Page 33 of Mad Love

14

Maddox

My plans of seducing my wife are derailed by a woman who is my equal with her drive and ruthlessness.

“Hello, Becca. How are you?”

“I’m good. Congrats on your marriage. What a surprise.”

“The marriage or the woman I married?” I undo my tie and put the call on speaker.

“Both, of course.” Low laughter from her, sexy and suggestive, meant to get a man hard.

I text Blaise.

Me: Should I pick something up for dinner?

Blaise: Have you? I made dinner.

Me: Wait, you did?

Blaise: Surprised?

Me: Hell yeah

With what I thought of her, that she was a spoiled brat, I had expected Blaise to move in her bodyguards, personal chef, and housekeeping crew in addition to Collins.

“Are you still there, Maddox?”

“Sorry, Becca. I’m making dinner plans.”

“I hope it’s with me or else I’ll be sorely disappointed.”

I jam my fingers in my hair. My now ex-secretary has been attempting to set up a meeting for me with Becca Ferguson for months without success, and a week into my marriage, she calls?

“What do you want, Becca?”

“You. Jet on over tonight and I’ll do that favor for you. Delay and you won’t hear from me again.”

Becca is one of the biggest influencers out there. An endorsement of a product from her, and the product is guaranteed to be a success. Gia is in need of a break for her clothing line, and Becca is my last resort. Otherwise, Gia will pull the plug and return to what she was doing before this passion for fashion of hers started—nothing.

“If you leave now, we can get in a nightcap.”

“I’m married.”

“To a freak, Maddox.”

“She is my freak. Don’t ever forget that.” I yank off my tie. “You know what? Forget the favor. Good night.”

I hang up. Damn everyone for not seeing what is in front of them. Blaise is brave, funny, kind, and beautiful. So what if she has quirks? Or can’t stand to be touched? Everyone has something about them that is a bit off.

I’m not a fan of crusts. Pizza crusts, bread crusts? Not for this guy. The car rolls inside the underground garage.

Dennis parks and turns in his seat. “Should I call it a night, sir?”

“Yes, thank you. How is your wife?”

“Finished with her first round of chemotherapy. She’s very tired, sir.”