CHAPTER 10

 

 

At the sharp knock on the glass door Maddy stood up from where she was sitting between piles of samples and paperwork. She made her way between the towers of boxes that were crowding the new Turner Events offices. She almost instinctively waved the person away since she wasn't open for business yet, but at the sight of the wild red curls she couldn't help the smile spreading across her face.

She walked over to door - unlatched it - and stood back for Jules to enter.

"Wow, you've done a lot with the place."

Maddy laughed. "Hey, I've been at it for three days now. Between the few pieces of furniture arriving and sorting through everything I've barely had time to breathe."

They walked through the towers of boxes toward a small kitchenette in the back where Maddy started the kettle. Jules shrugged out of her coat that had become a necessity as winter had started closing in on Manhattan. There wasn’t snow yet, but the distinct chill in the air had Maddy running her heat on full power.

"Hopefully you've made time for that delicious husband of yours?" Jules wiggled her brows after draping the coat over a box.

Maddy tried to repress the instant blush that creeped over her. "I'm home every night."

"How'd the move go?"

"As you can see I'm still unpacking." Maddy indicated toward the chaos.

"I meant the move into his apartment? The move out of Brooklyn?"

"Oh, well I haven't really gotten around to that. I've got a knapsack with a couple of things I keep there. Once I get the office sorted out I'll focus on that."

Jules placed her faux leather bag on the counter and eyed the disarray around her. All the furniture was still in it's wrapping. There was nearly no shelving to be heard of, and knowing Maddy that is why she hadn't unpacked. She couldn't organize. Jules kicked off her sensible black pumps and hitched up her sleeves. "Madison Turner-Landon, as your friend, cheerleader and conscience I am going to help you sort this place out tonight. You can't put your husband on the back burner a few days after your wedding already!" With hands propped on her hips and a scowl on her face Jules watched Maddy.

"I'm not putting him on the back burner. He knows how important this is to me."

"Hmmm, I still find it very strange you just happen to marry the man who you were about to sublet from, isn't it?"

Maddy felt the guilt of lying to her friend creeping up on her again. She couldn't tell Jules the truth so she would just give her another truth to play with.

"It was quite a coincidence, but I can tell you this." Maddy walked closer and whispered. "When I am home, he's not complaining. At least three times a night, in fact."

Jules threw her head back and laughed. "Maddy you dark horse, you shock and make me proud at the same time."

Maddy giggled thinking of how Jack had devoured her inch by inch the previous night. She could still feel the delicious aches between her legs if she walked to fast. A little reminder of the passion they shared in the bedroom.

"Anyway why are you here and not building your own empire?" Maddy asked as she offered Jules a cup of coffee.

Jules accepted the cup and started wandering through the small office. It was large enough for Turner Events and just cozy enough not to feel corporate. The front part was obviously going to be a small reception area. The separate office Jules already knew Maddy was planning on turning into her boardroom. The paint was fading but the hardwood floors still held their original charm. “Well you see my friend got married over the weekend, and I haven’t seen her since. I thought it might be a good idea to stop by and find out how married life is treating her.”

She cast a look over her shoulder at Maddy. “Then here I come and realize she’s more interested in sorting out her office than moving in with her mogul husband.”

The front door opened and Maddy felt the familiar rush rise in her at the sight of Jack.

“Speaking of which,” Jules set down the cup and walked towards Jack.

“Madison,” Jack smiled intimately at Maddy before turning to Jules. “Nice to see you again. Jules, isn’t it?”

“Yes it is. I’ve got a bone to pick with you.”

Jack glanced in Maddy’s direction hoping she didn’t tell her friend the details of their marriage. “You do?” He asked uncertainly.

“Yes, why haven’t you helped Maddy sort out this mess yet? You know she won’t be able to relax until it’s done.”

“As a matter of fact –“

The front door opened again and Mike walked in carrying paint and brushes. A few guys trailed after him with what looked like cut-up wood to Jules’ inexperienced eye.

“Jack, what’s going on?” Maddy asked as several men started setting things down around her.

“I’m giving you my wedding present.” Jack took her hand and led her to Mike. “Mike can shop fit and repaint and entire office in a matter of hours. His team here are known to be the best in the business. So all you have to do is tell them what you want and they can start.”

“With what?”

Mike pushed Jack aside and smiled at Maddy. “It’s nice to see you again Maddy. Jack gave us the blue prints of the office and gave us a good idea of what you’d like to do, so if I can just run our idea past you we can start.”

Baffled Maddy turned Jules who was smiling from ear to ear. “You knew?”

“Well a little birdie might’ve told me we’re pulling an all-nighter at Turner Events tonight.” She winked conspiratorially at Jack.

Maddy shook her head and smiled at everyone in the room. She found it hard to believe that everyone had put their schedules on hold just for her. “All right Mike, what’s the plan?”

