Chapter Nine

By the time July was over and the days had flown forward into August, Maddie was surprised at the easy routine she and Cole had fallen into. She wouldn’t exactly call them friends, but at least they’d found a comfortable rhythm in working together at the hotel.

Outside of work, they’d spent very little time together since Cole had been flying with his business partners to different states dealing with issues involving their jointly owned company. He’d flown back in this morning, but she’d yet to see him.

While she was thinking about him, he showed up at the door of her office, leaning one broad shoulder against the doorframe, his hands loosely tucked in his pockets. He wore another one of his expensive suits, minus the jacket this time. His white dress shirt spanned across his impressive chest. He was as handsome as a Greek god. Confident and oozing sex appeal. His gaze hypnotizing. His lips…those lips that could do hot, wicked things to her were moving. “Everything okay?”

To hide her reaction, Maddie pretended to be busy with some papers on her desk. “Fine. Why do you ask?”

“I got your voicemail reminding me that your sister and nephew will be in soon for that camping trip. Is your sister arranging a ride, or are you picking her up?” He stepped forward into the office when the hallway began to fill with people leaving a few minutes early to beat the five o’clock traffic.

“I’d prefer to pick them up.” Maddie looked at the clock. The camping trip officially began tonight. She and Cole, along with her nephew and dozens of other kids and parents, would sleep in tents in the middle of the woods at a site a couple of hours outside of Chicago. She stood and swept the papers into an empty drawer.

He moved closer, and Maddie swallowed, curling her fingers into her palms to keep from touching him.

“I can have my chauffeur take you. I’m here to please.”

“Isn’t that my line?” she teased.

He smiled at that. “Come here and kiss me.”

“With pleasure,” Maddie murmured. She sashayed up to him, lightly brushed her lips across his, and felt the jolt all the way to her toes. “Is that enough?”

“Two can play this game, Maddie.”

She arched an eyebrow. “You think you could win?”

“You can judge for yourself.” He pulled her to him, spun her around, and splayed a hand across her abdomen to hold her against his body.

Maddie breathed faster as his other hand bunched her skirt and slowly inched beneath it. His fingers slid to the top of her thigh and around between their bodies to grace the swell of her buttock. She moaned, tilting her head back against his chest as his hand moved around to the front, his fingers finding the edge of her satin panties. One finger edged beneath the material and remained there, close but not nearly close enough to suit her.

She wiggled against him, feeling the response of his body and delighting in his swiftly inhaled breath. As she ground against him, he gripped her hips, urging her closer.

When he brought his hand to just below her breast, Maddie eyed her desk, then said huskily, “I have condoms.”

Cole’s warm breath caressed her ear. “You want to do this here?”

“As long as you’re not a screamer. I’d hate having to explain to my colleagues that you weren’t actually having a religious experience.”

He laughed. “It’ll be the other way around, sweetheart.”

“We’ll see.”

Her phone extension rang, and with a groan, Maddie stepped away from Cole to answer. She listened for a second. “Okay. Not a problem. I’ll head your way.”

She faced Cole again. “That was my sister. They’ve already landed.” Sighing, she began tidying her desk. He reached around her for a folder she’d forgotten to put away. His forearm, exposed by his rolled-up shirtsleeve, brushed the side of her body. Dizzy with need, she closed her eyes and swayed slightly, gasping when his hands descended on her hips.

“What’s going on?”

Nothing that a night of passion can’t cure. Maddie shook her head. “I haven’t told my sister I’m living with you.”

“She wouldn’t approve?”

“She worries.”

He lowered his hands, and Maddie breathed easier without his touch heating up her skin. She concentrated on making sure everything was neat, then stepped out of the office and locked it while Cole waited.

Her thoughts jumped to the impending reunion with her sister and how much she was looking forward to that. If only there wasn’t a cloud hanging over her head. She felt guilty keeping secrets.

