The sun was just starting to shine through the tree when we pulled up. “Can you pull up to the front? There is an opened station on the far right.” Maddox nodded, but didn’t comment further. Doing as I asked, he was able to back the trailer in correct the first time. Completely straight with the garage doors. “If you can unlock it and open the doors, Maddox and I can get these unloaded.” Steele was already halfway out of the truck. “Why didn’t I think of that?” I muttered as I slipped out of the truck, much easier than when I got in. Glancing at Maddox, he was half smiling, but not looking at me. Maybe whatever Steele said to him was bothering him. As I unlocked the office door, I made a promise to myself to sit down and talk to Maddox myself tonight. The boys were waiting for me by the time I pressed the garage doors. Not wanting to worry about that right now, I looked at the bike I was working on when Maddox walked into my shop and turned my world upside down. It was more diffi
“In his office.” Steele looked at me. “Maybe give him some time.” “I’m not sure what he expected. I’m not a twelve-year-old learning how to fight for the first time. This isn’t even my worst injury.”“No, but you are the first person he’s cared about. He’s maybe trying a little too hard. It doesn’t come natural for everyone.” “Come natural? Do you realize how that sounds?” Steele did a quiet laugh. That was more to himself than to me. “Yeah. I do.” He wasn’t looking at me anymore, but remember a memory that gave him some happiness. “Cut him some slack? Maybe not too much, but give him a chance to try to be a good mate?” “Maybe you need to have another conversation with him about treating me like an equal and not a doll that needs its ass wiped.” “You have a way with words.” Steele got up on his feet. “I’ll talk to him if you promise to stop being so hard on him. You may not see the difference, but Maddox has done a complete 180 since he met you.” “Maybe let him go back a few deg
Maddox just lifted an eyebrow at me as I came out of the bathroom. “We are taking the bikes to my shop today.” Maddox just shrugged and stood up. He was just wearing gym shorts, showing off everything. My spandex hugged my ass and my workout shirt was low enough cut that my books could spill out at any second. Not that they would. This bra was tight. Part of me expected him to tell me no or argue. Instead, he slipped his phone into his pocket and opened the bedroom door. “How sore are you today?” Maddox finally asked as we hit the foyer.“I actually feel pretty good.” Trying out a few movements, it really only hurt when I bent forward. Even then, it wasn’t bad. “We are taking it easy today. Just some running and light weights. Get you back into it and slowly work you up.” “I was hurt for two days.” Damn. “I’m not worried about your ability to lift. More of straining the muscles in your side that are around your ribs.” Maddox opened the door to a much larger gym than I expected.
Just as the previews started, Maddox reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell phone. Not wanting to look at whoever he was texting, I just rested my head on my arm, far away as I could manage. What I wasn’t prepared for was for Maddox to shove his phone in my hand and look back at the screen. Looking down at it, it was our message thread. Instead of saying Tatum, it said Mate. “Princess, I didn’t mean you shouldn’t have done that because I didn’t enjoy it. If you couldn’t tell, I REALLY enjoyed it. I meant that you put yourself in pain and that isn’t okay with me. You should never make yourself in pain to please me. You should know by now that I am dying to look, taste, feel, and fuck every inch of you. Those bitches are worth shit now that I found you. They were merely just a distraction. You are my life. Please, I’m sorry. Go look at their messages if you don’t believe me.” Doing as he asked, I clicked on Tabitha first. Maddox: If you ever text me, come up to me or any fo
“Princess?” Maddox rolled over and pulled me so I was lying on my back. “That hurt you, didn’t it?”“I’m good.” I was breathing a little heavily to convince him otherwise. His hand rested above my incision. “You shouldn’t have done that.”Anger and embarrassment instantly filled. Did he not like it? It was my first time, and I really stepped out of my comfort zone. Pissed off tears sprang to my eyes as I ripped his hand off me and got out of bed. “Wait! I didn’t mean it that way!” Maddox yelled as I slammed the bathroom door shut. Thankfully, it had a lock that I could keep him out since he started knocking. “I’m sorry. I very thoroughly enjoyed it. I just don’t want you to put yourself in pain to please me.” Even if I wanted to believe him, the damage was done. I wouldn’t be doing that for a long time. Ignoring him, I just washed my face and brushed out my hair. Since I didn’t bring my clothes, I’d had to go out there and face him, eventually. Taking a deep breath, a plan formed
“Sounds good!” I said and jumped up, off Maddox. “I want to change. Can you take the bandage off? Cade wants to look at the incision. Maddox looked at Cade. “Yeah, I’ll let you take a look and then I’ll get it wrapped again. Her shirts will pull on the stitches, or what is left. The one that pulled caused her to bleed some.” “That’s fine, I just want to check it. I know you have been doing great with her healing.” “No worries, man. I get it.” Maddox put his hand on my back to guide me out. “I am going to put on my silk jammies before I get some popcorn. Do you want anything else?” Jo asked me. “Chocolate bars.” Cade snorted. “It’s the key to her heart.” “Oh, really?” Jo looked at me. “Hear that Maddox?” “Don’t put on some stupid chick flick, either!” I yelled as Spencer ran past us and up the stairs. “I WON’T.” He yelled back. I had to grab ahold of Maddox’s arm as we climb the stairs. Cade was walking with Jo. It felt good for it to be the four of us. “Usually I make Maddox