show in less than ten minutes. Getting ready at my stylist’s place had taken longer than necessary. I was late, but Slip was even later. My driver, my publicist, and castmates were worried I’d miss my scheduled arrival time for the red carpet. My stress levels hadn’t come down all day—not after delayed flights home to LA and my dress needing last-minute alterations. But I’d made it. Now I just needed Slip to get there.
He’d been away, touring overseas, for four weeks. Life had been a flurry of gossip, and nosy paparazzi hanging around outside the studio gates and at my condo since we’d gotten married. My production team weren’t pleased about the drama I’d caused. Neither was I. I’d taken my role in Vancouver to avoid attention. Anxiety had crippled me after Noah had dumped me at our wedding in front of the press. I’d never been so humiliated in my life. It had taken me a long time to be comfortable in front of the media again. I made sure I did nothing that would attract the gossipmongers. But then I’d married Slip.
Tonight would be our first public appearance since Vegas.
No doubt we’d attract attention. Some heat. I wasn’t looking forward to that. But after tonight, surely everyone would leave us alone and get on with their lives. There was nothing the media could say or do to us we hadn’t already endured. Was that wishful thinking? Probably.
I just wanted a night of fun. With my husband. Without causing another Internet meltdown.
“Oh, Madison.” Mom put down her iPad and glass of wine on the kitchen counter. She grimaced as she slid off the stool. With not a hair out of place, makeup done to perfection, and dressed in a Dior pant suit, she shuffled and limped toward me, holding her arms out wide. “How are you, angel?”
“Tired, but okay.” I gave her a quick hug, keeping an eye on the time. 4:37p.m. Where is Slip? He should be here. I held Mom’s hand at arm’s length. “Why are you dressed up? You going out somewhere?”
“Yes.” She straightened her jacket. “Later. Just with some girlfriends. It’s Thursday. Cocktail night.”
A dull thud erupted in the back of my head. “But didn’t you go out for lunch today?”
“Yes.” She muffled a cough, wheezed, and tapped her chest as if to clear it. “But tonight won’t be late. It’s just for a couple drinks.”
I closed my eyes, tensed my jaw, and held my tongue. I didn’t want to get into another argument about her health.
But then she took a step back and screwed up her nose as she eyed my long black strapless gown. She scanned the split that ran from the waistline to the floor, and the side of the dress that was only held together by four palm-sized rhinestone bows, exposing my bare flesh underneath. “This is a bit slutty, isn’t it?”
What? I loved this dress. It was sexy and beautiful, but nope—Mom had cut that notion off at the knees. For someone who used to model in less clothing than this, I never understood why she ridiculed what I wore. Not sure if she was protective or jealous. Either way, I ignored her.
“It’s not slutty.” I flattened my hands over the tight bodice. “It’s elegant with a touch of sass.”
“You look like an overcooked tart, popping at the seams.” She waved her pointy fingernail at the revealing hipline of my gown. “No underwear? Did Sebastian put you up to wearing this?”
“Slip? No.” I wrapped the chain around my clutch and placed it on the counter. “He has no say in what I wear.”
“ Hmph .” Mom grunted, not hiding the fact she didn’t believe me. Her whole attitude toward him had changed since we’d gotten married. And I hadn’t figured out why. “He seems like the type of man who likes girls in skimpy outfits and barely there clothes.”
“He’s not like that.” Well...not all the time. Heat crept into my cheeks. I liked it when I wore something that drove him wild, and he couldn’t keep his hands off me. When he couldn’t wait to get me alone, away from prying eyes. “Didn’t you see some of the clothes I used to wear when I was friends with Georgia? Those dresses and skirts were a lot shorter, tighter, and more revealing than this.”
“I liked Georgia.” Mom folded her arms. “She was a strong, smart, and ambitious girl, determined to succeed in this town.”
Nausea flooded my gut in billowing waves. “Are you failing to remember she was also a bitch?” Georgia had been a close friend for more than twelve years, but success had gone to her head. She’d never hesitated to sleep her way into a good role or with any guy she set eyes on. The information she’d withheld would’ve saved me so much heartache and pain. She’d known about Noah and Jocelyn but said nothing. She’d claimed she didn’t want to interfere and loved seeing me happy.
