Chapter 20
Chapter Twenty
Maddox
The moment I got wind of what Russell had done, something primal awoke inside me. I’ve never wanted to kill a man more than I wanted to then. My hands still ache from how hard I gripped the steering wheel racing to Amelia’s apartment.
Shadow promised he’d handle Russell, but there was no way in hell I was leaving Amelia and Dylan alone that night.
So I stayed under the pretense I’d sleep on her couch.
I didn’t bank on her coming to me in the middle of the night, and I sure as fuck didn’t expect for her to suck my cock before she let me fuck her senseless.
But the thing that trumped all of that was when she told me to stay. Having her body pressed against mine while she slept—it was like nothing I ever experienced before.
I slipped out of her bed before dawn, careful not to wake her, knowing Dylan couldn’t find me there. I would’ve gone back last night, but Shadow called. He alerted me that he had taken care of Russell and swore he wouldn’t be a threat to Amelia and Dylan.
Turns out ‘taking care’ meant beating him senseless.
I was hoping for a more permanent solution, like death.
Don’t get me wrong, I understand why Shadow didn’t kill him.
Russell is still Dylan’s father, regardless of how much the kid wants nothing to do with him.
Dylan might hate the man, but having someone he cares about kill his father? That’s a wound that doesn’t heal.
So with Russell temporarily neutralized, I left the ball in Amelia’s court. I didn’t want to push her too hard or too fast. I told myself if she wanted me back in her bed, she’d call me. Sadly, I spent the better part of the night staring at a phone that never rang.
This morning when I woke up to my empty bed, I decided I was taking the ball back. One night was enough. I just wasn’t sure how I was going to go about it.
Until my little wingman sent me a text an hour ago, and it finally came to me.
I swing my truck into the parking lot of Rodeo Roundup, surprised by the number of cars I see. For a Wednesday, it’s pretty packed. I guess that’s good for Amelia. The more people, the more tips—unless, of course, Wyatt is one of those people.
Then she’s fucked.
Country music flows from the jukebox, and the familiar smell of beer and whiskey hits me as I push through the door. Amelia spots me immediately, and the smile that lights up her face makes my chest tighten.
“Hey, cowboy,” Amelia says, her voice barely a whisper as I approach.
I don’t hesitate. I lean across the bar and kiss her hello, not giving a damn who sees. To my surprise, she kisses me right back. Tongue and all.
When we finally part, her cheeks are a pretty shade of pink.
“This is a surprise.”
“Is it, though?” I question. “Did you really think I could stay away another night?”
She shrugs, a small smile playing on her lips. “I mean, I kind of thought you’d show up on my doorstep last night.”
I flash her a grin. “So you missed me.”
She winces slightly. “I didn’t say that.”
“You didn’t have to. It’s okay to admit it, Amelia,” I tease, lowering my voice an octave.
“I missed you too.” Reaching behind me, I slide my hand into my back pocket and pull out my phone.
“Seems like Dylan doesn’t mind being around me either.
” I slide the phone across the bar. “Got this text from him a little while ago. Was hoping you’d give me permission to swing by and grab him.
The new sign for Fallen Meadows just went up, and he’s been dying to see it. ”
Surprise wears on her features. “He texted you?”
“Yeah, I gave him my number on Saturday. He says he rather be at the ranch than stuck with your landlord’s daughter. Can’t say I blame him. We’ll grab dinner too.”
She hesitates. “I don’t get off until two a.m., Maddox. He has school tomorrow.”
“I’ve got plenty of bedrooms,” I counter.
“I’ll make sure he gets to bed at a decent hour.
” I lean in closer, my voice dropping to a whisper.
“Then when you get off work, you can come to my house and spend the night in my bed. It’s been forty-eight hours since I tasted your pussy and I’m having withdrawals. ”
Her cheeks flush deeper, but her eyes darken with desire.
Yeah, my woman likes it when I talk dirty to her.
“Unless you want me to take care of you right here,” I continue. “We can slip into the office and I’ll devour you. But I’d rather have you in my bed that way I can take my time.”
She leans into me, her breath warm against my ear. “You’re going to replace every pair of panties you ruin on me, cowboy.”
“Does that mean you’re wet?”
“Soaked,” she replies, pulling her bottom lip between her teeth.
I groan. “You’re killing me, woman.”
She smiles coyly. “Serves you right.”
I slide my hand over hers on the bar, my thumb stroking her wrist. “Say yes, Amelia. Let me take Dylan. Let me take care of both of you tonight.”
Amelia sighs, her resistance fading.
