Chapter 27

27

Madeline

"We're not leaving this bed today," Ethan says on Saturday morning as he spoons me and cups my breast. His voice is so husky that I'm almost tempted to let him do whatever he wants to me and forget the work commitment he has today.

"Has dementia set in already, grandpa?" I roll to face him, loving the way he groans when I press the front of my body to his. "You're busy today."

"Smart-ass." He reaches for my ass before sliding his hand down the back of my leg and pulling it over his. Then, after not kissing me, even though I know he's desperate to but won't because he knows I'm not a fan of kissing before teeth brushing in the morning, he says, "I'll rephrase. I don't want to leave this bed today."

"I've got something to tell you that may make you happier."

"Nothing will make me happy about leaving this bed, Miller."

"How about if I told you I'm moving to New York?"

That slows his roll.

"What?" he finally says. "When? Why? Fuck, why am I only hearing about this now?"

"You're cute when you're in a tizzy."

His only response to that is to give me a look, and holy heck, this look makes my core want to seize control of all my decisions today.

Ethan has some feelings over me moving here and he doesn't want to wait a second longer to hear about it.

"I bought a condo yesterday. Hayden's pushing for it to close in a couple of weeks, but I'm going to fly home tomorrow, pack some things, and stay in a hotel until I can move in."

"What about your work? Aren't you better off based in Nashville?"

I snake an arm around him. "Okay, your first girlfriend lesson is this: when she tells you she's moving to the city where you live, which means you'll no longer have to drag your ass to her city every night, you should tell her this makes you very happy."

He's amused but mostly holding it in as he grips my leg possessively, bringing me in closer to him. "If we're handing out lessons here, babe, a woman should keep her man in the loop at all times. She should also know that when her man has a perfectly acceptable bed at his place, staying in a hotel isn't something that's gonna happen."

I bite my lip. I thought he might say this. "That feels very much like jumping fast." At his frown, I glance down at the tattoo on his chest and remind him, "You told me you don't want to jump so fucking fast anymore."

"Jumping fast would be moving you in. All I'm suggesting is that you rest your head on a pillow in my place each night until you can do that in your own place."

I laugh. "You have a way with words, Black. Rest my head on a pillow." I give him a flirty look. "Does that mean that's all I'll be doing in your perfectly acceptable bed?"

"So long as you put those granny undies of yours on while you're in my bed, I don't care what else you do."

"That's because you know those undies always come off so easily. I'm onto you. You're a very strategic thinker."

"Are you going to tell me how this will affect your work? I'm more than happy that you're moving here, but if it's going to put you at a disadvantage in any way, that will cancel out my happiness."

I roll so that I'm on top of him, bringing our faces close. "Those women that called you those names never even knew you, Ethan." My tone is soft but my energy is intense because I'm deeply affected by the way he cares for me and wants nothing but the best for me. "If they did, they'd have used words like gentleman, one in a million, a good man, a king." I pause and all we do in this moment is watch each other, taking the other in, processing so many feelings. "Moving to New York will work well for my career. I've signed with the new label, and my new manager and I have found a songwriter and producer to work with here. Judy's pulling back on my PR commitments so I can get back to writing. Things are going to quieten down a bit now." I rest all my weight on him and grind a little, getting the exact reaction I'm looking for when he groans. "We'll have more time for you to practice your orgasm-delivering skills."

His hand is on my ass. His brows are arched. His eyes are so heated. "You're saying my skills are lacking?"

I grind some more. "I believe in personal growth, Black."

He squeezes my butt before smacking it. "Get this ass up, Miller, and into the bathroom. We're going to brush our teeth and then I'm going to practice my bossy skills and order you into doing some truly filthy shit. After that, I'll think about practicing other skills."

Ethan's work commitment today is a charity gala lunch that Kristen's foundation is hosting. He agreed to be the official photographer even though this isn't the kind of photographic work he usually does. After he has a call with Kristen to double check a few things, he tells me that I now have an invitation to attend. I absolutely want to go, especially since he told me that Kristen's foundation is focused on helping women rise, however, it's a black-tie event and with just over an hour until the lunch starts, I'm not sure I can pull it off. I don't have anything to wear. Ethan texts Kristen to ask if she has a dress, and within seconds she's texting me.

Kristen: Can I give your number to my sister? She's a stylist and is sure to have something for you.