Who’d let their friend marry a lying, cheating prick?
Georgia!
She’d turned into a manipulative, self-centered, conniving mole and only cared about herself. She’d hurt Sutton and me one too many times. Cutting her out of our lives was one of the best things we’d ever done. I didn’t miss Georgia. Not one little bit.
“Maybe she was.” Mom circled me, eyeing me up and down. “But she never looked like a Pop-Tart stuffed into a string bikini.”
My heart lurched against my ribs. I lifted my chin and stood two inches taller. I wouldn’t let my mother upset me. Not tonight. I could dress exquisitely, like Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, or as elegantly as Queen Mary of Denmark, and I still wouldn’t get a tick of approval from her. I was no super-skinny model like she’d been years ago. I never would be. “I don’t, Mom. Can’t you say anything nice?”
“Is that a bulge?”
Clearly not!
Mom poked my side above one of the bows. “Have you been eating too many carbs while you’ve been away filming?”
I stepped back from her. “I wish.” I’d been on a strict liquid-only diet for the past couple of days to ensure I had no belly bulge for tonight’s event. My mother should’ve been happy. Just like a catwalk model hitting fashion week, I wanted to ensure I had the flattest of tummies. I didn’t need more stupid rumors about being pregnant hitting the headlines. “I look good, Mom. So please stop.”
“Fine.” She flicked her hand at me and returned to sit on the kitchen stool. “But don’t blame me if you hit the worst-dressed lists. ”
“I won’t.” I folded my arms and leaned against the counter. I wouldn’t make those lists. Would I? No. Surely not.
Mom took a long drink of her wine, licked her lips, then tapped her fingernails against the stem. “Is Sebastian home for the weekend?”
“Yes. He should be here any moment.”
She pouted and frowned and rubbed my arm. “Are you sure about him? I’m so worried he’ll break your heart.”
We’d had this conversation more than once over the past month. I loved that she cared, but nothing would change my mind about staying married...for the time being. “Any guy could do that.”
“Yes, but most don’t live like he does. He’s away so much, always drinking, partying, and performing, surrounded by women who are throwing themselves at him. No man can resist temptation for long. I don’t want to see you get hurt again.”
The cuts in my heart threatened to split open. I’d avoided serious relationships thanks to the heartache Dad and Noah had caused. When they’d cheated on Mom and me, it had been my total blindness that had rattled me the most. Not once had I been suspicious. I was an actress, but even I couldn’t pull off the shit that they had. They’d lied to my face. Betrayed me. Broken my heart. Maybe I’d been young and na?ve, and I’d wanted to see the best in people. Maybe some people were just fucking brilliant liars.
I was worried about Slip—especially since Harper was back on the scene. I wanted to trust him explicitly. I just didn’t know how to do that. I had enough of my own concerns about my husband without my mother adding more fuel to my insecurities. “I’m being careful. He’s followed by reporters and fans everywhere. The guys would tell me if he misbehaved.” Hopefully. Yes...they would.
“They’re tight friends, Maddy. They’ll defend each other and will only look out for themselves.”
“You don’t know Slip like I do.” I had to believe him. Trust him. That would come with time.
“I know you care about him.” Mom wrapped her hands around her wineglass. “But he’s the type of guy you have fun with for a while—not the one you spend the rest of your life with. You’ve changed since you started seeing him. It’s not like you to be reckless. He’s distracted you, whisking you away for wild getaways and drunken outings. He’s interfering with your focus on your job and your responsibilities. You should’ve never married him.”
Maybe... but was that what she thought? He wasn’t good enough for me? A bad influence? Was he taking me away from looking after her? No...he’d woken me up to a life I hadn’t been living. We wanted to be together. Somehow, we had to find a happy medium between our reality and our dreams. “Well, I did marry him. When I’m with Slip, everything feels right. He treats me right. He makes me laugh. And...he gets me, Mom. We’re committed to working this out.”
