Sophie moved in with Mason and me this summer because she had nowhere else to stay after the shitstorm with her boyfriend happened. Since we had a spare bedroom, it was a no-brainer. Plus, Mason wanted to protect her and keep her close. They’ve been through some horrific stuff over the past year, but now they’re happy together and have each other to lean on. Finding that kind of love is beautiful and disgusting all at the same time—especially when I hear his headboard slamming against the wall at two in the morning. Now that Sophie is sleeping in Mason’s room rather than her own, it’s a nightly occurrence. Thank God for headphones, though with my work and travel schedule, I’m rarely home anyway.
This weekend is extremely special because Mason’s proposing, but Sophie has no idea. I’m honored to be the only person he told. It took them years to finally get together, and honestly, it’s about damn time. After several horrific events involving her abusive boyfriend and then his psycho brother—who both tried to kill her—Mason knew he couldn’t be without her. I don’t know love like that. Relationships for me are nonexistent other than the occasional one-night stand and blow job in the back seat of my truck. I don’t get attached or let anyone get attached to me. No relationship means no responsibility, and the fact that I can’t get Maddie off my mind has absolutely nothing to do with why I prefer being single.
My stomach growls, and while I could cook myself eggs and bacon, I settle for the lazy route and eat a slice of cold pizza instead. Glancing at the clock on the stove, I realize it’s nearly two in the afternoon, and I’ve wasted most of the day being a bum. However, I needed sleep because I’ve been working so damn much.
While I enjoy being a bounty hunter most days, the past few weeks of tracking criminals who disappear after posting bond have been rough. I’ve staked out for hours, slept in shitty rental cars, not showered, and lived off junk food for days on end. Though I don’t allow many to slip through my fingers, there are times when it happens, so then I do whatever it takes to bring them in. Being home and not having to wake to an alarm or deal with assholes who can’t abide by the law is a nice break for once. I’m exhausted and worn to the bone, but I don’t complain because I’m an adrenaline junkie.
I nearly choke on my pizza as the thought of Maddie enters my mind again. The girl is like a firecracker with the fuse lit, and I’m just waiting for her to explode. She follows her own rules, which I knew three years ago when we met, but I never expected to see her again, or hell, have her move here two years ago.
Trying to ignore her when we’re in the same room is fucking torturous. She purposely tests and teases the fuck out of me. When Maddie came over for the first time, there was no way I could admit I already knew her. Not to my best friends and definitely not to her sister.
Maddie’s my best-kept secret, and it’s better for everyone if she stays that way—forever. She’s five years younger than I am and untouchable in every sense. Never has she allowed me to forget the night we met in Utah when she was still in high school. Like the vixen Maddie is, she continuously dangles herself in front of me like a piece of meat. Though her advances toward me and willingness to give up her V-card are said jokingly, I’m certain she’s serious regardless of the act she puts on around her sisters. If there’s one thing I’ve learned about Maddie, she loves being the center of everyone’s attention, especially mine. She’s a dancer and lives for the spotlight, capturing people’s hearts and souls with her graceful moves.
I can’t deny the instant attraction or chemistry we shared that night, and while it’s still there, nothing can ever happen between us. Not then and not now. Maybe if we were different people, or she was older and not related to Lennon or Sophie, the outcome would be different. Hell, if I didn’t have a job that puts my life at risk and wasn’t gone eighty percent of the time, then maybe we’d have a fighting chance. Or if I was capable of committing to someone long-term, but I’m not. The odds are stacked against us, and I refuse to cross that line with her, no matter what she wants. Maddie has a lot of growing up to do, and we’re just at different places in our lives. While she’s dancing and earning her degree, I’m hunting and tracking fugitives, trying to stay alive.
As much as I wanted to sleep with her that night, I can’t be the man to take her virginity. Yet the thought of her giving it away to some dipshit enrages me. She jokes that she’ll just sell it on the internet or find some random asshole on one of those ridiculous dating apps to fuck. It’s nonstop bickering with her, and every time she brings it up, it fucks with my emotions. I won’t allow myself to have her, but I don’t want anyone else to either. No one will ever be good enough to deserve Maddie Corrigan. It’s impossible for me to have my cake and eat it too, but it won’t stop me from trying. Thankfully, she hasn’t dated anyone seriously since she’s moved here because I’d probably have to kill some little punk.
Since she’s on my mind, I decide to send her a text because she has a tendency to put herself in places she doesn’t belong, and I don’t want her to ruin Mason’s plans this weekend. I’m sure I’ll see her before the happy, soon-to-be engaged couple leaves, but I might not get her alone, and Sophie could overhear me.
Liam: In case I don’t get a chance to tell you later, leave your sister alone this weekend while she and Mason are gone. If you need anything at all, I’m on call. So just let me know if you do.
Maddie: New phone, who dis?
I roll my eyes. I’m not sure what I expected from her. For once, I thought maybe she’d just listen.
Liam: I’m being serious.
Maddie: When are you not serious, Hulk? I got you, though. If I need a ride to the grocery store, a pedi and mani, or someone to bang, you’re my man.
Liam: Don’t push your luck. Just promise you won’t be your normal pain in the ass self, and let Soph and Mason have a nice getaway, okay?
Maddie: What’s in it for me?
Liam: A big hearty handshake from me!
Maddie: Pass.
Liam: A pat on the back?
Maddie: Now you’re just insulting me. You know I can text like a million words per minute, so you gotta offer something better than that before I start pre-writing random things to send her. Hmm…I know a lot of history facts she’d find fascinating. Could send her the Bible verses we were forced to memorize as kids. Oh wait, she’ll love hearing me ramble on and on about my date last weekend. Roger. Nice guy. Lean and fit. On the swim team. Big package.
I groan, tempted to call and yell at her to stop being a child. She says those things to get a reaction from me, hoping it’ll make me jealous. But knowing Maddie, she’d just get off on it more, so I try to keep my cool the best as I can.
Liam: Why are you a thorn in my ass?
Maddie: Because it’s my favorite place to be :)
Liam: Yeah, I’ve noticed that the past couple of years.