Because You’re

MINE

By

K. Langston

Published by K. Langston

Copyright © 2013 K. Langston

First Edition: 2013

Cover Art By: Arijanna at Cover It! Designs

Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be
reproduced, stored in or introduced into retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means
(electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission
of the author of this book.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the
product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked
status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been
used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is no authorized, associated with,
or sponsored by trademark owners.

For mature readers due to strong sexual content. (18 and older).

You never know when love will come along and change…everything.

CHAPTER one

A kiss could ruin a human life

- Oscar Wilde

The ache was constant now, causing me to squirm in my spot. I normally had more self-
control than this, but now the unforgiving bench pressed crudely against my ass, making it hurt like
hell. Anxiousness pressed down heavy in my gut. We’d been waiting for more than an hour now. I
was about to go crazy.

Crossing and uncrossing my legs, I began twitching my high heeled foot in time with my racing

heart. Everyone in the court room spoke softly with hushed murmurs and most looked just as edgy as I
was. Reporters and camera crews littered the back walls of the court room, eager to hear the fate of
the infamous doctor and be the very first to report it.
Once again, my wondering eyes fell upon Barrett, sitting just a few feet across from me on
the other side of the railing. His broad shoulders twisted in his charcoal suit as he draped an arm
across the back of the chair next to him. Whispering into Kingston’s ear, Barrett was likely reassuring
him that all of this would be over soon and he would be, without a doubt, a free man.
“All rise,” The bailiff bellowed as the Judge made his hasty entrance into the courtroom.
“The honorable, Judge Henry Adams, residing.”
“Please be seated.” Judge Adams ordered as he took his seat at the bench. Everyone heeded
the order except the representing counsels and client. Judge Adams brought his large body forward
then rested his forearms in front of him, clasping his hands. His strong voice broke the deafening
silence. “Bailiff, please let in the jury.”
The testimony of the victim’s sister had almost been detrimental to our case. That woman
was convinced that if there was one person who wanted her sister dead, it was her sister’s
controlling and manipulative husband, Dr. Michael Kingston. She had also testified in great detail
about the numerous times she’d witnessed his threats of violence towards his wife, even death. But
Barrett, being the slick son of bitch he was, quickly discredited her testimony. He ultimately forced
her to admit to having an affair with the good doctor several years prior to her sister’s brutal death.
I’d never seen someone cry so much in my entire life. Once that damning admission fell from her lips,
the emotional devastation of her sister’s death, along with the guilt of her betrayal were almost more
than she could take. She was a wreck by the time Barrett was through with her.
I turned my attention back to the judge, who was now opening the piece of paper that held the
jury’s verdict. His practiced composure was impressive, and he showed zero emotion as he folded
the paper and handed it back to the bailiff. It’s funny how the words on that simple piece of yellow
legal paper could destroy Dr. Kingston’s life or set him free.

Looking over at the infamous Dr. Kingston, I watched carefully as he checked the time on his

ridiculously expensive watch and adjusted the sleeves of his ridiculously expensive suit. His brash
demeanor over the last several months in preparation for this trial screamed guilt, but the evidence
said otherwise. He was arrogant, cocky, and very much in control of everything around him. The man
was a real piece of work.
“Madam Foreman would you please read the verdict for the court?” The judge instructed.
“In the charge of murder in the second degree, we the jury find the defendant, Dr. Michael
Kingston…not guilty.”

A collection of gasps filled the gallery. Barrett clutched Dr. Kingston’s shoulder with one
hand while he gave him a congratulatory handshake with the other.

I waited until most of the court room had disbursed before I approached Barrett and Dr.

Kingston. “Congratulations Dr. Kingston,” I offered my hand.
“Thank you, Miss Waters,” His voice was deep and smooth as his cold hand covered our
connected ones.

I felt one, then two strokes of his thumb brush across the back of my hand. My skin prickled

with revulsion. I pulled my hand from his tight grip, giving him a weak smile in an effort to hide the
disgust on my face. Dr. Kingston had never done or said anything I would consider inappropriate, but
he skated close to the line often. I won’t lie; he was a very good looking man. He was a little too old
for my taste, but his dark hair and chiseled face, along with his cunning and charismatic personality,
likely had many willing woman falling at his feet.

Barrett narrowed his eyes at the doctor who still had his eyes intently focused on me. Stepping

away from the table, Barrett held his arm out for me to go ahead of him.

Once we were in the lobby, the two men clasped hands again. “It’s been a pleasure.” Barrett

said.

“Thank you, Mr. Shaw. I could not have asked for better representation. McMillan and Shaw

have my highest regard.” Kingston said.

“We certainly appreciate that. You sir, are a free man. You should celebrate.” Barrett’s hand

fell to my lower back as he guided me towards the courthouse exit.
“I plan on it.” An incredibly tall blonde saddled up to his side. Barrett nodded his head with
a knowing smile then urged me forward.
My body moved, but I couldn’t pull my eyes away from the man whose wife had been
savagely murdered, who now was hugging this bodacious blonde’s ass with the same hand that still
adorned his wedding ring. The man had balls the size of cannons. Kingston’s hand threaded through
the blonde’s long curls just before he pulled her down for a passionate kiss.
During this whole trial, I never once questioned his innocence. He was difficult to talk to at
times, but he had a solid case. The state’s evidence had all been circumstantial. Hell, he was in
another country when the murder occurred. Seventeen witnesses testified to that under oath. It was as
open and shut as they come.
This was the first time I’d ever doubted him. And that was seriously fucking with my head.

Barrett laid his briefcase and suit jacket across the backseat of his Mercedes, then slipped

into the driver’s seat while I slid into the soft leather beside to him.
“Do you really think he’s innocent?” I snapped my seat belt in place.
He loosened the knot of his cherry red tie. “Doesn’t matter what I think, only matters what
the evidence proves.”
“Well, what if he did do it? Even though the evidence proved he didn’t. It happens all the
time.” I informed him.
One hand flexed around the steering wheel while his free hand found its way to my nylon
covered knee, giving it a gentle squeeze. “You can’t think that way, Madison. The evidence
is all that matters. Not what I think. Not what you think. And not what the jury thinks. We proved his
innocence beyond a reasonable doubt. It’s done.” Barrett reassured me, licking his lips.

My eyes darted from his upward moving hand to his stunning profile. His sandy blonde hair

was styled in an unkempt fashion, and his eyes sparkled with lust every time he looked at me. The
man was insatiable. We may not be a couple, but the need we had for one another was mutual and

incredibly hard to resist.

Shifting my legs, I adjusted my pewter skirt and tugged the hem down closer to my exposed

knee. Irresistible as he may be, I still tried to play a little hard to get. And I always failed.

Miserably.
His strong hand denied my efforts, making its way up my inner thigh. My body buzzed from his

touch and a spike of heat nestled low and deep in my belly. A satisfied hum rattled his throat as his
hand fondled the top of my stocking, caressing the black lace hugging my upper thigh. My breath came
in hard pants as he pulled my panties to the side. Soft fingers pushed through my slit, pulling a heated
gasp from my lips. Blood pumped wildly through my veins at the pleasure of his hard fingers gliding
with ease through my slick, wet folds. “I’ve been thinking about this all morning.” Adjusting his hand,
he pushed two fingers deep inside of me.

Holy shit.
My right hand gripped the door handle while my other hand fisted the fabric of my skirt,

pulling it up further, giving him full access to what we both desired. Barrett shifted his attention back
and forth from me to the road while his fingers did a damn fine job of drawing in and out.

But I needed more.
Dropping my four inch heel to the floorboard, I propped my foot up on the dash and grinded

my hips against his eager fingers. This couldn’t be safe and the passersby did not go unnoticed. Just
the mere thought that someone could see what Barrett was doing to me had my entire body tightening
all over and warmth spreading throughout. With a low mewl leaking from my lips…I came against his
steady hand. Barrett began to slow his movements. Sweat seeped from every pore of my body as I
struggled to catch my breath.

Removing his hand from between my thighs, Barrett brought his shiny, wet fingers to his

mouth. Stunned, I watched as he licked me from his hand, one finger at a time. The erotic sight made
my already pulsing core throb harder.

What the hell was he trying to do to me?
We were headed back toward the office, and I was gearing up for round two.
Barrett pulled to park in his usual spot inside the parking garage. His body shifted quickly and

before I could blink, he was on me.

What the…
Barrett had never kissed me on the mouth before.
Never.
Our relationship was strictly physical.
Just sex.
That was what we agreed upon when this whole thing started. Yes, of course I knew sleeping

with my boss was a bad idea. However, Barrett’s persistence combined with his good looks and
strong sexual appetite made him impossible to resist. Relaxing back into my seat, I gave in to him. His
kiss was aggressive, but there was a softness to it as well, and I bathed in the attention he showed my
mouth.

Why was Barrett kissing me now? When he had stated so clearly before that this type of

intimacy was not something I should expect from him. That thought quickly fled my brain the moment
his hand found its way back between my legs.

SHIT!
“Fuck,” Tearing his lips from mine, he bolted from the car.
I sat frozen.

Shock and confusion riddled my every thought. I watched as Barrett paced back and forth next

to the car. He opened the back door, retrieving his brief case and coat.

Collecting a deep breath, I took a moment to inspect my appearance. I smoothed a few arrant

hairs and reapplied my lip gloss.

Stalling.
This was bad.
Very, very bad.

CHAPTER two

Open your eyes look within.

Are you satisfied with the life you’re living?

- Bob Marley

Thankfully, I was able to avoid Barrett for the remainder of the afternoon. By six o’clock, I
was sticking my key inside the lock of my apartment, hoping like hell Tabitha, my roommate would be
home. She would know exactly what to do. But of course, my luck was for shit today.
After a quick change into some comfy pants and my favorite T, I fell into the couch with a
ragged sigh.

What a mess.
I still couldn’t believe he’d kissed me. What did that kiss mean to him? Did it mean anything

to me?

Absolutely not.
What we had was strictly physical, nothing more. I’d been working at McMillian, Shaw, &

Associates now for six months. Hired by Barrett himself as a research assistant, I was shocked the
first time he came onto me. Then, I was flattered. I ignored his sexual advances for months before
temptation got the better of me.

No, I was not a slut. I could count on one hand the lovers I’d had. School and work left little

time for a social life, and lack of sex could do some crazy shit to your better judgment…so could
Barrett Shaw.

Due to the intensity surrounding our sexual encounters, it wasn’t until about a week after we’d

started screwing around that I realized he’d yet to kiss me. I quickly found out why the night I tried to
initiate a kiss, and was sorely rejected. That was when Barrett explained that kissing me would be far
too intimate. He said that kissing could expose us to so many more complicated emotions. Feelings
that could lead to disaster if one were to fall for the other.

I thought he was completely full of shit. I’d kissed way more guys than I’d fucked, and I’d

never fallen in love with any of them. But today’s kiss proved that he was one hundred percent,
absolutely correct.

Kissing…was a very bad idea.
This whole thing had been a bad idea. Why the hell I thought screwing my boss was a good

idea, I’ll never fucking know.

I don’t know how long I sat there berating myself before I heard Tabitha’s key hit the lock. I

propped myself up on my haunches to look over the couch. If anybody could make sense of this mess
for me-it was her.
“Hey,” she said, dropping her bags to the floor. Her slim body barely dipped the sofa when
she fell beside me with a huff.
Twisting her head against the cushion, her red lips tilted up into a small smile. She looked
tired, but her green eyes still had a bit of fervor left in them. Her long, red hair was pulled back into a
messy ponytail with little fiery wisps framing her porcelain face.

I’d met Tabitha Warren when I moved to Boston six years ago. Aside from my best friend

Katy, back home, she was my only true friend. We’d roomed together in a dorm on campus prior to us
renting our own apartment. She’d graduated from Harvard last year with a medical degree. Then
against her father’s wishes, she took a teaching job at the local public school. Her father, Dr. Warren,
was beyond furious, and to this day does not hide his disappointment. He’d wanted his daughter to
follow in his footsteps and become a surgeon, but Tabitha had other plans. She wanted to be a music
teacher.
“Well?” she asked, her green eyes lit with anticipation.
“Not guilty,” I answered.
“Hell yeah, let’s celebrate!” Bolting with enthusiasm from the couch, she made her way into
the kitchen.

A few minutes later, she was handing me a generous glass of white wine. “Thanks. How was

your day?”
Tabitha toed off her black flats, pulling her feet beneath her. “Well, other than the kid
throwing up in my classroom today, it was mostly uneventful.”
I picked at a tiny brown string, begging to be pulled from the worn sofa.
“What’s up with you?” She eyed me curiously.
Where did I start?
“Barrett kissed me today.” I tossed out.

“Holy shit!”
“I know right?” I sighed.

“Do you have feelings for him?”
Did I?

“Hell no. He’s my boss. I should’ve never slept with him in the first place. Shit, what the hell

was I thinking?” I took a huge gulp of wine, my nerves were shot and being sober no longer appealed
to me.

Swallowing a sip of wine, Tabitha shook her head. “Um, it’s pretty obvious you weren’t. I

think your vagina was in charge of making that decision, honey. You better end it now before shit gets
even more complicated.”
“I just don’t want our relationship at work to be weird, ya know.” I had a feeling that no
matter what, things would never be the same between us.

“It won’t. Not if you don’t let it.” She tapped her glass with her clear polished fingernail.
“However, Barrett Shaw seems like the type of man who is probably not used to being rejected.
Yeah, you could very well have some weirdness on your hands.”
I slapped her knee. “You’re not helpin’,”
“Hey, I’m just being honest. Holy hell, what if he has feelings for you and that’s why he
kissed you?” she asked, raising one eyebrow.
“Don’t say shit like that.” My heart beat erratically in my chest at the thought.
Could he?
No fucking way.
“Crazier shit has happened. I tried to warn you. Don’t let them get too attached. They’ll
break your fucking heart. Why do you think I switch it up so often?” I knew exactly why she never
slept with the same guy more than once. Tabitha didn’t trust men, and she had a damn good reason.
I’m pretty sure that if I caught my boyfriend of five years screwing another man, it would fuck me up
for life too. I never judged Tabitha for the way she was. It wasn’t like she brought home a different
guy every night, but she was far more experienced than me in the casual sex department. “Just pull the
bitch card. It always works for me.” She patted my knee. “Ooh, I have a great idea!” Tabitha shot up
from the couch.
“Oh God, what?”
“Let’s watch Magic Mike. It’s been almost a week since I’ve had Channing on my Tatum. I
can’t go another day.” she said popping in the DVD.
“We’ve only seen that movie like a million times. Don’t you get sick of it?” I teased.
I would never get sick of watching that movie. You’d have to be blind not to appreciate the
Magic of the Mike.
“Fuck no! Are you high? Nobody could ever get sick of looking at Channing’s fine ass hump
that floor during his hip hop routine. And that Alex Pettyfer…sweet mother of God…I would drink
his bathwater with a sparkly pink straw.” I was certain that if given the opportunity, she
would do just that.
“Ok, fine. I do like that hip hop scene.” I admitted as she joined me again on the sofa.

Unable to resolve my Barrett crisis, I settled for a long night of hot gorgeous men and lots and

lots of wine.

***

The words on the screen were beginning to blur and run together. Tabitha and I had stayed up
way too late last night watching half naked men shake their asses, and drinking copious amount of
alcohol.

Hangover was an understatement.
“Madison,” Barrett’s deep voice jolted my tired mind awake. “I need to see you for a

moment, please.” he said before he turned to walk toward his office.

Barrett was already seated on the other side of his shiny black desk when I entered. Adjusting

his tie, he pulled himself forward. “Shut the door, please.” My heart stammered in my chest as I shut
the heavy door. I turned to face him. “Sit.”

“Did I do something wrong?” Smoothing the front of my skirt, I took a seat in front of him.

He lifted an envelope, sifting it through his thick fingers. “No. You didn’t do anything wrong.

Actually, you do everything right.” Barrett’s face softened, allowing me to relax a bit. I swallowed
hard, waiting for him to speak. “You did a great job on the Kingston trial.” Barrett laid a McMillan &
Shaw envelope in front of me. My name was scrolled perfectly across the front, in his handwriting no
less.
“What’s this?”
“Open it.”
Sliding my finger beneath the seal, I peeked inside. It was a check. After I counted the third
zero, I was short of breath. “What’s this for?”
He leaned forward, clasping his hands. “A taste of what you’ll get when you become an
associate.”
I studied his face. His expression was sincere, proud even. And if I hadn’t been sleeping
with him for the last few months, I would be happy to accept the check in my hands. I’d worked my
ass off for it, spent weeks researching and preparing, side by side with him. But while the majority of
the time was spent working, the remaining time was spent...
“I can’t accept this.”
“Excuse me?”
“I’ll never know if I…I’ll never know if I really earned it or not.” Shame burned my face.
With a sigh, Barrett reclined back in his chair again. His forefinger slid back and forth
across the smooth skin between his nose and his mouth. He only executed that move when he was
pissed. “Well I’m not sure what the hell that is supposed to mean,” He pointed to the envelope in in
my hand, “But that is for all of your hard work here. Nothing more.” Before I could respond, Barrett’s
phone pierced the air. Narrowing his dark eyes, he ripped the phone from its cradle. “I told you no
interruptions,” he barked down the line, eyes still locked with mine. “Damn it. Fine. Put him through.”

Barrett covered the mouth of the receiver, holding my stare. “Take the damn money, Madison.

You’ve earned it.” He swiveled his big leather chair around, facing the floor to ceiling view of the
harbor. “This better be good old man.”
Leaving the envelope on the chair, I walked with heavy feet back to my desk. Shame, guilt,
and disappointment overshadowed any sense of pride I’d once had.
Who had I become?

CHAPTER three

Mistakes are always forgivable,

if one has the courage to admit them.

- Bruce Lee

Balancing my purse on one knee, I dug for my keys. I’d finally retrieved them from the dark
depths of my bottomless bag when I sensed someone behind me. Before I could turn around he was
pressed against my back. The faint smell of his cologne was my first clue that Barrett must have
followed me home.
What the hell?
His lips caressed the shell of my ear. “You’re a very stubborn woman, you know that.”
Twisting me in place, he pinned me against the door. There was no time to protest before his hungry
mouth found mine. Greedy hands pulled my top from my skirt, racing across the pebbled skin beneath.
My inner slut yelled…
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
But my conscious screamed…

NO.
This had to end. If I had any plans for a future at M & S, I could not continue fucking my boss.

I shoved at his shoulders, breaking our kiss.

He took a step back. “What?”
“We can’t keep doing this. And I thought you said no kissing.”
“Well, I changed my mind.” he shrugged one shoulder, taking a step forward.
I held my hand to his chest. “Barrett, I think we should stop. I don’t want this to interfere with

my job. And if this continues, I’m afraid it will.”

“We’re two responsible adults, Madison. I think we can handle sex without letting it get

complicated.” he chuckled.

“Don’t you think we should stop before…before feelings get involved?”
He studied me for a moment. His lips pressed into a hard line. “You’re right.”
“I just think it’s for the best.” I added.
His arm circled my waist, pulling me closer. “I agree. You’re an incredible woman, Madison,

and I know without a doubt that you’ll make one hell of a lawyer.” He tilted his head. “Please know
that this has no bearing whatsoever on your job performance.” Barrett pulled me tighter; his stern

voice left no room for argument.
“I’m sorry.” I offered to his chest.
He pulled my chin up to look into my eyes, “Never be sorry Madison. I’m sure as hell not.”
Releasing me, he pulled the envelope from the inside of his coat. “Now, I don’t want to hear anything
leave that mouth of yours except, thank you.”

I took the envelope. “Thank you,” He kissed my cheek, then turned and walked away.
My head was spinning when I fell against my shut apartment door, but I felt a little better.

Laying the envelope on the counter, I decided I needed a long, hot soak while I attempted to process
the shit storm. Before I could make it to the bathroom, my phone started ringing from my purse. My
mother’s sweet face lit the screen.

“Hey mama,” I answered, happy to hear from her and thankful for the distraction.

“Maddie, honey you need to come home!”

The panic in her voice caused my knees to buckle. I sat down on the couch. “What…what is

it?” My chest squeezed tight with fear.
“It’s…it’s your father. He…he had a heart attack this morning.” she broke down.
What?
“Is he…” I swallowed hard. “Is he ok?”
“He’s in surgery now. The doctor says he has a lot of blockage.” she cried into the phone.
“I’ll be there as soon as I can.” I knew my mother was freaking out, so I was trying to stay
calm, but I just wanted to break down too. My parents meant the world to me. I couldn’t bear the
thought of losing either one of them.
Once my mother told me what hospital they were at, I booked a flight. I threw what I could in
a carry-on, and hauled ass to the airport. I had an hour to spare before my flight, so I took that time to
call Barrett and explain what had happened. He told me to take as much time as I needed, and to let
him know when I landed safely. Then I called Tabitha to fill her in as well.
A mountain of weight pressed down heavy on my chest. My previous problems seemed
trivial compared to what I was now facing. Unable to suppress my emotions any longer, I allowed the
ugly tears to fall until they called my flight to board.

***

I arrived at Memphis International just after midnight. Once I rented a car, I shot Barrett and
Tabitha a quick text letting them know that I had landed safely, and then I called my mother. She
informed me that my father had made it out of surgery and the doctors said all went well. He was in
ICU and would remain there for the next several days. I felt a little of that weight ease up, but the fear
was still there.
My father had only been in ICU for a couple of hours when I arrived, so they would only
allow my mother to see him. The doctor told us that the next twenty-four hours were critical. He
would need to be monitored closely throughout the night, so visitors were limited.

Sitting with my mother in the waiting room, we cried into each other’s arms. “I was so scared,

Maddie. I don’t know what I would do if I lost him.” She dabbed her eyes with a tissue, and then
wiped her runny nose.
“How could he have a heart attack? He’s so young.” I sniffled.
“Dr. Woods put him on blood pressure medicine last year, and told him he needed to
exercise more and change his diet. But you know how he is. He’s so damn hard headed. I don’t think

he’s been taking his medicine like he’s supposed to. I feel so guilty. I should’ve made sure he was
takin’ his medicine.”
“Mama, you shouldn’t have to baby sit a grown man.”
“I know. But I’m his wife. It’s my job to take care of him. I just hope this opens his eyes. If
Holden hadn’t of found him, Maddie,” Her body shook as she broke down again.

Pain stabbed at my chest and I found it hard to swallow. “Uh, who’s Holden?” I asked,

rubbing my hand up and down her back as she cried into my shoulder.

She pulled away, wiping her nose again.

“He’s the one that found him. He saved his life.”

She informed me as if I should know this already. “Well, I’ll be sure to thank him then.”
She nodded with a small smile. “I have to pee. And I need some coffee. You need anything,

sweetie?” My mother cupped my face, kissing me softly on my hairline. I found comfort and solace in
her touch. I found everything I needed right there.
I smiled into her hands. “I’m good.”
“I’ll be right back.” she whispered, patting my cheek.

“Ok.” Tears stung the corners of my eyes.
My problems in Boston compounded with this terrifying situation were beginning to take its

toll. Mentally and physically spent, I laid my head down on the chair next to me and begged for sleep
to claim me. Thankfully, that didn’t take too long.

Around five o’clock, a nurse informed my mother that my father was awake, but could only

have visitors for fifteen minutes at a time. My father being less than coherent due to the pain meds
they had him on, I opted to go home and get some sleep before returning later that evening.

My repeated requests for my mother to join me were quickly rejected. I should’ve known

better. The only way she would leave that hospital was with my father. I arranged for the rental car to
be picked up, and then armed with a list of what to bring back, I drove my mother’s car home.
A thirty minute drive south of Memphis would take you to a quiet little Mississippi town
tucked away in the middle of nowhere. We lived about ten miles outside of my hometown of
Hernando. I hated the reasons that brought me here, but it felt so good to be home. Forgotten were the
reasons I’d always wanted to leave this sleepy little town when I turned down the gravel drive. I
quickly rolled down the windows, allowing fresh air mixed with a hint of honeysuckle to flood my
nose with memories.
Once I put the car in park, Drake met me at the door. “Hey sweet boy,” I knelt down and let
him lick my face while I scratched behind his ears. “You missed me, huh?” After a few more licks, I
made my way toward the front of the house.
The white two story house with its shiny copper roof and black shutters looked like
something you would see in Southern Living magazine. Abundant ferns dripped from the roof of the
wrap around porch, and I could see my mother’s latest novel laying on the cushioned swing. Dropping
my purse and bag in the foyer, I drug my feet into the living room. Falling face first into the couch, I
released a heavy breath.

Absolutely nothing had changed. It had been almost a year since the last time I’d been home,

and everything was exactly the same. I breathed it all in, the familiar smell blessing me with an
overwhelming sense of peace and calm. A newfound comfort that I’d never felt before had warmth
settling deep inside my chest.

Nearly losing someone you love could do a lot to one’s perspective.
Stretching out contentedly, I pulled my great grandmother’s cream afghan from the back of the

couch to cover myself. Snuggling beneath the soft blanket, I fisted my hands beneath my chin.
Home.

CHAPTER four

Home is where the heart is.

-Pliny the Elder

Just as it had a million times before, the loud Coo! of the coo coo clock jolted me awake.

Stupid clock.

I sure as hell didn’t miss that damn thing. At five o’clock in the morning and five o’clock in
the evening, without fail, that asshole belted…

Coo Coo!
As a child, I loved it, but as I grew older I secretly plotted ways to destroy it.

Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I stretched against the couch. I felt slightly refreshed, but I
was still exhausted. Grabbing my bag from the foyer, I ran upstairs to take a quick shower. Once I
retrieved the list of items for my mother, I made myself a grilled cheese.

Standing at the kitchen sink rinsing my plate, I caught movement outside the window.

Someone was leaning under the hood of my old jeep parked on the side of the house. I’d told my
father to get rid of that old thing several times over the years, but he never would. Maybe he’d
changed his mind. I had to admit, I would be very sad if he got rid of it now.
Without another moment’s hesitation, I marched myself outside. The screen door closed with

a loud thwack behind me as I closed the distance between the house and my jeep.

When he twisted his head at the sound of the slamming door, my determined boots skidded to

an abrupt halt, causing loose gravel to crunch heavily beneath my feet. Paralyzing blue eyes held me
in place, stunning me with their raw beauty. I had no idea what to compare them to, but they were
unlike any color I’d ever seen before. Far more beautiful than any sky or ocean.
Whoa.
It was sticky hot outside today. The humidity in the air had beads of sweat tickling my upper
lip, but there was no denying the chill bumps that pebbled across my skin as those striking blue eyes
roamed my body. Standing to face me properly, his tan arms flexed impressively as he wiped his
filthy hands with a grease rag.

The sight of a man doing that should absolutely not be a turn on.

But God help me…it was.
Well-worn jeans rested low on his lean hips, forcing my lips to part on a sigh. I was drinking
in as much of him as I could.

