Page 12 of The Seven Month Itch
Unlike me, Madison never married, so she could dedicate her time to the successful company she built. The woman is tough as nails and doesn’t wait to take what she wants.
“W-were you in the area?” This damn retreat will be the death of me.
“I had business in Denver and wasn’t sure if my schedule would allow me to attend. Can’t say I’m not happy to be here.” Gold bracelets feather against my hand at her touch. “It might be fate, running into you.”
Two exes at the same event? What are the odds?
We dated for a couple of months our sophomore year in college after a hookup at a party. She dumped me and went off to France on some study abroad trip that summer, months before I met Justice in the fall. My relationship with Madison, if you could call it that, was brief but electric.
She isn’t shy about her pleasure, but physical chemistry isn’t enough to sustain a relationship.
Madison leans over the table, giving me an unobstructed view of her heavy breasts in a dare not to look away. Her body is on full display in its natural glory. No enhancements necessary.
Fuck.
“Want to go somewhere quiet to catch up?” Her voice slides down my spine like velvet. She bites her lip.
Call it a night and head back to my room to catch the rest of the game? Or take her up on her offer? We’re old friends, right?
“After you.”
We find ourselves in a small booth near the bar in one of the resort’s restaurants. The conversation is light, and I, for one, don’t mind the company. No heavy topics. No disappointed looks. My breaths are lighter without the weight of resentment pressed against my chest.
I sink into the comfort of the plush cushion and rest my arms against the booth. “Gotta admit, I had my hesitations about thisretreat. But it’s good to skip the small talk.” I tip my glass to her. “I’m glad we ran into each other.”
Madison signals to the server for another round. “So, tell me, what do you hope to get out of this week?”
“Honestly, I don’t know.”Fail.I scratch the back of my head. “Stuff like this isn’t my scene.”
“Well, I’m glad to see you trying new things. Who knows, maybe you’ll find your match here.”
I laugh at that. “Here? Doubtful. Events like this are more about instant gratification than going the distance.” God, I sound like a Hallmark movie.
Her eyes darken. She tilts her head and stares at me like she has the answer to all of my problems. “Is that what you want, to go the distance with someone?”
I shrug at the idea. “I’m not sure marriage is in the cards for me again. Look where I’m at now.”
“Maybe you weren’t with the right woman.”
Madison has had it out for Justice ever since she came home from France and found out we were together. At first, I thought she had an issue with me dating a freshman. But then I realized, as the years went on, that she just doesn’t like her.At all.Hell if I know why.
“Madison.” My voice borders on a growl. That shit wasn’t cool with me then, and it isn’t now.
She raises her hands. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”
It’s not like she wanted to settle down. Madison made that clear in college—not that I ever thought about us engaged. “Barefoot and pregnant” is not her thing. Her words.
Marriage and kids were something I looked forward to after college. I like consistency and wanted a life partner to start a family with.
Afamily.
Pain lances through my chest. Images of an inconsolable Justice and sleepless nights flash in my mind. A nightmare I barely survived. I close my eyes and push the memories down to the place that allows me to forget. It takes everything in me to steel myself. “So what are you saying? You, Madison Monroe,wantto get married?”
She doesn’t hesitate. “Career always comes first. I could have a lover in an instant, but I want more than that. I want an equal. Someone who’s my match, who I can’t live without.”
“You honestly think you’ll find him here?”
Her face softens. “Maybe the person I should be with wasn’t available until now,” she says with a smile. “Have you ever thought of that?”
