Page 206 of Cowboys & Navy SEALs

He turned over so his back was to her. A good night’s sleep was what he needed more than anything. Nights were the hardest. It would all look better in the morning.

“I’m sorry I brought up B. J.” Her voice was melancholy, ponderous.

He grunted in surprise. The sincerity of her words circled around him, and he felt himself soften. He let out a sigh. No sense in harboring grudges. “It’s all right. I’m sorry I broughtup Corbin.” Even though Addie had forgiven Corbin for leaving home when her grandmother got sick, she still carried the scars.

“No problem.” She paused long enough for him to wonder if she’d say anything else. “For what’s it’s worth, I’m sorry,” she added, her voice cracking.

He turned to face her. “Sorry for what?” Thunder rattled the window.

“I’m sorry I can’t be more like Felicity.”

It was all he could do to halt the incredulous laugh before it escaped his mouth. “What?”

“I’m sorry I wasn’t brave enough to be there for you through thick and thin.”

He swallowed, processing what she’d said. His heart clutched as emotion lodged thick in his throat. A single tear trickled down his cheek. “Adelaide Spencer, you’re the bravest woman I’ve ever met.”

Her voice grew strangled. “If that were true, we’d still be together now.”

“It’s not too late,” he said quietly. He held his breath, waiting for her to respond, feeling as though everything were hanging in the balance. One second crawled by … two …

“Goodnight,” she croaked.

He swallowed his disappointment. “Goodnight,” he clipped, hoping the monotony of the falling rain would help him go back to sleep.

Chapter Ten

The next morning, Maddox awoke to the tantalizing smell of bacon. He sat up and rubbed his aching shoulders. No wonder he’d had a nightmare about his captivity in Syria. Sleeping on this pallet was only a few steps up from sleeping on the hard floor of his cell. He felt like he’d been rolled over by a bulldozer. He guessed it was around three a.m. when he finally drifted off to sleep. Thankfully, there were no further nightmares.

His gaze went to Addie’s bed. It was empty. He sprang into action, getting to his feet. The bacon smelled amazing, causing his mouth to water. It dinged in his brain that Addie was cooking breakfast. What kind of second-rate protector was he? He couldn’t afford to sleep in. How long had she been up? Alone in the kitchen? A moving target. He reached for his phone. His heart sank when he realized it was eight thirty. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d slept this long.

He pushed a hand through his hair. He was grungy, in desperate need of a shower. First though, he needed to check on Addie to see if she was okay. Not bothering to get dressed, he lumbered downstairs in the t-shirt and boxer shorts he’d sleptin. He paused for a second at the sound of Addie’s voice, filling the air.

She was standing in front of the stove, stirring something in a skillet. A grin tugged at his lips as he watched her dance to the upbeat tune of the pop song she was singing. He loved how Addie was so impulsive and in-the-moment, not giving a rip what anyone thought of her. In his parents’ world of old Southern money, image was everything. Every word and action was carefully measured to make the right impression in high society.

Desire simmered in Maddox’s stomach as his gaze flickered over Addie’s thin waist, the gentle swaying of her hips, her curls swishing happily on her shoulders. Even in jeans and a simple sweater, she was the most captivating woman he’d ever lain eyes on. He surveyed the kitchen and combination living room. Everything was put back together and cleaned up, spic and span. Addie had been busy.

“Good morning.”

She jumped, her free hand going over her chest. “Oh, my gosh! You scared me.” She whirled around, her cheeks going rosy like sun kissed apples. “You caught me singing, I’m afraid.”

“You have a beautiful voice.”

A nervous laugh rumbled from her lips. “Well, I’m no Delaney Mitchell.”

The distance between them shrank as his eyes held hers. “No, you’re one hundred percent Addie Spencer,” he murmured appreciatively.

Her eyes rounded as she cleared her throat.

So dang frustrating! In the next instant, the skyscraper barrier rose between them. He could literally see Addie withdrawing from him.

“You should’ve woken me up.”

Her voice had a forced cheerfulness. “Nah, you needed the sleep. Besides, you looked so cute this morning all curled up in a ball.” Her eyes bubbled with laughter. “Snoring like a foghorn, I might add.”

Heat crawled up his neck. “I don’t snore.”

“Do too,” she winked, her hand going to her hip as she waved the spatula out beside her. She made a point of looking him up and down. “Why don’t you get a shower, while I finish up breakfast?”

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