“Fine,” she huffs. “But I want him in bed by eleven, Maddox. Not eleven-thirty, not eleven-fifteen. Eleven.”
I nod. “Done.”
“And when you pick him up, make sure he takes his book bag. He has math homework he needs to finish.”
“Got it. Book bag. Math homework.”
She taps her fingernails against the bar top, her brow furrowing. “He’ll need clothes for tomorrow too.” She purses her lips thoughtfully. “Actually, so will I if I’m staying over.”
I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face. “Is that right?”
“Don’t look so smug,” she says, but there’s no heat in her words. “You’re going to have to pack a bag for me. When you get to my house, FaceTime me and I’ll walk you through it. I don’t need you rummaging through my underwear drawer without supervision.”
“Or you can just go without,” I drawl, leaning closer. “I’m only going to ruin them, anyway.”
She rolls her eyes but doesn’t attempt to hide her smile. “Just call me, cowboy.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I say with a mock salute.
Amelia glances at the clock behind the bar. “You better get going before Dylan gets antsy.”
She walks around the bar and grabs my hand, pulling me toward her. Before I can say a word, she rises on her tiptoes and presses her lips to mine. It’s not the heated kiss we shared earlier, but I like it just as much.
I think tonight I’ll fuck her sweet and slow. Change things up.
When she pulls back, her eyes are bright. “That should tide you over.”
“If that’s supposed to make me want you less, it’s not working,” I murmur against her lips.
Her laugh is soft against my mouth. “Go get my son, Maddox.”
I squeeze her hand once before releasing it. “See you later tonight.”
It’s nearly midnight, and I’m fighting to keep my eyes open on the couch.
The remote’s still in my hand, Gunsmoke playing at low volume.
Spending the evening with Dylan knocked me out.
I really don’t know where the kid gets all his energy from.
From the moment we pulled up to the ranch, and he saw the new Fallen Meadows sign at the entrance, the kid was rearing to go.
We began our night by demolishing Judy’s famous pot roast for dinner, then I took him down to the bunkhouse to meet the crew.
There things got dicey. Wyatt, being Wyatt, decided to teach the kid how to play poker.
After two games, Dylan was twenty bucks richer.
Not sure how I’m going to explain that one to Amelia, but I’ll figure something out.
When we made our way back to the house, we got to work on the math homework. For the first time in a long time, I wished my sister were home. I even thought about calling her, but I didn’t want to look like an idiot in front of Dylan.
Fucking algebra.
I don’t know why they teach that fucking shit. It’s not like he’s ever going to use it. They’d be better off learning how to balance a fucking checkbook.
Once we were done with that nonsense, I took him upstairs and showed him all the spare bedrooms.
“You can pick any room you want,” I told him. “Got five empty ones to choose from.”
He wandered through each one, taking his time before settling on the one at the end of the hall. The one with the view of the eastern pasture.
“This one,” he said decisively.
He doesn’t know it yet, but that will be his room permanently soon enough.
When he was done with his shower and dressed for bed, we devoured Judy’s chocolate chip cookies.
All in all, it was a great night, but I’m whipped. Now I’m fighting sleep, my head bobbing as I try to stay awake for Amelia. The clock on the wall says she should be here within the hour.
My phone buzzes against my thigh, jarring me awake. Shadow’s name flashes on the screen.
“It’s late—”
“I need you to go to Amelia’s apartment and grab Dylan. Take him back to the ranch with you.”
There is something about his tone that has the hair on the back of my neck standing up. “Dylan is already with me. He’s been with me all night. Amelia is coming here when she gets off work. What the fuck is going on?”
He releases a ragged breath. “Thank fuck. Man, there was an explosion at the bar.”
My blood turns to ice. I’m on my feet before I realize I’ve moved. “Where’s Amelia? Is she—”
“She’s okay,” Shadow cuts in quickly. “I’m on my way there now. She’s shaken up, but she’s alive.”
“Fuck that. I’m coming to get her myself,” I growl, my keys already in my hand.
“Stand down, Maddox,” Shadow commands. “I’m already here. I can’t leave, though. Not until I got this shit sorted. I’m going to have one of my prospects bring her straight to you. I’d bring her to the clubhouse, but I don’t know what the fuck is actually going on.. Safest place is the ranch.”
I can read between the lines. He’s not bringing her to the clubhouse because he isn’t sure if this was a threat against his club, which means my sister isn’t safe there either.
“Where’s Della?”
“Della is safe. But I’m gonna need you to send one of your guys to my place to get her. It’ll be faster since we’re all tied up here.”
Jesus fuck.