Page 31 of Every Single Wildflower
I’ve wanted to hold you like this for so long.
I can’t breathe when you walk into the room.
Am I a bad guy for wanting you? When you didn't belong to me?
Chapter twenty-four
Ivy
I stare at the figure written in red ink on the sheet of paper in front of me. According to my calculations, the insurance money should be enough to pay the back taxes, rebuild the big house, and replace what we’ve lost with some left over to put in a savings account for emergencies only. I sink back into the old leather chair, somewhat relieved that we still have a fighting chance. Relieved that we can tell Rocky Bernard to kiss our ass, but I’m still nervous with how much time it will take for the information to go through the channels of authority. It could be weeks, or months, and until that money is in our possession, westill have bills to pay and employees to keep. It’s not like the world stops turning when a tragedy hits.
Voices coming down the hallway of the office catches my attention, while I watch a man, and a woman enter Maddox’s office across the hall. After I made dinner last night, I filled my plate then ate in my room. Alone. I was halfway through making lasagna soup when I realized I was doing it again.Being nice.Why I couldn’t channel my inner Dakota and tell Maddox to fuck off and fend for himself is beyond me. So instead of sitting and forcing small talk like he didn’t once humiliate me to my core, I made the announcement that dinner was ready then escaped to the only place I could breathe.Away from him.
“I’ve had my eye on that bull for months,” the man says as he shakes Maddox’s hand.
I have a clear view into his office, and I watch the man who must be in his early fifties adjust his straw cowboy hat before he braces his hands on his hips.
“He’s top of the line. You won’t find a better bloodline than his.” Maddox takes a seat in his chair, his eyes meeting mine before the woman speaks.
“We are so grateful we found you. We don’t want to deal with anyone but you,” she practically purrs.
I roll my eyes as the bottled blonde with a skirt that’s not exactly in her age category cocks a hip out against his desk.
The man chuckles, his gut moving along with the rhythm. He screams old money which has to be the only reason hiswifeis so enthusiastic.
“Mind if I take a look?” The man asks.
Maddox nods. “Absolutely.”
He goes to stand, but the man holds up a chubby palm. “No need. I see where he’s pinned. Daphne can square away the payment with you while I look him over.”
“Sure thing. Aiden has your sample. He’s bringing it from the breeding barn.” Maddox relaxes back in his chair asDaphnebeams with delight.
I pick up a pen, pretending to be focused on the documents in front of me, and not the cougar whose claws came out as soon as her husband left the room.
She plucks a check from her Louis Vuitton purse and flips her long hair. “You got a pen, sugar?”
Sugar?
Maddox smirks. “Yes ma’am.”
I glance up to see her stand from the chair, bending at the waist as she grips the pen, then begins writing the check. I know her cleavage has to be on full display because the double Ds were barely contained beneath her silk top when she walked in.
My grip strangles the plastic in my hand, and I slide my eyes away from her to Maddox. Who’s staring directly at me.
Shit.
I clear my throat, and pick up the papers, stacking them together before I place them neatly in a new folder. I hope the jealously wasn’t plastered across my face. I don’t even know why I’m jealous. Why would I want his attention? It’s not like it means anything. I’ve learned that from experience.
I make the grand mistake of looking across the hall again. Only this time,Daphnehas her mini skirt covered ass perched on the edge of his desk with her legs crossed as she giggles.
Fucking giggles.
He joins in, barking out a laugh.
I stand abruptly, my holder of pens crashing to the ground with my sudden movement. I fall to my knees, raking the pens into a pile while I close my eyes.
Can I be any more obvious?
