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“At first, I looked at it as just a job—a commission, but it’s all just gotten to me and I love it here. I miss my family and maybe my daily Starbucks, but it’s worth it.” She hesitates as though she’s about to say more. She doesn’t and concentrates on her lunch.
Was I expecting her to tell me that I was worth missing her family and Starbucks for? That’s exactly what I wanted her to say, but what would I have done if she had? Nothing. I can’t do anything, and it hurts.
I don’t want her to leave.
The words on the tip of my tongue stay buried as I clamp my mouth shut, I decide from this point forward, I’m going to be the perfect host. Instead of trying to ignore her presence other than at meal times, I’m going to make sure she enjoys her time here and leaves with only fond memories. I’m sure I’m capable of being the kind of man who doesn’t take advantage of having a young woman under his roof … even if my heart craves having her with me for the rest of my life.
“Take the afternoon off,” I suggest, smiling now my decision has been made. “I want to take you to the street market this afternoon.” I chew on my sandwich and watch her mind ticking away. “I’m serious Maddie. You’ll love it. Homemade cakes and jams, flowers, painters, coffee…”
She giggles. “Okay, you sold me at cakes.”
The smile she gives me causes a reaction in my body that I really shouldn’t be having, but as long as I’m careful I don’t see why we can’t spend time together. All of my previous reasoning against us spending time together has completely flown out of the window. I’m not really sure what I’m doing, but I do know that I want this.
Maybe I’m making a mistake. In fact, I know I am. But with her smiling at me the way she is, I’m not sure I care.
For now, I’m going to do what my son, Tanner, keeps telling me to do. Have some fun. Me and fun haven’t gone togethe
r in a very long time. So, I’m about to discover what I’ve been missing, and I just hope I have the strength to stay away from Madison. Nothing more can become of our friendship. We can be friends like she’d suggested to Geary, right? Even though I’m hopeful, something tells me I’m delusional.
35
Madison
On the way into town I keep waiting for Derek to tell me Dee is meeting us there, or that he’s made a mistake and has to get some work done. But nothing like that happens. He looks relaxed behind the wheel of his truck. The clothes help him look more relaxed. A dark blue T-shirt stretches across his chest and the faded denim of his jeans molds to his thighs. He looks nothing like the business man that I’m used to seeing when he leaves the ranch, he looks happy.
He parks the truck on the busy street and stares ahead before turning to me, a serious look on his face. “I want you to enjoy yourself today, Maddie. I miss seeing you smile.”
“I haven’t had a lot to smile about lately,” I admit with a heavy sigh.
Derek reaches forward and to my surprise, his large hand gently cups my blushing cheek. “That’s why I want you to have today to have some fun, with me.” He offers a wry smile. “It’s been a while since I’ve had any fun too.” He pulls his hand back and slides it down his face. “Too long really.”
The sexual tension in the truck becomes unbearable so before I do something I know he doesn’t want, I hop out from the truck. He follows at a slower pace and I meet him in front of the truck.
The sidewalk bustles with people today, with the street market looking enticing. I haven’t seen anything quite like this before and excitement fills me as I turn and grin at Derek. “This is going to be fun.” I don’t give him an option and slipping my hand into his, give him a slight tug to move him along with me.
It isn’t long before we get swept along with others, but Derek wraps an arm around my waist to guide me to the bakery stall. Just the sight has my mouth watering. “Oh, how am I going to choose?” I grumble.
Derek laughs in my ear sending goose bumps through me. “They’ll keep a few days in the fridge.”
Getting pushed from behind he ends up plastered to my back with his arm anchoring me to him. I’m not complaining, he feels really good, but the woman behind the stall is giving us an odd look, making me feel uncomfortable. Not enough to move though.
I turn my head and get Derek’s attention. “I blame my cousin, Sofia, for giving me a sweet tooth.” I grin. “She’s a baker and I’ve spent years testing her creations.”
He grins, looking into my eyes. “Then choose a few. Who cares if we’re still eating them in a few day’s time.”
Turning back, I smile at the woman who has a sour expression on her face and ask her to box a total of eight cakes. Derek laughs, but insists on paying.
“Thank you, Leah,” Derek says and gets a huff in response.
He carries the box of cakes and comments, “Perhaps we shouldn’t have bought these so early.”
“They would have been all gone otherwise.”
“I have an idea.” He takes my hand to keep me with him and I trail behind as he enters the drug store. We go to the far back.
“Darrin, can you do me a favor,” he asks. “I have something that needs to be in a fridge.”
Darrin grins. “You want me to look after them for you until later?”
