Page 102 of Diamonds

This isn’t my bed.This isn’t my apartment.

It’s…

The memories of last night come crashing down on me.

We went to Aces.Played Blackjack.Got Rouge’s attention.

The King and Queen of Diamonds.

And then… the alleyway.Bill.TherealKing of Diamonds.

We came to Maddox’s ex’s house.

We… Maddox…

Maddox.

We made love.

The most exquisite night of sex I’ve ever experienced.

It wasn’t hard.It wasn’t fast.

It was comfort.Like a bowl of chicken soup.

Maddox makes me feel safe.Protected.Loved.

My heartbeat slows down, and I get to my feet.

He isn’t in here.He must be up and about.Maybe making a pot of coffee.

I can’t very well go down the stairs completely nude.His ex—Laurie, her name is—probably wouldn’t be too thrilled about that.

All I have are the clothes I came here in.I’d almost rather go down naked than in my pink evening gown.

But then—aha!A robe hanging on the back of the door to the guest room.

It wasn’t there last night.Maddox must have fetched it for me.

I put it on.It’s soft and fluffy.Like hugging a cloud to me.

Speaking of—I look out the window.It’s completely overcast and raining.Not a glint of sunlight in sight.

Typical Chicago.

We had a few days of sunshine last week, but those were a fluke.Most of the Februarys I’ve spent here have been this kind of weather.I’m used to it, being from the UK.

At least it’s not snow.

I open the door and head downstairs.Maddox’s booming voice catches my ear, and I follow it into the kitchen.

He’s sitting down—also in a robe—next to Laurie.She’s dressed for the day.They both have large ceramic mugs of steaming coffee, and Maddox is scratching the ear of a large goldendoodle with his free hand.

A pang of jealousy spears my heart.

But I’m being ridiculous.Maddox spent the night withme, made love tome.

He smiles when he sees me.“Alissa.Good morning.”