Worry washed through her eyes as she waved her wine toward me. “Don’t give up who you are for him.” Ever since Dad had left, she’d hounded me to remain focused on my career so I could support myself. I’d done that, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t be with someone I loved. “You’re cast on an amazing show that has the potential to go on for years. When you were young, I didn’t rush you around to audition after audition, to show after show, from set to set, to have you throw away your career for some good-looking rock star. Don’t let him blind you with some sweet talk and fun between the sheets.”
“He hasn’t.” Oh, I wasn’t blind...but every time he opened his mouth, I was addicted to his dirty talk and sexy jokes, and to his lips on any part of my body. I could listen to his hot, seductive voice all day long. My thighs clenched together in anticipation of seeing him tonight. “I’m not giving up my job for him. I never will. I don’t want a family like you did. So how about supporting us and trusting us to make a life together? Not go off about this being a mistake.” I’d done enough of that myself, and now it was time to move forward and focus on making our marriage work.
“Because it is.” She placed her glass down hard. It chinked against the marble countertop. “Don’t be na?ve and think that man is going to be faithful and honorable.”
I didn’t need this shit. Not from my mom. I was certain this stemmed from Dad leaving. But she’d hit my biggest fear right in the center like an arrow hitting a bull’s-eye. Slip being around Harper ate away at my resolve like rust on my armor. But I had to have faith. “I have to trust him, Mom. Innocent until proven guilty.”
She straightened on the stool and smoothed her hands over her pants “Anddoes he understand I need your help to take care of me? I don’t want to be a burden on anyone, but I’ve got no one else, Madison. Your brother wants nothing to do with me. I never asked to get sick. I didn’t plan on getting lupus or all this joint pain and agony crippling my body.”
“I know you didn’t.” I rubbed her back. “You’re my mom. I’ll always look after you.” After all she’d done for me, taking care of her was the least I could do.
“You’re an angel. I wouldn’t know what I’d do without you.” She swiveled on her stool and grabbed a page from underneath the fruit bowl on the end of the counter and handed it to me. “Before I forget, this is a printout of my appointments for the next two months. I’ve added them to your email calendar.”
Shit . There were more than twenty-five appointments on this list. She’d barely be able to keep her part-time job as a receptionist at Universal Studios. I scanned the days I was scheduled to be here in LA. They were overloaded with doctor visits and physical therapy appointments. My gaze snagged on the visits to her lupus specialist. “Why have you got so many bookings with Dr. Raithna?”
Mom shrugged like it was no big deal. “She wants me to try some new medication that will hopefully improve my lungs and clear up my rashes.” Her hand trembled as she touched the red marks on her cheekbones, barely concealed by her foundation.
“You wouldn’t need different meds if you looked after yourself.” I shook the page of appointments at her, then slapped it down on the counter. She wouldn’t have blemished skin if she stayed out of the sun. For someone so vain about her appearance, she didn’t do simple things to protect it. I shouldn’t have to be the responsible one, advising her on how to take care of herself.
“I do.” She threw me a meek smile. “Most of the time. I’ve just been out to a few lunches lately. Friends’ birthdays. Work functions. As a result, my flare-ups have worsened.”
I clenched my jaw, my teeth, and my hands. “Mom?”
“I’m fine.” She coughed, wheezed, and flapped her hand through the air.
She wasn’t. I loved hanging out with Mom. But things had changed since I’d met Slip. When I was home in LA, I used to spend most of the time with Mom, visiting doctors and therapists, or attending work functions. I occasionally caught up with friends, especially Sutton. Slip had fitted into the small gaps in my crammed schedule. He understood the crazy hours the entertainment industry inflicted on our lives and had given me a taste of what I’d been missing out on...fun, laughter, and happiness. The problem was...I wanted more of those things. More time with him. Was I a fool to think it was possible?
As I read Mom’s list of appointments again, my stomach slithered onto the floor.
Yes, I’m delusional.
No matter how much I loved Slip, this was one of the reasons why we shouldn’t have gotten married .
