Page 79 of Sugar

And the unread messages I’d sent.

Doubt began to creep in. Not just over the message I’d sent, but also at returning the card in the first place. I could’ve easily kept it but not used it.

Maybe I shouldn’t have played it like that.

Tone is hard to tell over text, and I might’ve come across as stupid or ungrateful.

Shit.

I fought the urge to respond again with something that would take the situation from awkward to worse. I needed time to actually think about the words coming out of my mouth.

Er, from my fingers.

I thought I’d done a good job playing it chill throughout the meal, but when I felt my phone vibrate, I snatched it up so fast, I nearly spilled the contents of my purse.

Easton: I think we need a sidebar to discuss terms and rules so that we’re both on the same page. Wednesday at 7.

Me: We have rules?

Easton: No. YOU have rules.

I reread his text a million times, trying to decide how to respond.

I didn’t come up with anything, which was just as well. He hadn’t been asking.

Easton: I’ll pick you up then.

I tucked my phone away and tried to enjoy the rest of my mimosas, but my thoughts lingered on Easton and his messages.

What could the rules be?

And why am I so excited to find out?

Chapter 16

Control

EASTON

Maddie was getting anxious.

And it would’ve made me hard, but that ship had sailed. I’d been hard since she’d opened the door. Before that, honestly, but the physical response to her had reached painful levels when I’d seen she was in the same white dress she’d worn to the auction.

When I’d bought her.

I’d known she wanted me to dive into the impending conversation, but I hadn’t. We’d spent the drive to the restaurant discussing the start of her week, my court prep, and the weather.

Anything to extend her torture because I got off watching it.

Turnabout was fair play.

She scanned the drink menu in her hand, but I doubted she could tell me a single item on it. Her gaze kept lifting to me, going from furtive to bracing alertness every time I shifted.

Which meant I continued doing it.

“Madeline.”

Her wide eyes shot to mine.

---