Page 7 of Her Ex's Father
The edge of petulance in her voice makes me reach out, grab her hand—for a second time today.
Just as earlier, my fingertips tingle at the touch of her smooth skin.
“Madeline. I want to make this clear: whether or not my son can handle a woman like you, you willdo as you’re told.”
Is the shiver that straightens her posture fear, or excitement? My heart thuds once, hard, and I can’t stop myself from leaning into her again.
Catching her scent. Tongue watering. Skin warming.
Then she’s gone, her fingers slipped out of mine and that champagne dress rippling as she strides from the building.
Every muscle in my body feels tense, shot through with adrenaline. On top of that… a certain body part is a littletooalert. “Fuck.”
Taking my phone out, I text Caroline and ask her to meet me at the car with Leo.
It’s over?she types back quickly.I’ve been smoking a cigarette out back.
Sighing in exasperation, I push the whisky and two glasses away, heading for the exit.
Yes,I respond.
But it feels like just the beginning.
Chapter 3
Maddie
If there was any question about whether or not the Bronsons were standing just on reputation and not on truth, it’s nixed the day of my wedding.
Standing on the balcony of the Bronson Resort in Aspen, I take in the legacy that Benedict’s family has created. The resort sprawls down a mountainside, all pale stone and dark metal. The mountains here are so much closer than they are at home in Montana. But there’s still snow dusting the peaks for mid-April. Down below, in another section of the resort, guests trudge up toward the gondolas that will take them to the ski trails.
The engagement dinner was two weeks ago. Spring is ready to burst forth, the trees all tipped in light green leaves unfurling, but snow still sits heavy in the crevices of the mountains.
It’s gorgeous.
“Can you believe this?”
Stella joins me on the balcony, adjusting the strapless rose-gold dress that spills down her hips like a silken avalanche.
“It’s stunning,” I admit, watching the way the sunlight makes the sun sparkle.
“How come you’ve never come here before?” Stella asks, hip popped out and arms crossed. “I mean, you’ve known since youwere eighteen that you would marry Derrick… so why not scope out his family, the business, all that?”
I scoff, tossing my hair back. It feels monstrous today, thicker with extensions and pulled back in a way that’s making my temples pound.
Or maybe that’s just my impending marriage.
“I didn’t need to come here to do that. Could’ve gone… well, anywhere really. Germany. Moldova. Portugal. Japan.”
“Okay, now you’re just bragging.”
“I’m not!” I laugh, hugging the plush robe tight around me. “I swear. Besides, I don’t want to see any of the other hotels. I’m fine here.”
I shrug, trying to imagine leaving the mountains. The truth is, I’ve spent the last few years dreading this day. It’s made me want to hunker down, scramble to hold onto home.
Stella rubs my back. I’ve tipsily admitted as much before to her, and she reassures me, “Home is only a few hours away. And the Bronsons have their own jet, remember? Andyou’llbe a Bronson in a few hours.”
I groan, dropping my head to the gorgeous marble railing.