I shouldn’t have dragged him into my life that revolved around caring for Mom. She relied on me, financially, emotionally, and some days physically. Slip had no idea what it was like, managing and taking care of someone who needed ongoing care. Mom was getting worse, and I dreaded the day when someone—the hospital, Bridget, or a doctor—would call, and the news wouldn’t be good. Once Slip learned what was truly involved, he’d walk away for sure. I didn’t want him to. But like with Mom, I had to be prepared for the worst.
Mom grabbed her pills out of the fruit bowl. She popped two into her mouth and washed them down with a gulp of wine.
So. Not. Good. My chest ached. I’d given up on the ‘drink less’ argument. It was too exhausting. Too upsetting. A battle I couldn’t win. She’d never admit to being a functioning alcoholic. “I worry about you, Mom.”
“I know you do.” Nodding, she placed her glass on the counter. “And I worry about you. We have to stick together.”
“Yeah. We do.” I massaged the knot in my brow, but it didn’t relieve the tension.
“Are you coming home tonight?” She snapped the lid closed on her meds and placed them in the bowl.
“No. I’m staying at Slip’s.” If he turns up.
“Why not here?”
I glanced at the clock. Shit. We’re late . “Mom, we need time together. He’s only in town for a few days. I’ll be here on Saturday morning to take you shopping and to your appointments.”
“Oh. Is that the only time I’m going to see you this weekend?” Disappointment welled in her eyes. But I couldn’t be here with Mom and with Slip. There was only so much of me to go around.
“Yes. But if I have time, we can have an early dinner on Monday before I fly out.”
“That’d be nice.”
The doorbell rang .
My heart skipped two beats.
It’d be Slip. Finally.
As I walked toward the front door, butterflies took flight in my stomach. I hadn’t seen Slip in four weeks. I placed my hand on my belly to settle my nerves and said a silent prayer. Can we just have a fun weekend? Please? I didn’t want to argue with Mom anymore. Or fight with Slip. Or stress. Or have everything we did this weekend splashed across the Internet. I needed time out from work, from Mom, and from my worries. I wanted to put everything aside and just be with my husband.
I opened the door, and my chest swelled. His smile lit my heart.
Yeah . . . everything had reset.
Slip charged forward in his velvet tuxedo. His long blond hair was pulled back into a neat man bun. So hot. He caught my face between his hands and crushed his lips against mine. The ability to breathe escaped me as he kissed me like he’d been craving, and begging, and dying to see me. Just like I’d missed him every day since he’d been gone.
“Hmm.” He licked his lips as if savoring the taste of my mouth. “Sorry I’m late. I’ve missed you so freaking much. My gorgeous, sexy wife.” He clutched my ass and drew me against his hard crotch. His other hand slid to my waist. His thumb drew lazy circles against the bare skin of my hip. “You look incredible in this dress. The most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
My pulse quickened under his intense gaze. “Don’t lie.” Pretty sure I wasn’t the most beautiful, but his compliments always made me blush.
“It’s the truth.” Heat flared in the depths of his eyes as he trailed up and down my body and slid his hands over my sides. “I’m gonna be hard all night unless we can sneak in a quickie before we go.”
My core clenched, begging me to let him have his way with me, right there in the hallway. But we couldn’t. We didn’t have time. This much fire simmering between us would make for an interesting night.
“We can’t. We have to get going.” I straightened his bow tie. “Why are you so late? Your flight landed two hours ago.”
“I’m sorry.” He smoothed his hand over my loose hair. “I had to go via my doctor and grab a prescription. It took forever.”
Doctor? “Doesn’t Jade get you your meds during the tour?” I could’ve sworn Slip had said Jade had gotten him his pain-killers. “Couldn’t you have seen him tomorrow?”
“He’s going away for the weekend. I was totally out.”
“Is your hip still playing up?”
“Yes, but it’s all good now I’m here with you.”
I rubbed my hands over his shoulders, the black suit soft beneath my touch. “You look very handsome.”
