Page 44 of The Grump I Got Stuck With

“And that’s where your friends came in?”

“They always supported me when my parents didn’t,” Madison said. “Especially Emily. She’s been on Team Madison since we were little girls, spinning around in our tutus.”

I snorted into my glass, envisioning a ballet studio filled with tiny ballerinas and all the pink. “You in a tutu. Say more.”

“There’s not much to say. Ballet was complicated. I was awful.” She downed the rest of her glass. “Like a danger-to-myself-and-others kind of awful.”

I gestured for her to take the floor. “I think I’m going to need a demonstration of this awful dancing.”

Madison pursed her lips. “You’re not serious?”

“Oh, I am.” I grinned as she rolled her eyes. “Please walk me through the experience.” To my surprise, Madison actually got to her feet, holding her hands above her head as she stretched up onto her toes. I couldn’t help letting my gaze roam, taking in the soft curves. I really liked her in these particular jeans.

“This is called relevé,” she said. She bent her legs, dropping her arms. “And this is a plié.”

“This doesn’t seem all that complicated.”

Madison’s jaw dropped. “Excuse me. I was six. And easily distracted.”

“No wonder you and Princess get on so well.” She made a swipe for me, and I chuckled, managing not to slosh my whiskey all over. “How did Emily fare?”

“Oh, she’s a professional dancer now.”

“Mm-hmm. And you’re the cautionary tale.” I grinned at her, and she rolled her eyes, but I could tell she wasn’t truly annoyed.

“Okay, Mr. Big Talk. I’d like to see you give an arabesque a try.”

“Ara—” I hadn’t even finished my question before Madison kicked her foot up, balancing on one leg. Or, well, she attempted to. Her foot actually caught the coffee table and she yelped, stumbling forward. I deposited my glass onto the side table and opened my arms just as she fell into my lap.

With any other woman, this might have been awkward, but I’d wanted to be closer to Madison since that day in the bathroom, and with the alcohol thrumming through my veins, the turn of events was rather pleasant.

“Sorry,” she murmured, cheeks bright red.

“I’m not. As long as you’re okay. You are okay, right?”

She nodded, and my arms tightened around her before she could think to jump up. Warmth seeped through me wherever we touched, and I leaned forward, captivated by the citrus scent. I didn’t know if it was her shampoo or her body lotion, but I was bewitched.

“I think we should cross you teaching Kenna ballet off the list.”

“I’m fine with that,” she agreed.

I couldn’t stop staring at her lips. The next thing I knew, Madison was leaning toward me, chin tilted ever so slightly, and I couldn’t resist meeting her. My lips caught hers in a kiss, my hand lifting to cradle her cheek. It was gentle, exploratory, like the both of us were memorizing the shape of the other.

My pulse throbbed in my chest as Madison’s hand twisted in the collar of my shirt, and the kiss became more eager. She shifted in my lap, and I immediately felt all the blood in my body rush south. I wanted more—God, how I wanted more. But instead of pressing on, I pulled back. “We should stop here tonight.”

“Why?” she whispered breathlessly, eyelashes fluttering.

I stroked a piece of hair from her face, looking into her eyes. “Because when I really, really want something, I like to savor it.”

14

MADISON

“Girl, I can’t paint baby dinos with heart eyes,” I said, shaking my head as I leaned up against the kitchen island, nail polish in hand. “What do you think I am? An artist?”

“Yep!” Kenna giggled at me, wiggling her little fingers in my face.

“Let’s be reasonable here.” I took her hand, inspecting her itty-bitty nails. There was barely room for a polka dot. “What do you think of little hearts? Ooh!” I dug through her bedazzled nail polish kit, producing the appropriate colors. “What if we alternate red and pink hearts on a purple background? That’ll be perfect for Valentine’s Day in a couple weeks.”