Chapter 24 #3
“Hopefully, we won’t ever have to find out.”
Our appetizers were gone, and Shelby came by to drop off our salads and collect plates. She refilled our wine and double-checked that the salads were correct and disappeared again.
“If that is the way that you want to handle Xavier’s murder, then I completely support that. When we get back to the house or the compound—whichever you choose—I can get you the phone numbers so you can call them. Or you can have myself or Ronan call on your behalf.”
“I am confident that is the way I want to move forward with the matter.”
“I also thought he was lying, just to be clear. I’m not entirely sure what his motive for killing his partner was, though. He is involved in something, and we need to figure out what, if we don’t want him to pose a threat to The Order later on.”
“Well, it can’t be anything good,” I added, picking up my fork and stabbing at a piece of lettuce.
“We can address all of that when we get back—among other things.” His eyes met mine, and I got the feeling I knew what he was referring to. Ronan was the “other things” he was referring to.
“Ronan.”
“Ronan. If he doesn’t accept your decision, then he will become an annoyance to me, and I would hate to have to remind him where he ranks in the run of things… all things. I have a lot of patience, but it does have a limit—and a shorter one where you are concerned.”
“I have made it clear to him that I don’t want to be with him in a romantic capacity.
If he continues to act in a way that I don’t appreciate, then I will address it.
I have to give him some time. I’m still not sure that I want to lay everything on the line for you, though.
How do I know that you don’t have some other girl at home waiting for you? How do I know that?”
“I told you—there is no one of significance in my life. There never has been.”
“Right, you told me,” I said flatly, taking a bite of salad.
For the first time since I met him, I saw a response that wasn’t cool and calm. He had never shown more than the slightest crack in his expression until now. His jaw clenched, and his eyes locked on mine.
“Joslyn, I care for you deeply, and if that doesn’t feel like enough for you, then you also need to take into consideration that I have lived a very long time.
I like you more than I have ever liked anyone; that is actually a big deal.
If I have lived over two hundred years and chosen to be a liar, that would be pretty fucking pathetic.
I didn’t use the time to hone my skills of deception—perception, maybe—but lying is a waste of everyone’s time.
I would much rather people trust what I say; it saves a whole lot of time.
” I immediately regretted what I had implied.
“I’m sorry, you haven’t given me any reason not to trust you. In fact, everything you do implies the opposite. If I’m honest, I’m scared.”
“You might have a lot of reasons to fear things that are happening in your life right now. Trust me when I tell you I am not one of those things. I don’t want to hurt you; in fact, I want to do the exact opposite.
I want to fiercely protect you from anything and everything—and I want to do that while also making you smile so big that your face hurts.
” I blushed and looked down at the table.
The server approached the table with our entrees and again cleared dishes and refilled our glasses. I told her everything was wonderful so far and that she was great. The food was amazing—when I could focus on it.
Once Shelby had disappeared, Maddox leaned forward and lowered his voice.
“I do want to do more than make you smile, though. I would also love to hear you whimper, moan, and beg. A little screaming wouldn’t offend me either—especially if it’s my name.”
I refused to let him win this one. I met his eyes and let myself blush. I dipped my fork into the sauce on my plate and dramatically pulled the fork across my tongue. I closed my lips and tasted the reduction.
I pulled my eyes shut, “Mmmm. It’s sooo good,” I whispered as I opened my eyes and looked at him.
“You’re evil.”
“But it feels so good to be bad,” I said, holding his gaze.
He leaned all the way back in his chair. He brought his hand to his chin and smiled mischievously.
“You haven’t felt anything yet, but by the end of this night, I will be able to gently blow across your body, and I promise you will climax.
Your nerve endings are going to be so alive that I will have your entire body shaking—wanting to pull away—but your brain will be begging you not to.
Those goosebumps I give you will pale in comparison.
Wait until you are begging not to be touched because you honestly feel like another orgasm will separate your soul from your body.
At that point I will prove to you that it won’t.
So, please, stop staring at me like that and eat. ”
I needed to stop playing with this man. I can’t even imagine what someone could learn over multiple lifetimes.
I smiled at him and cut into my food. We didn’t talk much during the main course.
Shelby arrived to remove the dinner dishes and our wine glasses.
She returned shortly with two glasses, a bottle of wine, and our desserts.
The triple chocolate cake looked positively decadent.
I took a bite, and the dark chocolate flavor coated my tongue, and the ganache was velvety smooth.
I took a sip of water, my preferred drink of choice with chocolate.
“This is divine,” I said, looking at him. He was clearly amused.
“That good, huh?” He laughed a little and took a bite of his own dessert.
“It is. Is that lemon?” I asked, pointing at his plate.
“It is, do you want to try it?” he asked, holding out a forkful of cake.
I stood slightly and leaned forward. I took the bite off his fork slowly. Teasing him seemed like a good idea again. We would be leaving soon, and I wanted to have some fun. I slowly sat back down and licked my lips, smiling at him coyly.
“That’s really good. I love lemon.” We were about halfway through our dessert when Shelby brought the bill and set it on the table.
“Is there anything else I can get for you?”
“No, thank you. Everything was amazing,” Maddox said as he pulled out his wallet and set his card on top of the check.
“I will be right back, sir,” she said as she left to close the check.
A few minutes later she returned and set the receipt copies and pen on the table. Maddox signed the check and opened his wallet, taking out cash for the tip and replacing his card. He set the money on the table under the edge of his water goblet.
“I am ready when you are, my dear,” he said as he brought his eyes to mine and finished stowing his wallet.
I pulled my napkin from my lap and set it on the table next to my unfinished cake.
Some things were better than chocolate. Maddox rounded the table as I turned sideways in my seat.
The slit of my dress slid open, and I saw his eyes dart to my bare leg and hip.
He held his hand out to me, and I took it as I rose.
He placed his hand on my lower back and caressed my bare skin with his thumb as we made our way out of the restaurant and down the steps.
“So, what else did you have planned?” I asked as we walked to the car.
He stopped and turned to me. He placed one hand on my cheek and the other on my hip.
His lips collided with mine, and I melted into him.
I felt his hand slide into the slit of my dress and firmly grab my ass, pulling me toward him.
He deepened the kiss, claiming control. Moving his hand from my cheek, he tangled it into my hair, holding my mouth to his.
He ended the kiss but stayed close enough for me to feel his breath.
“I’m sorry—do you want me to take you somewhere else? I think there is a casino around here somewhere.”
I grabbed the lapel of his jacket and yanked him to me, closing the gap again. Gently, I massaged my tongue against his. I let a soft moan escape into his mouth before pulling away.
“I mean, if you would rather go stick money in a slot machine, I guess we can do that,” I said smiling at him. The next thing I knew, he had picked me up and threw me over his shoulder. He smacked my ass with sweet force.
“I’m taking your ass back to the room. I’m done playing games with you, Joslyn.” I laughed as he carried me all the way to the car and then gently set me down and opened the passenger door of the vehicle. “Get in.”
“Don’t tell me what to do,” I snapped.
“Unless you want everybody to walk by and see what I plan on doing to you, I suggest you get in the car. Now.” I immediately got into the passenger seat, sweet anticipation already building. He slid into the driver’s seat and started the car.