“She’d be surprised to hear you say that.”
Laughter gusted out of Mae. “I told her that once. Her reply was colorful.” She gave me a once-over. “You must just be coming on shift.”
Crap. Work. “Yes, I should get going before they send a search party out for me.” Or Ramona hunted me down herself. I’d have to stop in the bathroom first and check how blotchy my face was. I might need a cold-water splash. “Um... thank you.”
“Anytime. Oh, and, Madison,” she said as I rushed to the door. “Get your money’s worth out of Teller. Every penny.”
CHAPTER FOUR
Teller
I let myself in through the front door of the bar. It was just after one on a Friday, and the nagging sense I should’ve waited wouldn’t leave me. Madison had said she was working the weekend and not to come before now. Technically, I should be fine. But hell. Didn’t she need more sleep?
I lowered my toolbox to the floor. I had more supplies in the box of my pickup. Over the last few days, while I’d had some downtime in the office, I’d researched contractors, cabinetry suppliers, and renovation concerns on old buildings.
The main conclusion I had come to was that this place shouldn’t be returned to its former glory. It should be restored farther back, to when the old brick walls could be shown off. The place should have new light fixtures that complemented the original look instead of the cheap, small-town-bar appearance Scooter had maintained. It hadn’t been his fault a previous owner had slapped on whatever cheap woodwork had been available, but since Scooter had uncovered some of the beauty underneath with his destruction, it’d be a shame if Madison covered it back up again.
I went to a wall and ran my hand over the exposed brick. A few nicks had been taken out in some spots, but it added to the allure.
A door squeaked open and I leaned over to catch her attention. Madison exited the bathroom in nothing but underwear and a bra. I tried to duck back, but my boot scraped on the floor and she spun with a yell.
“Oh my god!” She held her hands in front of her black sports bra, dropped them down to cover the triangle her pink underwear made, then up again. “Shit. I forgot you have keys.” She pushed back into the bathroom.
“Ain’t nothing I haven’t seen before,” I called, and winced when I heard myself.Shewasn’t someone I’d seen before. From her powerful body, lined with muscle and generous padding in all the right places, to the way her hair cascaded over her shoulders, thick and wavy, no. I’d have remembered someone like her.
A guy could bury his hands in that hair, and those curves? Her thighs were lush while still looking like they could crush a guy’s head. My heartbeat pounded behind my zipper as I tried to control the lust coursing through my veins.
How long had it been since I’d had my head between a woman’s legs?
My brain quit working, overwhelmed with images of her long limbs and breasts that’d fill my hands.
The door cracked open. “Can you turn around?”
“Like a full three-sixty?” I should’ve been a gentleman and put my back to her, but the desire to see her again was too strong.
A moment of silence went by. “Seriously?”
I chuckled and turned to face the front of the place. “Done. Your modesty is once again safe.”
She scurried to the room at the end of the hall.One, two, three, no erection for me. I steadily inhaled and exhaled. When I had myself under control, I continued to roam the room, making mental notes of what I wanted to talk to Madison about. Mostly, it helped me tuck away the idea of that waterfall of thick hair draped over my chest.
She swept out of the back room, dressed in jeans and a hastily buttoned flannel. Did she realize she was one button off? She was putting a loose braid in her hair as she walked down the long hallway. “Sorry. Um... maybe you should call before you come.”
“And miss my chance at seeing that again?” I tsked. “It’d be a shame. Besides, I don’t have your number.”
She stared at me, studying me like she hadn’t understood a thing I’d said. “Okay... I can give you that easy enough.” She narrowed her eyes. “Mynumber,” she clarified.
“Like I said, damn shame. I know you insist it’s none of my business, but I guess I’m a nosy bastard. Why are you staying here?”
“I’m selling the house.” Her scrutiny increased. “Didn’t you know that? Your mom did.”
“You talked to Mama?” The thought pleased me. I couldn’t figure out why. I should be worried Mama had gotten a tongue-lashing from Mads, but no. Madison only stuck up for herself when she thought she needed to, and Mama would never make her feel that way.
Her expression turned guarded. “She was at the home.”
“Ah. Poker night. Back to the sale—no. I didn’t know. Can’t you stay at the house until closing?” The old Townsend home up for sale should’ve been bigger news. Though people had seen Madison going to Sal’s office and speculated. The newshadn’tcome from any For Sale signs in the yard.
“Convenience,” she said lightly and tied off the end of her hair. She left the braid hanging over her shoulder. “So. Where do you think we should start?”