So why was I still so damn thirsty?
His dirty ball cap was pulled down low on his brow, but not low enough to conceal those

gorgeous blues. They were big and bright, and they shined back at me like a beacon in a storm. I
licked my parched lips in appreciation at the beautiful man standing before me. His perfect lips turned
up at the corners, and I knew it right then.
I was in deep shit.
That smile could definitely be defined as a panty dropper. I’d never had an urge such as this.
I felt so drawn to this stranger, and for reasons I could not even begin to comprehend, I wanted to
reach out and touch him. My hands flexed at my sides. I wanted to do a hell of a lot more than just
touch him. Thankfully, my mind finally sent warning signals to the rest of my body. I was standing
there, gawking at him, like a lust crazed fool. “Who the hell are you?” I demanded, irritation
scratching the surface of my desire.
“You must be Maddie.” he stated with a lazy smile.
Oh God, that smile was incredible.
His deep voice dripping with sex was laced thick with a strong southern accent.
“And you are?” I fixed my hands on my hips, narrowing my eyes. I would not smile back at
him-damn it.
“I’m Holden,” My irritation quickly deflated and realization took its place. His hand reached
for mine
“You saved my father’s life.” Before I could take his offered hand, he pulled it away,
nodding towards the jeep.
“Nah, I just called 911. The paramedics saved his life.” He wiped at his hands again.
Damn, I wish he’d stop doing that.
All I could think about were those hands on me. “Well, thank you. My father means the world
to me, and I can’t imagine what would’ve happened if…” The knot in my throat stunted my bubbling
emotions.
Holden cleared his throat, shoving that useles rag into his back pocket. “I think you’re good
to go here. I topped ‘er off with a few quarts of oil, aired up the tires and replaced all the spark plugs.
She should get you ‘round with no problems at all.” he said proudly, slamming the hood of the jeep.

Standing only an arm’s length away, the scent of his cologne slammed into my nose like a

Mack truck. How could someone look that dirty smell so good?

“I’ll be by tomorrow to check on things. Nice to meet cha, Maddie.” That remarkable smile
when he said my name caused a tingle to race across my skin and my breath to stall.
“Check on things?” I shoved out, following him to the shiny black Ford sitting in the
driveway.
“Mrs. Waters said they wouldn’t be home from the hospital for few days. They asked me to
look in on the place. Finish up in the fields.” Opening the door to his pickup, he turned to face me
through the rolled down window.
“That won’t be necessary,” I huffed. “I know how to drive a tractor, and I’ve baled those
fields hundreds of times with daddy.” He chuckled and those damn blue eyes of his sparkled with
amusement.
Did he doubt me?
Aw, hell naw.
I found my own cocky smile. “I take it you’ve never met a woman that could handle heavy
equipment?” I asked, raising one eyebrow.

He stepped away from the door, a playful grin hanging back on his relaxed face. “Oh, I’ve met

a few. Just none quite like you.”

Blood pounded my ears while furious heat raced through my veins. My face only inches from

his; I pressed my finger right into the center of his firm chest. The tiny contact was like a current
sending sparkling heat to pool hot between my legs.

Intense desire began a fierce battle with my boiling anger. “Let’s get a few things straight. My

name is Madison…not Maddie. And I’ve been driving a tractor since I was ten years old. I can do
anything a man can do except piss standing up. But let me assure you, it wasn’t from lack of tryin’.
Now, I don’t know who in the hell you think you are, but you damn sure don’t know me. So you can
take your assumptions and shove ‘em up your ass.” I finished my rant with one final poke to his chest.

That fantastic smile stretched his perfectly shaped lips, and all I could think about was how on

earth could a stupid ass smile make my thighs clench? How could his laugh, his scent, and his entire
fucking existence set me on fire like this? Anger and desire were dueling hard and fast. My body
wanted what my mind refused to have. If I stood here any longer, desire was going to fuck me over.
Big time.
Turning away from him, I didn’t chance a look back, but I didn’t fail to hear two words fall
from his mouth as I walked away.
“Fuck me.”

***

My father was the strongest man I’d ever known. Seeing him lying there in bed, so weak and
helpless, was a hard pill to swallow. My eyes filled with tears as I leaned down with caution to give
him a hug. “I’m so glad you’re ok, Daddy.” I whispered in his ear.

“Me too.” he grunted.

Dragging a chair from the corner, I sat down next to his bed. Regret pinched at my heart.
“I’m so sorry for not coming home at Christmas, Daddy.” I looked up from our connected hands.
Tears pooled at the rims of his clear blue eyes and my chest burned from the guilt.

I’d never seen my father cry before. At the time, I didn’t think twice about not flying home for

Christmas. It was only ever the three of us, anyway, so what was the big deal?

Oh, it was a very big deal.
“I know sweetie.” he said, stroking my small hand with his large one.
“So when do they say you can come home?” I asked, wiping tears from my eyes. I was eager

to spend time with them, especially my father.
“We’ll be here another few days or so.” My mother answered.
“I’ll stay ‘til you get out.” I informed them, reaching for a Kleenex to dab my eyes.
“That’s awful sweet of you, hun. But we know you gotta to get back to school. We’ll
manage.” My mother smiled from the other side of the bed as she lovingly stroked my father’s arm.
“You mean Holden can manage. I met him this morning.” I folded my arms across my chest.
“Who is he anyway?”
“He’s from Texas, ain’t he cute?” My mother crooned. Yeah, he was something alright.
“Grace.” My father groaned. “Holden knows what needs to be done ‘round there, Maddie.
He’s helped me out a few times in the fields. He’s agreed to help out ‘til I’m back on my feet.” He
patted my hand.
“Well, I know what needs to be done ‘round there too. I can handle it on my own daddy, you
know that. I only have one class left this semester, and I’ve already emailed my professor about
completing my course work online. It’s mainly just preppin’ for the final anyway. My boss told me to
take as much time off as I needed. I’m stayin’.”
He studied me for a moment. I knew that look. The look my father always gave me just
before he laid the law. “There’s a lot to do.”
“Daddy, I’ve got this.” I scoffed.
“I’m talkin’ ‘bout the fields, Maddie. That equipment is big and dangerous. I only want
Holden on that tractor, not you. Promise me.” he demanded in that voice that I knew could not be
argued with.

Gritting my teeth, I swallowed hard. “Yes sir.” I complied like a good girl, but what I really

wanted to do was scream to the top of my lungs.
Swallowing my pride, I resolved to give my father as little grief as possible. The last thing he needed
right now was a tantrum from his grown daughter.

***

The long drive home was dark and quiet, leaving me with a lot of time to think. I thought
about what a shitty daughter I’d been for ditching my parents at Christmas, and for not coming home
as often as I should. I also thought about how stupid I’d been for sleeping with my boss. Plain and
simple, I was disgusted with myself. I was ashamed of the person I’d become.

There wasn’t a doubt in my mind what I wanted to be, but how much of myself would I

sacrifice to get there? Living so far away from home had taken me away from the people that made
me…me.

I needed to reflect.
To know and understand why I made some of the choices I’d made. I needed to learn from my

mistakes and decide who I really wanted to be.

On the inside.
My phone buzzed in the seat next to me, and a beautiful brunette with mocha brown eyes and

her tongue poking out filled my screen.

Katy.
“Hey,” I answered with a smile.
“Mom just called and told me what happened. How is he?” she asked, concern cracking in
her voice.
Katy was like a sister to me, so naturally my parents treated her as such. Katy was family.
“He’s good. He had surgery to remove some blockage, he’ll be down for a while, but he’s
gonna be just fine. How’re you?”
Katy’s relieved sigh flooded down the line. “Thank God, I’ve been worried sick. I tried
callin’ you earlier, but it went straight to voicemail. Where are you?”
“On my way home. Where are you?”
“I’m stuck at work. Come by. I want you to meet him.
“Him?”
“Archer.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah,” she sighed, dreamily.
“I am on my way. It’s over there off Hwy. 3 right?”
“Yep, just before you get to the boats. See ya in a bit, sweetie. Be careful.”
“I will.” Yes, being home was definitely a good thing.

CHAPTER five

Happiness often sneaks through a

door you didn’t know you left open.

-John Barrymore

Holden

I smiled remembering how gorgeous she was. Her eyes were fucking phenomenal. The blue-

grey orbs held a light that I’d never seen before and I was instantly drawn to her from the moment they
locked with mine. Her chestnut hair had been pulled to the side in a ponytail resting over her right
shoulder. All I could think about was wrapping my hand around the long, silky strand and kissing her
pretty pink lips until I sucked every last bit of that shimmering shit off.

Thank God I had that fucking rag in my hands, because the only images that kept flashing

through my mind as she jabbed at my chest were of me devouring that incredible looking mouth.
Fuck.
Adjusting my useless dick once again, I did my best not to think about her. Yet, ever since I
left the Water’s property two hours ago, I couldn’t think about much else.
Maddie.

I saw Madison when she reamed my ass. The soon to be, balls to the wall lawyer her father

bragged about every chance he got. I liked Madison Waters.

But I liked Maddie a hell of a lot more. I saw her sweetness shine through when she thanked

me for saving her father’s life. I saw it in the innocent way she smiled at me with those big, bright
eyes so full of hope and light. Looking down, I pleaded with my dick.

No.
First of all, Eric Waters would physically remove my nuts if I even thought about touching his

only daughter. He knew about my past. I’d never tried to hide it from anyone. There were certain
parts I never talked about but I’d been honest with him about my vices, and in return he gave me his
trust. Eric Waters, better known as Big E to the town folk, took a chance on a lost kid trying to find
his place in this shit world. He was a well-respected man around these parts, and when a well-
respected man refers your business, you don’t go fucking his pride and joy.
Oh, there was no doubt about it. I wanted to fuck her. I wanted to fuck her so bad I couldn’t
sit properly. I wanted to fuck her, make sweet love to her, and do very bad things to her. It was crazy
fucking beautiful-the need I had for this woman.
No.
I had to stop thinking with my dick. There was no way I’d jeopardize my relationship with
Big E. And I had a feeling Madison Waters was not the type of woman I could easily walk away
from. Swallowing hard, I fisted the steering wheel. No.
My heart had been obliterated before, the pain and loss had nearly destroyed me.
No.
Maddie was off limits.

Madison was off limits.

I’d bought my house and the ten acres that came along with it two years ago. It was a work in
progress, but it had a solid foundation, a great view, and it was mine. Dumping my pockets, I hooked
my phone up to charge while I grabbed a quick shower. During the day I was a mechanic, but at night
I helped manage my cousin Archer’s bar. I guess you could say I was somewhat of a work-a-holic.
Even though I didn’t have to work at all, I made sure I constantly stayed busy. My sobriety depended
on it. I could live comfortably off of my inheritance for the rest of my life, doing absolutely nothing,
but I’d learned the hard way that was not an option for me.

You know what they say about idle hands.
I washed up…trying my best to ignore the raging hard on that kept staring me in the face. She

was seriously fucking with my head.
Both of them.

***

I had to hand it to Arch…he knew exactly what he was doing. My cousin had been a Vegas
night club owner for ten years prior to moving here. That experience, mixed with his Texas roots, and
the perfect location, made Archer’s a huge success right off the bat.

The main bar was about twenty feet long, accented with red and white lighting. Black leather

stools lined the lip of the bar, while black pub tables and chairs flocked the mahogany wood floors
throughout. The back housed six pool tables. All of which, Archer had specially hand crafted with red
felt tops, and black and white intricate base designs. The dance floor was massive, housing a fully
equipped stage for live bands. The waitresses all wore black tank tops with Archer’s written with
red cursive letters across the front, denim shorts, and black cowboy boots. They were all hot-coming
in every shape and size.
Our rarest breed, Katy Vaughn, was stocking the bar when I arrived for my shift. Katy was
one cool ass chick. She was just a down home, sweet girl. She would do anything in the world for
anybody. Since the bar opened almost a year ago, Katy had become a good friend.
“What up, Kat? Arch in the back?”
Shoving bottled beer into the cooler, she gave me a sweet smile. “Hey, Holden. Yeah, he’s
been back there all day.”
“Thanks, darlin’.” I gave the bar a light slap. Archer’s office was located behind the
full length mirror that lined the back of the bar. He’d had it designed so that it sat several feet above
the ground, giving him a perfect view of the whole damn bar.
Money could buy some ridiculously cool shit.
“Do you know how many hours I’ve spent going through this footage, and I still can’t figure
out who let those underage girls in last night.” Archer said without looking up from his laptop.
I sat down in one of the oversized red chairs squatting in front of his desk. Resting my ankle
on my knee, I laced my fingers behind my head and waited for my instructions. “Jake and Wade are on
the floor tonight. Billy’s workin’ the door.” he informed me, then resumed pecking away on his
laptop. “Make sure you check on the kitchen staff too, Lenny’s been taking way to many smoke breaks.
Stay on his ass.”
“Got it.” I answered.
“Reckless Heart is playin’ tomorrow night. It’s gonna be busy as fuck, so be here early.”
“Got it.”
“How’s Big E?” Archer asked, finally looking up from his computer.
“Good. He’ll be in the hospital for a few more days, but he’s gonna pull through. I met his
daughter today.”
Archer looked up from his laptop. “And?”
“She’s everything he said she’d be, fuckin’ gorgeous with a mouth like a razor. I can’t stop
thinkin’ ‘bout ‘er.” I confessed.
Archer shook his head. “Pussy.”
“I know.” I exhaled deeply.
“Ask ‘er out.” he said with a shrug.
He made it sound so easy.
“You’ve met Big E right? He’d serve my nuts up on a paper plate with hot sauce if I made a
move on his daughter.”
“She’s a grown woman, Holden?” He did have a point.
“Aside from your nuts, what do you have to lose?” he asked.
“My heart?” I tossed out, standing up from the chair.
“Jesus Christ, it can’t be that serious.” Archer said with a chuckle.
I laughed it off. But I was dead fucking serious. “I’m gonna go make my rounds before the
crowd pours in.” Making my way back out to the front of the bar, my mind was once again focused on

one thing and one thing only.
Maddie.

***

It was a little after eight when my night turned to shit. She was there with another guy, but
that didn’t stop her from eye fucking the shit out of me the whole damn night. I was taking a break in
my usual spot at the end of the bar when she made her way over.
“Hi, Holden.” Her high pitched voice caused my jaw to tighten. Fuck, she was annoying as
hell.
“Alexis.” I didn’t bother to look at her. I knew she had on a top that was pimping those fake
tits of hers for all their worth.
“Wanna meet up after work?” she asked, twirling a curl of her blonde hair.
I still couldn’t believe I let my dick talk me into that one. Alexis Davis was a rich, spoiled
brat who thought she could get any guy she wanted. And for some ungodly reason, the crazy bitch
wanted me. I’d made the mistake of fucking her a few times in the parking lot after work. I had to
admit, it was fun while it lasted. She’s was a freaky little thing. But then she started getting all clingy
and shit. I thought I did the right thing by letting her know up front that I didn’t want anything serious.
She’d said she understood.

But one night she showed up here causing a ruckus when she saw me talking to another

woman. A friend of mine’s wife, actually. She even tried to fight the poor girl. I had to kick her out
for the night and warned her that if she ever pulled a stunt like that again, I would ban her ass for
good. The woman refused to take no for an answer.
“No,” My arms were crossed against my chest as I looked out over the crowd.
“Please,” she begged.
It was then that I looked her square in the eye. I wanted to let her know that I was serious
about this. She was border line stalking me and it was starting to piss me off. “Alexis, unless you
want to get tossed out on your ass again, leave me the hell alone. Enough is enough.” “Why
don’t you want me, Holden? Every other man wants me but you. Why?” I didn’t have time for this
shit. I turned to walk away.
Her manicured nails bit into my forearm. “Holden, don’t you dare walk away from me.” Her
voice was tight with anger.

I jerked my arm from her possessive grip. “Go home, Alexis.” I snarled.
Muttering something under her breath, she stomped off toward the exit. Damn, that girl had

some serious fucking issues.
My night took yet another dramatic turn about half an hour later, when Madison walked
through the door. Wearing the same thing she had on this afternoon, my dick remembered exactly what
those nipples looked like when they were hard beneath her white fitted T.

Shit.
I couldn’t be near her right now. So like a pussy, I made a beeline for Archer’s office. My

poor dick just couldn’t take it. She was like gasoline, and my hard on for her was a raging fire
burning out of control.

I met Archer as he was stepping from his office. “I was just comin’ to find you,” He stopped

mid-step, eyeing me curiously. “The fuck’s up with you?”
“What?” I asked, rubbing the back of my neck.
“Well, for one, your face is red as fuck. Two, you’re nervous. And three, I’ve known you all
your life. The fuck’s up?”
“Maddie’s here.” I informed him.
“What’s that?” He leaned forward, giving me his ear.
I cleared my throat. “Maddie’s here.”
“Help me out here, brother. Who the fuck’s Maddie?”
“Madison Waters. Big E’s daughter.”
“Well, hell, why didn’t cha say so? Get out there and get to crackin’.” Archer grabbed my
shoulder, giving it a tight squeeze. “The fuck you waitin’ for?” he urged.
“I just need a minute.” It was killing him not to call me a pussy. I could see it written all
over his face. Archer was a man of few words and even fewer emotions. We may be blood, but we
weren’t torn from the same cloth.
“I see. Well, don’t take too damn long. I need your ass out on that floor.” He held open the
door of his office so I could enter.

From the window I watched as Maddie spoke with Katy from across the bar. Her head thrown

back in laughter caused something other than desire to stir inside of me, something more profound and
primal. This woman was different.
Special.
I could feel it. Buried deep inside my dark, twisted soul, I could feel it breathing new life.
Clawing at me to take what was mine.

CHAPTER six

Sometimes the heart sees

what is invisible to the eye.

-H. Jackson Brown Jr.

Madison

Rolling out of bed, I made my way downstairs to the kitchen. I’d only stayed at Archer’s last
night long enough for one drink, and to meet the mystery man himself.

Katy had hit the nail on the head when she’d told me the man dripped sex appeal, but had

some serious personality issues.
As in…he didn’t seem to have one.
She swears he has one in there somewhere, but I just didn’t see it. He didn’t even smile
when he shook my hand. His gruff voice and tone with Katy set me on edge right away. I still wasn’t
sure what to make of him.
Standing in the mud room, I shoved my socked feet inside my mother’s rubber boots. Once I

fired up the coffee pot, I was out the door.

My father was a retired FedEx pilot-turned farmer. We used to have cows, chickens, pigs, and

the whole shebang. But they’d toned it down a bit over the last few years. Now, they only had a ton of
chickens, the horses, and Drake. My parents weren’t rich by any means, but my father had bought
stock in his company early on, so they lived comfortably. They’d made a good life for themselves.
They’d made a good life for me.

Growing up, these were my everyday chores. Only, they didn’t feel like chores then, just like

they didn’t feel like chores now. I loved being around the animals, especially my horses.

Bella and Samson had their heads peeking over the door of the stalls when I walked inside the

barn. I could hear Bella’s hooves stomping the ground in excitement when she saw me. “Bella,” I
cooed, rubbing up and down her silky white neck. “I’ve missed you, girl.” I rested my forehead to
hers. Bella had been mine for fifteen years now. She was a beautiful white and tan mare. Samson, our
gelding, snorted and bobbed his head. He would not be ignored. “Alright, alright.” I chuckled, petting
the center of his chocolate and white diamond patched head. The door to the barn creaked open, and
my heart hammered against my chest at the sight of Holden standing in the doorway. “What the hell
are you doing here?” I yelped.
He walked towards me while his eyes roamed the length of my body. I shivered beneath his
deliberate stare. “I came by to see ya before I got started in the field.” His eyes crawled back up to
mine, a shit eating grin marring his handsome face. “Forget something?”

His grin morphed into a smirk.

What the hell?

I took a few steps back as he inched closer. “What the hell are you talkin’ ‘bout?” He rubbed

the side of Samson’s neck with one hand and smoothed the other down the front of his head before
locking eyes with mine. My nipples pebbled beneath his gaze, it was then I realized…I didn’t have on
a bra.
Shit!
I folded my arms across my chest. “I wasn’t expecting anyone.” Heat flushed my cheeks.
“I’ve seen tits before, Maddie.” His hand continued stroke Samson.
“Well, you haven’t seen my tits before. And its Madison,” I sneered.
“You always this pleasant in the mornin’?” He crossed his arms and faced me.
“No, I’m much worse when I haven’t had my coffee in a timely manner.” The longer he stood
there, looking at me like that, the more my anger melted….into…something else.
“That’s a great idea. Why don’t you go make us some coffee and I’ll finish up in here.”
“Listen, Hol-” I started.

He took another step forward, his arms still crossed. “I’m not leaving here ‘til we talk. It

seems we’ve gotten off on the wrong foot here, and I’m willing to bet that us being at odds won’t sit
well with your father. And in his condition, I’m not aimin’ to piss him off. Now, if you wanna feed the
horses first…fine. I’ll whistle while you work, sweetheart.” He took another step forward, dropping
his arms. His fierce blue eyes held mine, bolting me to the ground as he towered over me. “But I have
a feeling you’ll want to run along and dress properly before we have that cup of coffee. That is, if you
don’t want me staring at your tits the entire time.” He licked his lips, shrugging his shoulders. “Your
choice, Maddie.”
I swallowed hard several times before stomping out of the barn. I couldn’t find my voice
anyway. I wanted to tell him to go to hell so bad, but my mouth just wouldn’t work. And oddly
enough, I actually wanted to have coffee with him.

Barreling up the stairs, I found proper clothing as Holden had instructed, and took a little
extra time in front of the mirror swiping on lip gloss and putting on a coat of mascara, making my
wide blue eyes look brighter. What the hell was I doing? Chucking the mascara in my bag, I took a
deep breath. He was just a man.

No big deal.
I’d never been so damn conflicted about a man like this before. One minute, I wanted to ring

his neck, the next, I wanted to kiss him senseless. God, I wanted to do so much more than kiss him.

Wiping the slew of naughty thoughts from my mind, I went back downstairs. I found Holden

leaning against the counter when I walked into the kitchen. My stupid heart leapt in my chest.

“How do you take your coffee?” he asked, setting down his cup.

“I can make it myself.” I took a step towards the coffee pot.
“Sit down and tell me how you take your damn coffee. Please.” he demanded.
“You always this bossy?” I jerked the stool, sitting down at the island.
“You always this stubborn?” he retorted.
Yes.
“Splash of hazelnut.”
“No sugar. Why does that not surprise me?” he mumbled.
“You tryin’ to piss me off?” I asked blowing the top of the steaming cup he’d just handed me.
“Nope. Just trying to figure out why you’re so…” he trailed off, shaking his head.
Holden took a sip of coffee, studying me from over the rim of his cup. His plain grey
T-shirt stretched across his broad chest in the most delicious way, and that dirty Farm Boy hat he had
on was ridiculously hot.
“So…what?”
“Bitchy.” he finished.
“Oh, now you’re callin’ me a bitch? You’re an asshole-you know that?” I bit out.
“Hell no! Look,” He placed both hands flat on top of the island, bracing himself. “I’m just
doing what your father asked me to do.” he stated.

I relaxed back in my seat. “Ok, fine. Do whatever it is you think you gotta do. Just keep your

comments to yourself. We don’t have to be friends, ya know.” I rolled my eyes.
“Has anyone ever told you how fuckin’ sexy you are when you’re pissed off like that?”
Seriously?
“I wanna punch you in the throat right now. Do you think that’s sexy?”
He moved quickly. Like a jungle cat attacking his prey. My body was already tingly and
heated from just being in the same room with him, but with him standing this close to me, I felt like I
was standing inside of a sauna. He smelled so good, and for some damn reason, I had an
overwhelming urge to rub up against him.
It’s official. I’ve lost my damn mind.
“So tell me, Maddie,” His rugged face hovered inches above mine. “You gotta boyfriend?”
He was entirely too close, and in serious violation of my personal space. I wanted to move away, but
his intense blue eyes wouldn’t allow it.
“Why do you care?” I questioned, tilting my head to the side.
He leaned in closer, lowering his deep sexy voice to almost a whisper. “Because I wanna
make sure you don’t belong to anyone else before we move forward.”
His hypnotic gaze made it damn near impossible to speak. I swallowed hard and found my
voice. “Move forward with what?”

“Gettin’ rid of all this… tension we have between us.” One hand moved to the back of my
chair while his other hand rested on the island in front of me. His face moved in closer. Another inch
or two, and we would know exactly what the other tasted like. That thought excited me. My parted
lips searched for words, but I came up with nothing. His head dipped towards my neck and his calm,
even breath met my sensitive skin. My tortured lungs sucked in a breath. “You feel it…don’t cha?” he
pulled back, looking deep into my eyes.
“I don’t feel anything.” I lied.
Holden studied my face, his knowing eyes moving back and forth as he searched mine.
“Right. I gotta hit the field.” He walked around the counter, picked up his coffee cup, rinsed it out,
and placed it in the sink. Without another word, he sauntered his cocky ass out the back door while I
sat there…speechless. Trying to figure out how the hell I was going to avoid Holden Brooks and all
of this…
Tension.

Katy greeted me with a hug when I arrived at her townhouse to gather her for our lunch date.

We video chatted at least once a week, but that was nothing compared to hanging out with your best
friend in person. We’d decided last night we would go for lunch today, and then go visit my father.
Katy and I had been best friends since we could walk. Her father was the preacher at our
church growing up, and we did everything together. She was the perfect child until she turned eighteen
and moved out of her parent’s religious home. Then, she went crazy. Well, as crazy as Katy could get
without compromising her faith, that is. Underneath all of her tattoos and rough exterior, was the
kindest person I’d ever met. She never met a stranger and her heart was good as gold. Each and every
tattoo that sleeved her right arm had some sort of significant meaning to it. She had too many to count,
but they only made her look even more beautiful.

Today she had on a white flowing top that made her lightly tanned skin glow, a pair of dark

skinny jeans that highlighted her every curve, and cute black flats with her usual funky jewelry.
“Come in. I’m almost ready.”
A few things to know about Katy, the girl loved thrift stores and Pinterest. She was a
fountain of information when it came to DIY or turning someone else’s trash into treasure. Until Katy
had educated me, I had no idea you could make a coffee table out of palettes or use shower rings for
purse holders.
Who freaking knew?
I followed her to the bathroom. “Where do you wanna eat?” I asked, watching her apply her
red cherry lip gloss in the mirror.
“Windy City?” She smacked her lips then smoothed her long black hair.
I shrugged. “Sounds good to me.” I followed her into the bedroom. “Katy, where the hell is
your bed?”
“I burned it. Archer had a crawfish boil a few weeks ago for the staff, and said he needed
wood for the fire.” she chuckled. “I had some guys at work chop it up for me. I got shit faced and
watched the damn thing burn to ash. It felt so good, Maddie. It was…liberating.” Katy and her
boyfriend Luke had broken up a few weeks back. They’d been together two years before she caught
him screwing another girl.

In her bed.
“Shit. I’m so sorry, Katy,” I offered, moving in to give her a hug.
She held her hands up to stop me. “Don’t. I’ll cry. And I’ve cried enough tears for his sorry

ass. I’m DONE!” she sucked in a breath.