Me: That would be great. Thank you!

Kristen: I'm excited you're coming but also disappointed that I won't have a lot of time to spare to chat with you. Promise me we'll get together another time when you're back in New York.

Me: Well, since I'm moving here, I hope we'll get to know each other.

Kristen: Bradford is so dead for not telling me this information.

Me: LOL. Ethan only just found out today. Spare Bradford's life.

Kristen: See you later xx

I eye Ethan who's looking hotter than ever as he fastens his cufflinks on his white dress shirt. That shirt isn't done up all the way and I, for one, hope he doesn't bother with those top few buttons. I like them exactly how they are.

"Don't look at me like that, Miller." He finishes with the cufflinks and snags his jacket from the bed. "I don't have even five minutes to spare for that filthy mouth of yours."

As my phone sounds with a text, he leans in for a kiss. "I'm sorry I can't wait for you." He needs to get to the hotel where the lunch is taking place so he can see what he's working with there.

I wave him off. "Go. Don't even think about me."

"You'll arrange security, right?" That concerned, protective glint in his eyes always hits me low in my stomach.

"Yes. I've texted Leigh to ask her to handle it for me. She's on it. I won't step outside this condo without a big, strong man by my side."

"Good." With one last kiss that he seems very reluctant to walk away from, he's gone.

I check my texts.

Unknown number: Hi Madeline, I'm Jenna, Kristen's sister. She's sent me a brief of what you need for the lunch. I'm attaching some photos of dresses I have on hand. Let me know if any would work and I can have them to you in fifteen minutes. I can also have hair and makeup people to you in about twenty minutes if you need that. They work super fast, so you'd make the lunch in time because we both know these things never begin on time.

Me: Wow. This is amazing. Thank you, Jenna!

I'm so impressed with her from just this one text. And when I check out the dress options, I decide I need her on my team if she's got any openings. She's sent through three options and I know instantly that they are all perfect for my shape. The one I love the most is a timeless and romantic navy gown with an asymmetric neckline, a built-in corset to snatch the waist, gathered detailing, and a slit up one thigh. The bias-cut silk cinches the figure and drapes beautifully.

Me: It has to be the navy gown. It's stunning.

Jenna: That would be my choice too. Would you like me to arrange hair and makeup also?

Me: Yes, please. Thank you. I appreciate all of this.

Jenna: I'm really happy to do it. I'll see you soon.

True to her word, Jenna arrives fifteen minutes later with the gown. Hair and makeup arrive shortly after, and then two security guys turn up. I walk into the lunch almost on time, catching Ethan's eye as I make my way to his family's table where only two seats remain empty. Mine and his.

Ethan's busy with Kristen but the way I distract him enough that she has to snap her fingers in his face to regain his attention helps me center myself and shift some of my nerves over seeing his parents today. I met them at Callan's wedding, but today, I'm spending time with them as Ethan's girlfriend and I would have rather done that with him by my side.

"Madeline," Gage welcomes me as I take the seat next to him.

I smile at Ethan's brother. "Gage. How are you?" I enjoyed his company last night. He's an interesting guy. Enigmatic with a darker edge than his brothers, from what I've picked up so far. Ethan told me that Gage was the one who found the illegal gambling information about Tucker and Darren for Hayden, so that's made me curious about him. Like, how did he find all of that info? Did he hire someone? Or did he search himself? And why would he do that for me? I would have asked Ethan these questions, but we got sidetracked and I forgot to return to the conversation.

Gage lacks the playful and fun side that Ethan and Callan have, and instead has a dry sense of humor that I like. And there's an intensity about him that's like a steady hum of don't fuck with me and we'll be good. I get the impression that Gage sees everything in this world. It's like he's always watching and waiting, and I wonder what made him that way.

"Better now that you're here," he answers my question.

I'm surprised at his response and before I can stop myself, I say, "That's totally not what I expected you to say."

"What were you expecting?" He's watching me intently like he's looking for clues about me.

"Honestly, I've no idea, but I wouldn't have thought that."

He lifts a glass of whiskey to his mouth and eyes me over the rim after swallowing some of the amber liquid. "These galas bore me to tears. You'll distract me from that boredom."

"So, you're using me."

"That sounds accurate."

I laugh because that statement reminds me so much of Ethan. "Is this a thing all the Black brothers do, or just you and Ethan?"

