Madison

Later that night, I’m in my yoga pants and a tank, drinking wine and catching up on my shows. My cell phone’s been quiet and I know I shouldn’t care Bryce didn’t text me, but I do care. I hate this back and forth I’m doing to myself. If I’m going to stay away from him then I’ll need to stay away.

When Kaylee walks in the door and tosses her purse on the chair in the living room. The plop of her purse gets my attention, and she’s staring at me with a smirk with her arms crossed over her chest.

“What?”

“I’m not taking this account. Bryce Hunter is yours, and you can’t get out of this.” She wags her finger at me like I’m being disciplined.

“What in the hell are you talking about? I gave the account to you. He and I don’t mesh.”

“Oh, my bestie, you two mesh very well. The look on his face when I walked into his penthouse was as if I kicked his dog. Then he was pissed, asking who I was and where you were.” Her eyes are animated as she continues. “Wow. Just wow. Let me tell you, boo thang, that man wants you. And I’m pretty sure, no, almost positive, he wants you for more than one night. I’ve never seen someone so profoundly upset like he was. If it was just a booty call, then why didn’t he hit on me?”

I shake my head and pause the show. “You’re being stupid. That didn’t happen. Just work with him. And who knows why he didn’t. Maybe he knows he couldn’t have gotten anywhere with you,” I point out.

Kaylee smirks, and I know that smirk all too well. “He wouldn’t have had to try hard. Trust me. I would’ve let that man do anything to me.”

I scrunch my nose up at her. “Ew. Gross. Then if you want him so badly, why don’t you go back to him?”

Before Kaylee can answer, my phone buzzes, and I check to see there's a text message from Bryce.

Bryce: I didn’t like what you did, Madison. But I understand. You felt what I did when we were together, and you felt it again when you were in my office. Don’t allow your fear to mask what you want. I’ll be here whenever you’re ready.

Madison: And how do you know what I want?

Bryce: It’s obvious you want me the way I want you. What are you thinking about? I can guarantee you’re thinking about us in bed together. The way I made you moan and scream my name. How I made you come more than once. The way I licked you, sucked you, and savored every inch of you. Are you wet?

I hiss under my breath, watching the bubbles on the screen jumping up and down on the screen.

Bryce: I believe you’re avoiding me. Tell me, do you like to touch yourself? If you do, then imagine my voice. Feel my hands.

Madison: Why would I be avoiding you? And none of that is your business. I’m very comfortable with how I handle that aspect of my life, and it’s none of your concern.

Bryce: Everything you do is my concern. Once you realize that, then you’ll open yourself up to me. Since you’re making me do things I normally wouldn’t do, I’m going to be patient and wait for you. I’ll wait until you’re ready for me. For us. The connection between us is undeniable, Madison. The sooner you give in, the sooner I can make you scream. Make you complete.

Who does this man think he is, or whom does he think he’s talking to? No self-respecting woman would ever take that line as sexy or appealing. I’m done and over this.

So why the hell are my panties drenched and why am I biting my lower lip?

“Kaylee! We’re going out. Now. Get ready.”

There’s no way I’m responding to Bryce.

None.

I don’t care who the hell he is or how much money he spends. This man has zero respect and thinks just because he’s damn sexy and handsome that I should fall to his feet and beg him to take me.

Shit. Shit. Shit. Need to get that image out of my head.

“KAYLEE!”

“Shit, bitch. I’m getting ready. Your cute butt should too.”

“Fuck,” I mutter and hop off the couch, sprinting to my bedroom and throwing on skinny jeans and a slinky off-the-shoulder shirt. Maybe tonight I can find a gentleman who’ll get my mind off the mysterious man trying to invade my brain and heart.

* * *

The rooftop bar we’re at is busy, and after my third dirty martini, I’m feeling good. Undoubtedly good.

“Let me get this straight. He’s the one from that night. He kept your note and will wait for you?”

“Yep.” I bring the glass to my lips and finish my martini before slamming it down. “I mean, who the hell does he think he is? Does that line work on women?”

Kaylee raises her hand. “I’m hot and bothered just reading the messages between you.” She fans herself, and I hold back rolling my eyes. How is that sexy? “Girl, before that night with him, you hadn’t had sex in forever. You need to keep this man, even if it’s just for the hot sex. If you don’t, then your vag is going to turn in a ghost city. No one going in or out.”

“I know. I completely hear you. So many things are wrong in this situation, though. He’s a client. I cannot get involved. I’ll miss the hot sex and all the orgasms he gave me, but we had one hot night together. That’s it.”

