Page 246 of Cowboys & Navy SEALs

“Addie, stop.”

She fought against him. “Let go of me! You jerk! Cheat!”

He spun her around so that he was behind her. He hugged her arms in an iron grip. “For the record, I love you too.”

“What?” Felicity screamed, clenching her fists. “You’re choosing her over me?”

“There was never any choice,” Maddox said in Addie’s ear. “Felicity and I were never a thing. We just went out on a few dates.”

Addie gurgled in disbelief, craning her neck to look at him. “Huh?” All this time, she’d been so worried about Felicity…and there was nothing there. Were it not for the bubble of happiness that rose in Addie’s chest, she would’ve socked Maddox in the gut.

A sheepish grin stole over Maddox’s lips. “I made it out to be more than it was to make you jealous.”

Felicity shook her head in disbelief. “How can you say there was nothing between us?” Her face hardened as she eyed Addie. “What do you even see in her?”

Maddox laughed. “Well, let’s see…she’s feisty, stubborn. She gets under your skin to the point where you can’t think of anything else. The kind of woman who drives you so berserk you want to pull your hair out one minute, and fight wars for her the next. Or kiss her until you can’t see straight,” he murmured in Addie’s ear.

“This is ridiculous!” Felicity screeched, eyes blazing. “You’ll regret this, Maddox Easton.”

“I highly doubt that,” Maddox responded.

“You stupid, Alabama redneck!”

Addie sniggered. She tried to hold it back when she saw Felicity’s indignant expression, but it was too much to hold in and she burst out laughing.

“I should’ve known better than to get mixed up with you,” Felicity huffed. “Good luck with granola girl,” she sneered as she marched away.

Maddox turned Addie around to face him. “Hey,” he countered, his eyes taking on a mock wounded look. “Do you think I’m a redneck?”

“Oh, yeah. That high-society, country club, gentleman thing you’ve got going on the surface is just a facade. Deep down, you’re really just a—” she cocked her head, amusement dancing inside her “—what were the words? A stupid, Alabama redneck.” Her eyes held his, a smile quivering on her lips. “I could add BMX riding, adrenaline junkie, ex-Navy SEAL, trivia master, photographer…Superman.” She tipped a smile. “I think I’ll stop there for now.”

He gave her a crooked grin. “That’s a good idea, Squirt.”

“Ugh! I wish Pops would’ve kept his big, fat mouth shut. I hate that nickname.”

He pulled her closer, his blue eyes going a shade deeper in their intensity. “Do you really love me?”

Tingles of anticipation circled down her spine as his eyes caressed hers. “Yes,” she uttered. “Heart and soul,” she managed to add before his lips took hers in a long, demanding kiss that left her breathless.

Chapter Twenty

Pops leaned against the Lexus, folding his arms over his chest. He’d driven Addie and Maddox to a private airfield where they were about to get on Sutton’s jet and head back to Birchwood Springs. “I wish you didn’t have to leave so soon,” Pops said, the corners of his lips pulling down into a frown. “You just got here.”

Addie sighed. “I know. I was hoping we could stay until Tuesday, but I need to make sure Piper’s okay.” Her shoulders tensed thinking about the call she’d gotten from Hamilton Gentry a few hours ago, telling her that Piper had attempted suicide the night before. She’d taken a bunch of pills. Luckily, Hamilton realized what she’d done before it was too late. He rushed her to the hospital and had her stomach pumped. He explained that normally, Piper would’ve been kept in the hospital for a few days of psych monitoring. However, since Hamilton was a doctor, Piper was released into his care and was at home resting. Hamilton not only called to update Addie on the situation, but also to tell her that Piper had been asking to see her.

“I’ve never seen her this distraught before,” Hamilton said, the strain in his voice coming through the call. “The grief oflosing Jordan coupled with the fear of who might now have the formula for PZT…it’s too much for her to handle.”

Addie’s heart hurt for Piper and Hamilton. She wished she knew what to say, but there were no words sufficient to heal this. All she could do was tell Hamilton that she was so sorry, and she would get there as soon as possible. The least she could do was be there for Piper in her time of need.

Concern touched Pops’ features. “Are you okay?”

His question brought her back to the present as she faked a smile. “Yeah, it’s just hard to see Piper go through this.”

“I understand,” he said grimly.

Maddox went around to the trunk and retrieved their luggage.

Addie touched Pops’ arm. “Will you be back in time for the funeral on Wednesday?”

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