Her big brown eyes filled with tears, but she held them back. Grabbing her bag, we left the

bare room. I silently prayed that I would never have to go through something like that. I was a strong
woman, but finding the man you love in bed with another woman…or man…would be devastating.
Upon arriving at Windy City Grill, we were seated by the window overlooking the
courthouse square.
“Come hang out at Archer’s tonight? I get off at nine and Reckless Heart is playing. They’re
really good, and they always bring in a fun crowd.” she beamed.
“Sure.” I agreed, looking over my menu.
“So,” Katy laid her down menu on the table, clasping her hands. “How’s work?”
“Work’s good.”
She leaned forward. “Are you still sleepin’ with him?” she whispered across the table.

“No. That was…that was a big mistake.” I shook my head, still refusing to look up.
Huge.

“Yes,” She sat up straighter. “Fallin’ in love with your boss could be a disaster.”
Katy would never have casual sex. Either she was in a committed relationship, or she was
single. There was no in between. She’d had two serious relationships in her entire life. Ben had been
her first boyfriend right out of high school. They were together for three years before he decided that
being in a rock band was way more important than being in a relationship. Then, there was Luke. I
thought that was going good, until she caught him with another woman.
“Well, you don’t have to worry about that. I don’t plan on falling in love for a good long
while. I’ve got too much shit to do before I even think about settling down.”
“You can’t control who you fall in love with, Maddie. That shit sneaks up on you.” she
dipped her head, trying to catch my eyes.
“Speakin’ of bosses, what’s up with you and Archer?”
“I like him. I like him a lot, actually. But I don’t think I’m ready yet. Luke really messed me
up this time, Maddie. He’d been sleepin’ with that girl behind my back for months. How do you trust
another man after that?” I’d never seen Katy like this. She looked so…defeated.
I was the last person who should be offering relationship advice, so I told her what I thought
she wanted to hear. “He’s still out there, Katy. He’ll find you.” The waitress placed our drinks on the
table with two straws.

Katy had always been a true romantic at heart. She believed in true love, soul mates, and all

that fairy tale bullshit. Since we were kids, Katy had been searching for her knight in shining armor, a
prince charming to swoop in and sweep her off her feet. It was sweet, really…the idea of true love.
However, I was smart enough to know that wasn’t reality. That kind of stuff only happened in books
and movies. Not real life.
Katy sipped from her straw, gazing out of the window. “Maybe.” she shrugged.
I quickly moved on to more tolerable lunch time topics. Avoiding subjects like love and
men.

CHAPTER seven

Fear is stupid. So are regrets.

-Marilyn Monroe

HOLDEN

Fuck.
I told myself I wouldn’t do this. I told myself she was off limits and that I absolutely could
not and would not cross that line. But I was learning quickly that I was a weak bastard when it came
to her. This morning, when I’d found her in the barn, standing there with her long dark hair cascading
down her back in a messy ponytail, talking and cooing to the horses…I thought I’d lose my fucking
mind. She was the most beautiful women I’d ever seen in my life.

The look in her eyes when I got close to her in the kitchen, told me that she felt something too.

She just didn’t want to admit it. I wondered if she ever would.
Shaking my head, I turned into Archer’s. Saturday nights were always busier than Fridays,
which was a good damn thing. Maybe, that would help me keep my mind off her.

Katy was busy wiping down glasses when I walked in. “Hey, Holden,” she greeted.

“What up,” Katy had on her usual Archer’s tank top, but while the other girls wore cutoffs
she always wore ripped blue jeans instead. “Gonna be busy tonight.” I said, leaning across the bar.

Reckless Heart was playing tonight. The band was made up of five members. The two lead

singers were married, and they’d been singing together for years. Their harmony was insane, and they
sang a broad range of music from country to pop. They brought in a good crowd, and they were
entertaining has hell.

“Yep. Hey, my best friend is stoppin’ by later tonight. I want you to meet her.” Katy smiled.

Yes. Just what I needed. A distraction.

“You tryin’ to hook me up, Katy Vaughn?”
Her innocent smile morphed into a mischievous one.

“We all set up back there?” Archer asked with folded arms from my side of the bar.
Rolling her eyes, Katy straightened to face Archer. She tucked her bar towel into her back

pocket. “Good to go.”
Archer’s jaw tensed. “Did you really just roll your eyes at me?” he asked, a deep scowl
creasing hard face.
Katy fixed her tiny hands on her slim hips, lifting her chin.
“Careful,” Archer cautioned with narrowed eyes before he addressed me. “I want you to
watch the door like a hawk tonight. I’m gonna find out who’s lettin’ in bait. And when I do, I’m gonna
fuckin’ kill ‘em.” He turned his attention back to Katy. “Everybody gets carded. Got it?”
“Gah, I know that Archer. I always ID everybody.” Katy huffed.
Archer’s face twisted in anger and his deep voice echoed throughout the empty bar. “Can
you please, for once, just fuckin’ say ’yes sir’ when I tell you to do something? I know you card
everybody; I am just reiterating the fuckin’ need to be extra cautious.” I’d seen Archer reprimand the
staff before, and I’d never had a problem standing witness. But this was different. I didn’t want to be
a witness this at all. Katy was a good employee.
“Yes, sir.” Katy gritted through her clenched teeth.
“Now was that so hard?” Archer relaxed his shoulders.
Her voice was tight and clipped. “No.”
It sure as hell looked hard.
“I’ll be in my office if you need me. And I’ll be watching.” he said with a nod before
stalking off.
“Got it.” I threw at his back then I leaned over the bar, making eye contact with Katy. “I look
forward to meeting this friend of yours.”

She gave me a weak smile. “Me too.”

***

For the next four hours, I was focused and alert. The crowd was getting thick but it was

nothing I couldn’t handle. I tried not to think about her, only to wonder why I wasn’t thinking about
her, and then in turn, leading me to think about her. It was a pleasant mind fuck to say the least. The
woman was literally making me crazy. Getting sucked into my own head, I never had a chance to
prepare myself for what happened next.

Maddie walked into Archer’s.
I take that back.

Maddie floated into Archer’s. It felt like the air had been sucked out of the whole goddamn
bar and my knees wobbled due to the lack of oxygen traveling to my brain.

Yep, they fucking wobbled.
She walked towards the bar slowly with ease and grace, looking perfectly confident and

impossibly fucking beautiful. It was difficult to pull my eyes away from her. My hands itched to know
if her legs were as soft as the cotton dress she wore. The one that swished across her creamy thigh
with every step she took.

Sweet fucking hell…it swished.
Madison Waters could very well be described as every country boy’s dream. Well, this
country boy anyway. Every swinging dick in her path had their eyes on her. My pulse quickened and
my teeth felt like they could crush granite as jealousy washed over me. If one of them even thought
about touching her, I’d lose my fucking shit. The overwhelming need to prevent that from happening
had my feet moving in her direction.

Hoisting her sweet ass up onto the empty bar stool, she crossed her delicate arms in front of

her. Merging with a shadow on a nearby wall, I stood back and observed as she rifled through her
small purse. She then studied her phone, oblivious to the predators lurking nearby. It didn’t take long
before the first wolf descended. My body tensed, and I had a strong urge to stop him from
approaching. Instead, I flexed my hands and tried to take a deep calming breath.

Justin Webster was an arrogant prick whose money and looks could easily land him any

woman in this bar. But he didn’t have a chance in hell of luring in this woman. I couldn’t help but
smile to myself. My Maddie would eat him alive.

My Maddie?

He moved in too close right away, and I felt my face heat with anger. I crossed my arms and
pressed my back further into the wall. Inhaling and exhaling deep through my nose, I resolved not to
fuck him up unless he physically touched her. Then all bets were off.
Justin kept talking. Maddie laughed and then shifted away. He leaned in closer, and my back
jerked from the wall. When his grimy hand landed on her shoulder all I saw was red. Since I had only
been standing a few feet away, my angry stride was noticed by Justin right away. His body
straightened and he took a cautious step back.
Smart fucking man.
Standing as close as I could without touching her, I glared at Justin over Maddie’s head.
“Can I help you?” Justin asked.
“Go find someone else to harass, Webster,” I dismissed him with my chin.
“She your’s?”
YES!
“No.” My hands curled in on themselves.
“Then we’re good?” He took a step forward.
“NO.” I growled.
Yes, I fucking growled.

My front collided with her back, and delicious heat penetrated every inch of my body. “She’s

not for you,” I warned, trying to stay focused on Justin, and not the fact that Maddie’s body was
touching mine. The impulse to wrap my arm around her and pull her against me…

Unfuckingreal.

“Holden…” Her soft voice wrapped around my name like sweet southern honey.
Fuck.
“She’s not interested motherfucker.” I bit out then shifted my body.
“Well, I don’t see her tellin’ me that.” His hand moved to her knee. She jerked it away.
Good girl.
I stepped around Maddie. My fist clenched as I pushed my face just inches from of his. Justin
had a death wish. “I swear to Christ…”

Maddie’s tiny hands pushed up on my torso as she slid from her stool, moving between us.
Not a good place for her to be right now.

“Holden, please just walk away.” I looked down into frightened blue eyes.

“You can have ‘er. Plenty of other bitches to choose from in this shit hole.” Justin’s mouth
turned up into a cocky smirk.
My hand shook as I gently grasped Maddie’s wrist. As much as it killed me to do it, I pulled
her hands away from my chest, and then moved her to stand behind me. My hands then found the
collar of his pussy pink polo.
Only pussies wear pink.
And I was about to fuck this pussy up. I could see Archer approaching out of the corner of
my eye. I was usually calmer than this when extracting an asshole or a piece of fucking shit, in this
case, but I needed to make sure we had an understanding. “If I ever see you walk inside this bar again,
I’ll break your fuckin’ legs. And if you ever look in her direction again, I’ll make sure they never find
your filthy fuckin’ body. We clear?” I jerked his collar tighter. “Are. We. Clear?”
“Ye…yes,” he sputtered.
“Alright, Webster, you’re done.” Archer gripped the back of his neck, leading him from the
bar.

The world around me slowly slid back into focus. Turning around, I found Maddie standing

behind me with her arms crossed.
Aw shit.
“What the hell was that?” Her mouth pressed together while her sparkling blue eyes zeroed
in on mine.
“That guy was a dick.” I stated the obvious.
“Obviously. What I wanna know is why you found it necessary to step in? I know how to tell
a guy no. That’s exactly what I was doing before you went all crazy caveman and shit.”
“He put his hand on your shoulder.” I slipped out before I could think better of it.
“You were watching me?” Her head jerked back in surprise.
Damn.
My hands found the bottom of my pockets. I took a tentative step forward. “I couldn’t help it.
It’s kinda hard not to watch you when you’re dressed like that.” Her dress was low cut, showing a
little cleavage behind that tiny denim jacket she had on. But it was just enough to leave a lot to the
imagination. And drive me fucking mad at the same time.
“What’s wrong with the way I’m dressed?”

I took in another step. The strong need to kiss her until both of our mouths were swollen and

numb was almost unbearable.

I gripped the insides of my pocket so my hands would stay put. “I can’t stop thinkin’ about

what you look like underneath.”

Her perfect mouth formed an O and it sent all kinds of wicked, dirty thoughts running through

my mind. She shut her mouth and opened it as if she were about to unload on my ass when Katy
walked up, pulling Maddie in for a hug.
“Maddie, are you ok?”
Well, I’ll be damned.

CHAPTER eight

A man’s kiss is his signature.

-Mae West

Madison

“I’m fine. Hee-Man here is the one with the anger issues.” I whispered behind Katy’s hair,
my eyes still firmly locked on Holden’s.
Challenging him.
“Who? Holden?” Katy pulled back to look between the two of us. “No way. He’s harmless.
Keeps assholes like that in line-that’s for sure.”
“Wait, you work here? I thought you were just a mechanic?”
Holden’s face tensed and his nostrils flared. “I’m not just anything, sweetheart.” he said with
a sliver of anger piercing his voice.
“Sorry. I just thought that…”
“Things between us would be a lot better if you’d stop thinkin’ so damn much.” His signature
grin made a play for his lips.

“How much longer ‘til you get off?” I tried not to look at him but he made it impossible. He

had that damn look on his face again, like I amused him or something. It was really starting to get
under my skin. He was just too damn cocky for his own good. I mean, who the hell did he think he
was?
“Just give me twenty more minutes to close out my tabs.” She looked back and forth between
our stare down. “You two play nice.” Katy threw out before she darted off. Not willing to stand there
and entertain him for one more second, I turned to leave.
“Hey, where’re ya goin’?” he asked, grasping my elbow.
Looking back into those cobalt eyes, I knew I was screwed. This man had a hold on me in so
many ways. It was utterly ridiculous considering the short amount of time I’d known him.
“Ladies room. Wanna come? You can hold my bag.” I teased.

He released my elbow. “No thanks. Just don’t talk to any strangers, ok?” His genuine concern

sent warmth dipping low in my belly, and I couldn’t help but smile back at him. The man was
infectious.
The ladies’ room provided me with a little reprieve. After a few calming breaths, I checked
the time on my cell again. Katy should be getting off any minute.

Opening the door to the bathroom, I found Holden resting his tall, lean body against the wall.

One booted foot crossed the other at the ankles while his thumbs hung loose from his front pockets.
His eyes met mine, yanking the air straight from my chest. He looked so different without his ball cap
on. His hair was cut close to his head and I was pretty sure he didn’t even have to brush it. His rugged
features and that amazing smile had me panting like a thirsty dog in the sweltering heat.

“You stalkin’ me now?” I cocked my head to the side, trying to look offended. But it was an

epic fail through and through. He turned me on like no other man could, and I think he knew it.

Everything about him sparked something to life inside of me. Something I never even knew

existed.
“Maybe.” With a sly grin, he pushed from his perch. Before I had a chance to react, he had
me pinned against the wall. I inhaled his mind numbing scent, and my body tingled with need. Closing
my eyes, I sought my brain to take control. But once again, my body refused to listen.
Stupid body.
“So, I was thinking…we should hang out and get to know each other better.” His eyes were
intent and his breath was hot and sweet on face.
Kiss me.
Licking my lips, I did my best to entice him. “Um…” His eyes shot to my mouth. I was so
damn hot for this man…I couldn’t form a single fucking thought. “Not a good idea,” I managed to push
out.
“Why’s that?” His eyes held mine.
Every time he focused those deep blues on me, I could feel myself falling further and further
into their depths.
“What’s the point?” I asked bluntly.
That bitch card Tabitha had told me about was the only thing that could save me at this point.
But even that was beginning to prove ineffective against the likes of one Holden Brooks.
“Oh, Maddie. I see plenty of points…don’t you?” he asked, pushing in closer. His front was
now brushing up against mine, and I was fighting hard to push air in and out without moaning.
“Not really.”

Who the hell was I kidding?

“You don’t like makin’ new friends?” I could just push him off of me...cause a scene and
really put him in his place. But I loved everything he was doing to me.
I wanted more.
“Yes, but I have a feelin’ you wanna be more than just friends.”
“You’re right. I do.” he rasped.
“That’s not gonna happen.”
“And why’s that?”
“Because.”
“You’re gonna have to do better than that, Maddie.”
“There’s no point in starting something we can’t finish.”
“You’re right,” Surprisingly, his words punched me right in the gut. “However, I believe
everything happens for a reason. There’s a reason we met, there’s a reason you’re here tonight, and
there’s a reason why I feel the way I do about you. I can’t ignore any of that. I won’t. I don’t fuck
around with fate, Maddie. You shouldn’t either.”
Fate?
“Aw, to hell with it.” he growled before his lips fused with mine.

Cinnamon and Holden flooded my mouth, drowning me with his intoxicating taste. His hands
found both sides of my neck as he plunged deeper inside my mouth. My hands clasped at the sides of
his shirt, silently begging him for more. His hot tongue tangled with mine and it felt like a branding
iron, searing his taste inside my mouth forever. His possessive kiss slowed, becoming more tender
and sweet. His soft lips nipped and tugged at my mouth flawlessly. I was completely immersed in
him. His mouth was addictive and fit perfectly with mine. I could spend hours kissing this man. With
a final tug of my bottom lip, he ended the kiss. Then he whispered a kiss on my forehead before he
walked away.
What the hell?
Once I caught my breath, I ambled up to the bar. “Where the hell have you been?” Katy
asked.

“Ladies’ room,” I replied, scanning the bar.

“Here.” She handed me a bottle of Bud Light. “Who are we lookin’ for?” Katy inquired,
scanning the bar with me.
“Tell me everything you know about Holden
Brooks?” I demanded.
“I was wonderin’ how long it would take before you asked about him.” she grinned around
her bottle of bud.
“I’m just curious. He’s lived here for a while, right? I’m just surprised I haven’t met him
before now.”

Katy led us to an empty booth tucked away in the back. “That just goes to show you need to

bring your ass home more often. Holden and Archer are cousins. Archer moved here about six years
ago and Holden showed up a year later. They both have more money than God, some kind of family
inheritance or something. Neither one of ‘em have to work, but they’re both work-a-holics. Holden is
super sweet and always a gentleman. Archer is tough as nails and nowhere near gentle. You like ‘em
don’t cha?” I didn’t know what to say. Of course I liked him. What’s not to like? He was perfectly
annoying.
“He’s an asshole,” I muttered, tearing at the napkin wrapped around my beer.
“Asshole, huh? He didn’t look like he was being an asshole when he had his tongue buried
in your mouth.”
“You saw that?”
“Um, yeah. Who didn’t?” she said with a shit eating grin flashing across her face.
“He scares me, Katy. I get all these crazy feelings when I’m around him, and I don’t like it.”
“Like…what kinda feelings?” she wrinkled her nose.
“Ever since I met the guy, he’s all I think about. He has this smile, Jesus Christ, Katy, it
drives me insane. I can’t decide if I want to punch him in the face or kiss the ever lovin’ shit out of
him. Like I said, he’s an asshole.” I crossed my arms on a huff. I was irritated. I was frustrated. Just
talking about him had my blood thrumming with need.
Ugh!!!
“Holy shit.” Katy laughed. “You really do like him. What’s wrong with that? Go for it. He’s
such a great guy. Maddie. I think you two would be-”
I threw my hand up. “No ma’am. I can’t even think about that. It would never work anyway. I
live in Boston, remember. He lives here. Not happening.”
“Why not take a chance though. Just see what happens?” she pleaded.
“Shit, Katy, I don’t need this right now. I have way too much going on in my life.” I didn’t

mean to raise my voice. I was starting to get angry, not at Katy, but at myself. I wanted to explore
these feelings I was having for Holden, but I was too afraid. They were way too strong.
Katy wasn’t fazed by my flared temper.

“I understand all of that. I really do. But if I were you, I wouldn’t ignore feelings like that.

True love only comes along once in a lifetime.”
True love?
“I’m gonna run to the ladies room and grab us another round. Think about what I said.”
As I watched Katy walk away, I did just that. I mulled over her words over and over again.

No.
This was nothing more than lust. This was not love, true love, or any of the above. I was in

lust…pure, unbridled, wanton, needy girl lust.

Lost in my deep and utter denial, I didn’t see him approach until he was standing next the

table. Looking up into those alluring eyes of his, all of those feeling I kept trying to bury rose fast and
furious to the surface. Want, need, and something else I couldn’t quite define thrashed around,
searching for purpose.

His smile immediately disarmed me. “C’mon.” Holden seized my hand from my lap. “Dance

with me.”

Without protest, I let him lead me out onto the massive dance floor. His hand was big and the

inside was rough. But it felt so warm and comforting wrapped firmly around mine. We were just
going to dance. So why did it feel like so much more? And why did I keep reading into every move he
made? This was nothing more than an attraction between two adults. This was just a more intense
version of what Barrett and I had shared.

Way more intense.
He wrapped his solid arms around my waist, pressing my body close to his. The instant

contact stole the breath right from my lungs. My hands found the base of his thick neck, anchoring me
to him. I stared at his chest for a moment, trying to calm my racing heart.

“Maddie,” That deep southern drawl wrapped around my name like silk. Holden was

probably a foot taller than me, but the way he dipped his face close to mine made up for the
difference in height. We were so close I could feel the heat of his breath feathering my skin. His
heady scent flooded my nose, leaving me breathless. “Do you like the band?” His question ejected me
from my Holden overload, and I was briefly able to reclaim my senses.

Music flooded my ears where blood had been rushing feverishly before. I looked towards the

stage where a stunning couple sang to one another instead of the crowd. Their sensual words and
suggestive tone made me blush. The lyrics shot straight to the heart of what I had been feeling since
meeting Holden. The words, slow, fire, and burn reverberated throughout my body.

Remembering that Holden had asked me question, I turned my eyes back to his. “They’re

good. I like this song.”
“Me too.” His fingers dug into my hips, pulling me closer.
“I want you, Maddie. Fuck, I want you so bad.”
Sucking in a deep breath, I swallowed hard. Holden’s abrupt honestly about his feelings
begged for the same in return. And I wanted to reciprocate. But I couldn’t do that. I was too afraid.
Afraid of what this would become. I pushed against his chest, trying to gain some distance. He was
good at drawing me in, making it impossible for me to think clearly.
“Holden, I think we should just be friends.”

The song ended and I tried to leave his arms, but he just held on tighter. My hands rested on

his forearms as I leaned my upper body away from his. He was suddenly too close, and the only thing
I wanted to do was run. It felt way too good being in his arms. That was scaring the shit out of me.
“Don’t pull away from me, Maddie.” His blue eyes turned fierce.

Intent.

“I need to go. Katy’s probably wonderin’ where I am.” He refused to let me go. Fear and
excitement danced in my veins.

“She’s fine. She’s talkin’ to Archer. See.”
Indeed, Archer was bent down at our table. I looked back up at Holden, relaxing in his arms

slightly. That smile I was growing to like so much played with the corners of his lips and his eyes
gleamed with steel determination.
“Shouldn’t you be workin’?” I asked, trying anything to get away.
“I’m on my break. Do you know how beautiful you are?” I’d been told I was beautiful
before. But the way Holden said it, the words seemed to hold more meaning. Heat flooded my face
under his hot gaze. “It doesn’t help when you blush like that either, babe.” He took my arms and
placed them back around his neck, pulling me closer.
“Do you always say the first thing that pops into your head?” I asked incredulously. He was
always so straight forward and blunt. I liked that about him.

A lot.

“Yes. I don’t have time to pussy foot around. I like you. I like you a lot. I’m not afraid to
admit that.”
“I like you too, Holden. But this can never work. You know that right? We’re two
completely different people going in two completely different directions. This is pointless.”
Disappointment churned deep in my belly. Now, the thought of walking away from him irked me.

What the hell was wrong with me?
One minute I’m ready to run for the hills, and then the next I want to stay locked inside his

arms forever. I shook my head at his chest.

This was crazy.
His firm fingers found my chin, claiming my eyes once more. “This is not pointless, Maddie.

This…this is so much more.” Holden leaned down and pulled two soft kisses from my lips. It wasn’t
nearly enough to satisfy me. I leaned in for more, but he let me go. Turning on a heel, he walked
towards the back of the bar.

Deep down, I knew the sparks flying back and forth between us meant something. I was just

afraid to find out what that something was.

I saw him a few more times throughout the night. Each time tucked away in some dark corner

of the bar, watching me. I desperately wanted to approach him. I wanted to beg him to take me home
with him tonight and have his way with me. But I thought better of it. One time with him wouldn’t
even begin to scratch the surface. That was the only thing I wasn’t afraid to admit to myself.

CHAPTER nine

For it was not my ear you whispered

but into my heart,

it was not my lips you kissed

but my soul

-Judy Garland

Holden

On Maddie’s sweet lips was a beautiful place to be. It took everything I had to pull away
from our kiss last night, and a fuck load of will power to walk away from her on that dance
floor.

This was crazy and completely irrational. At first, I reasoned it must be the physical attraction

that had me craving her like a rabid beast. Then I realized it was something much more than that. It
was a pull I’d never felt before, an undeniable connection that could not be ignored. The unrelenting
need to make this woman mine had taken over, and I was no longer in control of my own actions.
Honestly, I’d never even thought about falling in love again. Love had the power to destroy
you. I knew that first hand. Once your heart has been broken, it’s never really heals. The wounds may
heal, but the scars remain there forever. And that delicate tissue must be guarded and protected at all
cost. I’d done a damn good job of keeping my heart safe and protected. But when it came to Maddie, I
had no choice but to throw down the sword. As if my heart had been waiting for her all along…I
surrendered.
That sounded crazy in my head and even crazier when I said it out loud. But there was just
something about her, something I couldn’t describe with words.
Just feel.
Lying in bed last night, I debated over and over again whether to pursue this. She was right,
what was the point in starting anything when she would only be leaving soon. But I came to the
startling conclusion that I didn’t give one fuck.

I wanted her.
And come hell or high water, I would have her. I refused to fill my life with any more regrets.

Fate had finally found me and given me something special. I wasn’t about to fuck that up.
I arrived at the Water’s place around eight the following morning. I located the spare key
Mrs. Waters had told me about when they asked me to keep an eye on things. Quietly slipping inside
the house, I crept to the kitchen. Once I started a pot of coffee, I went upstairs to seek out Maddie’s
room. I walked by two open doors that were clearly guest bedrooms. The closed door at the end of
the hall had to be hers.
Slowly, I opened the door. The room was dark but there was enough light peeking through
the curtains to see her sleeping soundly in the center the bed. A floral bedspread was tucked between
her legs and her hair was fanned out across the lavender pillow. She had on a white tank top and
black underwear. My dick hardened immediately and I decided then that maybe this wasn’t such a
good idea. How the hell was I supposed to get out of here without crawling into bed with her?

Fuck.
She stirred, and my thumping heart beat harder. I stood silent at the foot of the bed, watching
as her sleepy eyes fluttered open then closed. A lazy smile toyed with that sweet mouth of hers and
her nipples grew hard beneath the thin layer of fabric as she arched her back from the bed in a full on
stretch. She settled on a deep sigh then her eyes found mine.
“What the fuck are you doin’ in my room, Holden?” Maddie scurried to sit up, pulling the
comforter tight against her chest.
Thank God.

Being a gentleman had become a challenge since I walked into the room. “Rough night?” Her

hair was a rumpled mess and it was sexy as all hell. I’d give my right nut to crawl in bed with her
right now and mess it up some more.
“Do you make it a habit of sneakin’ into people’s bedrooms this early in the mornin’? How
the hell did you get in anyway? Breakin’ and enterin’ is against the law ya know. ” She clutched the
bed spread tighter to her chest and her eyes darkened with in anger. Or was it desire?
Whatever it was…it was fucking beautiful.
“Not when you have a key, sweetheart. Get dressed. We got plans.” I turned towards the
door.
“What?” she grumbled.
“Your coffee is brewin’. Meet me downstairs in twenty.” I added before I walked out,
closing the door behind me.
While Maddie dressed, I found some eggs and ham in the fridge and starting making us an
omelet. Twenty minutes later, her bare feet were stomping down the stairs. She had on a pair of tight
cotton shorts and a blue tank top and her hair was still wet from the shower. The hard on that I had
just managed to get under control was back with a vengeance.

