Madison

I’m finishing a project when my body stills. My hands get clammy, and my eyes go wide.

No.

No.

No.

“Madison? Is that you?”

I turn around and can’t believe who I’m seeing. “Hi, Kent.”

Don’t cry.

Don’t cry.

Don’t cry.

“It’s good to see you.” His lips curve into a smile. I don’t return it. “This is my wife, Julie.”

Julie.

Julie, with the beautiful heart-shaped face, wide crystal blue eyes, and straight blonde hair.

Her posture is straight and perfect. Everything about her screams class and elegance. I love what she’s wearing—a gray Dior dress. I know the brand because I’ve had my eyes on that dress since it arrived in our store.

She’s so beautiful.

Especially her pregnant belly.

“It’s so nice to meet you, Madison.” She smiles warmly at me. “You wrote that paper about the effects of sexual influence in marketing. Right?” I nod. “Oh, gosh! That paper was amazing. Kent raved about you.”

I gulp, digging my nails into my palm. “Yes. That was my paper. Kent was my advisor and professor.”

It all makes sense. Everything. There’s no question in my head. All I need to know is in front of me. Since he pushed me out of his life, I thought it was me, and now I know it never was me. Kent is a fucking man whore loser.

“That’s wonderful.” Again with that smile. “If you’ll excuse me.”

There’s only us. I look away, hoping Kaylee feels my soon-to-be nervous breakdown. My nails are still pressing into my palm. I don’t feel the pain. My entire being is numb.

“Madison …”

“No,” I whisper, finally getting the strength to look at him. “Thirteen months, Kent. You never told me about your wife. Or your baby. She’s at least six months pregnant. We’ve only been broken up for a month. So while you were in love with me, showering me with everything, you were with your wife and creating a family. I should’ve known. But I was blinded by the love I thought we had.”

“Had? No. There’s no past tense with us. You love me. You still love me. And I love you, Madison. I think about you every day. Breaking up with you was the hardest thing I ever had to do, but I needed to protect you. Please believe me when I tell you I was going to leave Julie. I didn’t care if she was pregnant, but I needed to protect you, so I couldn’t divorce her. All that matters to me is your safety. I hope you see that. This past month has been hell for me. I’m asking for another chance. Meet me at our spot and I can explain everything.”

I’m about to be sick.

Kent steps closer to me, looking around before he reaches down to grab my hand, forcing our fingers to entwine. “I miss you. Please tell me you’ll meet me tonight.”

“Move, asshole.”

Kaylee.

“Thank you,” I tell her and quickly move from his grasp and rush out of the building.

The warm air hits my face. My chest burns. Thousands of sharp knives are slicing me, cutting me wide open, and letting me bleed out on the busy streets. The pain surges, and it’s taking everything in me not to scream. Not to faint. I can’t catch my breath. The stinging in my palm makes me look at it. It’s red and sore from my nails digging into it. I’m surprised I didn’t draw blood.

I stop thinking about my palm and remember I need to get out of there. The streets are busy, so I push my way through the crowd and feel the tears burning my eyes. I still feel his fingers in mine.

The way he touched me made me feel safe and warm.

I felt loved.

The way he smelled, clean and musky, made me smile.

I need to stop and catch my breath. I have no idea how long I’ve been running. My feet are screaming for me to stop and rest. The tears I’m holding back finally release. I’m paralyzed with anger and confusion.

Raindrops land on my head, and before I have a chance to find shelter, it downpours. Hands grab my waist and I feel a hard chest. An ideal hard chest.

Not Kent.

Bryce.

I know it’s Bryce.

I let him walk me to his limo. Peter opens the door, and Bryce gently helps me climb inside. The cool leather feels like pins against my cold, wet legs.

The door closes, and I can’t bring myself to look at or say anything to Bryce. My body shuts down. All I can see is Kent and think about why he told me he still loved me. The hurt blisters over my semi-healing heart. My walls are going back up, and I don’t trust men. I don’t trust anyone.

“Madison. Baby, what’s wrong?”