"What?"

"He's always saying things like ‘that's highly inaccurate' and ‘I would say that's an incorrect conclusion.' Did he learn this from you?"

Before Gage can answer, Hayden meets my gaze from the other side of his brother and says, "Any bad behavior of Ethan's and Callan's can be directly attributed to Gage."

My smile is big as I really settle into this conversation. "You're the one who taught Ethan to break as many rules as possible?" I say to Gage.

"Guilty as charged," he admits freely.

"What about his propensity for having no safeguards in life?"

"No, that's not on me."

"I would agree with that," Hayden says. "Gage has safeguards all over the place."

"Hmm, what about before you became a father?" I ask. "Were you more relaxed back then?"

"Relaxed isn't a word anyone has ever used to describe Gage," Hayden says.

"I've always made sure I'm protected and my family's protected," Gage says.

"Well," I say, "you need to get onto Ethan about putting a password on his phone. That man is out there playing fast and loose with his phone and it worries me to no end."

Gage's eyes flicker with an emotion I can't quite pick. It's like he's made some kind of decision and feels certain about something. After he sips some more of his drink, he says, "Has Ethan mentioned Luna's birthday party to you yet?"

I frown, confused at the change in conversation. "No, why? And why are we not still discussing how you're going to get a password onto your brother's phone. I'm being deadly serious about that."

"I know you are," he says, a new intensity blazing from him. "And I fucking like that. Not one woman Ethan has been with has ever worried about the fact he's out there playing fast and loose with shit in his life. And while they've sat around our family table and spent the entire time trying to get him the fuck out of there as fast as they could, you've spent one night with us so far and you dragged him back in to be with his family. My daughter is turning six in a couple of weeks and I'd like you to meet her because you're the kind of woman I want her to look up to. And because I suspect my brother intends on making you the only woman he ever brings to our family dinners again."

I'm lost for words. But not for feelings. I'm overwhelmed by those. And if I'm not mistaken, I think I may shed tears if I don't get a handle on these feelings, which isn't something I really want to do right now.

But goodness, I haven't experienced true family since my mother passed away, and now I've had it twice in twenty-four hours. And on top of that, it's one of Ethan's brothers who is saying things to me I didn't even realize I needed to hear.

Gathering myself, I say as steadily as I can, "That's the nicest thing someone has said about me for a long time. After the last few weeks of being judged as an immoral woman, it means a great deal for you to say I'm the kind of woman you want your daughter to look up to." My voice cracks with emotion as I add, "Thank you for saying it."

A darker mood moves into Gage's eyes. "I have no idea how you endure it. I'd be out there silencing the fuck out of everyone, no matter what it took, like Ethan is."

I don't know what he means by that but before I get the chance to ask him, Bradford motions to Gage from across the table as he pushes his chair back and stands. Gage immediately stands, as does Hayden, and the three of them leave together, deep in conversation.

I'm watching them walk away when Ethan's mouth brushes against the shell of my ear and he murmurs, "You good, Miller?"

I almost jump out of my skin, not expecting him. Turning, I meet his beautiful eyes. They hold none of his usual playfulness. Instead, he appears serious and I can tell that this is him checking in on me. "I'm good. I've just fallen for your brother a little."

He takes Gage's seat. "Which one? I'll be sure to keep you two apart from now on."

I smile and lean in for a kiss while sliding my hand under his suit jacket and curving it over his abs. "Gage, and there is no chance of me ever forgetting that you're the Black brother who owns this filthy mouth of mine, so please don't keep him from me. I enjoy his company too much for that."

"Fuck," he curses softly. "I really like seeing you with my family."

My hand is still on his body and I'm unsure how I'll let him go. "You say that like it's something new for you." I'm recalling what Gage said about the women Ethan has brought home before.

"It is new for me," he confides. "Connecting my family with my girlfriends has always been difficult. For a number of reasons, the least of which was me and the emotional place I was in. With you, it feels easy."

Ethan's told me about his relationship with his parents, in particular his father, so I know that would have played a part in this. We haven't really talked about the women he's dated, so I have no knowledge of that, but Gage has me thinking that those women maybe didn't support Ethan the way he needed. And while Ethan's saying that connecting me with his family feels easy, I know that's not all on me because he's told me about the work he did on himself while he was away in Europe.