“There she is.” I sat her coffee cup next to the omelet covered plate in front of her. Then, I

turned my attention back to my omelet still on the stove. I took several deep breaths, trying to think
about anything other than the way she looked right now. All I wanted to do was spread her out across
this island and lick and taste every square inch of her body.
Fuck.
“So what are these plans you mentioned?” With the pan in my hand, I turned to find her
bright, blue eyes peering back at me.
Sliding my omelet onto the plate, I moved to sit next to her. “The horses need to stretch their
legs and it’s a beautiful day. I thought we could go for a ride.” I took a bite of my omelet. “Then I’m
gonna cook you dinner this evenin’.”
Maddie sat her cup down then picked up her fork. “And what makes you think I’d agree to
that?” She wrapped her lips around a fork full of eggs with a soft moan. Shit, just watching her eat
had my dick ready to pound nails.
“You and I both know the horses need exercise…and from what I can tell…you only have
one ass. As for dinner tonight, well, you seem to like breakfast, so I’m certain you’ll enjoy dinner
too.” I finished with a shrug.
“You’re awfully sure of yourself, aren’t cha?” Looking over at me, she took another bite.
“When I want something bad enough, I do what I gotta do.” I grinned, shoveling in another
bite.
The fork clinked against her near empty plate as she shifted in her seat to face me. “Nothin’
is gonna happen between us, Holden. So you can just give it up.” Debating the many ways I intended

to make her mine was not on my agenda this morning. And she wouldn’t hear any of it now anyway.
I’d have to show her instead.
“Fine.” I said nonchalantly.
Glaring at me, she crossed her arms. “So we have an understanding then?”
“Yep.” I nodded, returning my attention to my plate to keep from laughing.
“Good.”
Did she really think I’d give up that easily?
Not a chance in hell.
“I’ll go change.” She slid from the stool, reaching for her plate.
I grabbed my empty plate then hers. “I’ll get this. Meet me in the barn when you’re ready.”
Tilting her head, she gave me her sweet smile. “You sure?”
I smiled right back. Those every present sparks flying back and forth between us were damn
near blinding. “Absolutely.”

***

I had the horses brushed, saddled, and ready to go by the time she made it down to the barn.
We set out on a well beaten path at a slow trot. There were plenty of things I liked about Maddie. But
her riding a horse had to be by far one of my favorites.
She’d returned to me earlier dressed in a white tank top, skin tight jeans, and dirty cowboy
boots. Her thick brown hair was once again pulled into a side pony tail resting on one shoulder and
she had on a weathered straw cowboy hat. I thought my dick would explode in my fucking jeans.
Perfection.

Closing my eyes, I sighed at the vision of Maddie straddling me like she was straddling that

horse right now. Her silky hair wrapped tight in my hand, pulling her down to…
“You ok back there?”
I parted my eyes slowly, reluctant to let go of the fantasy of her mounted on top of me.
Resolve burrowed deep inside my chest. I let my wicked grin speak for me as I trotted up beside her.
My eyes focused and intent on exactly what I wanted.
Shifting uncomfortably in the saddle, she gave Bella a subtle kick sending her to trot faster.
Nudging Samson forward, I did the same. Maddie was doing everything she could not to look at me,
but I could see her watching me from the corner of her eye. “Would you please stop looking at me like
that.” she demanded.
“Like what?” I leaned in closer. “Like I want you?” Her shocked blue eyes locked with mine
as she jerked away.
Desire licked her creamy cheeks. “Stop sayin’ stuff like that.”
“Why? It’s true.” I could see a little smile tugging at her mouth before she bit down on her
bottom lip to stop it.

My dick was as hard as the oak tree we were now stopped next to. Looking right into my eyes,

she said the one thing I never expected
“You can have me for one night. That’s it. We have sex and we get…whatever this is out of
our system.” She tried to keep her voice steady, but she faltered. Maddie cleared her throat and turned
those beautiful blue eyes back to mine. “We should head back. I need to go visit my folks soon. Then
we can get rid of all this tension you keep yappin’ about.” Maddie gave Bella a hard kick and they
shot off like a bullet.

Adjusting myself in the saddle, I sucked in a deep breath. She was out of her fucking mind if

she thought one time was all she was giving me.

She was in for a rude awakening.
Evil dark clouds descended and thunder rumbled loudly as we approached the barn. We

silently set about removing the saddles from the horses and brushing them down. Rain pelted the roof
of the barn, matching the thumping beat of my heart. Every now and then, Maddie would steal a glance
here and there. The sexual tension between us was growing thicker by the second.

Once we put everything away and had the horses secure, we started walking towards the door

of the barn.
Opening the door, rain slapped the ground in a heavy downpour while thunder and lightning
filled the angry sky. “Should we make a run for it?” she asked, biting down on that damn lip.

That was all it took.

The door flapped back and forth from the strong wind of the storm as I pressed my throbbing
cock between her thighs, pinning her against the wall. She was mine. Right fucking here, right fucking
now.
Mine.
Her breathing became heavier as her soft body relaxed into mine. “Holden, please.” My
name dripped from her lips, sending pleasure coursing through my heated body. The need to be buried
inside of her was excruciating and intense.

Our first time would be quick and rough. And there wasn’t a damn thing I could do about it.

CHAPTER ten

Only do what your heart tells you.

-Princess Di

Madison

Once Holden’s lips found mine I was his.
I surrendered completely to his kiss…his touch.

Him.

His strong hands cradled my face while mine fisted the sides of his t-shirt, pulling him in as
close as I could. I wanted everything he had to give, needed it for reasons I couldn’t even begin to
understand. His tongue did delicious, wondrous things to my mouth while his eager hands explored
my body. “God, I love it when you let go like this. It fuckin’ thrills me to know you want me too.” he
mumbled between kissing and biting my lips. He nipped and pulled at them playfully, then trailed soft
kisses down my neck. Holden’s hot mouth scorched the slopes of my breast and then he found my
mouth again.
All I could do was hold on…and let go.
“Fuck, baby,” Peeling off my tank, he watched with dark eyes as my chest heaved for air.
“You’re so fuckin’ beautiful.” He dropped kisses along my neck as reached around to unhook my bra.
My breast fell free and suddenly this all felt very real.
“Holden-” The apprehension in my voice caused him to look up from my bare breast and
cover my mouth with his finger.
“Shh…don’t talk. Don’t think. Just feel.”
Bending slightly, his mouth covered my nipple while his other hand cupped and squeezed my
other breast.
Good God almighty his mouth was heaven.
His attentive tongue was like a lighter, firing sparks between my thighs. Holden’s eyes grew
darker by the second as he licked and sucked both of my nipples until I was a withering, hot mess.
Bringing his mouth back up to mine, I claimed his lips. Passion and desire burned hot beneath my skin
and I knew then that this was a fire that I never wanted to burn out. My body arched into his chest and
one of his hands slid to the back of my neck, holding me in place as he fed from my mouth. Desperate
to touch him, I reached to pull Holden’s t-shirt from his damp skin.

From the rigid dips and angles of his abs, to those V thingies that disappeared into his jeans,

Holden was a country version of Adonis. He looked like he was carved from a piece of fine granite. I
had no idea what those delicious V-trenches were called, but they were beckoning for my tongue.

I wanted to lick and kiss him…everywhere.
He released me, stepping back. I whimpered. “Lose the boots, babe.” His order was rough but

held a tender tone. My body responded to it as if it had a brain of its own, separate from the one that
was completely shut off now inside my head. Fierce blue eyes held me in place as he watched me toe
off my boots. Holden’s hands fisted while his throat bobbed up and down with anticipation. The need
in his eyes was undeniable and clear. And he wanted me to know it. “Jeans.”

My body was his, to do with as he pleased. I complied with every move and command. As

long as he kept looking and talking to me this way, he could do whatever the fuck he wanted to me.
Bring it.
Jerking his belt, the sound of the loops of his jeans popping in succession, shot a hot shiver
to race down my spine.

He arched one brow. “What the hell was that?”
“What?” I breathed.

He smirked “You shivered,” Wrapping the belt around my waist; he caught it with his other
hand, jerking me to his chest.
“Have you ever been spanked before, Maddie?” His sexy drawl wrapped around those
evoking words made my thighs clench and ache. Shaking my head, I bit my bottom lip.

“We’ll work up to that.” The belt clinked against the wood floor just before he hoisted my

legs up to wrap around his waist.
His hot tongue found mine, kissing me hard and deep. I wrapped my body around his in pure
satisfaction. Why did this feel so perfect?
“I wanna take my time with you,” he mumbled against my lips. “I really fuckin’ do, but
there’s just no way. I gotta take you hard. Right here. Right now.”
I felt a hard tug at my waist then I heard the fabric rip. Fire blazed through my blood. He was
taking me, claiming me right here in this barn with the rain pounding the roof and our beating hearts
thrashing in our chests.
I pulled away from his seeking mouth. “Did you just rip my panties off?” He held them up for
my inspection, a mischievous grin pulling at his wet mouth. Tossing my ruined panties over his
shoulder, he found my lips once more. Holding me steady against the wall covered in heavy work
coats, I felt him fumbling with his jeans in an effort to free himself. Sliding my hands between us, I
dipped my hand into the front of his jeans and found what I so desperately needed. Pulling him free, I
stroked him up and down. Soft steel twitched beneath my touch. I centered him and gasped when he
pulled his lips from mine.
His eyes flickered with desire. “Do you trust me?”
“Yes.” I breathed, returning his fevered stare. I have no idea why I trusted him.

I just…did.

He slid inside, slow and easy and with his heavy breath brushing my lips. “I’ll never hurt
you, Maddie. Promise.” Those six precious words wrapped themselves around my heart like a warm
coat. Holden’s piercing blue eyes stabbing into mine left no doubt in my mind…he meant every last
word. He slid in and out of me, slow and steady, until he was buried deep and filling me with far
more than I could have ever thought possible. Strong hands gripped the backs of my thighs. “I could
stay here forever, baby. I belong here.” Tightening around him, his strokes became harder. I closed
my eyes on a moan, lost in his words and his touch. I was about to explode.
“Look at me damn it. Look at me while I’m fuckin’ you. ” His clipped, commanding voice
paired with his deep, demanding thrusts sent me spiraling into pure, animalistic bliss.
Eyes locked tight, Holden’s name was ripped from my throat as I crashed hard and fast into
the best orgasm I’d ever had. He slowed to a lazy glide. I never wanted it to end. The attention and
pleasure he’d shown my body was beyond anything I’d ever experienced before. I would never
recover from this.
Never.
His eyes never left mine as his long hard strokes came faster and faster. Then we were both
bursting across the sky. Soaring like two big, bright balls of fire as we rode out our orgasm together.
Holden’s head rested on my shoulder as he panted heavily against my chest. The rain had eased up as
well as the overwhelming desire and tension between us. Oh, but it was still there. And I was afraid
it always would be.
He pulled out slowly, lowering my feet to the floor. I bent down to grab my jeans but he
snatched them up first. “Here, put this on.” He handed me his t-shirt.

I spotted my shredded panties. “I can’t believe you ripped my panties off.”

With a playful grin, he scooped up the destroyed material and shoved it into his back pocket.
Then he resumed feeding his belt through the loops of his jeans.
I pulled on my boots and started walking towards the door. “Where’re you goin’?” he asked,
lacing our fingers together.
“Shower. I need to go the hospital?” I tried to pull my hand from his but he just gripped it

tighter.
“I’ll take you. I’d like to see him too.” he said, pulling me towards the barn door.
“Holden-” I tugged at my hand again.
“What?” His hand squeezed tighter.
“You’re not coming with me.” Jerking me to his chest, he cradled my face with this free
hand.
“Damn it, woman. Why can’t you just go with the flow? I’m not asking you for anything more
than right fuckin’ now. Can you please just give me that?”
Right now, huh?
Deep down, I knew that it would only be harder to walk away from him later. But I was in
way too deep already. Those eyes kept sucking me in and so did all of his pretty little words. I
wanted to spend every single second I could with this man. That way, when it was time for me to
leave, I could at least take his memory with me.
Nodding, I closed my eyes as his warm lips found mine. “I love it when you’re agreeable
like this.” he muttered against my lips between sweet, soft kisses.
“I’m sure you do.”
We showered together and he was a perfect gentleman. Not once did he try to make another
move on me. Although, I was silently hoping that he would. We exchanged no more than a few heated
stares in between shifting back and forth to get under the hot spray. Our slick, wet bodies brushing
against one another in passing was enough to leave me aching with unspeakable need. Still wrapped
in a towel, I pulled a clean bra from my luggage. My birth control pills stared up from the bottom of
the case and awareness hit me hard that I’d had unprotected sex with Holden.
And that I’d forgotten to take my pill for the last two days. I punched the pills out and walked back
into the bathroom. With a handful of water, I swallowed the pills. They felt like lead trickling down
my throat. My stomach churned at the thought of my complete lack of responsibility. I had never had
unprotected sex before. Ever. And I’d never forgotten to take my pill. Holden’s kiss and those stupid
V-things made it impossible for me to think past the moment. How could I be so stupid? I took a few
deep breaths bracing myself on the sink. Wrapping one arm around my waist, I felt Holden press into
my back. My eyes closed on a sigh.
Comfort.
“What’s wrong?” Looking up, I found his eyes laced with concern staring back at mine in the
mirror.
“We didn’t use a condom.” I informed him.
“I know. You said you trusted me.” he shrugged then kissed my bare shoulder.
I turned in his arms to face him. “I forgot to take my pill for the last two days.”
His arm wound tighter around my waist. “Well, did you catch up?” he asked.
“Yeah. But what if I forget again? The pill is not 100%? We should’ve used a condom,
Holden.” Fear and frustration riddled my nerves. I tried to push from his hold, but he held me tight
against his hard, naked chest.
“Hey. Stop. It’ll be fine. Whatever happens…happens.” His carefree words spawned images
of me, Holden, and a little brown headed angel tucked right in between us. The vision filled me with
warmth, and I found myself smiling at the thought of having children with this man.
Seriously?
Holden kissed my forehead before releasing me. “Get dressed. And quit worrying so damn
much.”

Oh, right. Sure.
I had more to worry about now than I did when he walked in here two minutes ago.
This…was getting real.

CHAPTER eleven

The truth is you don’t know what

is going to happen tomorrow.

Life is a crazy ride, and nothing is guaranteed.

-Eminem

Holden

Maddie stared aimlessly out of the passenger side window on the drive to the hospital. The
only sounds in the cab of my truck were Jason Aldean on the radio, and the rapid beat of my nervous
heart. In the window’s reflection, I could see the wheels of worry rolling across her beautiful face,
and it scared the shit out of me. She was processing it all, mulling over the fact that this was far more
than she’d ever anticipated. Hell, it was far more than I’d ever dreamed of. Our deep connection was
a silent knowing hanging heavy between us, and it was killing me not to expose it and embrace this
for all it was worth.
Walking inside the hospital, my hand naturally found hers. The pull was stronger than ever
now and the need to touch her constantly was a must. Tugging her hand loose from mine, she spun to
face me. “What the hell, Holden?”
“What the hell, Maddie? “ I teased with a smile. Wrapping my arms around her waist, I
pulled her in for a kiss. She always felt so perfect in my arms.

Relaxing a little, she placed her hands on my chest and looked up. “Friends, remember?”

There she went with that friends shit again. I had a hell of time maintaining control of my

mouth, and my body. I’d like to take her back to my pickup and show her that we were way more than
just fucking friends, but this was not the time or the place for that. “Right. Friends.” My chest
tightened and hot anger settled low in my gut. I couldn’t wait to get her back to my house.
In my bed.
With my hands tucked safely inside my pockets, I followed her to the hospital room.
“You look a helluva lot better than the last time I saw you,” I teased as I shook Eric Water’s
hand.
“Thanks. I appreciate that.” Big E chuckled as he hugged his daughter.
“Hey, Daddy,” Maddie kissed his cheek. “How’re you feelin’?”
“Good. Really good, actually. I’m ready to go home.” He adjusted the covers and sat up a
little straighter, his large form obviously uncomfortable in the small hospital bed.
“Where’s Mama?” Maddie asked, looking around the room.
“She went for coffee. We’re both about to go stir crazy in this place. How’re things at the
house? Did you get the fields tended to, Holden?” Maddie narrowed her eyes at me over her
shoulder. I couldn’t help but smile.
“Yes sir. It’s done.” I said, returning her menacing glare.
“Everything’s fine, Daddy.” Maddie reassured him.
“I see,” The tone in his voice and his eyes darting back and forth between Maddie and I had
sweat dotting my forehead.

Thankfully, Mrs. Water’s walked into the room. “Hey y’all.” She hugged her daughter first

then turned to me. “What a nice surprise. Good to see you, Holden.” Mrs. Waters cupped my face
with one hand affectionately. “Eric, they didn’t have decaf coffee, so I brought you some green tea
instead.” She handed him the cup as he wrinkled his nose at the offending liquid.
“Stop being such a baby, it’s good for ya.” She turned her attention back to Maddie. “How’s
everything at the house?”
“Good.”
“Did you water my babies?”
“Yes, Mama.” Maddie replied in exasperation of her mother.
We spent the next hour visiting. Their playful banter was endearing, and it felt really good to
be included. The only family I had in my life was Archer. My folks weren’t very affectionate and they
damn sure didn’t carry on like this. For once in my life, I felt like I belonged, like I was slowly
becoming a part of something.
Maddie and I stopped by the grocery store on our way back and picked up everything I
needed to make steaks and brown rice. Surprisingly, she didn’t put up much of a fight about coming
back to my place for dinner. We pulled up to my house around seven o’clock and Maddie helped me
grab the few bags of groceries from the truck.
“Nice place.” she said, looking around the front porch.
Holding the screen door with my back, I allowed her to enter first. “It’s not much, but the ten
acres that came with it was well worth the price I paid for it.” I said, kicking the door shut behind us.
Maddie stopped just inside the door. “Wow, Holden, you weren’t kidding when you said
‘bare’ necessities.”
I shrugged. “I’m a simple man.”
I’d warned her on the way that my place was merely a bare humble dwelling. I had a decent
living room set that I’d bought second hand from a customer of mine. A cedar kitchen table that I’d
picked up on the side of the road. I sanded and stained it to match the chairs I’d bought brand new.

My king size bed was probably the most expensive piece of furniture I owned. I’d purchased the
black, rod iron frame from an antique store in town. It reminded me of the bed I used to sleep in at my
grandmother’s house.

That was it.
The walls were stark white and completely bare, my house had no décor, photos…nothing. I

didn’t need much. I damn sure didn’t want any reminders of my old life in Texas.
I quickly put everything away. Then, I marinated the steaks while Maddie opened us both up
a bottle of beer. “I need to start the grill. Follow me.” she smiled, grabbing her beer.
The back deck was my favorite part of the whole house. It was one of the main reasons I
bought this place. Walking out into the screened in space, the ceiling fans whipped warm air down all
around us. It was a mild relief from the sticky southern heat, but a relief all the same. There was a
hand-carved, wooden porch swing on one end of the deck covered with plush blue pillows that I did
not buy. I had requested they be included in the purchase price, along with everything else on this
deck. On the other end were a few other lavishly cushioned chairs and a matching table. I had a
massive lake about fifty feet from the back of my house. Archer had helped me tear down the old dock
and rebuild the new one a few weekends ago. I had a rickety lounge chair sitting right in the center of
that bad boy where I could fish and relax. I could sit out there for hours, watching the sun reflect its
vibrant rays of light off the peaceful water. This was my oasis.

Maddie sat down on the porch swing and kicked off her flip flops, stretching her bare legs

down the full length of the swing. “This sure is a nice place, Holden. I mean, you’re in desperate need
of an interior decorator, but other than that, it’s beautiful. I love the view.” Her teasing smile
wrapped around the rim of her bottle before she took a sip.
Could she be any fucking cuter?
Trying to ignore the tightening of my jeans, I stepped out onto the unscreened portion of the
deck. I poured the right amount of charcoal into the grill then doused it with lighter fluid. Once I lit the
fire, I went to sit down on the swing beside her. Lifting her feet to rest in my lap, I noticed her tiny
toenails were painted bright pink. I had an overwhelming urge to suck on the sweet little digits. She
looked a bit uncomfortable with this so I began to rub the soles of her feet. She relaxed under my
touch.
“Feel good?” Maddie sighed and I could feel the pent up tension leaving her body.
“Yes. You’re really good at that.” She closed her eyes on a deep moan and the tightening in
my pants became worse. The appreciative noises she made had my dick ready to take her.
“Good. Then you’ll enjoy the full body massage I have planned for you later.”
Swallowing another swig from her bottle, she eyed me carefully. “I told you, you could only
have me one time.”
“I know exactly what you said. But you and I both know that one time…will never be
enough.”
I watched closely as a league of emotions played across her flawless face, desire being the
most dominant. Maddie couldn’t resist me no more than I could resist her.
We were perfect for each other.
“So are you gonna feed me, or what?”
“Oh, yes ma’am.” In more ways than she’ll ever know.

***

“This is so good.” Maddie hummed around her fork full of brown rice.
“Thanks.” I said, shoving my plate away.
Maddie slid her plate to join mine then wiped her mouth. She’d eaten everything. “That was
delicious, Holden. Where’d you learn to cook?”

I smiled at the memories of helping my grandmother cook in the kitchen. “My grandmother.

She used to say to me, ‘don’t expect a woman to cook and clean for ya boy. The only reason you
need a woman is so your heart and soul will have a place to call home.’ She passed away seven
years ago.” Pain shot through my chest. I still missed her. I wasn’t there when she died. I was…
“I’m so sorry,” Maddie reached under the table and caressed my leg, comforting me. “What
about the rest of your family?”
“I don’t have a relationship with my family. Archer’s my family. I haven’t spoken to my
parents since I left Texas five years ago. Unless you’re into oil or their stupid ass country club, you
might as well not even exist. My sister Hannah is just like ‘em.”

Fuck. I hated talking about this shit.

“That must be so hard for you.” Her tiny hand rubbed my thigh.
“I’m good. I don’t need them in my life to be happy.” I stated.
“Everybody needs family, Holden.”
I stood up from the table, the bottom of my chair scrapping loudly across the tiled floor. “I
don’t.”
“Ok.” she said, hesitantly.
Resting my hands on the counter, I took several deep breaths. I wanted to share everything
with her, even the ugly shit. “When I left Texas five years ago, I wasn’t the same person I am today.” I
could hear Maddie shifting in her seat, but I didn’t chance a look. I kept my eyes down and my chin
tucked to my chest. The thickness in my throat made it hard to speak. “I was a junkie, Maddie. It was
the lowest time in my life and my folks didn’t give a single fuck whether I lived or died, as long as I
didn’t shame their precious name.” I sucked in another breath, but it did little to calm my nerves. “I
killed someone.”

CHAPTER twelve

Every life has a measure of sorrow,

and sometimes this is what awakens us.

-Steven Tyler

Madison

“What?”
Looking up at the ceiling, he let out a ragged breath. “I killed my best friend.” His words
came out weak and broken. The pain in his voice made my chest ache. “Garrett was…he was like a
brother to me. As far back as I could remember, we’d been inseparable. Our families were close, so
naturally we were too. Their wealth and stature gave two boys like us entirely too much power and
freedom at a very young age. We had anything we wanted right at our fingertips. We attended the best
schools, drove the most expensive cars, and did the best drugs. Pills…blow…weed…you name it,
we did it. By the time we were eighteen…we were out of control.”
Holden had a better hold of his emotions but I could tell he was still struggling with the
memories. “I guess you could say Garrett’s addiction ran slightly deeper than mine. He always did
everything to the extreme. I was merely chasin’ a temporary escape. Garrett was chasin’ a permanent
oblivion. He never wanted to come down. And for a long time, I didn’t either.”

Grabbing a beer from the fridge, Holden downed half of it in three gulps then set it down on

the counter. He spun the base of the bottle with his fingertips. “When I turned twenty-two, Blair came
along, I thought I’d finally found a reason to change. She was crazy about me. And God help me, I
was crazy about her too. I tried to stay clean, but it was off and on. I thought that I did a good job of
hidin’ my addiction, but she eventually caught on. And while Blair was smart, she was also curious.
She begged me to experience those things with her. I was just fucked up enough to think I could
control the situation. We started out with ecstasy first, then moved on to harder shit. After a while,
Blair was no longer the girl I’d fallen in love with, and her addiction ran parallel to Garrett’s. The
breaking point was when I walked in on them five years ago and found them fuckin’ on Garrett’s ten
thousand dollar couch. Almost every surface of that apartment was covered in blow. They’d been
fuckin’ behind my back for a goddamn year. I thought she loved me, but instead she was in love with
my best friend or the drugs…who fuckin’ knows? I lost it. Told Garrett I hated his guts, and that I was
done with him and her. I was done with all of it. I left that night and drove straight here to Archer’s.”

He took another swig of his beer, sat it back gently then looked right into my eyes. “The next

day, Blair called me non-stop, but I refused to answer. I had to read in a goddamn text message that
my best friend had overdosed. They’d had a huge fight after I left, so Blair went to stay at a friend’s
house. She found him dead the next morning, in a pool of his own shit and vomit. My best friend died
alone. He needed my help, and I turned my back on him. ” His voice cracked and a small sob left his
trembling lips.

I immediately sprung to my feet. Wrapping my arms tight around his waist, I buried my head
into his solid chest and did my best to hold back my own tears. “It’s not your fault, Holden. You can’t
carry that around.” I struggled to find the right words to console him, but I found it difficult
considering what he’d gone through. Losing his best friend, his girlfriend, and battling addiction…
Holden had been through a lot.

He held me tight, his cheek resting on top of my head. “Deep down I know now that leaving

was the best thing I could have ever done for myself. But that doesn’t change the fact that I walked out
on him. I said some pretty hateful shit. Shit that I can never take back. I have to live with that for the
rest of my life.”
Raising my head from his chest, I stared up into his deep blue eyes. Eyes that had seen so
much pain and struggle. And through all of that, Holden had managed to remain strong and
determined. I admired him for what he’d overcome.

I didn’t say a word. I knew there was nothing I could say that would change the way he felt. At

a loss, I reached up to cup both sides of his rough cheeks. Pulling his mouth down to mine, I kissed
his soft supple lips again and again, trying to drink in every ounce of pain he kept buried deep inside.
I was flirting with disaster, but I could care less in that moment. I just wanted to give in to what I was
feeling for him and not think about the consequences. Our lips parted, allowing our tongues to meet in
long, soft strokes. He was patient at first, but as the kiss progressed, his mouth became more
aggressive.

Possessive.

“You taste so sweet.” he murmured into my mouth.

His lips never left mine as he walked me backwards, my ass bumping into the kitchen table.

Our empty beer bottles clinked in protest. With a swipe of his arm, everything went crashing to the
floor. He grabbed my hips, lifting me to sit on top of the sturdy table. Holden’s lips went straight to
my neck as he kissed a trail of wet heat down to my shoulder. He pulled quickly peeled my shirt and
removed my bra.
Cupping my breast in his rough hands, he groaned. Flattening his hand at the base of my
throat, he laid me down across the table. His hand smoothed down my stomach until he found the
button of my shorts with both hands.

