Work was virtually impossible with the memory of what had gone down the day before. What was I meant to do with the image of Madison, writhing under me, loving the feel of my tongue between her legs?

I couldn’t remember the last time going down on a woman had been as heady as that. I was a mess, my brain focusing on how much I wanted her while obsessing over the fact I had to be the grown-up here and turn her down.

I couldn’t begin to imagine what would happen if Kevin even had a hint that things had already gone as far as they had. If only he would return soon and take her back so we could both put this ‘thing’ behind us as a kind of summer madness. But even as I thought I had the feeling it wouldn’t be so simple. Her memory was going to torture me for a long time.

I tried my best to find something to do around the office to keep me in late, but that didn’t work. My secretary, Natalie, shooed me out, ordering me to go home and get a decent night’s sleep since the real work would be when Kevin came back with the deal signed and sealed. If only she knew sending me home would act as more of a distraction to sleep than staying in the office and working would.

As I stood outside my front door, I heard voices coming from the open windows. Madison’s voice, bright and laughing, and another. A man’s voice.

I felt my gut burn.

I slipped my key into the lock and pushed the door open. Madison lay curled up on the couch next to the window, and a guy sat next to her. She was dressed in a skimpy little baby doll dress that hardly covered her breasts or legs, and the little jerk was clearly enjoying the show. He was almost salivating all over my couch.

I wanted to skin him alive.

I announced my arrival by throwing the keys down on the counter so they landed with a loud clatter that made the two of them jump. I tried to keep my fury at what was going on from showing on my face, but I could feel how tense my shoulders were.

“Uh, hello?” I said as disinterestedly as possible

“Oh, Quinn.” Madison glanced up at me, her big blue eyes wide with surprise. “I didn’t think you’d be back till later.”

“Yeah, well, I’m here now,” I pointed out, my voice cold. “What’s going on?”

“This is Nathan.” She gestured to the guy sitting opposite her. I took a closer, unsmiling look at him. He was about her age, and looked preppy and smart in a well-cut shirt and a hundred-dollar haircut. He offered me a nervous smile. Good. He was right to be nervous. Sitting around in my house, flirting with my guest like he owned the place.

I nodded to him in acknowledgement. “How do you guys know each other?”

“We went to prep school together years back,” she replied for him. She turned her head and smiled at him fondly, then looked over at me. She might have been paying him attention, but the look she shot over at me told me she was still thinking about our encounter the day before. Was she playing me? Using this boy to make me jealous? Well, two can play at the same game.

“I have a date coming round tonight,” I said before I had a chance to calm myself down.

“Really?” Madison exclaimed.

“You should go, Nathan,” I said coldly.

“Uh-” he began.

Obviously, he was completely confused by the tension suddenly sizzling between us, but I made my way across the room and towered intimidatingly over him. He looked up at me worriedly, then across at Madison as if asking her for help.

Madison looked at him apologetically, but she certainly didn’t look too cut-up that he was leaving. “Sorry, Nathan. I wouldn’t have invited you if I’d known. Maybe we can catch a movie or something before I leave.”

“I’ll call you?” he suggested, starting to stand.

I bristled.

Deliberately ignoring me, she smiled sweetly at him. “That’ll be nice. I’ll look forward to it.”

He got to his feet. As he reached for the jacket he had draped over the back of the couch he looked at me. I met his gaze impassively, and hoped I was getting my message across. Don’t fucking come back. He got it. He scurried across the room and toward the door, shooting one more longing look at Madison, before he left the house.

“So who’s your date?” Madison asked, raising her eyebrows pointedly.

“You don’t know her.” I stalked across the room toward my liquor cabinet and poured myself a drink. I would have to invite someone around now. I supposed I could invite Victoria. Probably the best idea I’d had all week. She could help put a wedge between Madison and me. A smart, gorgeous woman who was interested in me and was entirely appropriate to my age group and interest. If that didn’t push Madison away, nothing would.

“You should probably go.” I waved a hand. It killed me to say it, but I did. “Go to dinner with Nathan or something. It’ll be awkward if you hang around all night.”

She lifted her chin proudly. “Not at all. I’d love to meet your…date.”

“Fine,” I said savagely, meeting her challenge. She could do what she wanted. I would make sure she knew where I stood and what I wanted. And that none of it involved her.

She got to her feet, and I noticed the way her dress clung to her breasts, skimming over the curve of her hips. I forced my eyes away and threw my drink down my throat.

“I’m getting in the shower,” I said.

“Good idea. I think I’ll join you,” she said.

I froze mid-step. “What did you say?” I asked tightly.

She grinned cheekily. “Just kidding.”

I whirled around and left without another word. One day, she’ll go too far and I’ll tan that pert backside of hers.

I went into the bedroom and sent a text to Victoria. She replied instantly. Yes, she would love to come over for dinner. Excellent. It was about time I ended this nonsense with Madison and took up Victoria’s offer. No woman who did what she did to chocolate truffles could be a disappointment in the sack. I called up one of the restaurants next to my house, and ordered enough food for three people.

Dinner for all of us.