Page 211 of Cowboys & Navy SEALs

“I guess you’ll have to get used to disappointment,” she uttered, her voice going husky. He caught the flicker of desire in her eyes igniting a fire in him. His fingers itched to touch her hair. “What if I tickle it out of you?” he teased.

Her eyes widened as she rocked back. “You wouldn’t dare!”

“Oh, yes, I would,” he grinned, reaching for her.

She squealed and jumped as he started tickling her. “Stop,” she protested, laughing.

“Okay, if I must, I must.” He blew out a long, dramatic breath.

Her lips curved into an unencumbered smile. For an instant, the problems seemed to vanish like morning mist over a lake, giving way to the rising sun. This is what contentment was—being with the woman he loved, doing simple things like cleaning the kitchen. He realized she was studying him with a bold, reckless glint in her vivid green eyes like she was challenging him to kiss her. Blast it! The wise thing to do would be to walk away to protect his heart.

Walk away!the voice in his head commanded. But Maddox had never been one to walk away from a challenge. A silent exchange passed between them, making him ultra-aware that they were alone. He stepped closer, his finger trailing lightly down the curve of her jaw. The intimacy of the moment enveloped them like a silken parachute. “You know, it’s not fair,” he said softly. Yes, he might be jumping out of a plane, but he had a parachute, right?

She cocked an eyebrow, moving so close he could feel her warm breath on his face. “What’s not fair?”

His heart slammed against his ribcage like an out-of-control drummer. Somehow, he managed to keep his voice light. “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.”

“That’s what I hear.” A sensuous smile curved her lips. Like him, Addie never did anything halfway. She fought hard and loved hard. His kind of woman from the wordgo.

“You made me biscuits and gravy.” He wound a tendril of her hair around his finger. “How’s a man supposed to resist that?” he uttered, sliding his arm around her waist. His eyes traced the outline of her soft, full lips. “I could kiss you right now.”

“Not if I kiss you first,” she said fiercely. She closed the distance between them and pressed her lips to his. For a second, he let her lead, her lips moving coaxingly with tantalizing persuasion, sending a tender ache stirring through him. Then the need for her grew as his mouth took hers. Fire and brilliance cut a path through him, a dozen volcanoes erupting at once. Instinctively, he ran his hands up her back and threaded his fingers through her thick mane of glorious curls. Both gave as much as they got, passion running a swift river through his blood.

Torment and exquisite joy warred within him as he pulled back, his gaze caressing the lines of her extraordinary face. The admission of his traitorous heart tumbled from his mouth like the haggard confession of a war prisoner tortured to the brink of breaking. “Addie, I—”Love you, he was about to say, but she patted his cheek.

“Do me a favor.” A playful grin swirled over her lips.

“Sure,” came his dazed reply. He’d cross a dozen deserts, climb Mt. Everest, anything she wanted.

“Give my regards to Felicity.”

While he was standing there, jaw dropped to the floor, trying to figure out how to answer, she sauntered away. When she reached the door, she glanced back over her shoulder. “Finish cleaning up, would ya? I need to get ready before the alarm guys come. Then we can head to Piper’s. Afterwards, I need to stop by the resort to check on the water filter conference.”

“Sure.” He rubbed his neck, wondering what in the heck had just happened.

One step forward, ten steps back. The story of his life, he thought glumly as he reached in the cupboard to grab a container for the gravy.

Chapter Eleven

Addie’s nerves were jumping like a frog on caffeine when she drove her Jetta through the large, stately gates of the Gentry Estate. As the splendor of the tall evergreens, standing like sentinels on each side of the driveway, gave way to the magnificent, brick, Tudor mansion, she glanced at Maddox, who was sitting in the passenger seat, to get his reaction. His chiseled jaw was set firm, his keen eyes taking in everything. She tightened her grip on the steering wheel, mentally preparing herself for the encounter with Piper. Even though Addie had adamantly defended her best friend, a part of her wondered if Piper and Jordan really were having marital problems. If that were the case, why did they keep it from her?

She turned off the engine and was about to open the door when Maddox touched her arm, sending a rush of tingles through her.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Why?” She forced a smile.

“You seem like you’re on edge.”

She had to fight the urge to laugh in his face. “Yeah, I guess I am a little nervous, but that’s to be expected, right?” Emotion rose in her throat. “I’m seeing my friend for the first time aftershe lost her husband to a senseless, violent act.” The all-too-familiar anger blistered over her at the injustice of it all.

He nodded. “I’ll be right by your side the entire time.”

“Thanks.” She was touched by the concern on his handsome face. She offered an appreciative smile as her thoughts involuntarily went back to the kiss. Heat blasted up her neck. That was one for the books. Wow! No guy had ever made her feel the way Maddox did. After this morning, she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that she was still crazy about him. Her chest tightened. Felicity! Even though she knew nothing about the woman, she was starting to detest her.

He cleared his throat. “About what happened earlier.”

A hard amusement rose in her chest. “Are you talking about the kiss?”

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