Bryce

After two rounds of fucking and making love, Madison’s fast asleep on the bed. The sheet covers her bottom half, exposing her smooth bare back. Another pang of guilt hits me. I’m far into this, more than I thought, and there’s no way I can ever go back to a life without her.

I’m all in.

Not only is the guilt pulling me, tugging on my conscience, but it’s the deep emotional connection we share. She’s more than I expected. More than I need. With her, my life is better. I know I sound like a pussy, but I don’t care. There’s so much more to Madison than meets the eyes. God, if the truth comes out, it’ll kill her. It’ll kill me, so I can’t let it happen. Protecting Madison is my highest priority.

I slip out of bed, pull on a pair of sweats, take a seat at the table, and open my MacBook. I try to sort out my emotions. Everything’s a fog and not making sense. Madison is pure, and here I am, holding the cards, which I know will kill her. The email stares at me. The truth is there. She’s never going to forgive me. Between all the lies and secrets, all she’s going to see is a powerful man betraying her. I won’t be able to pull myself out of it.

Telling her about Blaire, opening myself up to that sort of hurt, only proves to me what I already know. Madison Smith is my world. My life. I love her with every fiber in my body. I understand the meaning of love, and it’s because of her. I’ve avoided the emotions for so long, and now that I know how amazing it can feel, especially with Madison, there’s no way I can let her slip away. Whatever I do next, I do know her feelings and protection is number one. I don’t care what happens to me. The only thing that matters is Madison’s fully taken care of and not touched by the lies surrounding her.

I spend the rest of the night finalizing a deal I’ve had for the past few months. Emailing it to Tiffany, I get a message on my cell phone.

Tiffany: Someone came to the office.

Bryce: I know.

Tiffany: How can you do this to her? You have to figure this out.

Bryce: Why do you care?

Tiffany: Because I can see how much she loves you and how much you love her. We shared a past, and there’s nothing either of us can do to fix it, so I’m going to focus on the present and future. My future will be with someone I love and who loves me. I want the type of love you and Madison have. It’s rare, Bryce. So rare. Don’t fuck this up!

Bryce: Your sudden change in feelings for me and Madison is confusing.

Tiffany: I went to visit Blaire’s grave, and I talked to our daughter. Something came to me while I was there. I’m harboring so many negative feelings and sadness. I need to let it go and just hold her in my heart. I think our daughter was telling me that, and when I mentioned your name, I saw a butterfly flying over her grave.

My heart constricts, and it’s becoming hard to breathe. I reread Tiffany’s words and let her message sink in.

My princess.

The day we buried my baby girl was the last time I saw her grave. Her tombstone. I remembered we chose her tombstone and an angel, so she’d always have someone looking over her.

The emotions rushing through me cause me to stop the work I’m doing and step into the room where my heart is peacefully sleeping. I don’t respond to Tiffany’s message. All I want to do is feel Madison’s warmth next to me and hold her tightly against my body.

The next day, I don’t have any meetings, so I’m taking Madison out. We’re on Rodeo Drive, taking in the sights, and I love seeing Madison act like a tourist.

“You’ve never been to LA?”

She shakes her head. “No. I never had any desire, to be honest. Besides Chicago, I love New York City. But LA? Wow, there’s no comparison.”

I grab her hand, and we walk into Dior and the little gasp that escapes her perfectly kissable lips has me smiling. My girl loves to shop.

“You look like a little kid in a candy shop.”

“Because I am,” she says, and walks to different racks of clothes, looking at the different dresses. She picks a few, and I do the same. “I’m going to try these on. Are you okay waiting?”

“Of course.”

Instantly, an associate notices our arrival and comes over. “That dress would look fabulous on you!”

“Thank you. I love how sheer it is. Can I please try these on?”

“Of course. My name’s Connie.” She takes the dresses from Madison and me, while leading us into a posh fitting area. “Whatever you need, please let me know. Sir, would you care for a beverage?”

I hold up my hand. “I’m fine. Thank you.”

When Connie leaves the fitting room area, Madison walks into the room and begins to close the door. I stop it with my hand and stare down at her.

“What?”

“Keep it open,” I demand.

“Bryce,” she whispers and looks around me. “We’re in a public store. Public. Meaning people can walk in at any time.”

“Don’t worry about that.” I wink and walk backward until I’m sitting down on the plush couch. “Go ahead.”

She rolls her eyes and begins taking off her clothes. She sees me through the mirror and gives me smile before putting on the first dress.

It’s a soft pink and on the shorter side.

“So?”

“Put it in the like pile.”

“Okay. Are you really going to sit there and gawk at me?”

“I am. This is a great show. I get to watch my beautiful girlfriend try on clothes and between each change I get to admire her sexy body. It’s a win for both of us, baby.”

“You’re too much sometimes.” I shrug at her comment, and she laughs with joy.

For the next hour, I watch Madison spin around in different dresses. Most I love and imagine sliding my hand up her smooth skin and finger fucking her. I know she’s wet from the blush in her cheeks. She knows exactly what I’m thinking as I mentally undress her, playing the fantasy out in my head, ready to make it a reality.

As Madison’s changing back into her clothes, I hand Connie my credit card. Once my card’s been swiped, I let her know where we’re staying.

“I can get the dresses ready for you, sir. They should be in your hotel room by the time you get back.”

I nod. “Sounds good. Thank you for your assistance.”

“The pleasure has been all mine.”

When Madison comes out, she looks at me then Connie. “You paid, didn’t you?”

“Of course.”

She takes my hand and waves to Connie before we walk out of the store. “I wish you wouldn’t. I have money, you know.”

“And I wish you’d allow your boyfriend to spoil his beautiful girlfriend.”

“Well, when you put it like that.” She grins.

We continue walking, going from store to store. The next few hours are spent following Madison, taking in the sights with her and seeing LA from her perspective. It’s nearing one thirty when I realize we haven’t had lunch.

I easily tug her to my side and kiss the side of her head. “Come on, baby. Let’s get something to eat. I’m starving.” I smile, and we walk for a few more minutes until we find a restaurant to have lunch in.

The day’s going by quickly, and I still would like to take her to the beach and walk on the sand with her. The drive is long due to the traffic. I have a few emails to return, and from the corner of my eye, I notice Madison lying on my lap, her eyes closed, and her breathing steady.

I press a button to lower the privacy glass. “Change of plans. Can you take us back to the hotel?”

“Of course, sir.”

Once the privacy glass is back up, I put down my phone and stroke her soft cheek. I’m savoring this moment and drinking in how her touch makes me feel. Everything about Madison is good and pure. My heart breaks a little, knowing if the truth comes out, it’ll destroy her.

And it’ll destroy me too because I’ll lose her for good and revert to the darkness I was in before her light came into my life.