Raising my ass from the table, he freed me from the restrictive denim.
Lying there, completely bare before him, I’d never felt more alive. I’d never felt more desired

than I did in that very moment. Nothing in this entire world existed, except for me, Holden, and that
kitchen table. And that filled me with overwhelming contentment. And something else I couldn’t
describe.
“Do you know what you look like? Lying there like that?” I shook my head.
“Mine.” he whispered softly.
My heart soared at his possessive claim. His dark blue eyes were intent and determined,
penetrating every inch of me. I ate up every single bit of it. My desire for him was strong and real.
And his need for me breathed that very same life. Standing between my open legs, Holden reached
back to pull his t-shirt over his head. Those delectable divots dipping into his jeans made my entire
body ache with need. Our first time was intense and rushed. This time would not lack intensity in the
least, but it would be pumped full of appreciation.
He was perfect.
Leaning over at the waist, his hard body covered mine. Holden kissed me long, hard, and
deep as he slowly fucked my mouth with his wicked tongue. Once he was done with my mouth, he

licked and sucked my nipples until they ached from his lavishing tongue and teeth. My legs vibrated
against the table as Holden kissed and licked his way down the length of my body. Placing a wet kiss
just below my belly button, he pulled my legs further apart and placed small kisses along my inner
thighs. Then he puckered his swollen lips, blowing cool air on the fire that was burning down below.
“Holden, please,” I panted.
He had me so close to the edge, all he had to do was put his mouth or hand on me and I
would fall right over. That phenomenal grin he owned made its grand appearance, and what little
inhibition I was holding on to…
Poof.
I sat up on my elbows to look down at him. My body nudged my mouth to speak and what
came out shocked the shit out of me. “I want you to suck my clit. Hard.”
Holden’s grin transformed into one hell of a triumphant smile, and a deviant laugh rumbled
deep in his chest. “You better hold on tight, baby.” Holden’s hands covered my wrists, pinning them
in place. Parting my folds with his tongue, he did just what I’d ordered. He sucked.
Hard.
The whole room dissolved around me. Cries of pleasure tore from my throat along with his
name. Licking and sucking, he drank every drop of pleasure from me. It was insane the way he
worked my body into a floundering pool of mass.

He kissed his way back up to my mouth, his upper body covering mine until he found my

mouth. “Mmm…honeysuckle.” he whispered against my lips.

“What?” He sucked my bottom lip into his mouth then released it with a pop.

“You taste like honeysuckle, baby. I could eat sweet honeysuckle all fuckin’ day.”
He stood up, toeing off his boots. His jeans and underwear followed, and my elbows found
purchase again so that I could admire the perfect man before me. Lean and firm, I was pretty sure I
could spend hours learning each and every groove and curve of his incredible body.

You could tell Holden didn’t just work out…he worked hard for a living. “You like what cha

see, babe?” A wicked grin danced across his lips as he began to stroke himself. I licked my lips and
nodded. I liked everything about him.
“Me too.”
Lining himself with my tender sex, he wrapped my legs around his waist. Holden gripped my
hips with his strong hands then slowly eased inside. Intense heat raced up my spine and the impact
caused mind numbing pleasure. Reaching for the sides of the table, I held on while Holden
fucked me right there on that solid piece of cedar. Holding my hips steady, he pumped in and out of
me with perfect, even strokes.

Lying across my body, he scooped me up. Circling my limbs tight around him, he lifted me

from table. Strong arms wrapped around me while he devoured my mouth. He carried me with ease
down the short hall leading to what I assumed was his bedroom. He kicked at the door but it didn’t
open. I heard a crack the second time he kicked it, and my lips pulled from his to survey the damage.
“Jesus Christ, Holden. You busted the damn door.” I examined the door then looked back
into his eyes.
“Fuck that door,” he said before he claimed my gaping mouth once more.
He laid me down on the mattress and climbed between my legs, resuming his blistering kiss
and driving back into me slowly. Resting on his forearms, Holden’s hands cradled my face. Our
breaths mingled in heavy pants. “Fuck, baby.”

He rocked back and forth.

Harder.
Faster.
The crook of his arm found the bend in my knee, hitching my leg up and spreading me wider.
He penetrated deeper and deeper with each calculated thrust, pushing heavy pants and his name from
my lips. Higher and higher I climbed until he delivered the final incinerating blow.

I exploded, splintering into a million tiny pieces before helplessly fluttering back down to the

bed, landing in Holden’s arms. His movements slowed considerably as he pulsed inside of me,
milking every last drop.
“That was…” I couldn’t find the words to even begin to describe what I was feeling right
now.
Holden’s head shot up from my neck, a satisfied grin breaking his straight face. “Perfect.”
Exactly.
“Stay put.” he ordered.
I could hardly speak…much less move. My body was limp and completely sated. The only
thing I wanted to do was go to sleep.
Shit.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
I couldn’t stay here. That would just be…too much. I was about to get up when Holden
padded back into the bedroom with a wash cloth in his hand. It was wet and warm and I watched in
amazement as he cleaned me up. I cocked my head to the side, openly staring at his beautiful face. No
one had ever taken care of me like this.
“What?’”
There were so many things my heart was screaming for me to say, but my mind refused to
listen. “I need to go home.”

CHAPTER thirteen

Love is a single soul inhabiting two bodies.

-Aristotle

Holden

What the fuck?
Maddie moved to get up from the bed, but my hold was strong and quick. I moved her right
back beneath me. My heart thudded harder as I glared down into her wide eyes. She was scared.
“I can’t stay here.”
“I want you to stay.” I confessed.

Letting her go was not an option for me.

Maddie’s eyes softened and her tiny hands squeezed my arms. “Holden, we can’t…” She
shook her head from side to side. “We can’t do this.” she whispered, looking away.

My gut clenched. “Maddie, look at me,”

Stubborn as she was, she would not face me.
“Maddie, goddamn it, if you don’t look at me, I’m gonna spank that pretty ass of yours.”
Jerking her head back, her heated eyes shot to mine.
There she is.

I shifted my hips between her legs, pressing my hard cock right back where I wanted to be.
Where I needed to be.

“Stay.” I breathed against her mouth just before I covered it with my own.
Fuck, this woman had me right by the balls with the way she wrapped herself around me.
Her arms, legs, and sweet tight pussy had me higher than I’d ever been in my life.
I’d done a shit ton of drugs over the years.
Fucking loads.
But I’d never been this high. And God help me…I never wanted to come down.
Slowly rocking back and forth inside of her, I pulled kisses from her mouth like a fiend begging for a
hit. I took everything I could from her. The smell of her arousal mixed with strawberries and honey
infiltrated my nose and that tight pussy clenched tighter around me. Everything about this woman was
potent and addictive.
Powerful.
“Damn, I’m on the ceilin’, baby. You’re better than any drug I’ve ever had pumpin’ through
my veins,” Dragging in and out, I hit her with measured and precise strokes. The sound of our slick
bodies smacking together in perfect unison…was like taking another hit. “You’re better than any shot
of whisky absorbin’ my bloodstream.” Looking deep into her eyes, I surged harder. “You’re it, baby.”
“Holden,” she breathed, her eyes glazing over with passion.
“Stay,” I begged, still holding her eyes.

I would beg, borrow, or steal to keep this woman beneath me. I no longer had any shame or
pride where she was concerned. Maddie’s back arched from the bed as my name broke from her lips
along with the only other word I wanted to hear.

“Holden, YES!”

Addicted was a mild term for what I was feeling for Maddie.
I was strung the fuck out.

***

It took me a while to come back down. I was still flying high, but I was back under control.
Somewhat.
We’d just gotten out of the shower. I took my sweet ass time, lathering up every square inch of

her tempting body until she was squeaky clean and begging for me to take her again. Instead, I sucked
and licked as much of that sweet honeysuckle as I could. Now she was in my clothes, in my bed.
Mine.
“Night, Holden.” She rolled over to face the wall.

Moving in behind her, I pressed my front to her back. My arm snaked around her waist,

pulling her closer. She grasped my forearm and tensed. “What’s wrong?” Pulling her hair aside, I
panted a kiss just below her ear.

Maddie rolled onto her back. “I’m just tired.” she murmured.

“Me too,” I chuckled. “Can I hold you now so we can go to sleep?”
“Um…you don’t have to do that.”
Propped up on my elbow, I stared down at her. My mind frantically scrounged for the right
words. “Uh, I thought all women liked to cuddle after sex.” I teased, raising one eyebrow.
“That’s not it. It’s just…there’s no reason for us to be that intimate, that’s all.” Maddie
shrugged one shoulder, picking at a string on the tan comforter.
She was so fucking clueless.
“Why not?” Resting my head on my hand, I waited.
“It’ll make things more…complicated?”
“Not really.” I grabbed one of her hands and kissed the inside of her wrist. Even though
she’d washed with my soap she still smelled like strawberries. “I like being with you. How’s that
complicated?”
“Holden, I like being with you too. And if things were different…”
I pressed a finger to her lips. “I wanna know how you feel,” I pressed her hand to my chest. I
wanted her to feel what she was doing to me. I wanted her to know that what we shared was so much
more for me.
Maddie closed her eyes. “I feel so…alive.” she whispered.
“Me too,” Her eyes flew open. “Since the day I met you, I’ve felt like I could fly. My heart is
lighter and when I’m with you, there’s no place else I’d rather be. Your beautiful smile and that feisty
mouth have brought my dull world back to life.
“How can you feel all those things? We just met,” She shot out on a hoarse whisper.

“I know. It’s fuckin’ crazy.” I stroked her cheek with my finger then pulled her bottom lip from

her teeth. “I can’t tell you enough that you’re perfect, Maddie. Perfect for me,” I gave her a tender kiss
on those sweet lips, relishing the taste.

“I’m leaving…in like…days.”
“I’ll take what I can get.”
“You’re crazy.”
“You think I don’t know that?” I scoffed, shaking my head. I knew how crazy this was. But I
didn’t care how fast it happened. I just knew that it happened. I wanted her. Needed her like the blood
in my veins and the breath in my lungs.
She was mine.
Turning over, she pulled my hand with her to wrap back around her waist. All of the tension
left my muscles at once as I melted around her the softness of her body.
“God, what the hell are we doin’, Holden?”
“Sleepin’, baby.” I whispered into her ear before I closed my eyes and found the best sleep
I’d had in years.

***

We’d been lying in the bed for two hours now. My greedy cock had made an early wakeup
call, and we’d been wrapped up in each other’s arms talking ever since. We were getting to know
each other.

I’d learned that Maddie’s favorite color was pink and her favorite flowers were daisies. I’d

also learned that the she loved to watch marathons of Law & Order and CSI. These shows had
apparently sparked her interest in Law. And from the time she discovered them at fourteen, being a
lawyer was all she ever thought about. With that sassy mouth of hers, I had no doubt she would be
hell on wheels in a courtroom. I smiled at the thought.

She was so easy to talk to. And when she wasn’t stressing about what was going to happen

next, she relaxed and let her true personality pour out. She was incredibly smart, extremely funny, and
very, very naughty.
“Ok, I got it.” I rolled to my side to face her. I wanted to watch her face when she got a load
of my next question. “What’s your fantasy? What’s the one thing you wanna do, but never done
before?”
Maddie wasn’t a saint, but she wasn’t a slut either. She was comfortable and confident in her
own skin. I found that incredibly sexy. I wanted to do things to her that nobody else had.
Filthy, dirty things.
“I am so not telling you that.”
“Oh, yes you are. Don’t make me fuck it out of you, babe.” Her cheeks flushed pink as she
licked her swollen lips.
“Fuck me all you want, I’m still not gonna tell ya.” she resolved, lifting her chin.
I shifted between her thighs, pinning her arms to the bed in the same fluid motion. We were
still completely naked. Her pussy was still full of my come and I couldn’t wait to fill it with more.

“Not only am I gonna fuck it out of you, I’m gonna make you beg for it.” I promised before I

slid my hard cock inside of her.
Fucking hell, this was heaven.
God made this woman for me. He made me to fit her.

Perfectly.
When our bodies were fused together like this, there wasn’t a doubt in my mind the man

upstairs did exist. Not only did I have a strong physical connection with this woman, but also a deep

seeded need to permanently make her mine.
Her soft breath tickled my mouth. “What’s it gonna be, babe? You want my mouth? You want
me to make you scream? Start talkin’. Give me something you’ve never given anybody else.”

I slammed into her hard. I eased my pace, drawing in and out of her slower. Grinding my hips

I buried myself deep then pulled out fast, driving hard into her again and again. She was taking it all.

Fast.
Slow.
Hard.
Deep.
Bucking her hips and suppressing her moans, she tried to urge me forward. I stopped. It was

fucking killing me to hold back, but I really wanted to know.
“What the fuck, Holden?”
“Tell me.”
“No.”
“Tell me.”
She turned her head to the side and released a breath. “Blowjob.” she whispered.
“What?”

Her clear blue eyes found mine. “I’ve never given anyone a blowjob before. And I’ve never

really fantasized about it before either. Until you.”

Well, fuck me.

“Fuck, that’s hot.” I slid back home, burying myself as far as I could go. “I’m gonna make
every last one of your fantasies come true, baby. It will be my fantasy to fuck every confession from
those sweet lips and make it happen. I’ll give you everything your precious heart desires…
everything.”

***

Reluctantly, I dropped Maddie off at her house around nine o’clock this morning. We’d spent
ten minutes in the driveway kissing goodbye like a couple of horny teenagers. I was ready to take her
again right there in the cab of my truck, but she had sense enough to stop me and send my ass to work.
I didn’t want to be away from her for a single second.
Yesterday had been the best day of my life, and this morning…even better. Waking up with
Maddie next to me had to be the best feeling in the world. She had quickly become a need rather than
a want. That was a hard pill to swallow considering she would be gone in a few days. I was still at
odds with that. I had no idea what I was going to do when she left. Could I get her to stay? Would I
move up north to be with her?
“Brooks, my man. Me and Fin are gonna go grab a bite to eat from The Dip. You want
anything?” Mason Dent asked from the doorway of my tiny office.
I got lucky when I found Mason and Fin. Those boys could fix anything, and they really
helped me keep shit running around the shop.
“Naw, man. I’m good.”
The Dip was my favorite, but I had zero appetite with all this nervous energy rolling around
my gut. I should have known Mason would be suspicious at me declining his offer. We didn’t fuck
around when it came to lunch. “Dude, what the hell’s wrong with you? You’ve been mopin’ around
here all mornin’ like you’ve got sand in your vagina. And now you don’t want The Dip? You sick or

somethin’?” Mason braced himself with one hand on the door jamb while the other pulled a solo cup
to his mouth, spitting inside.
Leaning back in my chair, I propped my feet to rest on my bare metal desk. Lacing my fingers
behind my head, I released a tense breath. “I’m just not hungry. Y’all go ahead.”

Mason shook his head. “Aight, man.” He slapped his hand on the door jamb then stalked off.

Looking up at the ceiling, I closed my eyes and tried to gain a calming breath. But I couldn’t
find one. I lifted my hands to my nose. I could still smell her on my skin. I could still taste her on my
tongue.
I needed more.
Swiping my cell from my desk, I scrolled through it again. I’d done the same thing at least a
hundred times since I dropped her off.
This morning, before I woke her up, I took a few pictures of her while she was still sleeping.
And just like this morning, I stared down at perfection. I laid there for an hour watching her sleep
before I woke her up and reminded her how perfect we were together. During that precious hour of
watching my perfect girl sleep, I’d taken her phone and sent a text from her phone to mine, then
programmed my number.

Pressing the call button on my phone, her peaceful face lit my screen. “Seriously?” She tried

to sound pissed, but I could hear the smile in her voice. Damn, even the sound of her voice tugged at
my heart…and my dick.
“What do you like best? Picture or ring tone?”
“Both.”
The picture was a head shot of yours truly, the song…Run by Matt Nathanson and Jennifer
Nettles. The same song Reckless Heart sang the other night at Archer’s when we danced.
“Where are you?” I asked.
“I’m out shoppin’ with Katy. Why?”
“I need a fix, babe.”
“It’s only been…” she paused. “Four hours,”
“Too long,”
She giggled softly. “You’re crazy.” she informed me.
“I know. You keep remindin’ me. When can I pick you up? I need to see you.”
“Holden,” Hesitation laced her voice, but I could also hear a hint of longing.
“I’ll be at your house around five.”
“Ok,”
“Oh, and Maddie,”
“Yeah?”
“Bring your swimsuit.” she laughed down the line and my dick responded accordingly.
“See ya soon, babe”
“See ya soon.”
Pushing from my desk, I snatched up my keys. I sent Mason a text letting him know I was
taking the rest of the day off. I told him to call if needed me, but only if it were a dyer fucking
emergency.

Madison Waters was about to be swept off her pretty little feet.

CHAPTER fourteen

My best friend is the one who

brings out the best in me.

-Henry Ford

Madison

Deep down, I knew I was a fool for seeing him again. But what I felt for Holden Brooks
trumped any and all rational thought. I was in a complete and utter free fall. I could feel it. In the way
he looked at me…the way he touched me. I was going to land hard and fast and there wasn’t a damn
thing I could do to stop it.

Smiling to myself, I browsed through rack after rack, but I wasn’t really paying attention to

anything I was looking at. All I could see were ravenous blue eyes, and how they flickered with
desire this morning. Before I even had a chance to utter a good morning, he was sliding inside of me,
his mouth covering mine. I was repulsed, thinking you should never kiss someone in the morning
without brushing your teeth first.

But just as fast as it came, that silly thought was quickly washed away by Holden’s delicious

mouth. It was amazing to me how comfortable I was with him. As if we’d known each other for years
instead of days. This morning I found out that the reason he became a mechanic was so he could keep
his hands busy. His sobriety was important to him, and I admired him for his effort to maintain it.
Which then prompted me to ask why hell he worked in a bar? That had to be tempting. He said that
alcohol had never been his vice, and working in a bar posed no problems in staying clean. He was so
easy to talk to, so open. I’d never known a man so vulnerable albeit one that was so at ease with it.
“What do you think about this?” Katy asked.

I turned around to find her holding up a shiny red top. It was hideous and so not her.
“Cute.” I teased.

“No ma’am.” Shoving the top back into place, she moved to the shelf of denim next to me.
“What’s with you? You haven’t stopped smilin’ all day.

I was about to open my mouth and tell Katy all about me and Holden when I notice a severely

made up blonde lurking nearby. Her long blonde hair hung in fat curls around her shoulders and she
had a great tan. I would kill for that tan. Her make-up looked airbrushed and I was pretty sure she
would never be caught dead shopping here at Old Navy. I noticed her earlier and even offered a small
smile in passing, but she didn’t return it. I was too caught up in my thoughts of Holden to even think
twice about it, but now something was off. She was staring me down, and it was starting to give me

the creeps.
Katy visibly tensed beside me, and that put me on high alert. “You’ve got to be shittin’ me
right now.” Katy spit out as the well-endowed blonde approached.

Before I could even ask who she was, the blonde steps right up to us. Katy crossed her arms,

popping one hip out to the side with a long sigh. Whoever she was, Katy did not like her. I had a
pretty good feeling I wouldn’t either.
“Well, if it isn’t the preacher’s daughter turned town trash.” The blonde’s voice was cold
and intimidating. I saw Katy’s anger flaring to life out of the corner of my eye.
“Well, if it isn’t the town slut.” Katy countered.
Ignoring Katy’s remark, the blonde turned her attention back to me. Her brown eyes were
dark as coals. “Who the fuck are you?”
“Excuse me?” I’ve never hit anyone in my life, but I had a strong urge to knock this chick on
her ass.

Who was this bitch?
She leaned in further. “I said…who in the fuck are you?”

“Who the fuck are you? I only give my name to friends and uh, you don’t look so friendly.”
“Are you the one fuckin’ Holden Brooks?”
Katy spoke up. “That’s none of your business, Alexis.”
“Shut up, Katy. I’m talkin’ to your friend here. Answer me. Are you fuckin’ Holden or not?”
“That’s none of your business.” Who was this crazy bitch and what was she to Holden?

“He’s mine. You got it, bitch. If you know what’s good for ya, you’ll stay the fuck away from

him. Mine.” She pointed to her chest angrily then turned on her four inch stiletto and sauntered away.

I stood there with a gaping mouth and a strong desire to choke a bitch. Jealously and anger

settled like hot coals in the bottom of my gut.
“Ugh, I hate that bitch.” Katy was clearly distraught.
“Who is she?” I managed through my own anger.
“That was one dose of psycho, double dipped in crazy. Her name’s Alexis. She’s the road
whore I caught Luke with.”
“Holy shit! No fuckin’ way.”
“Oh, yeah. She’s a dirty bitch. I do my best to ignore her, because violence isn’t in my
nature, but I really do wish someone would beat the ever lovin’ shit out of her while I watch.”

Katy had a lot of venom for this woman. Mine was pretty comparable.

“She’s obsessed with Holden and has been for a while now. It’s pretty pathetic, actually.
Poor Holden, he tries to be a nice guy, but she’s the mayor of crazy town. I’m surprised he hasn’t
banned her ass from Archer’s yet as much as she stalks him.”
I silently wondered the exact same thing considering the amount of crazy she’d just unloaded
on me. “Did he sleep with her?” I swallowed hard, bracing myself. I did not want to know the answer
to that question, but for some reason I couldn’t stop myself from asking.
“Yeah. Why? Oh, shit! Did you sleep with him?” Katy shouts.
“Jesus, Katy. Lower your voice.” I shushed her.
“Sorry. Holy shit!” Katy beamed from ear to ear. “When the hell did this happen?” Katy
asked, tugging me towards the exit.
On the ride home, I filled Katy in on the last few days and everything that was me and
Holden. She was shocked at first, but then became overly excited. She’d confessed that she was going
to try and hook us up anyway, but found it amusing that fate had stepped in first. She kept using that

word.
Fate.
Did I believe in fate? I wasn’t so sure. I had already planned the events in my life and the
order in which they should fall. Now, I was starting to question everything.

Including myself.
Fate was messing with my head and fate was seriously fucking with my life.

Tossing my bags onto my bed, I fished out the little black bikini I had bought after Holden
called earlier. I really shouldn’t be spending more time with him, especially after my run in with Ms.
Crazy Town, but I just couldn’t help myself. Just the thought of him looking at another woman the
same way he looked at me had me feeling homicidal. If only for this moment in time, he was mine.
And even if I couldn’t keep him forever, I would make damn sure that vicious bitch never had him.
She didn’t deserve someone as good as Holden.

The rumble of a loud engine and gravel crunching pulled me from my thoughts. The curtain

drawn back, I looked down from my bedroom window to see a sleek, charcoal grey muscle car with
two black stripes racing straight down the center. It purred slowly down the drive while a swarm of
bumble bees frantically buzzed inside my belly. Snatching my bag from the floor, I stuffed my new
bikini inside along with a change of clothes.

Dressed in khaki cargo shorts, plain white T, and his ever present ball cap, Holden met me on

the porch. “Who’s car?” I asked, locking the front door behind me. A proud grin tugged at the corners
of his wet lips.

“She’s mine.” Reaching for my empty hand, he pulled me into his arms. His soft, eager lips

ravaged mine before he grabbed my oversized bag from my other hand, leading me to the car.
“C’mon…I wanna introduce you to Elly.” he stated with a proud grin.

I dug in my heels. “Uh, who’s Elly?”

“Elly’s short for Eleanor. As in, 1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, Eleanor. It was my
grandfather’s car. He left it to me when he passed. I restored ‘er myself.”

Relieved, I slid into the soft, black leather seat. Holden set my bag between my legs then

leaned in. Our faces only inches apart, I watched as he buckled the belt across my chest. His smell
was comforting and alluring all at once.

Like leather and sunshine…sex and candy.

“Up until a few days ago, she was the most precious possession in my life.” His words sent
my heart racing. Holden’s eyes sparkled as his trademark grin inched across his perfect mouth. I
desperately wanted to kiss him.

Instead, I asked him what my mind was screaming to know. “Who’s Alexis?” I tossed out as

he stood up to shut the door.
Holden’s grin slipped into an annoyed clenched jaw. “Why?”
“Oh, I don’t know. I just had the pleasure of meeting the fruit cake today while Katy and I
were out shopping. She warned me to stay away from you.” I had to swallow back the bile rising in
my throat. I pushed the words out, although every instinct in my body was fighting to keep them in.
“She said you were…hers.”

I heard Holden mumble something under his breath before he shut my door, leaving me to fight

the big green monster slaying my gut all on my own. Dropping into the seat beside me, he slammed his
door shut. His face was red and tense as he turned the key to start the car.
“So are you?” I asked, hesitantly.
Jerking his head back, he locked his questioning eyes with mine. “Am I what?”

“Hers?”
I promised myself I wouldn’t ask. I knew I had no right to. Holden wasn’t mine. He didn’t
have to explain anything to me. I tried to keep telling myself I didn’t care if they’d had sex or not.
Katy had already told me they weren’t together. I believed her. But I needed to hear it from him too.
“Fuck no! I…” He took a calming breath. “We just hooked up a few times. That’s it. Now
she’s gone all fatal attraction on my ass.” His jaw ticked as he put the car in reverse.
The mere thought of Holden touching another woman had my head spinning with rage. In an
effort to reign in my emotions, I took a few deep breaths as he eased down the driveway.
It didn’t work. My emotions were all over the damn place and impossible to decipher.
Instead I went for a subject change. “So where are we going?”
“My house.”
His deep scowl was replaced with a spectacular smile that spread across his handsome face,
stoking the smoldering fire that was now a constant in my belly.

I tried to suppress the burn between my legs, but my efforts were for shit. “Sounds good.”
He relaxed, driving us to what I now considered a sweet escape. A place where the rest of the

world ceased to exist and I didn’t have to worry about what tomorrow would bring.

Pulling to a park in his gravel driveway, Holden killed the engine. He watched as I smeared

on my strawberry flavored lip shimmer and checked myself in the mirror.

“C’mere,” His firm hand wrapped around the back of neck, pulling my mouth to his. I loved

the way he kissed me. His soft tongue tangled with mine before he licked and sucked at my bottom lip.
“Damn, you always taste so good.” He licked his lips and pulled me in for another breathtaking kiss.
This one was hot and hungry and delightfully greedy. “Let’s go, babe.”
Holden kissed my forehead then hopped out. Excitement skittered through my veins as I
watched him walk around the front of the car, carrying a huge smile on his face.

He then led me through the house and out onto the back deck. The sun had just started to set.

Multiple tints of pink, purple, red, and orange painted the lustrous southern sky. A large blanket was
spread across the enormous dock by the lake along with the pillows from the swing.
“It’s beautiful.” I breathed.

It was perfect, just like everything else about him.

“I thought we’d have some dinner. Watch the sunset. Then maybe go for a swim…make out a
little. Well, make out a lot.” He kissed the inside of my wrist.
“And what makes you think I’d make out with you.” Oh, I was so going to make out with
him…a lot.
He tugged my wrist, snaking his arm around my waist and pressing his chest tight with mine.
“After you eat some of my pecan pie, you won’t be able to keep your mouth off me.” He growled into
my ear, causing me to shiver.
“I need to change into my swimsuit.” I said, pulling from his arms. I needed a breather. I
needed to calm down. I felt like I was stumbling over my feet.
Falling.

