And then, Cedrick says, “Oh, my treat. You have no idea, do you?”
“No idea about what?” I snap, feeling vulnerable and irritated about it.
“You’re the only one.”
My heart stops. “What?”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Since Me
Cedrick
How can my little treat possibly not know by now?
“You’re the only one.”
There’s a sharp intake of breath, followed by a long pause. “What?”
I take a drag of my cigarette, needing the pull of nicotine for this conversation, “Madison… you’re the only one I’ve ever touched that way at Mayhem… I know it says in the contract, but I’ve never felt the desire, nor have I ever wanted to do that with anyone there before.” Swallowing the lump in my throat, I continue on.
“It wasn’t just a first for you, my treat.”
“It-it wasn’t?”
“No.” Another inhale, this one deep enough to burn my lungs.
“Are you smoking?” Madison asks, and I startle.
“Uh…”
“Cedrick.”
“Yes?” I phrase it like a question, unsure about his tone.
“That’s so bad for you!” he chastises me, and I snort.
“That ain’t no shit, darlin’.”
He huffs. “Then why are you doing it?”
“Vices, darlin’. Vices.”
“That’s just an excuse,” he argues, and I feel a smile tug my painted lips.
“That it is.”
Silence descends between us, and I’m grateful for Madison’s avoidance of conversation. Whether he meant to or not, I wasn’t ready to talk about it, but I also said I would never lie to him…
You win some, you lose some, I suppose.
“So, work was good?” Madison asks, sounding far more awake than he did a few minutes ago.
“Yes. Always is.”
“You love your job, don’t you?” he asks softly.
“Ya. Never done anythin’ that felt so right before. I got lucky.”
