stop being weird 32
854 Words
Chapter 32
Maddox held the plate out toward me proudly a few minutes later like he had personally prepared a five star meal instead of whatever this disaster was supposed to be. I looked down at the biscuit sitting on the plate. It was burnt on one side. Completely raw in the middle.
And somehow shaped like a rock.
“That thing could kill someone,” I said flatly.
His jaw dropped dramatically. “Wow. You could at least pretend to appreciate my effort.”
“I do appreciate the effort,” I laughed, “I fear the execution.”
My wolf was entirely too entertained.
“You’re laughing with him.”
‘I noticed.’
Maddox grabbed one himself taking a huge bite like he had something to prove. The second he started chewing, regret filled his face. I burst out laughing. A real laugh this time. Not the fake polite kind. Not the small guarded one I gave people when I wanted them to leave me alone. This one slipped out before I could stop it.
Maddox stared at me while still chewing the terrible biscuit. And just like that the teasing expression disappeared from his face completely.
“What?” I asked slowly.
His voice came out quieter than before. “There she is.”
My laughter faded a little. “What does that mean?”
“That,” he said pointing at me, “That’s the first real laugh I've heard from you.”
Something uncomfortable twisted in my chest. I looked away immediately moving toward the sink. “You’re being weird again.”
“I’m being honest.”
“Same thing.”
Behind me I heard him chuckle softly. I turned on the sink trying to ignore the strange warmth spreading through me, but then I felt him move closer. Not touching me. Just there. Close enough that I could feel the heat rolling off his skin. My pulse instantly betrayed me.
“You nervous, Sammy?” he murmured.
I gripped the edge of the sink tighter. “No.”
“Liar.”
I turned too quickly and nearly slammed right into him. His hands caught my waist automatically steadying me before I could stumble.
Everything froze. My breath. My thoughts. Even my wolf went completely still for half a second. Maddox looked down at me, his hands still resting against my hips, his face suddenly way too close.
The teasing was gone now. So was the smug attitude. This version of him was somehow worse. Softer. Careful. Like he was trying not to scare me. My heart slammed hard against my ribs.
“You should really wear a shirt,” I whispered.
One corner of his mouth lifted slightly. “You’re still staring.”
Maddox -
I really needed to get back and ask that rogue some questions, Rowan had mindlinked me asking when i was coming back. The rogue was half dead, barely alive. I linked her back telling her it was the same thing over and over again. She told me to shut up and that the Luna could take care of herself for a few hours while i was away.
After dinner, I knew she had to head to work.
“Listen, I know you need to head to work, and I need to get going myself, but I will be back. What time are you getting off tonight?”
She looked at me then shook her head.
“I’m at the ticket booth tonight, so I get off at nine. I can't miss another night of work. I’ve been thinking… if, and only if, we decide to see where this goes, I won't stop working. Walter and Noah need me there. They’re my family now, so think of them as yours too… that is if we decide to see where this goes.”
I wanted to chuckle because she had already said that once, but at least she was thinking about it. I wasn’t going to rush her. I wouldn’t take another decision away from her. I finally went to the bathroom to change back into my clothes. I could have easily changed in front of her, but that was a little too soon for that, even though my wolf liked the idea far too much. Just the thought of her underneath me, moaning my name, nearly made me lose focus, but i could already tell that wasn’t happening anytime soon.
We left at the same time, me shifting into my wolf before stepping outside. I nudged her gently with my snout.
“Okay, okay, you can come back… just don’t think it’s going to become a habit.”
I laughed inside my wolf’s head before taking off through the trees, but when I reached the edge of the woods, I stopped long enough to watch her drive away. I mindlinked a few guards, ordering them to keep an eye on her and make sure she arrived safely. Only after her car disappeared down the road did I turn and head toward the cabins being built. I needed answers from that rogue before he died.
- Writer