Mike explained to Maddy exactly what he had in mind. They would put shelving against the wall that separated the kitchenette from the office. His men would be painting the entire office stark white with a plum purple accents. The wall behind her desk would be a plum purple as well. After that they were going to arrange the furniture while Maddy and Jules could organize and pack out everything. Maddy was too overwhelmed to argue. Either Jack had listened to her plans or Mike was a genius. Mike even had the exact shade of purple she had mentioned in passing to Jack. After she agreed to everything Jack asked her to step outside with him for a quick word.

As soon as the door closed behind them Maddy crushed herself against him. “Thank you, I don’t think you realize how much this means to me.”

Jack smiled secretively. “There’s more.”

“What?”

Jack pointed over the doors. Maddy had to swallow down the happy tears that were rushing up her throat. Over the doors hung a beautiful sign: Turner Events.

Jack had never known giving could be so rewarding. His heart swelled in his chest as Maddy looked at him with glistening eyes. He knew the marriage was beneficial for both of them but looking into those beautiful green eyes, he couldn’t help but think he got the better end of the bargain having her to himself for a year.

“Jack, it’s better than I ever could’ve imagined.”

He smiled at her like a child on Christmas morning. “There’s still more.”

“You’ve done everything, how can there be more?”

“Come,” he took her hand and led her around the corner where a furniture truck was standing. “As soon as Mike finishes with your boardroom, they’re moving this in.”

Maddy leaned into the truck to get a closer look. It was a beautiful Mahogany boardroom table with comfortable stylish chairs. She instantly loved it.

“Jack that’s beautiful, but this should’ve cost you a fortune.” She stared at him wide-eyed.

“Like I said, my wedding gift to you.” He took her hand and turned it before kissing her wrist.

“I didn’t get you anything.” Maddy said on shallow breaths. She had stopped counting how many times they had made love since the wedding less than a week before and still one touch and she was trembling.

“You can take Jules and get the rest of your stuff from your apartment. That’ll be the best wedding gift I could ask for.”

Maddy laughed. “You don’t ask for much do you?”

“Nope, I just want my wife to move in with me.”

Maddy stepped closer and laid her head on Jack’s chest. His hands instinctively embraced her. They stood like that on the corner of the busy street for what seemed like infinity. Maddy didn’t notice the chill in the air even though she hadn’t taken the time to grab her coat. Enveloped in Jack’s arms she didn’t notice the taxis whizzing by, the whistles of pedestrians hailing them or even the passerby’s pushing past them. Inside the building Maddy’s dreams were becoming a reality and she wanted to be part of the excitement and the work, but at that moment she wanted to be nowhere else. As a tear slipped down her cheek Maddy realized keeping her heart in lockdown for a year was going to be near to impossible with Jack by her side.

 

It was almost four in the morning when Jack closed the apartment door behind them. He was shattered but he could see Maddy’s excitement had her adrenaline rushing through her, she was still wide awake.

She turned to him smiling from ear to ear. “I still can’t believe it!” She walked in and stopped in front of the pile of suitcases and boxes. “Oh sorry about these I’ll move them now, Jules and I didn’t know where my room was.”

Jack’s smile faded as quickly as it came. “The master suite is your bedroom.”

“I know I know, but I mean my room that we agreed on. Surely you don’t want me to stuff all this in your bedroom.”

Jack rubbed a hand over his aching neck. “Pick any room you want Madison, but you’re sleeping with me.”

“Settle down Master Jack,” Maddy cast him a teasing glance. “I know what’s expected of a good wife. Besides I need to thank you for my offices.”

“It was a gift, no thanking necessary.”

“Oh but I think it’ll only be good manners. I’ve got a few ideas in mind, do you mind if I show you?”

Maddy walked toward him slipping out of her shoes. She dropped her coat on the couch and smiled at him as she slipped the jersey dress over her head. Wearing only her lace underwear she lowered in front of him and started undoing his pants.

“Maddy?” Jack asked both aroused and confused. “What are you doing?”

“Thanking you for the best gift I’ve ever gotten.” Maddy pulled down his pants and smiled smugly when she saw the bulge beneath his underwear. “In a few hours I can open the doors to Turner Events, all thanks to you.”

Jack groaned as he felt his erection being released from the constraints of his underwear. He still thought of picking Maddy up and carrying her to his bed when the warm moist heat of her mouth enveloped him.

He stopped counting the ways she thanked him when the sun rose and she thanked him again in the shower with water pulsing along with the beat of their hearts and her cries of ecstasy welcomed the new day.

 

 

“Honey, I’m home.” Jack smiled to himself as he called out to Maddy after closing the door behind him.

“Kitchen.”

