Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 107115 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 428(@250wpm)___ 357(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107115 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 428(@250wpm)___ 357(@300wpm)
After Deke and Ethan’s departure, the horror of their situation washed over Madison. She and Matt would be stuck under her husband’s roof—under his thumb—for three excruciating months.
Matt approached her with a stare full of gravity. “We have to talk.”
“We do. Have you lost your mind? Or do you just have a death wish? If you come to DC with me, you’ll be an even bigger target for Todd. More accessible, too.”
“You’re his prey of choice. If he tries to make me his whipping boy and I take some of his attention off you, that’s a win.”
Madison gaped. “You don’t know what you’re inviting. Did you forget he’s capable of murder?”
“No. That’s why I won’t leave you alone with him.”
His protectiveness melted her heart, but he wasn’t hearing her. “He’ll use you to get to me.”
“So you think I should just save myself and let you suffer alone with punk-ass Ethan and some unnamed muscle who doesn’t give a shit what happens to you?” Matt’s eyes narrowed. “Or did you just assume I’d cut out when things got tough? That I’d just leave you, like every other guy?”
Once, she’d thought precisely that. She’d never questioned Matt’s bravery in the face of danger, but in the past, he’d found their budding relationship too emotional and too unsettling. And she’d never had good luck with guys hanging around once the pleasure had faded. Somewhere in the rubble of her broken heart, she’d figured she hadn’t been worth the hardship. Since coming to the swamp, she was questioning that. Matt had made her feel like the center of his universe. He’d opened up about his fears and accepted his needs while embracing hers. Still, that niggling part of her, where her insecurities lived, wouldn’t stop worrying that the price he paid for being with her would become too high.
“I don’t know what to think. I never expected Todd to show up this morning or that I’d be going back to DC. Everything is happening so fast.”
Matt wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. “I told you that I won’t walk away just because you’re afraid for me. That’s still true. Besides, you might be married to Todd, but as long as I protect you, you’re mine. That lush mouth. That sweet pussy. That pretty ass. Every thought, every wish, every ache, every heartbeat? Mine.”
He made that clear each day when he pressed her body beneath his and bent her to his filthy-minded will, wrenching pleas from her while he reduced her to a shaking, shuddering mess. But possessing her was easy when she didn’t push back and no one challenged him. What would happen when Todd stood between them? Or when Matt had to suffer consequences for wanting her? Even if he stuck it out, would he have endured too much once her divorce was final and the danger had passed? Would he leave her then for good?
“Matt…”
“Don’t ‘Matt’ me. I mean it. Every inch of you is mine. Are we clear?”
“Fine, but—”
“No buts. You didn’t put any conditions on my claim.”
“I can’t be yours when we’re under his roof.”
He raised a brow, oozing displeasure as he grabbed her chin. “That’s where you’re wrong, honey. You’re always mine. Just because I may not be touching you, that doesn’t change.”
Madison swallowed. On so many levels, she felt like his—every day, every night, every moment. But their past still loomed like a shadow. So did their future. Sometimes, she swore he must be in love with her. His face said it. His body said it. The way he cared for her, so often putting her needs first, said it. But he never spoke the words out loud.
“Why does me being yours matter?”
“If it’s not clear how much I want you, I’ll demonstrate again.” He peered down at her, his words an overtly sexual thrill.
Excitement buzzed through Madison. She’d obviously gone insane. They had so many other problems beyond their relationship, and that’s where she should be focused. But under his sizzling stare, all that melted away. Her breath caught. The familiar ache for him gripped her belly.
In the past twelve days, he’d dismantled her will to resist. It never mattered if everything between her legs was tender or that she’d come for him so many times her thighs felt like rubber and her womb cramped. Apparently, her body didn’t care that her husband planned to torment them for months. Even the suggestion that Matt wanted to touch her sent her pulse racing.
He shifted closer, his body heat burning her from the inside out. “Do you need me to, honey?”
As much as she wanted to say yes, she couldn’t. He hadn’t answered her question, merely skirted the truth. And sex would solve nothing. “We should put the groceries away.”
Matt shoved the cooler aside and jerked her against his body. “They’ll keep. Are you regretting that you agreed to be mine?”