Chapter 18 #2
“Yes, this is Joslyn. Can you please have a blender, ice, strawberries, peaches, passion fruit, pineapple, bananas, and a bag of limes brought up? Also, I would like a large pepperoni pizza and some cheese bread.” After I made my order, I called the receptionist.
“Hi, this is Joslyn. I just placed an order with the kitchen and am planning on spending the rest of the night in my room and would prefer not to be disturbed. Thank you so much.”
I hung up the phone and went to throw on some sweats. It was still fairly early, but I had no intention of leaving this room tonight.
When I returned, Maddox was on the phone, adding a second bottle of tequila to the order. I laughed, dropping onto the couch. I searched for a music channel to fill the silence. He joined me on the couch and set a deck of cards onto the table.
“What are we playing?”
“Spades or strip poker—your choice,” he said, grinning. “We have about two and a half hours before your boyfriend gets back.”
“Spades it is,” I replied, removing the cards from the box and starting to shuffle. We played a few hands before the food and the blender showed up. Maddox swapped out the carts and examined the contents of the new one.
“Do you think you have enough fruit? What is the pizza for?”
“I told the receptionist that I ordered food, and I didn’t want to be bothered for the rest of the night.”
“Oh, I see. You wanted to be alone with me while also driving Ronan absolutely insane when he arrives and isn’t allowed to see you.”
“Being alone with you had no bearing on my plan. Also, who is going to stop him from knocking on the door?” I asked seriously, wondering the answer to that question.
“He is technically your employee. Everyone in this building answers to you. Which means when you told the front desk girls what you wanted, they made damn sure it would be done. I am willing to put money on it that if you open that door and look outside, there will be an armed guard standing there. His only job is to make sure no one disturbs you. Ronan is going to be pissed. Especially if he finds out that I am in here with you, alone.”
“Because he doesn’t trust me?” I prodded.
“No, because it’s something he would want to be doing. Just plain jealousy. His job isn’t to question you or your actions. He would be out of line to let you know that it bothered him, so don’t expect him to act out around you. He may pick a fight with me, but probably not.”
“Right now, I don’t care what anyone thinks. I’m pissed off, and I want to get drunk, and apparently play spades,” I said, pointing to the cards on the coffee table. “Now, am I making the margaritas, or are you? I prefer passion fruit and strawberry.”
“I got you, just sit there and bask in your rage,” Maddox teased.
I stuck my middle finger in the air and started to shuffle the cards again.
“Don’t offer if you aren’t serious.” I blushed slightly at his comment and continued to shuffle the cards while he flipped on the blender.
We spent the next three hours playing cards and drinking a variety of fruity margaritas. I beat Maddox more often than he beat me. It seemed to be fair and square, but he would never let me think that it was on purpose.
“So how long before Ronan gets here?” I asked as I poured another batch of margaritas into our glasses.
“Oh, my phone has been vibrating in my pocket on and off for the last half hour. I haven’t checked the messages, but my guess is that he is already here.”
“So why don’t you read me the messages—the ones that are from him.”
Internally, I felt horrible for doing this. I did like Ronan. To be brutally honest, I liked Maddox more. I felt like when we were together, it was so easy. I was beginning to think maybe I drank too much, and maybe it wasn’t guilt at all.
“Do you want me to read them to you, Boss?” he asked the question pointedly.
I walked over to him and set his margarita down on the table in front of him. I held my hand out, and he put his phone in my palm. I tapped Ronan’s name and looked at the missed messages. It looked like four messages in total.
OMW, I just landed. Tell her I will be there shortly, and I will meet with her as soon as I get there.
WTH is going on? Did you tell her I landed? Is she okay?
Maddox, answer me. I need to know if she is okay. You must have talked to her at some point since I left.
YOU are in there with her, and she doesn’t want to be disturbed? If I thought I could get away with it, I would break the fucking door down and rip out your fucking throat.
As I was holding the phone, it vibrated again, and a new message popped up.
Does everything have to be a fucking competition with you? I fucking liked her, you asshole. She knows me. She doesn’t know shit about you.
I handed Maddox back his phone and sat down. “I should probably let him in. He really is losing his shit. Plus, he is going to hate you, and you didn’t even do anything.”
“I wouldn’t say I didn’t do anything,” he said, winking at me.
“I mean I did try, but if I tell him that, it might go to his head. And then I would have to tell him that I made you think about it. That if I hadn’t stopped myself, I would still be between those beautiful legs. ” I felt my face go crimson.
I cleared my throat, unable to stand the knowing silence that hung between us. “So, what do I do?” I blurted out the question without thinking.
“Well, you could sit on my face. That’s probably not what you meant, but it is an option—just saying.
” The red in my cheeks deepened as Maddox’s smile widened.
“I will take my margarita and go to my backup bedroom. I have one for moments such as this. Good thing for you to know—if Ronan can’t get the job done. ”
“You are horrible.”
I downed my drink, and Maddox got up from the couch to make his way to his apparent second bedroom that was down the hall. Once I was sure he was gone, I opened the door and addressed the guard standing there.
“If Ronan happens to walk by, you can let him know that he is allowed in.”
“Very well, Ms. Lawson.”
I picked up my cell phone from the table and brought up the chat window for Ronan.
Why didn’t you text me? You didn’t want to tell me that you wanted to break down the door?
I’m sorry I didn’t message you. I thought you were mad at me, and you staying close to Maddox bothered me. I am very sorry. I had no right.
What were you going to do after you broke the door down and attempted to rip his throat out?
I hadn’t really thought past that point, to be honest. I was just mad and jealous, and in that moment, I hated him.
You have no reason to hate him. Nothing happened; we were drinking margaritas and talking shit about my cousin.
It is truly none of my business what you two were doing. You don’t owe me an explanation.
I am pretty drunk, but I do want you to come to my room so we can talk about what happened.
I’m on my way.