Page 227 of Cowboys & Navy SEALs

Her lips parted expectantly as he encircled her waist, pulling her closer. This time, he didn’t wait for her to kiss him, he crushed her lips with his. She melted into his arms, her fingers slipping like silk up his back and through the hair on the nape of his neck. A tiny moan of acceptance escaped her throat when she arched her back. Her lips were a bewitching mixture of softness and demand. As their lips moved together in a tumultuous river of fire, lightning, and thunder, one word kept blazing through Maddox’s mind—perfection. Just when he thought he would lose himself to the aching need of her, she pulled back, ending the kiss.

A smile tugged at his lips. “Wow, you are something,” he uttered.

Her brows drew together, her eyes turning to hard, green marbles, as she gave him a death glare.

“What?” Raw confusion burst through him like shards of glass. Addie had wanted the kiss as much as he, hadn’t she? Her body went rigid as she stepped back. Not sure what to think, he dropped his arms to his side, letting her go. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw her hand go up and realized she was going to slap him. Pain streaked through him as the flat of her palm connected with his jaw. His eyes rounded, his voice rising. “What’re you doing?”

“That’s for Felicity,” she said savagely.

A startled laugh rumbled in his throat. “W—what?”

Her eyes shot fire as she got up in his face. “The second you got home from Syria, you took up with another woman.”

“I didn’t take up with another woman,” he fired back.

She threw back her head, nostrils flaring. “Date another woman, take up with another woman. It’s all the same to me.” Her jaw turned razor sharp. “Then, as if that weren’t bad enough. You’re with her now, and you’re here kissing me!” She shook her head. “Despicable.”

Maddox’s hand went to his jaw, still feeling the sting of her slap. He could’ve sworn he saw steam coming out of Addie’s ears. “Are you bi-polar?”

“Not hardly,” she scoffed.

“Your moods shift faster than a speed skater with greased blades. One minute we’re kissing, and then a second later, you go on the rampage over something ridiculous.”

“Ridiculous?” Her voice escalated. “I’ll bet poor Felicity doesn’t think it’s ridiculous! You’re supposed to be with her and yet you’re kissing me.”

“Darling, from where I was standing, you were doing your fair share of kissing too. In fact, you were about to kiss me like you did this morning. I just beat you to the punch.” He felt a rush of triumph when her face flamed. He could tell from the embarrassed look in her eyes that she knew it was true. “For therecord,” he continued, punching out the words in hard hits. “You broke up with me, remember?” The all-too-familiar hurt poured over him like scalding water.

She gasped, her hand going over her chest. A second later, tears misted her eyes. “Breaking up with you was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.” Her voice went hoarse. “You can’t imagine what it was like.”

“Oh, I think I can,” he chuckled darkly.

She lifted her chin, eyes sparking fire. “No, I don’t think so.” She jabbed a finger into his chest. “Otherwise, you wouldn’t have found my replacement a day later.”

This whole situation was ridiculous! Addie was getting ticked about a non-issue. An incredulous laugh built in his throat. He tried to hold it back, but it came rolling out like a mudslide. He saw her shocked expression before it twisted into resentment. Once he started laughing, however, he couldn’t contain it. He doubled over, holding his stomach, his shoulders shaking.

“Stop!” she demanded through clenched teeth. She shoved his shoulder. “It’s not funny,” she growled.

Finally, he straightened up, mopping his eyes. He took in a breath to regain control of himself.

She folded her arms tightly over her chest, her fingers tapping out a quick beat, as she gave him a look that could stop an army in its tracks.

He touched his jaw. “Was slapping me really necessary?”

“You’re lucky I didn’t punch you,” she muttered, “you two-timing sleaze ball.”

“Really? You’re saying that to me? What about your boyfriend?”

She frowned. “I don’t have a boyfriend.” Her eyes narrowed. “Unlike you, I didn’t find your replacement faster than you could blink.”

He rubbed his neck, trying to decide if he wanted to tell her about the guy he’d seen her with at the resort. If he did, the jig was up. She’d know that he came here to see her, and the sight of her with another man sent him running back to San Diego faster than a tucked-tail dog. Then again, would it be so bad if Addie knew? She obviously still had feelings for him. The kisses were evidence of that. No way could he have felt those things if Addie hadn’t felt them too. The two of them were dynamite together. Maybe it was better to just come clean, lay it all on the line and see what Addie did with it. “Addie, the thing with Felicity …” He paused, trying to figure out the best way to continue.

She paddled a circular motion with her hand. “And?” she prompted. “Spit it out.”

Her phone rang. She looked toward the phone, but stayed rooted to the floor.

“You’d better get that,” Maddox said. “It might be important.”

She sighed heavily as she retrieved it from the counter. “It’s Sadie, probably wondering about the award ceremony tomorrow for the Watermill conference.” She held up a finger, giving him a warning look. “This conversation is not over. Hey, Sadie,” she said sweetly, putting the phone up to her ear and turning her back to him. “What’s up?”

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