Page 52 of Before the Encore

Then, a knock at the door.

Madison opened it, wearing tight jeans and a black mesh top showing off her toned body and burgundy bra underneath.

“You summoned me?” The question wasn’t playful or teasing in that infuriatingly charming Madison way. It was…flat.

Bonnie’s heart kicked up a notch, forcing breath into her lungs. “Yes. Come in.”

Madison stepped inside, letting the door close behind her with a click.

Bonnie forced herself to meet Madison’s gaze. Black eyeliner made her blue irises brighter, more inviting. The lips that had sucked and kissed hers kept fixed in a tight line. “Take a seat.”

Madison perched on the hard arm of the sofa, despite the rest of the cushions being empty.

Here goes nothing. “I wanted to apologise to you. About…earlier.”

Madison watched her steadily, giving nothing away.

Bonnie brushed her hands down her sequinned top. “I panicked. I don’t do this—”

“With ‘someone like me’, right?”

She sighed. “Do you want the truth?”

Madison nodded.

Bonnie’s heart leapt into her throat. She swallowed, nausea swirling in circles. “You confuse me.” Madison raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. “Let me finish.” Though Bonnie didn’t know where she was heading with this. Silence filled the space, itching at her.

When she failed to say anything else, Madison commented, “Wow. Nice apology.”

“Can you just give me a minute?”

“You can’t admit that you like me, can you? Is it really that painful?”

Bonnie’s hands clenched by her sides. “Actually, yes, it is, because you’re such a pighead and so unbelievably irritating.”

“And yet you still want to kiss me.” Madison’s mouth ticked up at the corner. “I get it. That is irritating. It is for me too.”

“Excuse me?”

Madison stood, pushing off the sofa. “You’ve got a stick so far up your arse, you’re struggling to ride that high horse of yours.” She towered over her, and dammit, Bonnie had a weakness for tall women. Even infuriating ones. Madison continued, “You have so much at your fingertips, but you’re afraid, Bonnie.”

“Of course I am. I have everything to lose.”

“But you’re so worried about losing it, you’re not enjoying what you have.”

Her words touched a sore spot, and Bonnie glanced at the floor.

“And for the record, you are irritating too.” Madison’s strong, woody scent enveloped her, and her heart beat faster. “Ever since we met, you’ve been yapping in my ear, slating my work ethic—and my character—while I’ve jumped through your arrogant manager’s hoops and tried to make this work. I’m not perfect. I can admit that.” She wet her lips, her chest breathing heavily. “And for the record, I haven’t slept with anyone else. I haven’t gone one stupid second without thinking about being back between your legs. I haven’t even thought about anyone but you.”

Bonnie’s stomach rolled. Heat pooled low and hot.

“Tell me this, princess.” Madison dipped her chin and took a step closer. “Do you really want this to be a one-time thing? Or are you just afraid?”

Words failed her, her throat thickening as all the blood rushed south. Her body moved before she could stop it. Her hand found Madison’s waist, brushing a thumb over one of her belt loops and hooking inside. She tugged.

Madison’s jaw flexed. “Bonnie,” she grunted, like it pained her.

She pressed herself against Madison, so close that every exhale tickled her lips. Her other hand fisted the mesh top, rough between her fingertips. Her skin burned, arousal twisted up inside her, every breath winding her tighter.