I can't find the words to let Bryce know what's going on. My mind is going in circles. It feels like someone's repeatedly punching my gut and I can't move to get away. When I lift my eyes, Bryce is watching me with worry and confusion. Here's a man who wants to be with me and is showing me what it's like to feel happy, truly happy. There's no more reason to cry over Kent. What's done is done. I have Bryce now.

This will be the last time I cry over Kent. He doesn’t deserve anything of mine.

“I just need a few minutes, Bryce,” I calmly mutter.

All I need is a few minutes to gather my thoughts and then I'll tell Bryce.

* * *

The warmth flushes over my body. My eyes gradually open, and I instantly know where I am.

Bryce’s penthouse.

Slowly, I sit up and let the covers fall. I’m not wearing my dress from this morning. I’m wearing a gray tee shirt and my panties. I rub my face and lie back down. My head’s spinning from seeing Kent and meeting his wife.

“You’re up.” Bryce emerges from the bathroom and walks over to the bed. He stares at me before sitting down. “Are you okay?”

“I am now. How’d you know where I’d be?”

“I was on my way to a meeting when I saw you.”

“Oh.” That’s all I can say.

“I told Peter to stop and come here. I brought you to my room and changed you.” My cheeks warm. “I just changed you. I took the liberty to call Kaylee and let her know you’re okay and with me.”

“Did she threaten you?”

“Yes.” He laughs.

The way his face scrunches when he laughs is touching. Bryce turns his head my way so we’re facing each other. His face softens as he studies me. Neither of us speaks or moves. The look intensifies, and I feel it in the depths of my broken soul. The pure, intense look makes me burst into tears again. I don’t want him to see me cry, so I use my hands to cover my tear-streaked face. I’m sure I look like a hot mess, and my makeup is smeared all over my face.

Bryce lifts me into his arms, and we drop to the floor. He cradles me and rests his chin on my head while holding me tighter. I grip his shirt, clinging to him.

“You need to tell me who’s responsible for making you cry. I feel helpless right now, baby.”

I sigh out loud and pull away a little, so we can talk. I need to look in his eyes. The words are there. My history with Kent and the reason I’m a mess.

“I was crying earlier because I saw my ex-boyfriend. And his pregnant wife. Kent was my professor and advisor. We were together for thirteen months before he broke me. I never made the connection, and since we had to keep our relationship a secret, no one could warn me. I begged him to be with me, but he chose his wife. He told me I was fun and used for his entertainment. Since I was getting older and wanted to make our relationship public, he lost interest in me.” I find the strength deep inside me to continue. “When you saw me at the bar, I was a mess because I missed him. I wanted to forget him, forget everything, and then there you were. The way I feel for you is nothing compared to what I felt for Kent. I’m completely over him and one hundred percent with you. I just wanted you to know about my past.”

Bryce places his hands on my face, caressing my cheeks. I draw in a breath from his touch. “I’m glad you told me. You can always talk to me, Madison. I’ll never judge you.” His soft eyes calm me. “Kent is a fucked-up man,” Bryce begins to say. “He didn’t and never deserved you. You’re rare, a beautiful gem, and I promise you I’ll protect you. I’ll make you see what it’s like to feel cherished and needed. Since you were honest with me, I’ll be honest with you. I never thought I’d find love again.” He pauses, and his hand travels down my arm until our fingers are entwined.

I’m holding his hands tightly. This moment ... this connection is pulling me deeper into him. There’s no doubt with this man.

He untangles his hands from mine, and I miss his touch. His fingers trace my bottom lip, causing my body to tremble and crave for more. There’s sensuality in the way his fingers caress me. An anticipated eroticism transforming into an explosive and passionate encounter. I close my eyes tight, yearning for more under his touch. The throbbing between my thighs has me wanting to beg for more.

The corner of his mouth twitches, and I realize he knows what I’m thinking. What I’m feeling. This man can truly read people. I need to be careful.

“Spend the night with me.”

“Okay.” There’s no question or hesitation. All I want is to be with this man.

Bryce winks, and there’s a light to him. The darkness in which evaded his life seems to be disappearing. “Let’s get you something to eat.”