Page 46 of Three Months Yesterday

The gasp that leaves her lips only encourages me more, pulling the tight bud between my teeth and biting gently. Madison’s hands grip my shoulders, and I swear—even though there’s no space between us—she pulls me closer.

This time the moan that leaves my lips is real and I feel the precum beading at my tip. There’s a moment of hesitation before I give in, thrusting into my hand, letting it build. The image of Madison removing the last barriers between us floating behind my closed eyes.

I’m right on the edge—desperate for release—but a sound from downstairs stops me, and I have to bite my lip hard enough to draw blood to stop the groan from slipping free.

Cock still in hand, I strain to listen but hear nothing. It’s just as I’m starting to think I imagined it when I hear the creak of the bottom step.

“Fuck,” I hiss, releasing my aching cock and slipping from the bed.

I reach for the sweatpants piled on the floor and hastily put them on. There has to be something seriously wrong with me that the proof of what I was just doing is still evident behind the thick fabric now covering me, even knowing someone is sneaking around my house.

All hopes of it being Madison showing up early for her weekly check of the cottage are dashed as I turn around to find a complete stranger standing at the top of the stairs.

“Oh, sorry.” She giggles as her eyes trail over my bare chest and down to the erection I don’t have a chance in hell at covering. “I didn’t realize anyone would be here.”

With stiff movements, I bend for the shirt at my feet and slip it over my head. “Who are you?” The words are clipped, and part of me feels guilty for it, but then again, there’s a stranger in my cabin, one who didn’t knock and somehow made it through a locked door.

Her eyes bounce back to mine, as if only just realizing how inappropriate it is for her to be staring like she is. “I’m the new hire for The Lantern Inn,” she murmurs, shifting her weight from foot to foot.

My brows pinch. I know Madison’s been interviewing people, but she didn’t mention that she’d actually hired someone. “And you’re here because…”

“To clean?” The words are said so softly, I almost miss them.

I don’t know if she poses it as a question because she’s nervous or because she’s lying, but either way, I don’t believe her. Madison and I just talked about the schedule she wanted to set up for cleaning the cottage. I didn’t think it was necessary and honestly didn’t love the idea of someone being here every day, but we agreed once a week would be fine.

She also said it would be her handling the task, at least for a little while. There’s no way she wouldn’t have mentioned someone else would be coming today. Unless I’d completely ruined whatever we were building last night with that kiss.

“Why don’t we go downstairs?” I gesture behind her. I have so many questions, but I really don’t want to talk about in my room, the one I was just about to come in.

The woman spins and scurries down the stairs. Grabbing my phone from the nightstand, I glance at the time before slipping a sweatshirt over my head and following the mystery woman.

It’s a little after eight. Much later than I’m normally up, but a little early for Madison to be ready for her day, and I can’t imagine Madison wouldn’t be training this woman on what has to be her first day of work at the inn.

When I make it downstairs, the stranger is nowhere to be seen, but the front door is open and I hear Madison’s voice from the front porch.

“Holly? What are you doing here?”

“I thought you told me to meet you here this morning to start my training.”

“No. I told you to meet me at the main house at nine for your first day.” Madison’s eyes meet mine over the woman’s head as I step into the doorway. “I’m so sorry, Beckett.”

I open my mouth to tell her it’s fine, but she doesn’t let me say a word before she’s focusing all her attention back on Holly. “Why don’t you head up to the main house and I’ll meet you there in a few minutes.” Madison glances at her watch before continuing. “Sarah should be at the front desk, and can get you the paperwork you’ll need to fill out before we get started.”

I hear the slight sniffle and see Holly give a brief nod before she rushes down the porch steps and practically runs toward the golf cart she must have ridden over from the main house.

“Beckett, I have no idea how she even knew anyone was staying in the cottage. No one’s been told to come out here for any reason…” Madison’s words trail off as her gaze follows the path Holly just took, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her sweater.

I know I’ve only known Madison for a little over a week, but the last time she was nervous like this was when she showed up at my door with dinner and an apology.

“Madison, it’s okay.”

“No.” She shakes her head, turning back to me for only a moment before her attention moves away again. “That was so inappropriate. I’ll make sure everyone knows not to come out this way.”

“Madison.”

“I never would’ve told her⁠—”

“Madison.”