He gave me a light slap on my ass when I turned to walk back inside. “Hurry up.”
The large bathroom held little retreat. My conflicted emotions were all over the place. I

quickly changed, then took a few minutes to catch my breath. This was crazy. I was not falling in love
with him. That would be impossible. But if this wasn’t love, what the hell was it? I was so confused.
I was scared.
I found Holden waiting for me in the very same spot I’d left him. He was holding a picnic

basket, a jug of sun tea, and wearing one of the brightest smiles I’d ever seen. He led us down to the
dock, and then settled me in place on the blanket.

We talked about everything and nothing, avoiding any mention of the future while we watched

the sun dip further behind the pines. Holden had made fried chicken and potato salad, and for
dessert…pecan pie. Pecan pie was my absolute favorite, but his was to die for. Pulling the fork from
my mouth, I moaned in appreciation around my last bite.
“You were right…this pie is definitely worth a kiss or two.”
Holden sat his empty plate down, and then snatched my fork from my hand and my plate from
my lap. Setting them aside, he laid me down across the blanket. One leg shifted between mine and I
raised my pelvis to shamelessly rub myself against him. The delicious friction had heat bubbling like
lava between my thighs.
His lips covered mine, flooding my mouth with hints of sweet tea, pecan pie, and Holden. He
licked my tongue with his, gifting me with his delicious taste. He ended the kiss way too soon.

“C’mon.” he ordered, helping me up.

“Where?”
“Skinny dippin’,” Holden pulled his t-shirt over his head then kicked his flip flops to the
side. His impeccable body didn’t hold one tan line or flaw. His rough, rugged face paired with that
sculpted body created the picture-perfect man.
“It’s almost dark. The mosquitos will be out soon. I don’t want a bunch of skeeter bites on
my lady bits, Holden.” Crossing my arms, I popped one hip.
“As long as you’re in the water, they can’t get to your lady bits. Only I can. Now move your
ass.” He dropped his shorts then his boxer briefs followed.
Sweet mother of God.
He looked down with a cocky grin. “I think I need to cool down a bit.” With a devilish grin,
he turned, sashaying his remarkably tight ass to the end of the dock. I held a breath tight in my chest as
he took a sharp dive piercing the calm water like a human arrow. When Holden surfaced and began to
swim back toward the dock, I released my captured breath.

Kicking my flip flops to the side, I peeled off my sundress and walked to the foot of the dock.

“You can’t get in ‘til your naked, babe. Rules of the lake.” he grinned.

Holden hoisted himself up on folded arms on the edge of the dock. Rivulets of water dripped

from his handsome face and a smile that promised so much more than getting me out of my swimsuit
was embedded firmly on his face. Shaking my head, I dove in behind him.

When I broke for air, he was right there. I wrapped my legs around his waist and my hands

found his neck. Strong arms held me tight to his chest. He did all of the work to keep us above water,
swimming towards the bank until he was able to stand us up. His strength was impressive.

Kissing my neck, he jerked the string loose from my back. “I love this bikini on you, babe. But

it’s gotta go.” He pitched my top onto the bank then his fingers dug into my hips.
“I don’t wanna have sex in this dirty water.”
“Me neither, babe.” He kissed the corner of my mouth. “Later for that.”

He untied each side of my bottoms, tossing them onto the bank near my top. He clutched me

tighter. Our slippery bodies glided up and down one another, fueling the simmering fire down below
and inside my chest, a fire that seemed to burn only for him. I couldn’t help but wonder…how the hell
was I going to leave here in a few days?
Without him.

CHAPTER fifteen

Don’t be afraid to give up the good for the great.

-Kenny Rogers

Holden

Maddie was like a bright ray of sunshine, comforting and warm. The glowing light in her
eyes drew me in, laid me down, and pleaded for me to stay.

I bathed in it.

After our swim, we’d showered together. I took her slow and easy against the shower wall
while her soft body was wrapped tight around mine. I swear, it was as if she were wrapping herself
around my heart. Our eyes never wavered as I got lost in her under the steamy spray. With nothing but
the sound of our merging hearts to guide me, I walked right into her arresting light without hesitation,
without consequence. Passion and desire swirled all around us and I knew she could feel it too. It
was scary as fuck, considering how long we’d known each other, but there was no way either one of
us could walk away now.

I was down on my knees, head over heels in love with Maddie. I knew right then that I would

do anything to be with her.
Anyfuckingthing.

I was still trying to figure out the right moment to tell her how I felt as we rode side by side in

my truck. She’d wanted to take Elly. But Elly had a console, and I wanted her no further than right
here next to me. I was taking my girl for a milk shake in town. I was just so damn happy, it was the
only way I could think to celebrate. What I had really wanted to do was throw Maddie on my bed,
bury myself balls deep, and profess my undying love for her.
Yeah, I’d settled for a shake.
My left hand dangled from the steering wheel, while my other rested on the Maddie’s upper
thigh. She had this tiny little sun dress on. It was soft and pink like cotton candy and her legs looked
fucking incredible in it. I couldn’t stop touching them.
Or her.
The Dip could be considered a local institution around here. They had lists upon lists, even
some with colorful animated drawings, of every crazy kind of creamery concoction you could ever
think of. It could take you literally half an hour just to read through all of the names they had for milk
shakes alone. They had all kinds of good shit to eat too. Their burgers and fries were the best. I pulled
into the drive thru from the side road.

“I freakin’ love the dip.” Maddie straightened in her seat, eyeing the tiny hole in the wall like

a kid in a candy store. “Katy and I used to come here almost every day after school. I always ordered
the same thing. Cheese sticks and a strawberry shake.” Excitement flashed in her eyes and her
beautiful smile lined those luscious lips.

With my heart jackhammering in my chest, I threw the truck in park, taking quick note that we

were next in line. “C’mere.”

Reaching for the side of her neck, I pulled her lips to mine. I kissed and sucked at her pink

shimmering lips until every bit of that strawberry flavored lip gloss was completely gone. I
withdrew, smacked and licked my lips in true appreciation, then dove back in for more. Maddie’s
addicting taste flooded my mouth with its potent flavor. Still mixed with a hint of strawberry but
laced with her intoxicating breath, she seeped right into my bloodstream…heavy and sweet.

I was in love with this woman.

“I could spend a lifetime kissing you.” I declared against her lips, moving my hand up her
thigh.

“Holden,” she giggled, pulling away from my lips. While she pointed to the car in front of us

moving, I stole a few more kisses before I put it in drive and eased up to place our order.

Maddie ended up with a strawberry cheesecake shake that was way too thick to suck through a

straw.

And let’s all thank the good Lord above for that. Because all I could think about while she

tried to suck the cream from that damn straw were those pretty little lips wrapped around my cock.
Now she was eating it with a spoon, an improvement, but not much better. She kept slowly licking
the back and front of it, her tongue swiping both sides in long focused strokes.

Fuck!

“I wanna taste?” I demanded, placing my shake in the holder beneath the dash. I had decided
on a vanilla shake. I was a simple man after all. But I was craving strawberries. And I only wanted to
taste them on Maddie’s sweet lips.

Smiling, she shrugged then offered me a generous spoon full of her frozen treat.
“Not what I had in mind, babe.” Stretching my arm out across the back of the seat, I smiled.

“Climb on.”

She chewed the inside of her mouth, glancing behind us. There weren’t any cars in sight. This

road had zero traffic this time of night.
God bless a back road.
She looked back at me with an impish smile. I grabbed her cup from her hand and placed it
next to mine. Slowing my speed and adjusting the cruise control, I helped Maddie over to straddle my
lap. Her soft giggle tickled my ear, causing my dick to swell thicker in my shorts. Tiny hands held on
to the back of my neck as she buried her face there. “You always smell so good.” Maddie’s cold, wet
lips kissed fire across my skin. With one hand on the wheel, and the other on her right thigh stroking
up and down, I tried my best not to close my eyes and get lost in her. Her hips began to grind as her
kisses turned into licks and nibbles, wetness seeping through my shorts.
Whipping into my driveway, I quickly threw the truck in park not wasting another second
before I buried my tongue deep inside her sweet mouth. Pressed hard against the steering wheel, I
ravaged her lips, her neck, and her breast. I couldn’t get enough of her.
Never enough.
“I need you now, Holden,” she pleaded.
Her eager hands tugged at the back of my shirt, yanking it over my head. I lifted her dress,
baring her full breast and…no panties.
Sweet fucking hell.

I drew her beaded nipple inside my mouth. Her chest heaved up and down while I licked and

sucked at the tight balls of puckered pink flesh. Fuck, she tasted so good. Her skin in my mouth sent a

current to ripple through my bloodstream like lighting. Unbuttoning my shorts, she wrapped her silky
hand around my cock, stroking up and down at an agonizing pace.
“Take me inside, baby,” Maddie slid down, engulfing me with her tight, splendid heat. My
blood pumped with uncontrollable need as she moved up and down in long, delicious strokes.
Pushing her silky, dark locks from her face, I found her panting mouth. Then I kissed her long, hard,
and deep…just like she was riding me. With her hair fisted in my hand, she rode me until we were
both breathless with satisfaction and combusting in pleasure.

This woman was my every fantasy. She was everything I’d ever hoped for. Everything I’d

ever dreamed of but never thought I could have. Our heavy breaths fogged up the windows. Foreheads
pressed together, eyes locked, I’d found my moment. “I love you,”
Gasping, she pulled away. “Shh…you don’t have to say anything.”
Maddie leaned back against the steering wheel. My arms automatically circled her waist,
pulling her closer. The yard light made it impossible for me to miss the uncertainty that flickered in
her big blue eyes. My love for this woman surged fiercely through my chest and I knew in that moment
that I would never be the same. Even if she didn’t want me, whether she wanted it or not, my heart
would forever belong to her. I would kill for her, die for her, and swim the seven seas for her. All
that fairy tale shit. They say you only give your heart away once. And my heart now belonged to her.
Forever.
Lost in my heart’s assessment, I’d loosened my hold. She was now slipping on her dress and
swinging open the door. She hopped down from my pickup while I tucked myself back in and
buttoned my shorts. Stepping down from my truck, I went to embrace her, but she jerked away. My
breath froze in my chest and I had to swallow hard to find it again. “Maddie,” I would reassure her as
many times as it took, just to make her see.

We were meant to be.

“I just need some space, Holden. Please. This is all just…too damn much.” She walked to
the other side of the truck, grabbing her bag from the floor board.
Space?
I could give her space.
For now.

***

My hand resting behind my head, I was lying in bed waiting. I had given her the requested
space. I’d been channel surfing for about forty-five minutes now. She’d had plenty of time to mull
things. Still, I waited.

One way or another we were going to talk this shit out. To make sure she faced the situation

head on, I’d snuck into the bathroom while she was showering, creeping her bag and clothes. I knew
it was dirty, but I did what I had to do.

When she finally walked out of the bathroom, steam billowed out all around her and I swear

to Christ, she looked just like a fucking angel floating towards me. But this angel was pissed.

Livid.
She had a white knuckle grip on the towel covering her damp body and a deep scowl

engraved on her pretty face. “Where’re my goddamn clothes, Holden?”

I knew telling her that I loved her so soon would run the risk of freaking her out. And I was

right. She was definitely freaking the fuck out. But it was a risk I had to take.
“Maddie, I didn’t tell you I love you just so you’d say it back. You say it when you’re ready.
I just wanted you to know how I feel.”
“There’s no way you’re in love with me, Holden. It’s just not possible.” she reasoned.
“Don’t try to tell me how I feel, Maddie,” I shot to my feet. Ready to pounce, and remind her
just how deeply I did feel about her. She held her hand up, halting me in place.
“No! You can’t love me. We’ve only known each other…I leave in few days, and…”
“And what? That’s it? You’re just gonna walk away?” I was pissed.

Hurt.

I didn’t expect her to profess her love for me right away, but I damn sure didn’t expect to
walk away without a fight. The thought of losing her stabbed at my chest like an ice pick.
“What do you want from me, Holden? I live in Boston. You live here. My job is there. I
graduate in a fuckin’ month!” She ran one hand through her wet hair. “This wasn’t supposed to
happen. You weren’t supposed to happen.” Her hand covered her mouth to stifle a sob. “I wanna go
home.” She turned back toward the bathroom.
“No!” I shouted, cutting her off at the door. “You’re not goin’ a damn place until you tell me
the truth. Tell me you don’t want me, Maddie. Tell me you don’t feel that this is something
special...something real.”

Her head fell forward. “I don’t want you,” she whispered to the floor.

Twisting her around, I pressed her against the wall and gripped her chin with my fingers as
gently as I could. My blood boiled with anger. She was lying to me and herself. It was pissing me off.
“Don’t be a fuckin’ coward, Maddie. Look me in my eyes and say it,” I growled.
“Holden, please.” Her bottom lip trembled.
“Tell me, goddamn it!” My hand slapped the wall hard beside her head.

“I love you.” she whispered.
My ears were pounding so hard with blood I almost didn’t hear it. “What?”

Looking straight into my eyes she said it again, louder this time. “I love you.”
Our lips crashed.
Desperate.
Needy.
Love.
MINE.
She released her grip on the towel, circling her arms around my neck.
“Say it again.” I pleaded against her mouth, lifting her to wrap around me.
“I love you.” Her mouth was all over me…my jaw…my neck…my lips. “I love you.”
My heart squeezed tight in my chest and my arms trembled around her. “Your mine. Do you
understand me? Every single part of you now belongs to me.” I laid her down on the bed while I got
rid of my jeans and underwear.
Crawling between her legs, I centered my cock. “Say it. Say your mine, Maddie. You own
my heart now, baby. I gotta have yours too.” I brought my hand between us. She was hot, wet, and
ready. Centering myself once more I drove into her hard, staking my final claim. I wanted her to
know. Every last part of her belonged to me, her sweet fucking pussy, her beautiful heart, and her
healing soul, it was all mine. “Tell me. Where does your heart belong?”
“I’m yours, Holden. Yours.” Her breathy moans in my face drove me harder. Digging her
nails into the flesh of my back, I dove deeper, in and out, harder and harder, until the final detonating

thrust. We exploded together, binding not only our hearts, but our bodies and souls into one.
Forever.

CHAPTER sixteen

Falling in love and having a relationship

are two different things.

-Keanu Reeves

Madison

Slivers of dawn sliced through the curtains. Holden’s warm hand rested on my thigh while I
lay on my side facing away from him. I’d been awake for a while now, replaying the last few days
over and over in my head. Wondering how in the hell this could’ve happened. How could I have
fallen for him so hard? And so damn quick. All I could come up with was…it just was.
It was undeniable. I was head over hills in love with him. That sounded cheesy as hell, but it
was cheesy and true. I was, walk through fire, deep shit in love with Holden Brooks. It was terrifying
and exhilarating all at the same time. I didn’t know if I wanted to jump up and down and scream for
joy or crawl up in a corner and cry.
I’d felt it since he kissed me at Archer’s, the irrefutable knowledge that this was something
different. This was love.
Dread settled low in my gut, freezing me from within. I would have to let him go. I had to go
back to Boston. I had graduation. I had the job of a lifetime waiting for me. We were riding on
midnight train to nowhere. We fell in love fast and reckless, we were bound to crash.

I should have known better. I should have listened to my head instead of my heart. The cold

chill of losing him swamped me, and I tried not to think about it. Rolling over to face him, I snuggled
up to his side. I just wanted to think about now.

Feel now.
Be with him now.
His arm opened up, welcoming me. “How long you been awake, babe?” His deep voice was

scratched with sleep.
“A while.” His fingers traced my arm, while mine traced the trench between his abs.

This place…right now… here in his arms, it was the only place in the world I wanted to be.

“What cha been thinking about?”
“Us.”
He tensed beneath my touch. “And?”
“Why does everything have to be so damn complicated?”
“It doesn’t have to be complicated.”
“And just how is this supposed to work, Holden?”
He lifted my chin with his finger, looking deep into my eyes. “I love you, Maddie. I’d never
ask you to give up anything for me.” He paused for a moment, his eyes searching mine. Tucking my
hair behind my ear, he cupped my cheek. “But I would give up everything for you.” He swallowed
hard. “Marry me.”
My racing heart slammed hard against my heaving chest.

Crash.
I could hardly breathe. “What?”

Holden kissed my lips softly. “Marry me.” Pulling his hand from my cheek, I shoved
myself upright. “My God, you really have lost your mind.” I was starting to feel lightheaded. I did my
best to focus on slow, calming breaths.
Marry him?

I had barely processed being in love with him…much less marrying him.
His blue eyes held mine. “I can’t live without cha, Maddie. You’re mine. Might as well make

it official.” Holden sat up, leaning forward to drape his arms over his knees.
Why was he being so fucking casual about this? We were talking about marriage!
Next would be…
“This is crazy. Completely fuckin’ nuts! We hardly know each other. You were makin’ it just
fine without me a few days ago. We can certainly live without each other,” I scoffed.
Darting from the bed, I grabbed one of his T-shirts lying on the floor. I began pacing. He
watched me carefully with that irritating grin plastered on his face. “You can’t live without me and
you know it. I love you. You love me. A love like this…” Lacing his fingers behind his head, he
relaxed back against the mountain of pillows. “It’s forever, babe.”
Right. Easy for him to say. He didn’t have a life somewhere else. He didn’t have a plan. He
just went with the goddamn flow.
“Getting married is not gonna solve anything.” I bit out. “My life will still be in Boston. And
yours will still be here.”
Holden shot up from the bed. Gloriously naked and wearing nothing more than his resolve
and love for me, he pulled me into his arms. “When will you accept the fact that this happened. We
happened. I wanna be wherever you are. Here. There. I don’t give a fuck. Everything in my shit life
has led me here. All of my bad choices, all of my regrets that eat at my goddamn soul day in and day

out, it all seems worth it now. It’s led me to you.” His trembling hands reached to cup my face. “I
love you. I cannot, will not, live without you. I’ll move to Boston. I’ll do whatever it takes. I just
want to be with you. Forever.”
Tears stung my eyes and my dry mouth made it difficult to speak. “Holden,” His blue eyes
shimmered.
“Marry me.” He asked again. The desperation in his voice was killing me.
“No.” Pulling his hands from my cheeks, I walked past him.

This was all too much too fast. I was overwhelmed by him…us…everything.

“I need to go.” I was trying desperately to hold back the tears as I attempted to jerk and twist
from his arms. Holden just held me tighter. He wouldn’t let me go. He just kept holding on. Fighting
for me to do what? Stay? I couldn’t stay.

I had to go.
I managed to pull one hand free and I slapped his face.

I’d never hit anyone in my life. Aside from that bitch, Alexis, I’d never had the urge. But
Holden was relentless. Since the moment I’d met him, he’d consumed me. Now, he was swallowing
me whole. Instinct had me fighting to break free.
He let me go, backing away. Shock, hurt, and fear flashed across his face. “Maddie…”
“Please. Just take me home.” I begged.

***

The ride home was filled with awkward silence. Keeping my eyes forward, my mind got lost

in the passing land and trees. I was struggling to wrap my head and heart around it all. Part of me was
glowing inside. Holden had proposed to me. It may not have been the most romantic proposal
imaginable, but it was sweet and sincere, and so very Holden. But the other part of me was terrified.
How could I go from knowing exactly what I wanted in life, to being unsure about everything except
us? That was the only thing that made me feel certain, the only thing that made me feel safe and
content.

Us.
That startling knowledge was scary as hell and even more difficult to except.

When Holden pulled to a park, I reached for the door to get out. “Will you please talk to
me?”
“I just need some time to think about all of this. Everything is happening so fast, and I’m
just…”

Scared.
His hands shot to my neck, pulling me toward him. Pressing his lips to mine, he kissed me

softly. “I can give you time, babe. If that’s what you need. I can give you that. But what I can’t do is
give you up.” Kissing me again, his forehead rested against mine. “I love you,”
My chest exploded with heat. “I love you, too.” He pressed a kiss to my forehead, releasing
me.

I watched as he drove away. The weight on my chest got heavier with each step I took leading

me away from him.

***

Battling it out head to heart, I was able to figure out two things for certain.
One, I was indeed completely and hopelessly in love with Holden. No matter how much I

wanted to rationalize that it was just not impossible. It was irrevocably true. I loved him with every
beat and breath of my being. He was, and would likely always be, the love of my life.

Two, I had no idea what to do next. My head was yelling one thing while my heart screamed

another. Just the thought of not ever being with him again caused a sharp pain to radiate deep in my
chest. A loss like this would certainly remain there for years to come. Even still, I accepted my fate.
My heart would be torn into, but I would always hold onto the time we shared and cherish it for the
rest of my life. In the end, I knew I was making the best decision, the best decision for me.
I spent the rest of the day getting caught up on my emails and school work. I rode Bella,
cleaned the house, but nothing helped. He was all I thought about. Even when I went to pick my
parents up from the hospital the following day, small talk was a task. I felt like a shitty daughter, but
what was I supposed to do? My heart was breaking and the pain in my chest was excruciating.
After getting my father settled, my mother joined me in the kitchen. “Wanna talk about what’s
bothering you?” My always intuitive mother chopped bell pepper and onions while I stirred the meat.
“What?” I feigned ignorance.
You know that look, the one only a knowing mother could give when she knows her child is
hiding something? Grace Waters had mastered that look. “Start talkin’ young lady,”

I’ve always had a good relationship with my parents, especially my mother. They’d always

supported me and encouraged me to be my best. I’d never been afraid to talk to her about anything in
my entire life, except this.
I tried several times to start, my mouth opening and closing in effort to begin my story, but I
couldn’t find the right words. My patient mother just stood there…waiting.
Dumping the ground beef into a colander to drain, I decided to throw it out there like a
grenade. “I fell in love.”

My mother smiled. “I knew it. Holden.” How the hell did she know? “I saw it. The way he

looks at you, he’s got it bad.” She shook her head. “It’s written all over your face too, ya know. Your
father didn’t miss it either.” She tossed the vegetables around the pan with a wooden spoon. Even my
mother was causal and blaze’ about the whole thing. Was I the only one who thought this was crazy?
“What did he say about it?” Surely he was the voice of reason.
She turned to face me. “We adore Holden. We always have. Even more so now, that he
saved your father’s life and fell in love with our daughter.” She stated proudly.
“You don’t think it’s just a little too fast? I’ve hardly known him a week.” She was shaking
her head before I even finished.

“Love just happens. And most of the time, it happens when you least expect it. Do you not

remember how your father and I met?”
I vaguely remembered them telling me the story once. They said it was love at first sight. I
thought they were just pulling my leg. Adults could exaggerate a bit. Who falls in love with someone
without really knowing them?
Me apparently.
“It only took two weeks before your father was on his knees, begging me to marry him.”

Damn, Holden had him beat by a week.

“Two weeks? And uh, that didn’t seem crazy

you?”

“No, because I was crazy in love with him too.” she shrugged one shoulder. I had no
intentions of telling her about Holden’s proposal. I kept that little nugget to myself.
“So now what?” Mama dropped the noodles into the boiling water.

I sliced the fresh loaf of Italian bread. “I don’t know.”

“Well, I’m sure you two will figure it out. Love always finds a way.” She was doing her best
to reassure me, but it was only making it worse.
“I don’t think so, Mama.” She set the temp on the stove then turned to face me.

Wiping her hands with a dishtowel, she cleared her throat. “Madison, you’ve never given up

on anything a day in your life. Why would you give up on something as important as love?”
“Our lives are completely opposite. I had everything planned out. Now my life is…
unrecognizable.”
Mama let out a breath. “What does your heart say?”
“You want me to make the biggest decision of my life based on what my heart says? What
about my job? My life in Boston? Should I just ignore all of that and listen to what my stupid heart
says?” Tears streamed down my face. “I just…I can’t believe this happened. I love him so much. And
now, I can’t see my future without him. What am I gonna do?” I cried.

She rounded the counter and wrapped her arms around me. “Shh…it’s ok.” She stroked my

back, comforting me. “You have to compromise, sweetie. Both of you do.” She pulled back to look at
me.
“I don’t want to resent him if I choose to move back here. And what would he do there?” I
grabbed a napkin to wipe the tears from my face.
She took a deep breath, cupping my tear stained face. “Love is a lot of things. It’s a hard
place to fall and a soft place to land. It’s give and take, push and pull. Love can bring out the absolute
best or worst in us. But, when you find a love worth fightin’ for, that’s true love. And no matter the
struggle or compromise, you can’t walk away from that. Now ask yourself, is he worth fightin’ for?” I
already knew the answer to that. I was just too afraid to admit it.

“I don’t know.”

“Then you’ve got some thinkin’ to do.”She gave me another comforting hug, and then
returned to the stove. We finished up dinner, focusing on lighter subjects. But Holden never strayed
too far from my mind.

CHAPTER seventeen

The best way out is always through.

-Robert Frost

Holden

It had been a long ass day and one hell of a night. I only had two hours left before we shut it
down. The crowd was beginning to thin out, but there were still a few drunks hanging about that were
really grating on my last nerve. That had a lot to do with the fact that I still hadn’t heard from Maddie.
I hadn’t seen or spoken to her since I dropped her off yesterday morning. I’d called and texted her
several times.
Nothing.
I was tired, hungry, and now I was pissed.
“Katy, you got any coffee back there?”
“Sure, sweetie.” Katy poured me a cup, setting it down in front of me.
“Thanks.”
“It’s been a long night.” Katy wiped down the bar in front of me.
“Yeah,” I didn’t want to ask her, but it was fucking killing me. “You talked to Maddie?”
I could see the answer written all over her face and it cut me deep. “Um, I talked to her earlier.”
My fatigue was fading fast and it had nothing to do with the coffee. “And?”
“She just needs time, Holden. Maddie’s never been in love before and she’s scared. Just
give her some more time.”
I had no idea where to go from here. I felt like I’d done all I could to prove my love to her,
but even still, it wasn’t enough.
“Hey,” That fucking voice was the last goddamn thing I wanted to hear right now. It only
made my edginess worse.
“Go away Alexis. Now’s not the time.” “Well, aren’t we in a foul mood? Let me
help you out of your funk, handsome?” Like a snake slithering through the grass, her hand slid up my
arm then onto my shoulder.
I shoved her hand off with enough force; it knocked her back a step. “No. How many times
do I have to fuckin’ say it? I don’t want you. And stay the fuck away from Madison Waters. If I hear
of you talkin’ to her again, Alexis, there’ll be hell to pay.” I spat at her before I turned and walked
away.
Once it was finally time to go home, I contemplated driving by Maddie’s. But I quickly
decided against it. Her father had just gotten out of the hospital, and I knew the son of bitch owned a
gun. I would not be making a surprise appearance in the wee hours of the morning. Besides, Maddie
needed to come to me on her own. It was the only way. I needed to be patient.

After I got home, I took a shower and lay in bed for hours, begging for sleep that would never

come. I had sent Maddie another text, pleading with her to just say something, to let me know she was
alive. Anything.

Still…nothing.

Chucking my phone onto the coffee table, I rolled over on the couch. My bed smelled like
strawberries and Maddie. I couldn’t sleep in there.

