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Thinking about our age gap only reminds me of the danger we’re in. Would anybody understand how badly I need this woman? How this isn’t some pervy CEO preying on a younger woman? It’s so much more than that. We’re everything to each other… or we will be.
“When I read that post, I saw the promise, the potential, but you still haven’t told me…”
“It’s not complicated,” she says. “My dad ran out before I can remember. I always thought about finding him. This woke something up in me, I guess. A hunger to get to the root of the matter, whatever the matter was. It’s never left me. I don’t think it will.”
“Do you want to find your dad?” I ask.
“Maybe one day,” she replies, “but after what Mom said, I think it’s fine, just me and her.”
“It’s wrong, evil,” I growl. “… a man abandoning his family. When I have children, I’d die before I did that. Die before I abandoned my woman to raise our kids alone.”
She needs to know this. She needs to understand that when the time comes, I’ll always be there for her.
“I agree,” she murmurs. “If I have a family, I’d never leave them. I’d always do my best.”
“Your best will bethebest,” I tell her, wondering what our first child will look like, hoping they have my woman’s spark.
“Thanks. I hope so. So tomorrow, yeah?”
It seems she wants to end the conversation early.
“Yes,” I say bluntly. “I’ll text you the details.”
The closeness in the car could’ve been a lie, or misleading at the very least. Perhaps this is the end before it ever started. A kiss… and nothing more.
Once the call’s over, I head inside. Usually, my thoughts are on the business, whatever deal we’re doing, expanding, or widening our net.
Now, there’s one thought playing on repeat.
Madison… always.
CHAPTERNINE
Madison
I thought the meeting would be at an office, but Jacob texts me the address of an apartment building a few blocks over from his company’s building.
My shift at the restaurant was difficult, the kiss lingering on my lips, even if that was impossible. I’ve brushed my teeth and showered since then. There’s no residue of the kiss, and yet I felt it all day long, reliving his touch, his heat, and his undeniable desire. His words tell me I’m beautiful.
I also remember Mom last night, too. How obsessed she seemed with Jacob noticing her.
Jacob has told me to text him when I’m outside. I do so, and also add,I can’t find parking.
Go to the underground lot.
I drive to the side of the building, finding Jacob leaning against the wall, his hands in his pockets. He’s got sunglasses on and couldn’t look more magazine-cover-worthy if he tried, with his sleek, dark blue suit, and his sunglasses catching the light.
He walks toward me with his wide shoulders. He’s so strong, tickling at the thoughts that won’t ever quit. I’d fall into his arms, drag my hands down his back, and tell him we have to go all the way. We can’t avoid our lust. I can’t let Mom’s words spoil it… or her warnings.
Rolling down the window, I say, “Hey, Jacob.”
He kicks away from the wall, seeming more aloof than last time. Maybe he wants to put the kiss behind us and pretend it never happened. We should focus on work, anyway, but I can’t stop the disappointment from touching me. Especially since we discussed kids last night.Whenhe had a family, he said, he’d never leave them. He’d always be there for them, but it’s a straight-up fairy tale to think he’s been waiting for me.
“Wayne is waiting upstairs,” Jacob says. “Let’s get going.”
Wow, to the point. Fine. That’s absolutelyfine. This is about the dogs, the truth, nothing else. Definitely notus, whatever that means, but I know the answer if his tone is anything to go by.
Nothing… it means nothing.
