Page 89 of Between Secrets and Obsession

I push back, finding her hurt expression. “I barely evenlikeher.”

She swallows hard, piercing me with her ocean blue eyes. “Okay. I want to trust you, but you have to realize all this happening after my date makes me a little cautious since you’ve been so hot and cold this past year.”

I lean down on one elbow so I don’t crush her and lie next to her.

“I know.” I brush my fingers over her cheek, wanting to give her the whole world for the rest of our lives. Until this mess I’ve made is cleaned up, I’m taking it day by day.

“Did you let him touch you?” I ask.

“Hmm…maybe.” She waggles her brows.

My whole body tenses.

“That’s not even a little bit funny,” I growl, pulling her closer. “I’m gonna kick his ass if he comes to the house again.”

Maddie shoves my chest, but I capture her wrist and wrap her arm around my waist.

“Do you believe me?” I ask softly, needing confirmation.

“That your marriage is a sham?” she questions.

“Yeah.”

“Well, it makes more sense than you actually falling in love.”

“Wow, thanks.”

Maddie shrugs. “Can you tell mewhyyou made this arrangement at least?”

Shaking my head, I frown.

She sucks in her lower lip. “Then maybe it’s best you leave. My mind is kinda spinning right now.”

My throat goes dry, but I understand her hesitation. I’ve given her no reason to trust me, but the fact that she’s notthrowingme out is a plus. At least she asked nicely.

“Probably a good idea…” I admit, pushing off the mattress before lowering myself and stealing one final kiss. She doesn’t shove me away, and when her tongue dances with mine, I release a moan.

“You’re not convincing me that you agree,” she says, but I hear the smile in her voice as my lips trail down her throat.

“Fuck, Maddie.” I groan, then stand.

Brushing a hand through my hair, I battle internally with staying and talking this out, but there isn’t anything more to say. I’m asking a lot for her to believe me with what little I did tell her, but that’s all I can offer.

“Sorry for implying you and Officer Idiot fooled around.”

She arches a brow and leans up against her headboard.

“I didn’t deny it,” she replies with a cocky shrug. Maddie enjoys getting under my skin just as much as I’ve loved watching her squirm around me these past few months.

“Well, all that matters isI’mthe one who actually messed up your hair and wrinkled your dress…” I wink.

I earn her famous eye roll, which causes me to smirk.

“That’s what I thought.”

“Don’t be so smug, Hulk. He’s not married, and from the boner he was sporting all night, I’d say he’s a good nine inches. Bet he’d be happy to take my V-card.”

My jaw tenses, my teeth grinding hard at the nonchalant way Maddie talks about sex and giving away her virginity.