I’d just about fallen asleep when I heard a small knock at my door. Maddie was the first

person that came to mind as I jumped up from the couch in nothing but my boxer briefs. I flung open
the door only to find Alexis standing on my porch with a ripped shirt, bloodshot eyes, and matted
hair.

What the fuck?
“What the hell happened to you?” Her bottom lip quivered and her eyes pooled with tears.
Pulling her inside, I sat her down on the couch. I grabbed my jeans from the floor, slipping them on.
“Tell me what happened.” She continued to look down at her hands. This didn’t sit right with me.
Something bad had happened to her. “Alexis, you have to tell me what happened so I can help you.” I
sat down on the coffee table in front of her.
“I was raped.” she whispered.
Fucking hell.
Alexis Davis was not one of my favorite people. Actually, you could say I despised her. But
she was a woman all the same.

Raped?

The thought crossed my mind for a brief second that maybe she’d been mistaken. From
experience, I knew Alexis liked it rough, begged for it most of the time. And she’d slept with every
swinging dick in town. Who hadn’t been with her?

Shoving my doubt aside, I reached for the rumpled blanket behind her, pulling it around her

shoulders. She relaxed. “Who did this to you?”
“I can’t tell you.” she wept.
“What the fuck do you mean you can’t tell me? You were raped, Alexis. Whoever did this,
he needs to pay.” I was pissed. Not just because it was Alexis, but that it could have been anybody.
It could’ve been Maddie.
Sobs caused her whole body to shake. “Please, Holden. I can’t talk about it right now.”
Alexis rested her head on the couch, curling into a tight ball. “I just wanna go to sleep.” This didn’t
feel right. My gut was telling me that she needed to report this right away, go the hospital or
something. “You should at least see a doctor. Do you want me to drive you?” I offered, standing up.
I couldn’t imagine what it must be like for her right now. But revenge would be my number
one priority. Right after I saw a doctor.
“No. Nobody can know, Holden.”
“Alexis, look…”
“Please, I only came here because it was the safest place I could think to go. Can I just stay
here tonight? I’ll figure out what to do in the morning.” Without waiting for an answer, she stood from
the couch and walked into the bathroom, shutting the door softly behind her.
What the hell was I supposed to do? I couldn’t force her to go to the police or hospital could
I? I situated the blanket on the couch then went and grabbed my pillow. Looks like I would be
sleeping in that damn bed after all, with Maddie’s scented pillow none the less.

I retrieved a couple of pain relievers from my medicine cabinet in the kitchen then fixed her a

glass of water. Knocking on the bathroom door, I heard Alexis release a sob. “You ok in there?”
She really needed to talk to someone. I wasn’t qualified for this shit, but at least I knew she needed
some kind of help. I was uncomfortable with her being here, for multiple reasons. But she needed a
friend. And with Alexis being Alexis, I was as close to a friend as she had. “There are some pain
relievers on the coffee table. Just uh…knock on my door if you need anything. Ok?” I pressed my ear
against the door again only to gain a sniffle and thud. “Well…uh…‘night.” I didn’t wait for her to
respond.
I stared into the darkness of my room. I was afraid to close my eyes, because every time I
did I saw bright blue eyes shining back at me.

Finally, my physical exhaustion outweighed my mental fatigue, and I drifted off to sleep.

***

Blinking the sleep from my eyes, I eased them open slowly. Stretching, my hand landed on a
thigh.

Maddie?
Jolting straight up, I quickly took stock.

WHAT.THE.FUCK?!
Alexis was curled up right next to me with the sheet pulled tight under her chin. I lifted the
sheet from my waist.
THANK GOD!
I still had on my jeans. What the fuck was she doing in my bed? I nudged her arm. “Alexis.”

She didn’t move.

“Alexis!” I shouted.
Her legs started to move up and down beneath the sheet, pulling it down further and further.
Fuck! This was not happening.
“What the fuck are you doin’ in my bed, Alexis?” I swallowed hard.
I had to piss like a motherfucker. My morning wood was throbbing for release, and Alexis
Davis lying in my bed with her huge tits staring me right in the face was not doing me any favors right
now. I may be in love with Maddie, and I would never, ever cheat on the woman I love. But I was
still a man. Sometimes matters of the heart cannot be explained to your dick.

Alexis rolled to her knees. I moved to get up, but she threw one leg over my lap to straddle

me.
“Get off, Alexis.” I ordered. Her arms circled my neck, locking me in place. My hands
gripped her hips, trying to pull her off of me, but damn the bitch was cock strong as hell. Thank God,
she had on panties. At least there was some kind of barrier between us. Her tits however, were a
whole other story. She had those fuckers shoved right in my face…my senseless dick lurched at the
sight.
Fucking traitor.
“Oh, I plan on it.” She grinded her hips “I told you not to walk away from me, Holden. I
always get what I want.” Her eyes were cold and dark. Alexis was a bitch, but the woman sitting on
top of me was a determined, ruthless bitch.
“Get the fuck off of me, Alexis, or I’m gonna throw you off. I don’t wanna hurt you after what
you went through last night.” Realization punched me in the gut. Just a hunch, but these were not the
actions of a woman who’d been supposedly raped the night before.

Before I could question her, a loud knock echoed down the hall. With an extreme amount of

effort, and more than a few cuss words, I finally managed to pry her off of me. I ran down the hall to
answer the door.

The knock got louder.
Without thinking, I flung open the door. Madison stood barefoot on my front porch, wearing

nothing more than a cotton dress and a shy smile. Those brilliant blue eyes shined back at me with
something more than what she left with a few days ago. Just as quickly as I was sucked into their
beautiful light, I was thrust back into the darkness when Maddie’s face fell.

Closing my eyes, I turned around, and when I opened them, my worst nightmare stood leaning

against the doorway of my bedroom. Alexis was still naked from the waist up. “Fuck. Maddie, this is
not what it looks like.”

This looked so fucking bad.

“Seriously, Holden. This is exactly what it looks like. LOOK AT HER!” she roared.

Maddie’s face flushed red when she lunged to get inside. A look of feral possession yanked at

the corners of her eyes. I threw my hands up on the frame to block her. She looked like she would tear
Alexis apart if I let her loose. And I would kill Alexis if she hurt Maddie.

“Put some clothes on and get fuck out, Alexis!” At that moment, I didn’t care what had

happened to her last night. The bitch was ruining my life.
She took two steps away from me with a single tear slipping down her reddened cheek. “No.
She can stay. I’m gone.”

I’d never seen someone run across gravel barefoot like that.

“Maddie…” I barreled down the steps after her. “Maddie, just listen to me…” I begged.
Before we got to her jeep, she rounded on me, socking me right in the gut. I struggled for air.
Damn, she could throw a punch. “Stay the fuck away from me, Holden.” Tears streamed down her
face. Looking up from my hunch, I saw it. I saw the hurt and pain in her eyes. I’d felt it before. I knew
what it looked and felt like to be betrayed by the one you love.

The love that had sparkled bright in her eyes just minutes ago was now dull and gray. Right

now, to her, I was a cheater.

A liar.
A mistake.

“I trusted you. I trusted you with everything.”
“Maddie…wait. Please…please listen to me.” Panic was setting in.
Before I could reach for her, she hopped into her jeep and drove away.
Gone.
“Fuuuuucccckkkkk!” I cursed the sky.

Why the fuck did I let Alexis stay here last night? I should have taken her straight to the police

like my gut fucking told me to do.

Rumbling anger boiled hot in my stomach. When I turned around, Alexis stood on the top step.

Oh, now she was dressed.

“I’m going to the police.” she said as I stomped past her. If I could punch a woman and live

with myself, this would be the first bitch to get it.
“Good,” I threw at her before I walked inside, slamming the door behind me. I bent down to
brace myself. I couldn’t breathe. Sucking in several deep breaths, I desperately searched for answers.
Anger, heartbreak, and despair settled heavy in my chest.
How in the hell was I going to fix this?

CHAPTER eighteen

The truth is rarely pure and never simple.

-Oscar Wilde

Madison

Anger, hurt, and betrayal gurgled in my stomach, causing my throat to burn. Intense pain
penetrated every inch of my heart to the point I was ready to carve the shredded organ from my aching
chest. Wiping the tears from my eyes, I swallowed and took a deep breath. Holden’s words kept
slapping me hard across the face.
Everything happens for a reason.
Damn right it does. This all happened for a reason. Better to find out he was a piece of shit
now rather than later. Like Katy did. And to think, I was willing to give up everything for him.
For us.

I was doing it for me too. Boston was where I lived, but it wasn’t my home. I could be a

lawyer anywhere. I just wanted to be with him. Or so I thought. Unable to wait another minute, I
decided to go tell him face to face that he was my forever. That whatever it took, I would fight for us.
I wasn’t ready to walk down the aisle just yet, but Holden was who I saw waiting for me at the end
when the time was right.

How could I have been so wrong?
I trusted him wholeheartedly. It scared me to think about it now. I was so foolish to give him

so much of my trust, and so soon.

Love made people very, very stupid.
My comforter was soaked. It’d been three days since the worst day of my life, and the tears

still hadn’t stopped. Katy had called earlier, asking me to come over. She knew what had happened.
I’d told her everything. Holden had told her his side of the story too.
Katy had tried to take his side at first. I was beyond pissed. She was supposed to be my best
friend…not only that, she wasn’t there. She hadn’t seen what I’d seen. The sight of her standing there
naked will be singed into my mind forever. Katy had been through the same thing. Worse, she’d
actually caught Luke and Alexis in the act together. I now had a full understanding of how one could
commit a crime of passion. Murderous was just one emotion I now had to cope with on a daily basis.

As I was dragging my sad, pathetic self to the shower, I heard my phone vibrating on the

nightstand. I didn’t even bother to look. I knew exactly who it was. Holden had been texting and
calling me nonstop. The man had no shame.
None.
He’d spoken to Katy, my father, and my mother about the whole fucked up situation. This

only added to my humiliation. They had all tried to convince me that it was all a misunderstanding
and if I would just let him explain, I would understand. Not happening.
The hot spray pelted my motionless body as I stared at the tiles on the bathroom shower. I
would never be the same again. My life had been completely transformed and turned upside down in
a matter of days.

Days.
I was a different person. Love had changed me forever. Living a life without love or the

knowledge of what true heart break felt like was no longer a bliss I could endure.

Nope.
I’d finally had my taste. Finally been fed the poison of betrayal and burned by the fire of love.

Now surviving without him would be the price I paid. Never again would I give my heart to another.
How could I? It was broken. I was broken.

***

I adjusted my rear view mirror. Checking my puffy eyes again, I sighed. No amount of make-

up could ever cover up this pain or the dark circles. Swiping my middle fingers beneath my swollen
eyes, I caught a flicker of light behind me. Maneuvering the mirror, my broken heart sank like hot lead
melting in my stomach. Swallowing back the never ending tears, I hoped out.

Holden’s hat was pulled down low on his brow but I could still see his eyes, and they looked

just as bad as mine. My bleeding heart ached at the sight.

“Please talk to me,” he begged.

He seemed so desperate, so sincere. I wanted to believe him. I wanted to believe that he
would never betray me like that. But I just couldn’t. I’d seen it with my own eyes.

“It’s over, Holden.” I tried to step around him, but he grabbed my arms, pinning me against the

jeep. His body pressed hard against mine, stirring that dormant fire to life inside of me. Just like he
always did. I cursed my treacherous body to no fucking end. His hands moved to rest on either side of
my head, trapping me. “Nothin’ happened. You have to believe me. I love you. Only you. I would
never hurt you. Ever. ” Holden’s eyes never wavered. They held mine firm and fast. My gut said he
was telling the truth, but my shattered heart screamed…
Lies.
Lies.
Lies.
“I don’t believe you.” I tugged at his arm, but it wouldn’t budge.

“Listen, I won’t stand here and tell you that I didn’t make some bad choices that night, but I

will tell you that the punishment I’m gettin’ right now…does NOT fit the crime. Please, just let me
explain.” he pleaded.

“No.” I’d made up my mind. We were over. How could I ever trust him again? I couldn’t.
Hurt flashed across his pale face but was quickly replaced with anger. One hand fell to his

side, while the other pointed at my chest.

“You’re a coward.”

“Excuse me?”
“You heard me. You’re scared this could be something beautiful. Something so great, you
just might have to make a sacrifice or hell, even a compromise. I’ve been killing myself trying to

show what we could be together. What we are together. But you’re just too fuckin’ scared and blind
to see it. Look me in the eye, Maddie. I’m telling you the truth and you fuckin’ know it!”
I scoffed. “I don’t know anything about you, Holden. What we had…what we had is over,
now. Plain and simple.”
Holden’s face went from pale to blood red in a matter of seconds. His angry blue eyes
locked with mine. “Nothin’ happened! She said she was fuckin’ raped. What was I supposed to do? I
told her to sleep on my couch and woke up with her in my fuckin’ bed the next morning. I only want
you. Why won’t you believe me?” His voice was thick with emotion and his misty eyes were
drowning with tears that hadn’t fallen yet. I wanted to hug him. I wanted to believe him. His eyes told
the truth, but my eyes saw his lies.

“You really expect me to believe that?” I crossed my arms, lifting my chin. My heart crackled

and broke a little more inside my chest. There would be nothing left of it after all of this was over.

Over.

“No. I expect you to believe in me. But you won’t? You never did. Now you own a part of me, a part
of me that I’ll never get back. I love you more than the air I breathe, Maddie. God help me, I always
will. Just remember this…I didn’t walk away from you. You let me go.” The sight of him walking
away from me brought me to my knees. I tried to breathe past the knot in my throat to yell after him,
but my pride got in the way.
“Holy shit, Maddie. Are you ok?” Katy asked, rubbing her hands up and down my back. No I
was not ok. My chest felt like someone had taken a carving knife to it.

Careful what you wish for.

“C’mon,” she instructed.
Helping me to my feet, she guided me inside. I sat down on the couch and Katy sat down next
to me, handing me a box of Kleenex. She was quiet for a while, letting me sob and grieve my
shattered heart in peace.
“What’d he say?”
“He said…he said he didn’t fuck her.”
“Do you believe him?” Katy believed him, why couldn’t’ I?
“No…yes…I don’t know. How will I ever know for certain? How could I ever trust him
again?”
“Holden loves you, Maddie. I would kill for a man to love me like that. I told you that bitch
was evil. She wasn’t raped. Alexis Davis would spread her legs for anybody, anytime. She doesn’t
have to be forced. She used his kindness and generosity as a weapon, and this is the damage it caused.
Are you gonna let that piece of trash take away your chance at happiness? Don’t let her win, damn it.”
“There you go taking his side again. You’re supposed to be my friend, remember.” Ugh, why
was she defending him?
“I am your friend. Your best friend. And as your best friend it’s my duty to tell you when
you’re being a stupid bitch…and right now…your being a stupid bitch!” she shouted.
I shot up from the couch. “Unbelievable. I am so outta here.”

She jumped up to stop me, grabbing my forearms and looking me straight in the eye. “I’m just

being honest with you. I believe him. Search your heart, Maddie Do you really think he would do that
to you?”
“Did you really think Luke would do that to you?” I spat back.
She dropped her hands, swallowing hard.
“I gotta go.”

“Maddie, wait.”
“I just need to be alone, Katy.” And get the hell out of this town.

CHAPTER nineteen

Morning without you

is a dwindled dawn

-Emily Dickinson

Holden

Tears poured from my eyes while my fist pounded the dash board over and over. My
bludgeoned heart refused to acknowledge the pain. I needed something…something to replace
horrendous ache in my chest. My knuckles were covered in busted skin and blood. I was literally
shaking with grief. The only thing I would have to hold on to were the memories of the time we’d
spent together. I slammed my fist into the dash again. The sound of cracking and the ensuing pain
radiating through my hand was enough to stop me from doing it again.
I’d been driving around for hours. I didn’t want to go home. I wondered if I would ever be
able to walk inside that house again without thinking of her. Or what had destroyed us. Grabbing a rag
from my glove box, I wrapped it tight around my hand. I needed to go to the doctor. My hand was
definitely broken and needed stitches, but I didn’t give a fuck about that right now. Nor the damage I’d
caused to the interior of my car.
Unlocking the back door to, I slipped inside. Archer’s Ducati was outside, so I knew he was
the only one here. Locking the door, I wandered passed his office and straight towards the bar.

I needed a drink.

I hadn’t had anything stronger than the occasional beer in the last five years, but I need

something hard and strong to drown this suffocating pain. Snatching Jack from his known spot on the
wall, I poured a shot and swallowed it down. Then another.
And another.
Slamming the shot glass down on the bar in succession after each shot, my pain and anger
began to dissipate slowly as the liquor warmed my blood.
Fuck.

I could still feel her.

I poured another shot. “Enough.” Archer’s deep calm voice sliced over me, sharpening my
anger once more.

I threw back the shot I’d poured, eyeing him from across the bar. His arms were folded across

his chest as he glared right back at me. Archer outweighed me by about twenty pounds and he could
probably kick my ass all over this bar right now…with my fucked up hand and my Jack’d up state of
mind. But with the amount of anger and pain coursing through me right now, I’d definitely give his ass
a run for his money. His eyes shot from my broken hand to the fifth shot I held in front of my lips.
“Pourin’ your heart out didn’t work did it?” he asked, tilting his head.
“No, it didn’t,” Warmth spread throughout my entire body, buzzing from the alcohol in my
blood and the daunting reality that I’d lost her.
With swollen lips and red cheeks, Katy burst through the door of the kitchen. After shooting
Archer the quickest eye fuck I’d ever seen, she sidled up to me.

“Shit, Holden. What happened to your hand?” She tried to grip my hand to examine it, but I

jerked it away. Her hands shot to her hips and her eyes flickered with irritation. “What the hell
happened?”
“Maddie. That’s who happened. Why won’t she believe me? Fuck!” I roared. “I love her so
goddamn much it hurts.”
Tears hung in my throat, and I felt like I was going to throw up from the burrowing pain. I
grabbed the garbage can near the sink and heaved.

Katy stroked my back, making it worse.

I swatted her away. “Do something, Archer.” I felt bad for being a dick. But losing Maddie, the
purging alcohol, and her kindness were just too much right now. I didn’t want to be comforted. I
didn’t want to feel shit.
“What the hell do you want me to do, Katherine? He’ll throw that shit up and regret it in the
morning. Leave ’em be.”
Katherine?
My head hanging between my arms, I watched her feet shifting behind me.
“Here.” She handed me a wad of napkins.

“Thank you.” Standing up, I leaned against the bar.

“You’re welcome. Listen, Holden I-” Archer cleared his throat, shaking his head in warning.
Katy huffed with a scowl, studying me carefully.
“I tried to talk to her, sweetie. She wouldn’t listen.” Her small hand rubbed my crossed forearms.
Katy was a good friend.
“Thanks again for telling me when she’d be there. Even though it didn’t do me a damn bit a
good, I still appreciate it.” I nodded, wiping my mouth again.
“I’m so sorry, Holden.” she offered before she made her way back through the kitchen door.
“Talk.” Archer sat on the stool in front of me. If I’d ever considered anyone a father figure in

my life, that person would be Archer. He was only five years older than me but he’d always been
there for me. He’d helped me through some pretty heavy shit in my life. But this time was different. I
wasn’t sure if I’d ever crawl out of this dark hole.
Looking up at the ceiling, I sighed. “I feel so helpless.”
Archer’s voice was calm and even. “You’ve done all you can. Let ’er go.”
“It’s not that easy, Arch. I won’t be the same without her. Fuck, I sound like the biggest
fuckin’ pussy right now.”
“Yeah. You do.” he teased.
I tossed one of his signature coasters, barely missing his big head. “C’mon. I’ll take you to
get that hand looked at.” Archer pulled his cell from his pocket. “I’ll get Wade to take your shift.”
“We’ll take my car. I’m not ridin’ bitch on the back of your bike.” I stated firmly, cradling
my hand. It was starting to hurt like a motherfucker. But it was nothing compared to the gaping hole in
my chest.
“Fine. But I’m driving.”

***

It had been three weeks. Three weeks since I’d seen her beautiful face. Three weeks since
I’d looked into her blue eyes. Three weeks since I’d touched her skin or felt her beneath me. I missed
her smell. I missed her laugh. I missed the way she kissed me, and the way she let me kiss her. I hated
being here. I hated being in the one place that held all of my memories of her, and the one place that
took her away from me. It was a special kind of torture. Jack was helping, but just barely. I knew all
too well the ramifications of my continued drinking. I wasn’t completely oblivious.

Yet.
I knew how easy it would be to fall back into that black hole. The one that I’d worked so hard

to dig myself out of over the last few years. Only this time, the black hole I was stuck in seemed
darker and more infinite. She was never coming back.

Maddie was never coming back.

I took the last swig from my last bottle of Jack. My head felt numb and heavy. I could barely
hold it up. Reaching for my phone, I tapped my photos and her beautiful face filled my screen. My
finger hovered over the call button. But instead of calling her, I decided to down rest of the bottle.
Gone.
Never coming back.
Sudden banging rattled my front door. “Open up, motherfucker.” Archer bellowed from the
other side of the door.
Standing from the couch, I looked around. This would not be a pleasant visit. I stepped over
the weeks’ worth of empty bottles.

Arms crossed, Archer stood on my porch with a deep scowl twisting his face. Without an

invitation, he stalked inside.
“C’mon in. I’d offer you something to drink, but uh…I’m fresh out.” I slurred, showing him
my empty bottle.
“The fuck do think you’re doin’, Holden?” he growled.
“Drownin’. The fuck are you doin’, Archer?” Standing had proven difficult. I plopped to the
couch.

“I’m here to kick your ass. Get up,” he demanded.
Shit.
“The hell are you talkin’ ‘bout?” I was in no condition to even thumb wrestle Archer, much
less talk or tussle.
“Well, somebody has to knock some fuckin’ sense into your ass. Might as well be me. Get
the fuck up. Let’s do this.” I’d seen Archer good and pissed only a hand full of times. And right now,
he was good and fucking pissed. “If you wanna sit around and mourn a piece of ass the rest of your
life, fine by me. But I will not stand by and watch you drink yourself to death. You’ve come too
fuckin’ far and there ain’t a woman in the world worth this shit,” Archer motioned around the room.
“Now get the fuck up.” he yelled.
I went to stand, but the alcohol made it impossible for me to lift my drunken ass from the
couch. Sagging back down, I rested my heavy head against the back of the couch.
“You look like fuckin’ hell. How can you just sit there and wallow in your own shit like
that? When’s the last time you had a shower? And what in the fuck is that smell?” Curling his lip, he
picked up the bag of fast food sitting on the table. It’d been laying there uneaten from three days ago.
Dropping the bag back onto the table, he stepped in front of me. Archer bent down, fisting the collar
of my t-shirt with one hand. I was too drunk to do anything to stop him.
“Listen to me you miserable fuck,” Jerking my limp body from the couch, he pulled me
closer to his face. “You’ve got exactly one hour to clean up this shit hole,” He sniffed with a snarl.
“Take a fuckin’ shower, and get your ass to work. If I have to come back here, there will be zero
talkin’, and a truckload of ass kickin’. We clear?” He jerked me so close, our noses bumped.

“Yeah.” I answered.

“Man the fuck up, Holden.” He released me with a shove, and then stomped out the front
door, slamming it behind him.
Archer was right. I needed to man the fuck up. Man up and feel the pain. The pain was the
only thing that reminded me that what we had was real. The pain was all I had left.

CHAPTER twenty

Courage is being scared to death…

and saddling up anyway.

-John Wayne

Madison

six weeks later…

It still hurt like hell, but I was used to pain now. Self-torture had been added to my long list
of daily emotions. Closing my eyes was the only way I got to see him.

His eyes.
That smile.
Once I got back to Boston, I immersed myself in work and finishing up school. It wasn’t very
hard. With finals and grad preps, it was a wonder I had any time to think about him at all.
But he was all I thought about.

Nothing here reminded me of Holden. Yet that didn’t stop me from thinking about him every

single second of every single day. It was frustrating and comforting all at the same time. I liked having
him there every day. He was always in the forefront of my mind. And each and every time I closed my
eyes, I saw his. The vacant feeling in my chest was crippling. I would never be complete without him.
I would never be whole again. I was in complete and utter misery, and it fed feverishly off of my
memory.
Our memories.
Every day I wrapped myself up in them. The rush of his breath against my neck, his tongue
tasting me, it was sweet agony.
Katy flew up with my parents for graduation two weeks ago, and the more I listened, the
deeper I dug and found the truth. I believed him. Deep down, I believed in him all along. He would
never betray me like that. I was just too afraid, afraid to believe in something so powerful and real,
afraid to fight for it. We were perfect for on another. Fate had said so, and so did Holden.

The pain was getting worse. My loneliness and despair over letting him go was crushing me. I

was ready to go home.
Home to my heart.
Pushing from my desk, I walked toward Barrett’s office. My stomach dipped in trepidation
while my heart leapt in hope. This was a huge decision for me. I was taking a big risk, but I had no
other choice. I would never survive without him. Stepping into his office, I marched right up to his
desk and placed the McMillan & Shaw letterhead on his desk.
“You’re sure about this?” he asked, leaning back in his chair. I’d told Barrett yesterday I
was moving back home.
“I’ve never been more sure about anything in my life.” He smiled a smile that once had
butterflies dancing in my belly and my panties wrapped around my ankles. Now, it did absolutely
nothing for me. There was only one smile that could bring me back to life and make my heart sing
again.
“You know, when you came back, I knew something had changed.”
He stood up to move around the desk. Walking past me, he shut and locked his office door.
Shit. I’d been avoiding this for weeks, being alone with him. “I missed you like crazy when you were
gone, Madison,”

Oh God, this was not happening right now.

“Barrett-” I started, but I didn’t have a clue what to say.
His fingers brushed my cheek in a tender way, but his touch was cold, unable to bring my
body to life. I pulled his hand from my face, shaking my head. Swallowing hard, I searched for the
words, but they wouldn’t come.
Barrett scrubbed both hands up and down his face. “I’m too late, aren’t I?”
“I’m so sorry, Barrett.” With tears threatening my eyes, I fled from his office.
Gathering up my things, I made my way home to pack. I still had two weeks left, but after
that, I was finally going home. I just prayed that Holden still wanted me, and could find it in his heart
forgive me.

***

It was the longest two weeks of my life. Thankfully, Barrett didn’t treat me any differently.
He was still just as professional as he’d always been, but there was a longing in his eyes that made
my stomach sink every time he looked at me, I spent a lot of time trying to avoid him my last two
weeks. However, on my last day, he summoned me to his office to clear the air. Barrett wished me
luck and insisted I call him anytime I needed anything, personal or professional. He said if I ever
wanted to come back, I would always have a place at M & S. I was so relieved. I respected Barrett
immensely, and still thought of him as my mentor…when we weren’t screwing each other’s brains
out. We’d managed to salvage somewhat of a friendship from all of this, and for some reason, that
was important to me.
I’d been home for a week now. Still wallowing in my own misery, afraid of what he would
say when we were finally face to face. Would he take me back? Or tell me to go straight to hell? I
spent my first few days at home lining up interviews with several reputable firms. I couldn’t take the
first part of the bar exam until next February. The second part would not be given until the following
July. So I wouldn’t have my actual license until next year. However, with my experience, I was
certain I could land something relatively quickly.

