Page 23 of Nova

“Now you ask? Yes, I’m fine, Dove. How is Felix?” He moves closer to check on him.

Angel hisses at him, and Freckles runs into another room. Minnie just looks bored at the whole ordeal as she sits in front of her food bowl, waiting to be fed.

“He’s okay, I think. You need to remember to watch where you step here, though.” Maddox pins a few stray hairs behind my ear and then brings the ring I placed on the counter in front of my face.

“I’ll promise to mind your pussies as long as this stays on that pretty little finger. Deal?” I’m honestly not sure how much dirtier he could have made those simple words, but I find myself nodding in a fucking trance.

He slips the ring back on my finger, and I almost drop Felix. He’s the only reason keeping me from mounting this man. After all my dirty thoughts last night and the downright lewd ones I’m having now, I’m going to need one hell of a cold shower.

Soon, as in now.

“What are you thinking, Dove?” He pinches my chin and then runs the tip of his thumb across my bottom lip.

Fuck, am I drooling?

My front door flies open, and we both start.

“Simone! Oh, there you…Who are you?” My mother really knows how to make an entrance.

Her arms are full of shopping bags, which I’m sure contain several outfits she deems fit for today’s event.

“What are you doing here, Mother?” I place Felix down on the floor and take Maddox’s arm.

“Mrs. Gauthier, how lovely to finally meet you.” My mother sneers at him.

“The pleasure is all yours.” Absolutely not.

“Mother, you will not disrespect anyone in my house, so behave.” Maddox pats the back of my hand.

“I will do no such thing. Unhand my daughter. Are you aware she’s spoken for? She is engaged to be married!” Maddox turns to me with a smile.

“Dove, when did you find time to spill our happy news?” I’m at a complete loss as to what he’s talking about, but he winks at me as if to say just play along.

“Happy news?” My mother doesn’t miss a beat, playing right into his hands.

“Of course, I’m aware she’s engaged. She’s made me the happiest man alive.” He raises my hand to proudly show off the ring he just put back on my finger moments ago.

“WHAT!” Mother yells as Maddox looks into my eyes like I’m the center of his universe.

“Exciting, isn’t it? We wanted to wait until after the baby shower to announce it, but I guess the cat’s out of the bag now.” Mother curses a few times as she starts dropping bags.

“And who the fuck are you?” Maddox breaks our eye contact and addresses my fuming mother.

“Why, I’m Maddox Deacon, Mom.”

Oh, he’s good.

Chapter

Nine

NOVA

“Why are you in my house, Mother? That key is for emergencies only.” Simone steps in between us, assuming a protective stance.

Gods, the more I learn about her, the easier it is for me to fall in love with this woman.

Where did that thought come from?

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