Page 78 of Maddox

Including what he could do to me. I’d never felt this way about a man before and it was an unnerving as it was enticing.

“Be careful trying to tame a lion, Ms. Douglas. Many have tried and no one has succeeded.”

“It seems you don’t know me very well. I always get what I want.”

“Sorry, babe. That’s my line.” He dared rub a single finger under my chin. The swell of desire was more intense, the heat between us far too electrifying.

Sighing, he folded his fingers and eased back, studying the two men at the bar once again.

Maddox was difficult to understand, so set in his ways, and I wondered what would happen if the situation was different. When he removed a pen from his jacket, taking the cocktail napkin from under his glass, I was more than curious what he was about to do. He scribbled something and folded the paper, sliding it in my direction.

“This is my private number and my address. If anything happens and we get separated, this is a safe haven for you. I hope you won’t need it, but in case you do.”

When I touched the napkin, a lump formed in my throat. He was more than concerned about what would happen. I wasn’t certain whether to be even more frightened or grateful that I could trust him. Trusting anyone hadn’t been easy for me. Our fingers collided and I held my breath while he allowed the touch to linger.

“You’re scaring me.”

“Good. You should be scared. I’ve got a phone call to make. If there are any issues, I’ll call the room and we’ll go to plan B.”

“Which is?”

“We do this on our own. I don’t think I need to tell you not to answer the door for just anyone. I don’t care who they are or what they say the reason is. Keep your door locked at all times.”

“Okay. Do you think something else is going on?”

“I’m just covering all the bases. Nothing more.”

After I exhaled, I slipped the napkin into my bra. At least he trusted me enough to provide me with private information.

“There’s something else I want you to have.”

“What’s that?”

“You don’t have anything in your name, including cash.” He pulled out his wallet, handing me several hundred-dollar bills. He ensured there was no way his actions could be seen.

“Why?”

“Like I said, just in case.”

He finally nodded as if this blip in time needed to end. Maybe he was worried that appearing too close would cause unwanted attention. After he dropped two twenties onto the table, he guided me toward the door. I sensed his edge the moment we came closer to the two men, who were talking casually, trying their best not to pay us any attention.

For whatever reason Maddox decided to break protocol I didn’t know, but when he paused at the entrance to the bar, offering another one of his mischievous looks, I did my best to keep from laughing.

He headed to the two men, throwing his arms around both their shoulders and lowering his head so no one else could hear what he said to them.

When he walked back a few seconds later, he buttoned his jacket, guiding me into the lobby.

“What did you say to them?” I had to ask.

“Nothing much. I just told them it was in their best interest to allow you to get some rest.”

“Or what?”

He waited until we were standing in front of the elevators and had pressed the button before answering. “Or they’d need to find new tailors for their suits, someone who could remove sleeves since neither would have their arms.”

“You didn’t.”

The elevator doors opened. “Yeah, I did. Do you think they got the message?”

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