Soon she was going to have to talk to Dani and explain what was going on with their grandfather. But when she did that, her sister would know the money hadn’t come from him, and she’d demand that Maddie take it back, which would leave Dani struggling. Maddie would lose sleep again worrying about her sister. If only she could catch a break.

She’d searched every inch of the place but still hadn’t found anywhere her grandfather had hidden money. Next week, she planned to go deeper over the operating accounts to see if she could find a trail where the money might have been moved.

Outside the hotel, Maddie waited with Cole while the valet brought the car around. “After I pick up my sister, I have to make a store run. Sam loves s’mores, and I forgot to pick up the marshmallows.”

He opened the passenger door for her. “I’ll deal with that while you get your sister so you won’t end up having to rush around before we leave for the trip.”

She put her hand on his arm but quickly lowered it when it sent tingles up her spine. “Thank you.”

…

Maddie knew showing up at the airport in Cole’s car was going to earn her a grilling from Dani. As soon as Sam was buckled in the back and had earbuds in while he played a game on his tablet, her sister pounced.

“Nice car. It wouldn’t happen to be Naked Shower Guy’s, would it?”

“How did you—” With a groan, Maddie stopped talking. “Joy.”

“Yep. She told me you put your things in storage and moved in with Cole.” Dani shook her head. “I know that we all practically grew up together, but we didn’t interact that much, so it’s not like you really know the guy.”

“I know, but it was the right thing to do.”

“I researched him after I found out you were involved with him.” Dani glanced over her shoulder to check on Sam. “He’s got a great reputation for giving in the community, but he also has a reputation as the guy you don’t cross. I’m concerned about you.”

Maddie took an off ramp toward Cole’s house. “I promise you that I’m fine and I know what I’m doing.” To change the subject, she said, “Andrew is meeting you at Cole’s?”

“Yes, I’m going to help him set up some stuff in his new apartment. After that, I’m giving him some pointers to get through a summer math course he hates.”

Maddie unfastened her seat belt. “If you can help me get through my college math, you can help anyone.”

Dani laughed and opened her door as Cole and Andrew came outside.

“My favorite girl,” Andrew said as he helped Dani out of the car and into her wheelchair. “Let’s get rid of these guys”—he patted Sam on the head—“and then the real fun can start.”

“Not more fun than me.” Sam dug his backpack from the car and slung it across his shoulders. “We’re going to roast marshmallows.”

“I’m going to miss out, that’s for sure. Sorry I couldn’t go with you.”

Sam shrugged and looked at Cole. “Can we go now?”

“Sure thing,” Cole said after exchanging a look with Maddie.

She knew what he didn’t. Her nephew wasn’t a fan of long goodbyes. He’d done his fair share of keeping a stiff upper lip since the accident.

Dani moved over to her son and kissed him on the cheek. “Did you pack—”

“Yes, Mom.”

“I just want to make sure—”

“Mom.”

Dani sighed and backed away. “I’ll see you when you get back.”

Maddie hugged her sister. “I’ll take care of him,” she whispered, knowing it was hard for Dani to let Sam out of her sight.

“Are you someone’s dad?” her nephew asked as they drove toward the interstate.

Cole glanced at the rearview mirror. “No, I’m not.”

“I’d like a dad. But I want my dad.” Sam dug his tablet out of his backpack and held it in his lap for a second. “I can help you set up the tent.”

Cole nodded. “I’d appreciate that.”

“And I can bait my own hooks when we fish.”

“That’s good you learned how.”

Sam stared out the window. “My dad taught me.” He looked at Maddie. “My aunt Maddie scares the fish away when she falls out of the boat.”

Maddie laughed. “It was an accident.”

“What happened?” Cole shot her an amused look.

“I had my eyes closed and earbuds in, jamming to music, when a fish jumped out of the water and right into my lap. He went one way, and I went the other.”

“So what do you think we should do to keep that from happening?” Cole asked Sam.

Her nephew thought for a second. “Get her another boat.”

“I think that’s a good idea.”