When I got up this morning, I’d decided that today was the day. I needed to face this.
His truck was parked in the driveway, but I had no idea if he was here or not. He kept Elly

parked in the garage, so I could only hope.

Stepping from my jeep, I took tentative steps towards the porch and knocked on his front door.

My heart beat wildly in my chest as I shifted back and forth on both feet. Hope was starting to
outweigh the fear but it was still there, freezing me in place when Holden flung open the door. I was
too scared to speak. Scared of what he’d say.

Or what he wouldn’t.

My favorite pair of jeans hung low, giving me a peek at the grey waistband of his boxer
briefs. Every cut and angle of his bare torso was mouthwatering. My fingers tingled to trace every one
of those lines that I now know by heart. His hair had grown little longer, and he was sporting his
usual five o’clock shadow.

Barefoot, shirtless, and looking all too good to be heartbroken, he propped himself against the

door frame with folded arms. His body was rigid and tense, and his muscles rippled as he stood in
place. Licking my lips, I scrambled for my practiced words, but now I couldn’t find them.

It made it that much harder when Holden’s eyes refused to meet mine. “Hi,” I pushed out on a

whisper.

My heart had started beating in earnest now. I swore he could hear it hammering away inside

my chest. At least it was finally beating again.

“What do you want, Madison?” His chilly tone had tears gathering in my eyes. And the fact

that he didn’t call me Maddie…was like a knife slicing right across my chest.
What had I done?
“Can I come in?” His eyes finally met mine and they said only one thing.
Heartbreak.
“No,” He tossed out before slamming the door in my face.
Wrapping my arms around my waist was a futile attempt to suppress the agony.

He hated me.
How could I blame him? I hated me too. I’d been a coward before. But now I was ready to

fight. Without a knock, I barged right inside.

“What the fuck are you doin’, Madison? Get out!” he shouted.

Swallowing hard, I forged on. “I’m not leavin’ here until you talk to me.”
He walked around the couch, stalking towards me. “I have nothing to say to you. Leave.” He
grabbed my upper arm, walking me back towards the door.

I dug my heels into the hard wood floor. Tears filled my eyes, pouring hot down my face.
“Holden, please. I love you.”

He stopped mid tug, releasing my arm like it was on fire. “You walked away from me,
remember?”
“I’m so sorry, Holden.” I cried. “I should have believed in you. I do believe in you.” I cried
into my hands, sobs racking my body.

Pulling in a sharp breath, I tried to regain some shred of composure. “I need you, Holden. I

can’t live without you,” One hand clutched at my aching gut while my other hand reached out for him.
He jerked away.
Resting his arms across his bare chest, he set his jaw. I watched it clench repeatedly while
he stared at his tan bare fee. “I spent a lot of time in the bottle when you left. The last few weeks
have been pure fuckin’ hell for me with no way to numb this pain.” He hit his chest with a fist. “I
found my bottom. Now I do what I can to survive there. I couldn’t bear losing you again. It would
fuckin’ kill me.” His glistening blue eyes met mine as he ground out his final words.

I looked deep into his eyes, the same eyes that held all of my hopes and my dreams. I silently

wondered how you could meet someone, expect nothing of it, then all of the sudden they’re right there
in front of you, and they’re everything you ever needed. Everything you could ever hope for.
Blows my mind every fucking time.
You never know when love will come along and change…everything.

CHAPTER twenty-one

Where we love is home-

home that our feet may leave,

but not our hearts.

-Oliver Wendall Holmes

Holden

It was fucking killing me not to touch her. I’d dreamt of this moment a hundred times. Maddie
standing in front of me like this, fighting for me…fighting for us. It took a heaping dose of self-control
to keep from touching her. All I wanted to do was take her in my arms and kiss her until she begged
for me for air, bury myself so deep inside her she didn’t know her fucking name. But I was terrified. If
she walked away from me again, I wouldn’t make it.

She needed to fight harder.

Maddie’s fist clenched at her sides and her bottom lip trembled. “I know I hurt you. And I
swear I’ll spend the rest of my life makin’ it up to you. But first you have to forgive me. I fucked up. I
realize that now. What we have…what we have is special. It’s real.” She took a tentative step
forward. “You’ll always own a part of me. I’m yours. Please-” Her tiny hands shook as she cupped
my face, rising to her tip toes. I closed my eyes at the contact, and then felt her soft lips brush mine. “I
love you so much, Holden. Please forgive me.” she mumbled between light kisses.

I wrapped my arms tight around her waist, and my left hand cupped the back of her neck

angling our mouths and fusing them together. I fed from her like a starved animal. Maddie moaned
against my tongue, and the vibration drove me crazy with need. My hands roamed her body. I started
to remove her shirt, but she stopped my pull. Reaching out, she grabbed my hand, leading me towards
the bedroom.

Standing next to the bed, she smoothed her soft hands across my chest and stomach. Then, she

placed tiny kisses along my torso before she fell to her knees in front of me.

Holy fuck.
My gaze dropped to hers, desire darkened her eyes as she unbuttoned my jeans. Tugging at the

sides, they dropped to the floor along with my briefs. Maddie stroked me several times with her soft
hand, and then teased the tip with her tongue. Slowly she took me inside of her hot mouth.

“Fuck.” I hissed, clenching my fists at my sides.

I was afraid that if I put my hands on her I would surely lose self-control. Her small hand
stroked up and down at the base of my cock while her greedy mouth worked me in and out. I wanted
to come so fucking badly, bury my cock deep in the back of her throat and let go.
MINE.
Maddie released me with a pop to pull her tank top off. Her chest heaved up and down while
her pink cheeks flushed red with desire. She reached back to unclasp her bra, unveiling her beautiful
breasts. Her hand circled me again “I love you so much.” she professed before her mouth covered my
cock once more.
My hands found both sides of her head. Pumping in and out of her slick mouth, she allowed
me to take control. She gave herself over to me completely. Fire licked down my spine, settling low
and deep. “Here I come, baby. Open up.” She closed her eyes and gripped my hips, urging me

forward.

Harder.
Deeper.
Roaring her name, I thrust one last time. I buried myself deep while her perfect mouth milked

every drop of pleasure from me before she finally released.
Pulling Maddie from her knees, I wrapped her in my arms. “That was…” I couldn’t find the
right words.
“Does this mean you forgive me?”

Shaking my head, I chuckled. “Fuck yes,” I kissed her swollen mouth, and then stepped out of

my jeans. “Let’s get these off.” Unbuttoning her jeans, I dropped to my knees before her. I pushed her
to sit on the edge of the bed, peeling off tight denim.

Starting at her neck, I tasted every inch of her, the swell of each breast, every dip and every

curve. I sucked and nipped at her nipples until they were red, puckered and pointing to the heavens.
Panting, Maddie gazed down at me as my head moved between her legs. I blew a cold breath against
her aching flesh, and I felt her legs shiver beneath my hands. Gripping her inner thighs, I pulled them
further apart. Her taste flooded my mouth.
My honeysuckle.
I hadn’t had a fix in two fucking months. “Did you think about me while we were apart?” I
asked licking and sucking at her swollen bud.

Her pretty lips puffed for air as Maddie fisted her hands in my hair. “Every day, baby.” she

groaned. Rubbing her clit with my thumb, I dipped my tongue lower and watched her head fall back
with a ragged moan. Her strong grip on my hair held me in place while I consumed every drop of her
sticky sweetness.
Shifting her up the bed, I crawled between her legs, spreading them wider with my knees. “I
love you, baby.”
“I love you, too.” she whispered.
Bracing myself above her, I kissed her lips softly, savoring the moment. I get to kiss her, fuck
her, make sweet love to her, and cherish her for the rest of my life. My heart squeezed tight and my
cock pulsed from the intensity of the moment. Cupping her ass, I angled her up so I could slide inside.
Where I belonged.
“You’re mine, Holden. Always. And I’m gonna love you forever.” She proclaimed.
“Forever.” I vowed. “Because you’re mine.”

Epilogue

about six months later….

It never failed. Every time I turned down the red gravel road that led me to him, I always got
this way; heart racing and blood pumping. Would it always be like this? The answer was simple.
Yes.
My outlook on everything had completely changed since Holden Brooks stumbled into my
life all those months ago. I never thought in a million years that I would end up here. But you know
what they say…
Never say never.
I still wanted to be a lawyer. And in few short months, I finally would be. But instead of
being a high powered defense attorney, I wanted to be something more, something better.

Shortly after I moved back home, I was offered a job working at Harper & Cade. It was a

small firm in town, but the wrongful conviction cases we were working on were anything but. There
were a lot of people in prison who shouldn’t be. People who had been convicted of crimes they
didn’t commit. But because they had a shitty defense, they were now rotting away in a prison cell. I
dealt with cases like that every day.
The work I was doing there had so much more of an impact. We were changing lives.

I ended up moving in with Holden right away. Everything with us moved at lightning speed

since the moment we met, so I resisted his request at first. I didn’t see the rush. We were together
now, and we could see each other anytime we wanted. That was enough, right?

Wrong.
After only two nights of being unable to pry myself away from him, I caved. Holden

handcuffing me to the bed for nearly two days didn’t help matters either. I don’t think I’ve ever come
so many times in my life. Holden’s methods of negotiations were mind blowing. I had to give him
that. And of course, I loved him.
God, did I love him.
I switched off the engine to my brand new Jeep. Holden bought it for me for my twenty-
seventh birthday last month. I was pissed at first. Yes, he had more money than he could spend in a
lifetime, but I didn’t want him spending it all on me. He already took care of most of our bills, and he
was always buying me little gifts here and there. So, when I got home from work to find a shiny black
Jeep with a big red bow sitting in the driveway, I cussed him nine ways to Sunday.

Then, he took me to bed and convinced me that I indeed needed a more reliable vehicle.

Holden had mastered the method of persuasion when it came to me and my independent nature. Deep
down, I loved it that he took such good care of me. He always made me feel so cherished and loved.
I’d spent most of my day in court today. I was exhausted and my feet were killing me. All I
could think about was a long, hot bath, a glass of wine, and crawling into bed with my man. Holden
would surely find a way to work this tension out of me. I didn’t even make it up to the third step

before he met me at the door. As he did each and every night when I came home from work, his arms
wrapped around my waist pulling me to his chest. He laced his tongue with mine, showing me just
how much he missed me. “How was your day, babe?” he asked, drinking soft kisses from my lips.
“Long and hard.” I answered with a sigh.
“Yes it was.” He pressed his long hardness right between my thighs, relieving some of that
pent up tension. “C’mon.” Holden pulled a soft kiss from my lips before he took my brief case and
purse from my hands.

Dropping my things onto the new couch, he led me to the bathroom. Holden had let me

decorate after I moved in. He went along with every piece of furniture and art I’d picked out. He told
me that he didn’t care what I did with the place…as long as the bed stayed. I loved that bed. We had a
lot of memories in that bed. The bed stayed. Pulling me inside the bathroom, Holden stopped me next
to gigantic garden tub. Candles of every size rested on any surface that would hold them, illuminating
the room with a soft glow. Steam billowed up from a lavender scented bubble bath as Holden began
to undress me. He started with my blouse first. His big rough hands caressing the delicate fabric sent
a shiver to rock down my spine.
“This is my favorite part of the whole day.”
Button.
“Yes, I know. You tell me that every day.”
Button.
“I don’t want you to forget.”
Button.
“I won’t.”
Button.
How many damn buttons did this damn top have?
“I know because I’ll never stop saying it.”
Button.
My lungs begged for air as my body temperature continued to rise. With the steam from the
bath and the heat in Holden’s eyes, I thought I would spontaneously combust. His hands brushed the
silky garment from my shoulders, and then his fingers found the clasp of my bra. My breast hung heavy
and ached for his touch. I clenched my thighs tight in an effort to alleviate the constant ache, but it was
a lost cause. The only thing that would soothe this burn was his touch. Every inch of my body burned
for him, and he was in no hurry whatsoever.
He took his sweet ass time removing my skirt and panties. Then once he had me completely
bare, he held my hand as I stepped inside the tub. I eased down slowly, allowing my body to adjust to
the hot water. Holding my knees to my chest, I watched as Holden undressed himself then stepped in
to sit behind me. His large legs came to rest on either side of me, and I relaxed back between his
muscular thighs.
My arms were draped across the top part of his legs while his hands roamed the skin beneath
my breast. I loved this. He always did sweet stuff like this. He was always letting me know how
special I was. The intimacy that Holden and I shared on a daily basis reassured me that what we had
was real.
Forever.
Holden grabbed my left hand, massaging my fingers. “Since the day we met, I knew you were
the one for me. From the first time you smiled at me, I knew that all I wanted to do was spend the rest
of my life making you smile like that. My only mission in life, from that moment on…was to make you

happy.” I closed my eyes and sucked in a breath. Holden never had a problem finding the right words
to express his feelings. No one could ever make me this happy. “You’re mine. I want the whole
fuckin’ world to know that. I want God to know that.” I felt something hard and cold slip around my
ring finger. My eyes flew open, and I watched as Holden pushed an antique cut diamond ring onto my
finger. My breath froze in my chest. “Give me your hand, Maddie. I already have your heart, but I’ve
gotta have your precious hand too. I want to walk through this life with you by my side. Your hand in
mine. Forever.” Holden brought my left hand to his mouth, kissing my now ringed finger. It was hard
to pull in a breath. Tears streamed down my face in deliriously happy rivers. “Marry me.” The sound
of his pleading voice wasn’t the only thing that evoked the word from my mouth. It was the love and
conviction in his voice. When I turned in his lap, I saw it in his eyes too. I saw it in the quiver of his
bottom lip and the bob of his throat. This man would spend the rest of his life doing just what he’d
said.
Loving me.
“Yes.” I breathed. Cradling his rough, handsome face in my hands, I found his eyes. The ones
I fell heart first into the first time I saw them. The moment I knew this man would change my life
forever. “I love you so much.” I mumbled between soft kisses.

I moved to straddle him as my tongue dove deep inside his mouth. My wet breast pressed

against his hard chest, and my nipples pebbled at the contact. Greedy hands roamed my body, cupping
my ass, and squeezing my breast.

Holden never knew just where to start. That’s why he always took it all. Every time he kissed

me, made love to me, fucked me. He took it all…every last part of me. Because I was his. And he
was mine.

THE end

Please continue reading for a sneak peek at Chapter 1 of Until You’re Mine (Mine #2)

Coming Spring 2014

From the Author…

Thank you so much for reading Because You’re Mine

Bringing you Holden and Maddie’s story would not have been possible without the help of my
phenomenal family and friends. I am so very fortunate to have such a strong support system, the
foundation being my amazing husband. He has put up with so much since my journey began, it’s a
wonder he still likes me. I know he must definitely love me; otherwise he would have surely left my
ass now. He’s endured a lot, and taken care of most all of our daily responsibilities so I could
dedicate as much time as possible to writing. He’s not only my husband, but my best friend and
biggest ally. There is no way in hell I could have done this without him. I love you. Always.

To my amazing kids who can’t read this until they’re 18…my life would suck without you. I love you
both very much. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for putting up with a part-time mama while I
followed my dream. And if I taught you anything during my pursuit…it would be to follow your
dreams and never give up.

To my beautiful sisters Randi and Kelly, thank you for always being so supportive and believing in
me. Thank you for your honest suggestions, and for loving my characters as much as I do. I love you
both dearly.





To my parents, who have supported me from the very beginning and encouraged me along the way.
Your unconditional love has given me the courage to spread my wings, even when I was terrified to
fly. I love you both very much.

To my amazing editor and friend Shelbi, I will never be able to thank you enough for your helping me
make this book the best it could be. Your suggestions and insight have helped me grow as a writer.
Thank you for loving Maddie and Holden as much as I do. I am grateful for your friendship, and that I
have someone I can trust with my work.

To Heather, thank you for being my beta reader and such a good friend.

To the rest of my friends and family, thank you all from the bottom of my heart for supporting and
encouraging me along the way. This has been an amazing experience and one that I hope leads to more
opportunities. I love to write, and without the love and support of my family and friends, I would not
be able to do what I love.

Just Booked-Thank you so much for believing in me. I am so happy we got to share this first together.
I will forever be grateful for your hard work and dedication in making my blog tour a success.

Two Crazy Girls with a Passion for Books- From the moment I liked your Facebook page on that
fateful day, I knew I was getting a special kind of crazy. But I had no idea that I would meet two
beautifully, crazy women who shared my passion for reading, life, and fictional characters. I am so
honored to call both of you dear friends, and I look forward to many years of continued private
messaging. *wink*wink*

Books, Coffee & Wine-You all have been amazingly supportive as well, especially, Tracy. Thank
you my Scottish friend, you made my teasers hotter and nudged my ass constantly to push publish.

HUGE THANKS to all of the Bloggers who have shared my Facebook page, my book, teasers, or
anything else that may have gained me a reader. THANKS to all of the bloggers that signed up for my
blog tour or asked me for an ARC just so they could review my book. Without you, no one would
even know who the hell I was. I can never thank you enough.

To Arijana at Cover It! Designs, thank you for making my cover better than I could have ever
imagined. I look forward to working with you again soon.

To Author Felicia Lynn, thank you for all of your help and support along the way, and for inviting me
to my first book signing. I am so ready to throw down in Hotlanta!

To my readers and followers: I’ve met some pretty amazing people throughout this journey, people
from around the globe who have supported me and encouraged me along the way. Your faith in me
has been inspiring.

Thank you.

Also, please leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads, or Facebook. Good or bad, I would love to hear
your feedback.

Because You’re Mine is book #1 of the Mine Series. Until You’re Mine (Katy & Archer’s Story) will
be released early 2014.


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Here’s a sneak peek at Chapter 1 of Until You’re Mine. Remember, unpublished work is subject to
editing and can change at any time.

Enjoy,

K.

CHAPTER one

Thousands of white twinkling lights dangled from the rafters of the old barn, coating the rustic

walls with a soft glow. Beautiful center pieces, made up of white daisies and candles, adorned each
of the twenty or so round tables surrounding the dance floor, creating the perfect romantic setting.
Reckless Heart sang a familiar melody, but I couldn’t remember the name of the song. It rested just on
the tip of my tongue.

But that’s how it always was. Any time I was wrapped up in his arms like this, I had trouble

thinking…sometimes speaking.

With a skill I never knew he had, he led us around the dance floor slowly. His masculine scent

wafted through my nose while his peppermint breath tickled my ear. Arousal flooded between my
thighs, and I clenched at the sensual assault.
“Have you thought about what we discussed?” he asked softly.

Archer’s mouth was so close, every time he spoke…his lips brushed the shell of my ear.

Chills rushed down my spine, spreading outward in the wake. “Yes.” One word responses were all I
could manage when his hands and mouth were on me.
“And?” His sucked lightly, nipping then biting at my lobe
“No.” I said into his shoulder, my nails scraping at the coat of his tux.
Removing his mouth from my ear, Archer pulled back. Emerald eyes flecked with specks of
brown and gold gazed back into mine, freezing me in place. “You better have a damn good reason.”
His fingers dug hard into my hips, and the look on his face switched from inquisitive to
possessive. This side of him turned me on even more…his dominate side. The side of him that always
took what he wanted. How the hell I’d managed to keep my panties on around him this long was
beyond me.
Archer and I had been going round and round about this for weeks now. Hell, we’d been
playing cat and mouse for months. Stealing fire starting kisses in his office. Finding any excuse to
touch each other. The connection was there. It was strong and physical on his part, but for me it was
more. A lot more.
I was in love with him.
I loved Archer Brooks with a heart that had been broken and shattered so many times, it was
a wonder it still beat. It was a wonder that blood was still able to pump through the bludgeoned organ
properly after so much damage.

Archer wasn’t built like me. He wasn’t built for love. He’d told me numerous times that he

didn’t believe in it. I was starting to believe he never would. I removed his hands from my hips,
taking a step back.

Finally able to find my voice, now that all physical contact had been severed, I gave him his

answer. “It’s wrong.”
“That’s your daddy talkin’, and you know it. What do you want, Katherine?” Archer
demanded, taking back my step.
“I want you. All of you. I want you to be mine.” I confessed.
“I will be yours.”
“Heart and soul?”

He retreated. “We’ve already discussed this. That is not an option.”

“Then I can’t be what you need. Yes, I want my mouth to touch more than just your lips. Yes,
I want to memorize and worship every inch of your body. I am dyin’ to have you inside me. But if I let
you in, I have to give you my heart. And I want yours in return. I won’t be just your play thing, Archer.
I deserve more than that.”
“You’re right. You do. I just can’t give it you. The only thing I can offer is my flesh. The rest
is non-negotiable.”
“Then this conversation is over.” Tears pricked the back of my eyes. I swallowed hard
trying to hold them back. I had to get out of here.
With my palm to my mouth, I fought through the swarm of dancing bodies. I felt like I was
going to be sick. I knew he would say that in response to my confession. I thought I’d prepared myself
for it. But hearing the words out loud only made it hurt worse. He would be my biggest heartbreak,
and we’d done nothing more than exchange passionate kisses.
Bursting through the exit door, I struggled for air. I couldn’t leave yet. Not without saying
goodbye to the bride and groom. But first I needed a moment alone. I needed a moment to reflect, and
remind myself that I had made the right choice. My heels dug into the soft ground so I removed them.
The dewy grass felt good beneath my feet, putting me back on solid ground. I found solace on the side
of the barn. I’d never craved a man so much in my life.

Lust.
It’s one of the seven deadly sins. The bible didn’t call it that for nothing.
Morals and scripture had been instilled in me since birth. Being the daughter of a preacher

had not been easy shoes to fill. All of the tattoos and piercings in the world couldn’t cover up what
had been ingrained into my heart…into my soul. I was far from a saint, but I still had my faith. With
everything that I’d been through in my life, my faith was all I had left.
Leaning against the barn wall, I looked up. Stars dripped from the sky like rhinestones. The
autumn moon hung low, igniting the darkness around it. There had to be a God to create something so
beautiful. It was with that unwavering faith, that I knew he had a plan. Sucking in a deep breath, I
sagged back into the wall. I turned twenty-eight yesterday. I should be married by now with at least
two kids. That was my plan. But instead, I worked at a bar and lived alone. My happily ever after
was nowhere in sight.
“There you are. What the hell are you doin’?” My heart took a nose dive as Archer stalked
toward me. He’d removed his tie and coat. His crisp white button down had two buttons undone at the
top, gifting me with a peek at the tan skin beneath. Hovering over me, he stared down into my eyes.
The moon hanging above his head was like a halo, casting a shadow across his hardened face. He
looked like a dark angel.
“I wasn’t done with you yet.” he said, resting his hands on both side of my head.
“Well, I’m done with you. No more kissing, touching. None of that. You can’t just take what
you want leaving me with nothing, Archer. I’m not built that way.”
One hand found my cheek while the other found the back of my neck. “I know that. I know
exactly how you’re built.” His solid thigh rubbed between my legs, sending warmth to dampen my
panties.
Oh God.
He always did this. He completely dominated me. He overloaded my senses until I was
unable to make a sound, make a rational decision or form a coherent thought. As I said before, it was
amazing that I had not succumbed to this temptation before now. He continued to weaken my defenses
with every encounter we had. Pretty soon, I would not be able to fight him off. Deep down, I was

almost certain that I didn’t want to.

“What do you want from me, Archer?” His hand shifted, gripping my neck tighter.

“I want those sexy legs spread wide while I bury myself deep inside your hot pussy. I want
this sweet mouth wrapped around my cock while I pump in and out, taking my pleasure as I see fit. I
want to own and dominate every inch of your body, Katherine. And it will happen. I won’t stop until
you’re mine.”
His words sent a shiver of heat to rock down my spine. Greedy lips found mine as I was
pulled under, swept away in the powerful current that was Archer Brooks. Fighting to break free, I
shoved at his chest. It was like pushing against a brick wall. His hands fell from my face and in one
swift move, Archer shifted his leg. He clasped both of my wrists in his large hand, pinning them
above my head.
“I’m tired of this shit, Katherine. I can’t take it anymore. I want you so fuckin’ bad, and
goddamn it, I know you want me to. I can fuckin’ smell it.” His deep voice sounded like he was
gargling gravel. I loved it when he talked to me this way. His feral eyes flickered with desire just
before his lips found mine.
Scorching heat licked every inch of my body. Archer held my hands firm while his other
hand slipped beneath the hem of my dress. Removing his thigh, his fingers rubbed the silk of my
panties. Another wave of heat rolled through me.
“Just as I thought…soakin’ fuckin’ wet.” He rubbed hard back and forth. The friction of his
fingers rubbing against my pulsing clit had my legs spreading wider.
“That’s it, baby. Open for me. Let go. I can give you so much pleasure. Do you want my
fingers inside of you?” His grip on my wrist tightened when I gave consent.

There was no way I could stop him now. I didn’t want to. The rebel in me didn’t want to.

Archer pulled my panties to the side. Two strong fingers stroked back and forth against my
aching flesh just before he buried them deep inside of me, pushing a gasp from my mouth.
His touch.
His breath on my face.
Incredible.
“Fuck,” Archer plunged deeper, dragging his fingers in and out of me slowly. “So fuckin’
hot. I can’t wait to bury my cock here. I fuckin’ dream about it. I dream about it every night, you lying
beneath me while you’re in my bed…at my mercy. I wanna make you scream, baby. I wanna hear you
beg.” His fingers thrust harder as he whispered dark promises against my lips. I breathed them in…
unable to do much else except take what he was giving me, or let him have what he wanted.
“Tell me, Katherine. Tell me you want that too. I wanna hear it from your sweet lips.”
“I want you.” All rational thought had escaped me, along with all inhibition.
He released his hold on my wrist. My hands found purchase on his shoulders, while his free
hand found the bodice of my dress, pulling it down. With the bunched up fabric resting beneath my
breasts, Archer dipped his head. With his fingers still thrusting in and out of me, his hot mouth
covered my nipple. He sucked and twisted the tortured bud with his lips and teeth, pushing me further
and further to the edge.
“I want to taste every inch of you. I think I’ve waited long enough.” He removed his fingers,
dropping to his knees before me. Pushing the material of my dress up my thighs, his mouth found my
center. He pulled one leg to rest on his shoulder. My hands dove for his dark locks, tugging and
scraping frantically. He licked and sucked until my body submitted to the pleasure he was giving me.
With a quiet moan and his name on my lips, I came hard and fast against his mouth.

Standing, he fixed my disheveled dress, pulling the hem back down and the bodice back up.

His hands smoothed down my torso before they cupped my cheeks.
“This body is mine. Understand? Mine.” Archer declared.

His dark green eyes held a possessiveness that had me trembling in my spot. If only he felt this

possessive about my heart. Nodding, I gave him the response he wanted. I was too weak to argue, too
weak to fight.

He pulled another soft kiss from my lips. “To be continued.” he promised before he let me go

and walked away, taking my heart with him.

Thank you for reading.