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“So, what is the second hardest thing in the morning?” she asked, just to inject some humor into the beginning of the day and be a little naughty with him. She let a few seconds pass before delivering the punch line. “Getting up!”
She laughed at her own joke and imagined him groaning at the silly pun. “I know that was really cheesy, but it was off the top of my head and spur-of-the-moment and the best I could do. I promise to brush up on my one-liners.”
Leaving him on that note, she walked into the bathroom and shut the door, and at least she had privacy in there as she used the facilities, brushed her
teeth, did her hair and makeup, and got ready for her workday. Once she was changed into a dress and heels, she grabbed her phone from where it was charging on the nightstand and headed into the kitchen.
She poured herself a cup of coffee from the carafe that Maddux must have left heating for her, then found a piece of paper with a scrawled note on it. I made you an omelet for breakfast. It’s in the refrigerator and you just need to heat it up in the microwave. He’d signed the message with a bold M.
The fact that he’d thought about her in any capacity made Arabella ridiculously happy. She glanced up at the security camera pointing toward the kitchen and smiled. “Thank you, Maddux. That was incredibly sweet of you.” She’d deliberately used the word sweet, just because she knew it would probably annoy him, when he undoubtedly thought of himself as anything but that.
As she warmed up what looked to be a yummy and fluffy ham and cheese omelet, she scrolled through her text messages . . . discovering at least another dozen new ones from Gavin since yesterday, which she ignored like all the rest. And damn, it felt good not to have to answer to him for anything.
She was surprised to find a different message with the name Maddux attached to it, which read, Milo is driving you to work this morning and will be your security detail for the day. He’ll meet you on the first floor at 7:30 a.m.
She blinked at the message, realizing that at some point Maddux had to have come into the room while she’d been sleeping to text himself her number from her cell phone, which enabled her to reach him in return.
She couldn’t resist provoking him. Will I get in trouble if I ditch him?
Try it and see, came his quick reply.
She leaned against the counter, grinning as she typed out another teasing retort. That sounds like a dare, Mr. Wilder, and depending on the punishment, I might be tempted . . .
She could almost hear his low, sexy growl as three dancing bubbles appeared on her screen while he formulated his carefully controlled response. Take it however you like. You agreed to my rules, and one of them is security at all times.
Even his text sounded so stern, and it definitely wasn’t the inviting or seductive reply she’d been hoping for. Then again, he was dead set on being hands-off with her when she wanted his hands on her again. Everywhere.
She took a quick bite of her delicious omelet before delivering another wisecrack. Security . . . as in you spying on me with all these cameras? She looked up at the lens and stuck out her tongue playfully at him.
Just keeping an eye on my asset to make sure you keep out of trouble, brat.
She rolled her eyes up at him, realizing that she could have been talking directly to Maddux, rather than texting all this time. “Unfortunately, there is no trouble to be had here in your penthouse,” she said in a wry tone as she set her phone face up on the counter and ate more of her breakfast. “But it’s nice to know I’m not talking to myself.”
Her phone buzzed and she glanced at his next incoming text. Have a good day at work, Bella.
“Maddux . . .” She beamed up at the camera and placed a hand on her chest. “That’s two nice things you’ve done for me in one morning. Making me breakfast and wishing me a good day at work. I do believe there’s a chance of reforming you after all.”
Her phone vibrated on the counter. Don’t count on it, sweetheart. You have ten minutes to get your ass downstairs.
She could easily imagine Maddux speaking those gruff words in that bossy, stern voice of his that made her panties damp and aroused her way too much. Which was crazy, since Gavin was plenty overbearing and all she’d ever felt toward his imperious attitude was irritation and displeasure.
Feeling naughty and wanting to stir a bit of Maddux’s baser desires and give him something to rev his motor for the day, she playfully, obediently saluted him. “Yes, sir! I’m heading down right now.”
Less than ten minutes later, she met up with Milo on the main level of the building, in the designated lobby area. The man was good-looking and about the same age as Maddux if she had to guess.
When they reached the black BMW he drove, he opened the passenger door for her and she slid inside, grateful that he wasn’t making her sit in the backseat. On the drive to work, at least Milo was personable and talked to her, but any conversation about his employer, Maddux Wilder, was off-limits. Clearly, he was a loyal and trusted staff member for MadX-Tech who valued his job, and Arabella respected his fealty.
Mondays were always busy at the university library, which Arabella was grateful for because it kept her mind occupied and off of Maddux. Between research she had to get done, outstanding preservation projects that needed her attention, and a staff meeting that lasted most of the afternoon, the hours passed quickly.
Like most of her lunch breaks, instead of going out to a nearby restaurant with colleagues, she ordered something quick and easy from the campus dining area that could be delivered and eaten at her desk while she worked. While she was friendly with her co-workers, being the introvert that she was and always had been, those relationships were mostly superficial. A few of the women asked her about the fairy-tale ball she’d attended over the weekend—out of both curiosity and envy—and Arabella told them all what they were eager to hear . . . that it had been lavish, lively, and unforgettable.
It wasn’t a lie. The Wilder Way charity ball had been all those things, even if the night had played out much differently than she ever could have imagined. Not that she shared her new living arrangements or her father’s betrayal with any of them.
When five o’clock rolled around and she walked out of the library, Milo was waiting for her by the concrete steps, right where he’d been when she’d entered the building that morning.
“Catch any bad guys today during your watch?” she teased him.
An amused smile tugged at his lips. “No, ma’am. It was a very quiet and slow day.”