“And you’re fucking hot, Mads.” His gaze ran over me once again. “But if you don’t want me to ravish you, I’d better say a quick hi to your mom, then we’ll head off.”
“Yeah, best to make her happy.” I wasn’t sure Slip could do that, but I took his hand and led him into the open-plan kitchen.
Mom had graduated from the stool to her recliner in the living room and was watching some wildlife show with her large glass of wine in hand.
Slip walked over and kissed her cheek. “Hey, Valerie. How are you? Nice to see you again.”
“Hello, Sebastian.” Mom sighed and took another sip of wine. “I’m okay. How’s the tour?”
“Long. Tiring. Awesome.” He clapped and rubbed his hands together. “North Asia is done. We’re off to South America next week for a month.”
Mom’s head dropped back against the leather. “I’m exhausted just thinking about the thousands of miles you have to cover. ”
“It’s not so bad in a private jet.” He shrugged off the perk the band had during the tour like it was no big deal. But it was freaking huge! So cool. He slid sideways and hooked his arm around my waist. “I might have to charter one to take Mads on a honeymoon once the tour is over. We need to have one of those.”
“Oh.” Excitement skipped in my chest. We’d never discussed a honeymoon. “That’d be nice. Where are we going?”
“Don’t know yet. Maybe a remote island somewhere like the one we always talk about.”
“I’d like that.”
Mom glared at Slip and shook her head. “I’m still upset you married my daughter.”
“I’m sorry, not sorry.” He grinned as he took my hand and kissed it. “I married Mads because I love her. I promise to make her happy.”
My heart fluttered but concern hit the center of my chest. Slip always put on his big smile and acted like nothing bothered him, but deep down he took everything on board. He’d stress until Mom approved. I didn’t want him to waste his time. She might be a lost cause.
Mom grunted. “There’s more to a marriage than love.”
“Don’t start, Mom. We know.” I glided over to the kitchen counter with Slip in tow and grabbed my clutch. We’d put up with the disappointment from our families and the headline meltdowns for weeks. People just needed to accept it. What was done was done, and now it was up to Slip and me to work on our future. I tapped him on the arm. “Let’s get out of here.”
“I’m all yours.” Slip waved toward the front door. “Lead the way.”
But as I took a step toward the hallway, I swayed. Shit. Was I ready for this? Our first outing since we’d gotten hitched. Was I prepared for the onslaught of reporters and paparazzi?
Yes . . . no . . . maybe. Crap.
My silver high heels clicked on the floorboards as we headed for the front door. My heart rate quickened, stampeding against my ribs. My palms sweated.
“Hey?” Slip drew me to a halt halfway down the hallway. “You okay?”
“Yeah. I’m just nervous about facing the media tonight.”
“Don’t be. We’ve just got to smile, acknowledge we’re married, and move on. And we’re gonna have fun. I promise.”
That was what I wanted. But that also worried me. When Slip and I were together, we often had too much fun. Laughing. Drinking. Joking. Flirting. Last time we’d done those things, we’d ended up married. Nothing could outdo that.
I fidgeted with his bow tie. “How can you be so calm?” I needed some of whatever he was on... wait. No I didn’t. But too much tension coiled through my body. Too much tightness twisted in my muscles. A Xanax wouldn’t hurt.
Mischief danced through his eyes. “You want something to help you relax?”
Curious, I arched an eyebrow. “Like what?”
“Hmmm. Something we both need.”
His hands circled my waist. Fumbling behind me, he swung open the office door and guided me into the room. He kicked the door shut and walked me backward toward the desk. He lifted me onto the edge and yanked my dress upward.
He grinned as he eyed my bare pussy.
Heat shot through my veins. Just the way he looked at me had me coming undone.
He unzipped his suit pants, ripped out his hard cock and thrust into me.
I wrapped my arms and legs around him. Oh, yes. He knew exactly what I needed.
“There was no way we were making it out of here without me fucking you.” He smiled against my lips as he drove into me time and time again.
“I would’ve jumped you in the car.”
“Couldn’t wait that long.”
“No. Neither could I.”