Chapter 22
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
annalise
I sift through my closet and grab a pair of jeans and a pink sweater. Lucas is taking me to a rooftop movie theater, so I want to dress comfortably. We were supposed to go out last weekend, but he’s been busy with practice.
My phone buzzes with a new text, and I step out of the closet to retrieve my phone from the bathroom counter.
Lucas
Hey, I know we were supposed to hang out tonight, but I forgot that my teammate Chandler invited me to celebrate his birthday.
I let out a quiet sigh of relief. I’m not the least bit disappointed that our plans got canceled again.
The last few days, the pull toward Maddox has been impossible to ignore, a constant tug I shouldn’t give in to.
I find myself scrolling through his Instagram page and lingering on his photos longer than I should.
I even shamelessly watched his game in Boston on TV the other day before Mazi got home.
And as for Lucas? My chest doesn’t flutter. His text barely stirs me. Maddox has me wrapped around his energy, and I hate that I want it.
No worries! We can reschedule for next week.
Lucas
I actually wanted to see if you want to come along?
Oh no, it’s okay! I don’t wanna intrude!
Lucas
You won’t be intruding! Come on, please go! I’ll have a lot more fun if you’re there
I don’t know. Won’t Maddox be there?
Lucas
Probably. But don’t worry about him. I won’t let him mess with us.
I think I should stay home. I don’t want there to be any drama.
Lucas
Are you sure? Chandler told me Adriana Garcia will be performing.
No fucking way! Are you serious? She’s my favorite artist.
Lucas
Lol does that mean you’re coming now?
Is it a bad idea to agree to go, knowing that Lucas and Maddox will most likely kill each other? A thousand percent, yes. But I can’t resist seeing Adriana Garcia for free!
Yes, lol. I will be there.
Ditching the casual outfit I’d set aside earlier, I slip on a tight red dress with a sweetheart neckline and paint my lips to match. Maybe the outfit change is due to Adriana, or maybe it’s to get a rise out of a certain shooting guard…
With the amount of VIP guests in attendance tonight at The Reverb, they had to double the amount of security. I’m probably one of the few people in the crowd who’s not a celebrity.
“So how do you two know each other?” Chandler asks.
“We went to high school together.”
“Yeah, we were really good friends,” Lucas adds, resting his hand on my hip.
“Oh, wow! It’s like a high school reunion.” Chandler chuckles. “I heard Callahan and Kamado also went to the same school. Were you friends with them as well?”
I’m guessing he doesn’t have a clue about my history with Maddox, and I’d rather keep it that way.
“Yeah.” I nod. “We all hung around with the same crowd.”
Lucas and Chandler dive into stories from their high school days.
I stifle a yawn, their conversation already lulling me into boredom. Hopefully the cosmo I’m sipping will kick in soon to make the night a little more bearable.
As I bring my glass to my lips for a sip, I see him—the man I’ve been waiting for—and suddenly my night becomes a lot more interesting.
Maddox steps into the club accompanied by Elijah, Andrés, and Andrés’s wife, Katie. He has a way of commanding attention every time he enters a room, and I’m immediately drawn to him.
My heart throbs at the sight of him. He is looking especially fine tonight. The short-sleeve white button-up shirt he’s wearing accentuates his muscular build and showcases his large biceps.
He catches a glimpse of me in the crowd, halting in his tracks. My knees go weak as his eyes sweep down my body. His gaze lingers on my breasts before moving to my lips.
When our eyes meet, I casually flip my hair over my shoulder and bite down on my bottom lip, knowing it drives him wild. He draws in a sharp breath, his muscles tensing, proof that it worked.
The way he’s looking at me has my core throbbing with need.
“What’s up, boys!” Chandler throws his hands in the air when Maddox and his friends arrive at our section.
“Hey, man. Happy birthday!” Maddox greets him with a smile.
They pull each other into one of those classic bro hugs.
The server brings over a tray of shots and we all take one to celebrate Chandler’s birthday.
Maddox leaves his friends’ side and walks over—stopping directly behind me. “I know what you’re trying to do,” he whispers.
Our close proximity and the feel of his breath on my skin sends shivers down my spine.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Grabbing my hips, he pulls me closer, pressing his hard cock into my ass. My breath hitches in my throat, the wetness between my legs increasing. “You’re trying to make me jealous. Wearing this dress and showing up with him.”
I glance over at Lucas, who’s too busy taking more shots with Chandler to notice what’s happening.
“Please. As if I care enough to make you jealous,” I say, pushing my ass back further and causing him to grunt.