Maddie laughed again. “I have to warn you, though, if we get into a boat race, I’ll beat you.”

“She’s good,” Sam said grudgingly. “But she can’t beat me at this.” He waved his tablet around.

Maddie fake scowled. “Because you cheat at that game.”

“I don’t. I’m better.” Sam looked smug, then peered through the window with a sigh. “Are we there yet?”

…

The tent went up in record time. Cole felt a strange lump in his throat when Sam dusted his hands together and looked up at him with a tentative smile. It was clear that the little guy was still hurting over the loss of his father. If money could buy Brody’s life back, Cole would give whatever it took in a heartbeat.

Maddie was off unpacking the supplies they’d bought, and it was up to him to take Sam to the area where they’d have the marshmallow roast later. From their viewpoint, he could see dads gathering with their sons. Sam suddenly stared at his sneakers and kicked at the dirt. Cole could swear he saw the glint of tears in the boy’s eyes, and he put his hand on Sam’s shoulder. “It’s okay.”

Sam’s jaw stiffened, and he looked away. “Boys aren’t supposed to cry.”

Cole knelt in front of him. “Did your dad tell you that?”

Sam shook his head. “Shane Franklin did.”

“The reason your dad didn’t tell you that is because it’s not true. Everyone cries.”

Sam’s eyes widened. “Even you?”

“Even me.”

“Oh. Did your dad die, too?”

Cole swallowed. “No. My friend did.”

With all the wisdom of a six-year-old, Sam nodded. “That sucks.”

“Yeah, it does.”

“I sleep with one of my dad’s shirts. I hide it under my bed until after Mom turns the light off,” he blurted out. “Don’t tell my mom.”

“I won’t.” Cole felt like a horse had kicked him in the heart. He stood and nodded his head toward the group. “You ready?”

Sam trudged slowly along beside him, his expression downcast, but as soon as he was welcomed into the group of boys he’d known for the summer, his face brightened. Minutes later, when the event leader said it was time for the treasure hunt, Sam rushed back over, waving a card listing all the toys that had been hidden. “We have to win.” He glared at another little boy.

“Is that Shane?”

Sam nodded. “He said he always wins.”

“Not this time. We can do this.”

Forty-five minutes later, after traipsing through the wooded trails, Cole returned to the fire pit area with Sam. Maddie’s nephew was almost bouncing his steps. Out of the all the treasures, the most coveted one had been a remote-control helicopter, and Cole had found it for Sam. He’d nearly face-planted in a batch of poison ivy after losing his footing, but it was worth it.

As soon as they were back with the rest of the group, Sam took great delight in showing off the win.

Maddie came to stand beside him. “You’ve earned a fan for life.”

“He seems like a good kid.” Cole looked down at Maddie. He’d never seen her look so at ease, so happy. To busy his mind, he took three of the marshmallow roasting sticks from her and began loading them up. With her so close that he could breathe in her sweet floral scent, he kept wasting marshmallows by accidentally dropping them in the dirt.

“Like this.” Maddie closed her hands over his and slowly guided the treat down onto the stick. “If you do it slowly, it’s better.”

Need, hot and insistent, rose up within him. He told himself it was a biological response. Nothing more. He’d believe his own bullshit if he didn’t look forward to being near her as much as he did. His mind warned him he wasn’t the one in control, that he was about to do something stupid like lower his guard.

That wasn’t who he was. What he did. He was ruthless. In control. Always with the winning hand. The only reason Maddie was even in his life at the moment was so he could get to her grandfather. But it had been a hell of a lot easier in the beginning when he’d thought she was out to get him. He didn’t feel that way anymore, and it was playing havoc with his brain. Trying to get back to even ground where he was the one in complete charge, he said, “I’ve seen how you interact with him. You always seem to know what to say or do.”

Maddie pulled her marshmallow from the fire and blew softly on it. He thought about kissing those lips. Thought about them on him. When she started talking, he had to force himself to abandon those thoughts.

