“Why don’t you just go find someone else to help us?” I interjected, knowing his blathering would do nothing to assuage Maddox’s murderous mood.
“Good idea,” he replied gratefully, turning to gesture toward a young woman behind the counter.
“Babe.”
I held up a hand at Maddox’s murmur. “Let’s just get the phone and get out of here, okay?” I was close to pleading.
He looked down at me, appearing to war between what he wanted to say and what I needed. “All right,” he agreed finally.
Now that we had someone helping us who wasn’t interested in looking down my shirt or selling us a bunch of shit we didn’t need, we were able to make quick work of the purchase.
With my new phone in hand that I still felt weird having Maddox pay for, we made our way back out to his truck.
As I was reaching for the door handle, I was pulled gently back into his firm chest, his lips at my ear. “She was one night, baby, over a year ago. You’re my forever.” He turned me in his arms, pressing me back against his truck as he stooped to meet my gaze. “I need you to understand that. I can’t change my past, but I can protect my future. That means I need you to hear me on this. I love you, Francesca. That’s something no other woman has ever had from me or ever will.”
“I hate that she touched you,” I admitted quietly.
“I don’t like it either,” he agreed without hesitation. “Yours are the only hands I want on me,” he added with a conviction I instantly believed. “I don’t have many regrets, but I do regret laying hands on her. She’s whacked. I didn’t see that—I should have.” His honesty softened me. “She bothers you—hell, if she even looks your way, I want to know about it. I wasn’t lying when I said I’d kick her ass straight out of town.”
I looked up at him, my palms pressed to his chest absorbing the warmth and strength there. “Did you really ban her from the club?”
“Fuck yes, I did. The minute she looked at you wrong.”
I bit my lip, looking off to the side before he cupped my face, gently guiding my gaze back to his.
“I know you weren’t celibate before you met me, babe. I’m not trying to punish you or make you feel badly about your past. I just don’t want there to be secrets between us.”
I saw something flash in his eyes before he nodded in agreement.
“I just really don’t like her,” I grumbled.
He chuckled. “That makes two of us.” His head lowered, his lips taking mine in a soft kiss. “I like that, baby.”
“What?” I asked.
“You callin’ me babe. That cute little wrinkle you get between your brows when you’re pissed. All of it. I like all of it,” he murmured against my mouth.
I drew back, looking up at him. “She puts her hands on you again, there won’t be anything cute about my reaction,” I warned in all sincerity. I’d never been one for violence, but then again I’d never loved anything as fiercely as I did Maddox.
“Noted.” He grinned. “Now, can we get the rest of our shit done so I can get you in our bed?”
“What other shit do we have to do?” I asked, trying to focus when all my mind wanted to drift to was us tangled up in bed.
“Mom mentioned a kitchen supply store. I thought we’d pick you up some baking stuff for the apartment.” He shrugged, looking almost sheepish. “I think they also have some other stuff for the house. Thought you could put your mark on things. Plus, I’m told there’s this thing called color that helps warm things up.” He winked.
I grinned, wrapping my arms around his shoulders, touched immeasurably by his thoughtfulness. “That sounds good, babe.”
He touched my nose with his pointer finger. “There it is again.”
I shrugged. “It just comes out with you.” I looked up at him with a soft smile. “Getting easier all the time.”
Chapter 19
MADDOX
“Shit, it’s cold.” Gunner griped as we sat astride our bikes the next night.
“Aw, you need me to get you some mittens?” Cash crooned.