“Two can play this game, Monroe.” With a wink, he steps away from me, extinguishing what was building between us and leaving me craving his presence.
A busty blonde woman wearing a dress that barely covers her nipples stares at Maddox from across the room. She twirls her fingers through her hair and gives him a seductive smile.
He smiles back at her and weaves through the crowd to get to her.
Rage sears through me seeing him interact with this woman. He leans in close, whispering in her ear. She throws her head back laughing and rests a hand on his chest.
A playful smile dances on his lips as he glances at me, clearly amused by the angry look on my face.
Okay, Kamado. Game on.
Strutting toward Lucas, I grab his hand, pulling him away from his teammates. “Let’s dance.”
His mouth tilts into a smile and he happily follows me to the dance floor. He holds me close as I grind my hips against him, moving to the beat.
“Fuck, you’re so hot,” he murmurs, moving his hands down my legs.
I shift my gaze to Maddox, satisfied to catch the scowl on his face and the way he’s gripping his drink tightly.
Bringing the drink to his lips, he gulps the rest of it down and sets it on a nearby table. He places his hand on the small of the blonde woman’s back, guiding her to the dance floor.
Maddox draws her close to him, their hips swirling together rhythmically.
The blonde bends over, nearly flashing everyone as she moves her ass against Maddox.
Flames of anger lick through me seeing them dance together. Unable to watch them for another second, I excuse myself and go to the restroom.
My mind starts to race as I stare back at my reflection in the mirror.
I keep telling myself that I don’t have feelings for Maddox—but if I don’t, then why the hell am I so jealous of the blonde getting his attention?
I’m sure it’s just a normal reaction to seeing your ex with another woman.
Anyone else would have acted the same way I did, right?
There’s no way I could have any romantic feelings for him. Not again.
Although I did wear this dress because I knew he would be here. And I knew it would make him want me.
But that’s also normal, isn’t it? A lot of girls try to look their best when they know they’ll be seeing their ex. That doesn’t mean they still want them.
But I do want him.
The restroom door swings open and pulls me out of my thoughts. In steps Maddox, wearing that irresistible dimpled smile.
“So you started something you couldn’t finish, huh, Monroe?” He leans against the wall, amusement flickering across his face.
“Did you seriously follow me in here?” I shoot him a glare.
A laugh bubbles from his lips. “You’re in the men’s restroom.”
I spin around, spotting the urinals lined up in the back. I guess I was so angry that I didn’t even notice.
“You should pay more attention next time,” he says, stepping closer to me. “What if some creep had walked in here instead of me?”
“I’m perfectly capable of handling myself. I’m not some damsel in distress,” I snap, folding my arms over my chest. “You can go back out there and dance with that girl. I didn’t think blondes were your type.”
“They’re not.” He laughs.
Then Maddox’s strong arms spin me around, pushing me against the counter. I can feel him growing hard against me, and the contour of his sculpted abs.
“I like seeing you get jealous, Monroe.” His eyes darken as he licks his lips.
“I’m not jealous.”
“I know you’re lying,” he whispers, his voice low and seductive. “I know you better than anyone.” His hands move down my waist, and my breathing becomes erratic as he drags them lower. “I know this body better than anyone else.”
He cups my ass and a moan to slips out of me.
“You’re wasting your time with Lucas,” he whispers, brushing his lips against my ear.
“What makes you say that?” I ask, my defenses starting to crumble.
Grabbing my chin, he forces me to look at him. “Because the whole time you’re with him, you’ll wish you were with me instead. He’ll never be able to give you what you want or make your body feel as good as I do.”
“You’re so arrogant,” I whisper, even though he’s not wrong. The other men I’ve been with could never pleasure me like he could. Not one of them could ever care the way he does—or reach the parts of me only Maddox seems able to.
It’s safe to say Maddox Kamado has ruined me for other men. Not that I would ever admit that to him, though.
“Perhaps I am. But I’m only speaking the truth.” He presses his lips on my neck, lightly sucking on it. “No one else can pleasure you like I can.” He peppers kisses on my collarbone and across the tops of my breasts. Lifting my chin, he leans into me. “You’re mine, Annalise.”
Our lips are mere inches from each other. Unable to resist him any longer, I close my eyes, desperate to get a taste.
Then the restroom door swings open. Andrés and his wife barge through, killing the moment. Thankfully, they’re too busy making out and groping each other to notice us.
“Couldn’t wait until you get home, could you, Mrs. Navarro?” Andrés murmurs, guiding Katie into an empty stall as she bursts into a fit of giggles.
Not wanting to stick around to hear them bang, I adjust my dress and slip out of the restroom, Maddox following closely behind.