“I sort of play it by ear.” As if she could read his mind, she sent him an amused look. “Kind of try to figure out how he’s feeling. If my life would have turned out differently, I probably would have had one or two myself.”

That surprised Cole. “What do you mean differently?”

“Anything other than a rich heiress whose trust fund ran dry.”

Cole winced. “I was a little harsh, wasn’t I?”

She bumped her shoulder against his. “Understatement of the year. You were trying to draw blood.”

He exhaled. “About that…I think that I may have completely misjudged you.” He looked at her. “I thought you were like your family and trying to get to me for some ulterior motive.”

“Is that your way of saying sorry?” Maddie picked off a bite of the marshmallow and tasted it.

“It is. I don’t make it a habit of leaping to conclusions, and I don’t make snap judgments, but when I realized who you were, it was as if I couldn’t think rationally.”

“Tell me about it,” Maddie admitted. “It was the same for me.”

“You couldn’t think rationally?”

“With all the things I used to think about you when I’d see you working in the yard?”

He arched an eyebrow. “Like?”

“Oh no. Your ego is big enough as it is.”

“Being humble is difficult when you’re as great as I am.”

Maddie laughed. “Who knew you had such a good sense of humor? That sure wasn’t what I noticed about you all those years ago.”

Unable to help himself, he reached over and caught a strand of hair blowing in her face. “You know what I’d like? To start over. Erase the junk between us.” Cole couldn’t believe he’d said that. He felt like any second now, he was going to start writing flowery poetry about unicorns and butterflies.

“I’d like that, too.” She hesitated, then asked, “When I prove that my grandfather isn’t the one responsible for what happened to you, will you at least be willing to consider the facts?”

She might as well be asking him to hook the moon up to the back of his car and drive it to his garage. He knew Samuel Russell was guilty. Had heard it with his own ears. The only reason he wasn’t saying a loud hell no right now was for Maddie’s sake. “Show me proof that he’s innocent and I’ll listen to you.”

“Thank you.” She smiled at him.

“You were never spoiled at all, were you, Maddie?”

“I’d like to think not.” She hesitated, as if weighing her words. “When I was little, my father made me help the maids and the cook after he found out I wasn’t his. I think he thought I’d hate it. I guess he was trying to turn me into a modern day Cinderella, but what he meant for punishment turned out to be good for me.”

Cole’s stomach clenched at the thought of a child bearing that kind of hatred. “I’m sorry.”

She shrugged. “I guess it was a hard blow for him, learning that Mom cheated on him and I wasn’t his.”

“He’s without excuse. You don’t take the shortcomings of adults out on a child.”

“What would you have done?”

“Had I been him, I would have divorced your mother, and I would have loved you fiercely, never once telling you that you weren’t my daughter.”

“You’ll make a great father someday.”

Uncomfortable with the thought, Cole nodded his head toward the boys where Sam and Shane were playing together like they were best friends. “Apparently, all is now well between them.”

Maddie turned to look, and Sam ran up to them excitedly talking about the ghost stories that Shane’s dad would tell later. When he threw his arms around her waist and gave her an exuberant hug, Cole had to glance away. He didn’t know what was wrong with him. He wanted to save both of them from any more hurt in life.

Seeing Maddie with Sam and watching the easy back and forth she had with him gave Cole a strange new longing for laughter, for love, and for a sense of belonging. That scared the hell out of him.

It scared him that he’d been wrong about her, and he wrestled with the urge to hold her, to fly her to exotic destinations and show her the finer things in life. To show her kindness, tenderness, caring.

He wanted to be with her not only because he enjoyed her company but because he believed she was someone he could take a chance with and let his guard down. Other than his friends, he hadn’t ever felt that way toward another person. He wanted to protect her, be her shelter, the one she ran to, and that scared the hell out of him, too. There was risk with emotions. He’d been there, done that, and didn’t want to go that route again. The problem, he realized as he watched Maddie, was he wasn’t sure if he even had a choice in the matter.