AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He pulls a face. “Sheets guy?”
“Is that what they’re calling him?” I ask, then burst into laughter. It’s not even that funny, but I’m tired and stressed, and it just kind of bubbles up. I lean back against the stall and hold my middle. “Sorry,” I gasp. “Sorry.”
He shakes his head, smiling, but the look is more pity than anything, which I totally deserve, even if it stings. “Is he the one you’re hiding from?”
I shrug and glance away. I don’t want to tell this hot guy that I was just verbally humiliated in an empty bar by some rich asshat. Mostly because he’ll be indignant on my behalf, but he probably won’t mean it. I highly doubt I’m this country boy’s type either.
“He’s my ride home,” I confess. “I had dinner with him to, uh… say thanks, I guess? But he was being such an ass, I kind of ran away.” God, that makes me sound like such a mess.
“I get it,” he says quietly. His smile is very small, but it’s genuine. “How’s your friend, by the way?”
My eyes get hot, but I manage a shrug, and my lips quirk up. “She’s doing better. High as a kite on morphine and trying to invent a marshmallow tree.”
He laughs and leans his shoulder against the stall next to Clover’s, crossing his arms. He looks carefree and happy, and god, what that must be like. I try not to feel overwhelmed with envy because I never feel that way in the city.
“That sounds interesting. She’s got a good imagination. She also handled herself better than most people would, so she must be brave.”
My grin falters a little, but I nod all the same as I realize Maddox must be one of the guys Sage had told me about who’d come running with the stretcher to get Flor back to the lodge. “She’s stronger than people give her credit for.”
“Like you.” I can’t tell if that’s a question or a statement, but it doesn’t make sense either way, considering this is the first time we’ve ever spoken. He seems to get that because his smile turns a little crooked. “Miguel told me what happened with Achilles.”
That must be the black horse, and my cheeks get a little warm from even more embarrassment. “Yeah. Sorry about that. I know he didn’t mean it. Monty—” I choke on his name and huff with frustration. “He’s an ass.”
“Getting that impression,” Maddox tells me, and then he winks, and I think I understand what the word “swooning” means now. Jesus. “That jackass will be on his way in the morning and forget all about us and our sheets.”
I laugh again and slap my hand over my face. “I’m so glad I wasn’t here for that. He texted Flor on our way up and said the room was a disaster.”
Maddox scoffs and rolls his eyes. “We deal with people like him all the time. It’s nothing new.”
I can tell he’s being honest, and it makes me cringe a little because I realize he’s grouping me in with those people—as the exception, but still. I rub my forehead with my fist and kind of wish I was back in my room because I feel suddenly exhausted.
Opening my mouth, I’m trying to find the words that will let me escape this conversation—this entireweekend—when suddenly there’s a huge crack of thunder, and the lights go out. I try to take a step forward, but I trip over my feet, and from one heartbeat to the next, there’s no ground under me. I brace myself to hit the floor, but before that happens, strong arms sweep me up and press me against a warm, broad chest.
My whole body heats, and then the lights flicker back on, and I realize my nose is inches away from Maddox’s.
He looks worried for a second, and then his mouth stretches into a very slight smirk. “You’re just having the worst weekend, aren’t you?”
I huff and pull away slowly, and his arms drop to his sides. I’m not sure if it’s just wishful thinking, but he seems reluctant when he lets go. “I think the universe has it out for me,” I admit. “It’s been a bad month.”
His expression softens, and he offers out his arm the way I’ve only ever seen happen in movies. “I’ve been there. Let me walk you back. It’s not raining yet, but the ground is muddy, and the storm’s about to hit hard.”
I know he’s telling the truth. There’s a static in the air that means lightning’s nearby. I feel a little surge of trepidation as we leave the safety of the stable, even if Maddox’s warm body stays close. It’s not like this guy can protect me from getting struck, yet I cling to him like he can keep me safe from anything.
It feels ridiculous, and my heart is thudding hard by the time we make it to the lobby.
The place is still deserted, and Maddox hovers near the foot of the stairs when he finally releases me. “You don’t mind walking up, do you? I’d hate for you to get stuck in the elevator.”
I’d rather walk a thousand flights than be trapped in a small box waiting out a storm, so I shake my head. “Stairs are totally fine.”
He smiles at me but says nothing else. It’s oddly disappointing, but I mean, what else could we possibly have to say to each other? I turn on my heel and make my way to the second floor, feeling every inch of his heated gaze on my back until I disappear around the bend.
My breath is catching in my chest when I hit the third floor, and it’s not from the climb. I make it into my room since the door locks are still functional, then shut the door and press myself back against it. I’ve never in my life met a man who could light me up with a few words and a couple of heated touches.
Just as I step away, there’s a gentle tap on the door. It’s him. My heart is in my throat, and I don’t even look out the peephole as I wrench the door open, excited smile on my face.
It’s not Maddox.
Monty is there holding a bottle of Jack Daniel’s by the neck. He’s in expensive-looking sweatpants and a T-shirt. His hair is a little mussed, and his cheeks are pink like he’s already been drinking from that bottle after who knew how many manhattans downstairs. He smiles at me and leans his forearm on the door, and I take an instinctive step back.