He had come to enjoy the small habits they had picked up in the month since their wedding. They didn’t talk too much during the day as they were both busy. Jack was busy finding ways to get rid of Dalton and Maddy was planning the event of the year in Manhattan. The Prentice wedding. Although the wedding was six months away, the latch-on events like the kitchen tea, bachelorette and bachelors party were all being finalized. Maddy had taken one of the spare bedrooms to store most of the things she brought from her apartment, but spent every night in his arms. As time went by, Jack could see the small changes and touches Maddy had made to his previously cold and unwelcoming apartment. He saw it in the Moroccan lamp that had found its place to the living room. He saw it in the colorful handmade pottery plates from which they ate every night. He could see it in the flowers that were always fresh in their bedroom. In the bright pillows that now graced his once manly bed. He could smell it in his shower where her scent had become just as powerful as his. Most of all he could feel it when he walked in at night. Before Maddy he had always come home to sleep and shower. He hadn’t spent much time in the kitchen and had never necessarily looked forward to coming home. Now when he opened the doors at night he could hear her playlist playing through the speakers playing anything from Johnnie Cash to Elle King. He could smell the food she was cooking and most of all he could feel her. He didn’t know how else to explain it. He felt welcomed and wanted and couldn’t wait to go home at the end of the day knowing Maddy would be there. Jack had never thought himself to be dependant and still didn’t think he was. But the comfort of knowing Maddy was waiting in the kitchen with her easy smile and tales of her day made him forget about the stress of his own. When she worked late Jack immediately felt something was amiss when he stepped into the apartment. He would be restless until Maddy opened the front door and called the same words to him. Jack knew all too well that it was starting to feel more like a real marriage than a marriage of convenience, but he found it hard to stay objective when a woman stimulated him with conversation and aroused him with her body without trying to. The thought worried him but pushing it aside he made his way to the kitchen.

“Hi, I finished up early and started on dinner.”

Jack pecked her on the cheek absorbing her sweet flowery scent. “You seem to be cooking a lot these days Mrs. Landon.”

“I’m not a big fan of take out and it seems, Mr. Landon, if you had your choice you would live on them.”

“It’s easy, it’s tasty and I don’t have to clean the kitchen.”

“You don’t clean the kitchen either way, Manuela does. Besides, home cooking just tastes better than take out.”

“Can’t argue with that.” Jack poured himself a glass of wine and topped Maddy’s glass up. “Although I do remember you telling me your cooking leans more towards edible than tasty. You lied.”

“I’m no chef, Jack.” Maddy sipped her wine and smiled at her husband. She tried to ignore the knots that kept tying her up every time he smiled at her. Was she ever going to get used to it? “I just enjoy cooking; it helps me to wind down.”

Jack nodded in thought. “I’ve been thinking. You’ve done so well this past month with Turner Events, but you’re working too hard Madison.”

“I’m sure you worked hard when you started your business, back in the Neolithic period.”

Jack placed the wine back on the table and teasingly swatted her behind. “There is only an eight year age gap between us Maddy, hardly the Neolithic period. Besides I don’t see you complaining about your old and frail husband.”

Maddy blushed and smiled at him over the rim of her wineglass. “In fact, I have no complaints.”

“Good. But as I was saying. You’ve got the Prentice wedding and the latch-on events, you’ve got the double baby shower in three months, you have Jules’ Christmas function coming up, I’m just worried about you. You’re going to run yourself into the ground before you even learn to fly.”

Maddy could read the worry in his eyes and had been thinking the same thing for the past few days, but she had wanted this. She would just have to cope. “I know I’ve got a lot on my plate.” She stirred a pot on the stove before turning back to him, holding a spoon for him to taste. “I must say I’m quite impressed that you’ve kept tracked of all my events.”

“I listen when you talk. That is delicious what is it?”

“Bolognaise sauce. Anyway don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine.”

“No more jar sauce for me. I have a wife who can cook. Have you thought about employing someone?”

Maddy laughed as his comment about jar sauce before taking a seat beside him at the kitchen island. “I have, but to be quite honest even without paying rent I’m going to be cutting it fine if I hire someone now. Sure I can hire a runner, but very often they’re fresh out of college, not very dedicated, and might just do me more damage than good. What I need is someone experienced that could basically do everything I do without paying an arm and leg.”

Jack thought for a moment and smiled. “What if I told you I knew someone?”

“Oh really? And let me guess, they come gift wrapped without a salary? I don’t want any more favors Jack.” Maddy got up and set out their plates.

Jack raised his brows at her statement.

Maddy sighed before turning back to him. “Don’t feel offended. It’s just you’ve done so much already, but I need to know I can make it on my own. I’m grateful for the office and the rent but from here I need to start making my own miracles come true.”

Jack recognized pride when he saw it and knew that if he did anymore he would shatter hers. “I understand.”

“You do?” Maddy was surprised. She expected a long speech about how he had the money and to accept it. She hadn’t yet touched the expense card Jack had given her the day after the wedding and was still waiting for him to realize that.

“Yes I do, I know pride when I see it since I have a problem with it myself. So I’ll make another suggestion. I know someone who fits your description quite well. She won’t charge you an arm and a leg and you’ll get along well. Will you at least be willing to meet her?”

“Jack, what you’re describing is better than finding parking space in Manhattan. I’d love to meet this figment of your imagination.”

“Done. I’ll make a few calls and have her meet you at your offices in the morning.”