Kaylee points her glass at me. “That one night can turn into many nights. Sometimes even twice a night. How are you going to function without his dick?”

“Not helping, K. So not helping,” I tell her, raising my eyebrows. It sucks to admit she’s one hundred percent right. “I’m going to let him go and live with the memories. It’s the best I can do.”

She places my cell phone back on the bar top. “What I would give to be you. You have a sexy, rich, and dirty-mouthed man … may I repeat? Man. Who wants to give you lots of orgasms! It doesn’t make sense!”

“Because. He’s a client. Well, your client. And I don’t trust men. I let myself go for one night. I even gave him a fake name. I wasn’t Madison when we hooked up. I was Sophia, a woman who gave no fucks and did whatever she wanted while Madison likes planning, organizing, and scheduling.”

“Oh, babe.” Kaylee rests her hand on mine, and I’m doing everything I can not to break down. “Not everyone’s like him.”

“I know that,” I whisper. Okay, that’s not going to work. “I know that,” I say strongly. “I love having freedom and being single. It’s freeing. Unnerving. I get to focus on what I want instead of what someone else wants. Especially if that someone doesn’t truly know my worth.” My self-worth is more than anything. A woman needs to hold herself in the highest regard. If we don’t love ourselves, then how can we expect someone to love us? That’s where I’m at right now. I love myself because I know my self-worth. I’m more than being a side piece or someone’s dirty little secret.

“You haven’t seen that asshole lately, have you?” I don’t miss the hate reeking from her tone. “Please don’t tell me you have, and that’s why you aren’t giving Bryce Hunter an admission into your wonderland?”

“God. No. Anyway, I need to be single and focus on me.” I know how much Kaylee despises him, and she has good reason to. She’s the one who had to be my rock during my post-breakup phase. From listening to sappy sad songs to binge eating fried foods and cookies and refusing to shower for days. I’ll admit I hit rock bottom when he dismissed me, and that’s not a place I want to be again. Bryce Hunter has the power to hurt me. Break me. Tear me down and spit me out.

I’ll never put myself in that position again.

“Whatever you say. Personally, I think you’re allowing your fear to overshadow what you want. I know you feel something for Bryce, and you’re intentionally building this unbreakable wall so you don’t get hurt again. What’s love without a little pain? Not literally love-love, but you know what I mean. With every relationship we go through, there’s bound to be some pain.”

I do my best to offer her a smile.

“I think it’s time to call it a night,” I suggest.

After we pay our tab, Kaylee calls her brother to drive us home. Lucky for us, he lives close enough to walk over to the bar, and we don’t have to wait long. I’m leaning on Kaylee, trying my hardest not to text Bryce. These chances I should be taking are scaring the shit out of me. If I can prevent another heartache, then I will. Even if that means possibly missing out on something good. Something worth it.

Everything happens for a reason, I think to myself.

Bill rushes over to us and takes the keys from Kaylee. We walk to our car, and the three of us get in. The drive is quiet until my phone buzzes. Once I see it’s Bryce, I hit reject and laugh.

“What’s so funny, Maddy?”

“Pfffft, don’t call me that, Billzer.” I laugh again. “I pressed reject on a man who I should most definitely be interested in. Sadly, I can’t be involved. I miss his big …”

“Stop!” Bill shouts. “There are some things a big brother shouldn’t know, and that’s one of them.”

It’s my phone again, and I flip it over to see a text message.

Bryce: I’ve never been rejected. This is a new feeling.

Madison: Get used to it, bucko.

Bryce: Bucko?

Madison. Yep.

I’m not in the right frame of mind to talk to him. Alcohol makes me say what’s on my mind, and I can’t let that happen. I toss my phone in my purse and listen to Kaylee bugging Bill about his love life.

Once we’re home, Bill gives us both a hug and leaves in an Uber. Kaylee and I change into our pajamas and lounge on the couch with wine, since the need for more alcohol is real.

“Wouldn’t it be funny if Bryce showed up tomorrow at work?”

I snort in the most uncouth way. “Oh, yeah. Hilarious.”

“M, I’m being so serious.”

I’m holding my wine glass midair and literally feel my chest tighten. If Bryce Hunter shows up tomorrow at my job, I’ll have a few choice words for him. Then a high-pitch laugh flies from my mouth. “Yeah, I’m sure Bryce Hunter is thinking about me, out of all the women in the city. K, shut up and let’s indulge in our wine.”

“I bet you a pair of Louboutins that Bryce will show up tomorrow … with flowers.”

Another laugh shoots through my lips. “Oh, you’re so on. P.S. I’m a size seven.” I turn to her and wink, raising my wine glass in the air.