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I followed him into another set of rooms through a wide-open doorway. The huge living room led into an almost as large kitchen. The walls, cabinets, and high tapered ceilings added to the openness of the layout, the muted furniture and artworkdoing the same. Color had been added through accents located almost everywhere: red tropical flowers in a huge low vase on the wood coffee table, red throw pillows and accent rug. There were red towels in the kitchen, and another vase on the island.
That also allowed a homier feel instead of being stark and cold. My eyes were drawn outside as he also opened the sliding doors, letting in the fresh air. The roofed patio was complete with at least a dozen columns, allowing a view to die for, the ocean so close it felt as if I could reach out and touch it. There was a table near a covered grill, a massive bar that I bet was stocked with everything imaginable, and another seating area that could easily accommodate twelve or more guests.
“Go on. Go outside,” he encouraged as he shoved his hands in his pockets, taking a few steps back and nodding toward the outdoors.
I took careful steps, holding my breath as I walked onto the intricate stone, staring at the pool. There were also cabanas, one with a pool table and another with yet a third seating area complete with a stone firepit. Lounge chairs were on two sides of the pool keeping the amazing view unobstructed. And surrounding the area was a long strip of rolling perfectly green grass flanked by palm trees. This was the kind of place where dreams and fantasies were made a reality.
“Look to your left, Zoe.”
His command was darker than before and when I did, I threw my hand over my mouth, literally scampering toward the baby grand painted in red. “Oh. My. God. This is incredible.” I ran my hands over the surface, my heart fluttering from seeing such an incredible instrument. “You keep this out here?”
“Only when me or one of my guests are here. I had the cleaning staff push it outside. I thought you might enjoy the inspiration.”
“I don’t know what to say or think.”
“I want you to be comfortable here. My house is now your house.” Why was it his words were so stilted?
“I have no doubt I will.” I ran my fingers over the keys and sighed. “Do you bring a lot of guests here?”
“Very few. Almost no one.”
There was a strange sadness in his tone, the sound forcing me to turn and face him. He’d moved to behind the bar, already pulling glasses from one of the glass shelves behind him. He didn’t look at me, but I could tell he was deep in thought. I’d seen the guilt on his face more than once, especially after talking to my injured father after his surgery. What we’d done was eating Maddox alive.
“Women?” I immediately regretted asking him that.
I held my breath when he didn’t answer. “No, Zoe. There’s been no one for a very long time. And there can’t be anyone in my life.”
“Why is that, Maddox? Why are you forced to live the life of a monk?” I moved closer, curious as to if he’d bother answering.
I sensed almost immediately he was annoyed since I continued to dig at the reasons he’d shoved me away.
“If the shit that went down the past day didn’t explain the reason with vivid clarity, then I’m not certain what to tell you.” He poured a glass of wine for me, plopping two ice cubes in a glass and pouring some private label bourbon for himself. Then heshoved the glass toward me in an exaggerated gesture, his glare expressionless.
“Okay then. Why did the attack happen? Do you have any idea, other enemies in mind?”
“No, but I think your father might. Either him or your grandfather. While I’m hiding away in paradise, your father is on his own facing some unknown enemy.” He moved out from behind the bar, turning his attention toward the water as if he was attempting to dismiss me.
“Is that why you’re so angry, because you’re forced to babysit me?” When he didn’t answer, instead walking toward the stairs leading down to the pool, I jumped in front of him. “Answer me.”
“I’m angry because I allowed my guard to fall. Protecting you is part of my job.”
“Because of me your guard fell. Because of feeling something for the first time in your life. Right? Just a job. I don’t know what to say.”
His jaw was so clenched I was certain he was going to crack it. He said nothing yet his silence screamed volumes. When he finally spoke, I was incensed. “Don’t put words in my mouth, Zoe. I’m doing what is required.”
And for some reason, I lost my cool and my patience. “Required? Fuck you, Maddox. I’m stuck with a man who used me to get a few jollies, someone I looked up to at first before I fell down a rabbit hole of cravings. Did you know I’ve had a crush on you since I was a teenager? Did you know that I did all I could to save myself for you?” His look of horror made me laugh. “Don’t worry. I wasn’t a virgin. I allowed a single boy to touch me and hated every moment of it. That’s where I got the term ice queen.Yeah, and I know. That makes me a stupid little girl, or what you call a little lamb. I get the danger. I understand the distraction I caused by coming into town irked you, forcing you to be on edge. That’s fine, Maddox. I’ll stay out of your way while I’m here. That way I can do everything I can to hate you. In truth, that shouldn’t be too difficult given you’re a grumpy asshole with no zest for life.”
Mr. Silence struck again and I was sick inside. Yet as soon as I tried to storm away, he grabbed my arm, swinging me back around just as he’d done inside the hospital.
He fisted my hair, yanking back my head by a couple of inches, his hot breath cascading across my face as he lowered his head. The way his chest was heaving, I was certain he was going to have a heart attack.
“Don’t test me, Zoe. You won’t like me or what happens if you do.” He dropped his head even more, leaving his lips tantalizingly close, my mind spinning with the longing for him to kiss me. When he used his leash-like hold on my hair to shake me, I knew there was no turning back the clock.
“Let me guess. You’re going to spank me again like a bad little girl?” I mocked him by using my seductive voice, even purring afterwards. The flash in his eyes tore at my senses, sending wave after wave of explosive vibrations into every cell and muscle. The love/hate situation between us was already getting on my nerves.
“If necessary.”
“I’d like to see you try.” I shook my head, gazing down the length of him as he’d done to me a thousand times. “You’re right in that you’re nothing but a savage monster, a true Neanderthal.”
