Chapter Eighteen
Cole
Was I letting her get too close?
I stretched out on the couch, my leg pushed up against Madison’s bare, short-clad thigh, watching the interaction between her and Jess. I’d never have imagined two women from such different worlds having so much in common. Topics I’d never thought Jess would have any interest in, like fashion, celebrities and the up-and-coming political elections.
And me.
I held back a smile, wondering how I’d gone from heroic older brother to the target of their humor in five easy steps. I enjoyed seeing them laugh. Jess was all-out raucous and in-your-face, whereas Madison had a hidden, almost shy type of humor. A quick thrust and parry before retreating behind her elegant put-upon charm. Captivating.
Too captivating. Instead of finding out about Salamond Holdings, my days were spent ferrying Jess back and forth from college and my nights with Madison in bed. And afternoons. Mornings too.
Too much time. So why didn’t it seem like enough?
My attention caught on Madison’s long tanned legs and I knew the answer. She was exquisite, sexy as hell and funny and sweet.
And I still didn’t know if I could trust her.
I flicked my gaze to my sister. Was I inviting more trouble, having her live with Madison? Madison seemed to like Jess, but I knew Madison hid her feelings well, behind a mask of graciousness and polite laughter. I’d seen it too many times in others not to understand the signs.
Thomas had been like that too. When I had started going to the same school, Thomas had seemed excited to have his cousin there. He’d done his best to stand up for me against his prissy friends. Until it hadn’t suited him any longer.
My grip on my coffee cup tightened as bitter memories and old humiliations rose.
“Come on, Cole.” Jess leaned against the counter, her face glowing with humor. “It’s no fun if you don’t bite back.”
“Don’t worry about him,” Madison pushed up from her seat. “He’s obviously too old to keep up.”
“That wasn’t what you said this morning.” I turned my scowl into a grin and tipped my cup at her. “In fact, I think your words were, ‘Ooooh, Cole, you’re so—’”
“Ew. No. You are not taking me there.” Jess’s nose wrinkled. “Now, stop harassing the poor girl. We need to work on her résumé.”
“A résumé?” That caught my interest. My gaze lit on Madison and I tilted my head. “Why?”
“Jess thought it might be a good idea to look for work, seeing as I don’t have much else to do.” Madison got busy pulling her laptop out of the drawer, trying to hide her reddening cheeks. “You know. Get me out and about.”
I sank back into the couch, pulling a frown. I hadn’t considered Madison getting a job. Was she looking for a way out?
I rubbed at my chest, staring across at the two girls working together, heads bent over Madison’s laptop. As if she sensed my unease, Madison looked up and our eyes met. Fire on ice. She smiled and shrugged, but I had no clue whether she was unhappy with our little arrangement or if she was a victim of my sister’s misguided help.
I tapped my fingers against my thigh. Obviously, more thought needed to be put into future living arrangements. I had fully intended to buy an apartment in town once construction started and move Jess in with me. Did I need to fast track those plans? I ran a hand through my hair. I didn’t want Jess left out in the cold if Madison decided to go back to her old life.
“Creative flair.” Jess threw out suddenly and she jabbed at the screen. “Put that in the skills section.”
Madison looked dubious. “I’m not that creative,” she protested. “And I don’t think shopping constitutes as an understanding of sales either.”
“You are creative.” Jess wiped away Madison’s concerns with a swish of her hand. “I mean, just look at this perfect ensemble you put together for me today. Don’t you agree, big bro?” She twisted around to grin at me, flaring out her skirt and dropping a curtsy.
I buried my head in my book and pretended not to hear. She did look good, better than good. Nice clothes helped, no doubt about that, but the healthy glow on Jess’s cheeks spoke volumes about her well-being, the extra bounce in her step instead of the tired shuffle she sometimes resorted to.
Madison was a maestro at getting Jess exercising without her realizing it. Each morning, they made a four block trek in search of what Madison claimed was the only coffee place to go in Wellsford, even though they passed two other coffee shops on the way. Jess trailed after Madison to the gym each day, spending time in the spa after doing a couple of laps in the pool.
Yeah. My sister was doing well. Which removed any lingering reasons I had to stay in Wellsford. I hadn’t achieved anything by being here. Marcus still hadn’t learned who was fucking with my development land. I drained the last of my coffee. I really should shift my ass back to Buffalo to tie up the last of the loose-ends.
My home was here now. With Jess.
And Madison?
Even though I may not trust her fully, the thought of not seeing Madison again brought more than a hint of dread. Not an option. I wanted her to need me. To trust me. I wasn’t ready to lower my guard completely, but when I returned from Buffalo, I might consider renegotiating our deal. Maybe find out what other skills she had.
Which led to all sorts of thoughts about those long, bare legs spread out in front of me, her clit a delicious invitation…
I swallowed a groan and Madison’s head came up, her mouth falling open as she met my blistering stare. Yeah. The quicker I got back, the better.
“I need to get to class.” As if sensing the blaze of heat between us, Jess pushed to her feet and gathered up her books. “Don’t worry.” She waved me off as I started to rise. “Tash is picking me up.”
I shrugged, my thoughts already on laying Madison down and getting rid of those itty-bitty shorts.
Mmm.
The room sizzled with unfulfilled promise. I didn’t even wait for Jess to close the door before advancing on Madison. Her squeals of protest at having her shorts and panties removed were quickly cut off, replaced by soft murmurs and moans of pleasure as I pushed her onto the couch and found a position between her legs that suited us both.
“Will you miss me while I’m gone?” I growled, staring up past her belly, a streak of possessiveness gripping me hard. She damn well better.
“I’ll miss you,” she said. She curled her fingers into my hair as I lowered my face between her thighs.
“What will you miss most?” My breath blew across her sex, making her squirm. “This?” I kissed the top of her thigh, licking into the dip of her hip with a lip-smacking sound. “Or this?” I ran my nose above her hairline, down the other side until I’d positioned my mouth over her glistening slit. I spread her with my fingers to reveal the plump, pink prize below. “Oh, yes,” I rumbled, mouth salivating for her honeyed taste. “I’ll miss that too.”
By the time I left Wellsford there wasn’t an inch of Madison’s body I hadn’t kissed goodbye.