Page 125 of On The Edge

CHAPTER FIFTY

Cruz

“Finally. You’re done. It’s done,” Lennox says. “I’m extremely impressed with your fortitude on this. It doesn’t hurt that Maddix seems to be a total sweetheart . . . but you are one hundred percent done. Now you can sit back and reap the rewards of your patience to the tune of a lot of fucking money.”

I snort. How should I feel right now? Especially after the bomb Kevin dropped on me during our discussion.

“The half-assed reaction is worrying me. Everything okay over there?” she asks.

“Good. Fine.”

“Uh-huh. Sounds like it.”

“I just have a lot on my mind,” I reply

“Like? Care to share? Do I need to fly over there and pull it out of you myself?”

“Nah. I’m good.”

She pauses, the line completely silent. “Personal or professional?”

“Thanks, Lennox.”

I end the call and sink back into my chair, my finger on my lips and my eyes on the woman in front of me.

Maddix’s back is to me. It’s bare from the drape of the dress she’s wearing. It comes down her shoulders and pools just above her ass, so I get a glimpse of her delicate shoulders. She is fastening a gold hoop to her ears, but her eyes meet mine in the reflection of the mirror she’s getting ready in front of.

“What?” she asks.

You lied to me.

“Nothing.” I force a smile, my chest constricting.

“You sure?” She turns around to face me.

Jesus. Does she have any clue what she does to me? Any clue?

“I’m sure.” I rise from my seat. “You look stunning.” Every part of me wants to move to kiss her neck, but I fight the urge and stay where I am.

“I’m nervous.” She presses a hand to her stomach, oblivious to what I know.

“I apologize. Again. I told Sofia that I didn’t want anything for my birthday. She planned it anyway.”

“I’m glad she did.” Maddix steps up to me on her toes and brushes a kiss to my lips. “I want to celebrate you.”

I fight the urge to pull her against me and just hold on. I feel myself shutting down. I feel the brick wall being built second by second, layer by layer as I stare at her.

Sure Kevin called. Kevin said the deal was sealed. But not once did Maddix and I discuss what that meant for us. I had to head out to a meeting and when I came back, she greeted me in the doorway in what she called some celebratory lingerie. Little talking was done unless you count each of us groaning the other’s name.

There was no room for conversation.

Just congratulations sex. Silly banter over great slogans for Revive that we both agreed we could drink right then so we could go a few more rounds.

But she didn’t press for more from me. With me. Not then and not since. She didn’t press for answers to the questions she’d asked me in Austin. The ones about what’s next for us.

We’re both well aware that it would look better if we continued the charade a little longer. It’s only logical. But for how fucking long?

And why wasn’t she honest with me?