"I'm glad," I say. "And just so you know, being with your family feels easy for me too."

He rests his hand on my thigh. "I'm going to introduce you to my parents now. Are you ready for that?"

"Yes. Let's hope they can forget that the first time they met me I was running away from my wedding."

His eyes search mine. "You're worried about that?"

"Yes." I take a deep breath. "Our meet-cute really isn't the kind that I think any parent would imagine for their child. Your dad gave me some looks at Callan's wedding and I don't blame him. And before you go all protector over that on my behalf, I think it's a very reasonable response to seeing his son arrive at his other son's wedding with a woman wearing the wedding dress she put on for another man."

He takes that all in and is quiet for a moment while thinking about it. Then, he says, "What the fuck is a meet-cute? Did you and Leigh make that shit up?"

I pull my hand from his abs and pat his chest. "Contrary to what you think, Leigh and I do actual work all day. We're very busy women. I suggest you use those thumbs of yours and spend some time on Google, grandpa, so you can keep up with us."

His lips twitch. Then, he looks at his mom who's sitting three seats away from me and says, "Mom, I'd like you to meet Madeline. And if you know what a meet-cute is, you two are bound to become fast friends."

The warm smile his mother gives me can only be classified as the best thing that's happened to me today. "It's lovely to meet you, Madeline." Her smile grows and her eyes twinkle as she glances at her son and then back at me. "I do know what a meet-cute is and I hope my son is right that we will become fast friends."

I take back what I said about her warm smile being the best thing of today. What she just said has taken its place.

"I hope so too, Ingrid. And honestly"—I grin at her son—"how do these men survive in the world when they don't know things such as meet-cutes and acronyms and slang?"

Ingrid laughs. "That's why they need us, honey. To help them get through life."

"I absolutely agree," I say, enjoying her son's full attention as he gives me a fun shake of his head.

Then, he looks at his dad. When he speaks this time, he's more reserved. Far less relaxed than when he spoke to his mother. "Dad, Madeline."

Edmund's eyes have been glued to me since the moment Ethan introduced me to his mother. Not that I've been staring at him all that time, but much like Gage, his father has an intensity about him that can't help but be sensed. "It's good to meet you, Madeline." He's not as reserved as Ethan, but his tone and body language show he's holding himself back. Watching. Waiting. Just like Gage. And like I told Ethan, I don't blame him.

"You too, Edmund. Do you know what a meet-cute is?"

He blinks. Sits back a little. Appears surprised. He doesn't smile but there's a subtle easing of his expression. "I do not. I hope you'll enlighten me."

Ethan chuckles. "You and me both."

Ingrid leans into her husband as she waits for me to share this information with her husband and son. I'm struck by the way Edmund's body magnetizes to hers as she does this. Ethan has told me a lot about their marriage and I'm not sure I would have expected this display of affection.

"Okay, you two," I say, playfully stern, "listen closely. A meet-cute is a cute, charming, or amusing first encounter between two people that leads to a romantic relationship. Like the first encounter that Ethan and I had." I look at Edmund. "Has he told you about how we met?"

"He has not."

With a quick smile at Ethan, I launch into a story that's important for me to share with his dad because if I know anything about the way men interact, I don't think Edmund would ever get this full story from his son, and I want him to know all of it.

I begin with a quick explanation of why I was running from the hotel that day, so he can understand why I couldn't go through with my wedding. Then, I share how his son was the one person in the traffic that day who came to my rescue, and how he then cared for me.

"I know how it must have looked to you when Ethan arrived at Callan's wedding with a runaway bride on his arm," I say to both his parents, "but I want you to know that my actions on the day we met were out of character. I'm not flighty and I never break commitments like I did then. However, right now, sitting here with your son, I'm so glad I broke that commitment and I can't be sorry about that."

Ingrid's the first to speak. "Thank you for sharing that with us, Madeline, and I want you to know there's no judgment here. Like I told Ethan recently, the only people who know what goes on in a relationship are the people in it. I can see how happy my son is with you and that's all that matters to me."

"Thank you." I think I'm going to really like Ethan's mom.

Edmund is still watching and waiting. I can see that in him, but I also see respect in his eyes. "I appreciate your candor," he says. And that's all he says, but then, I probably didn't expect more. I think he needs to watch and wait a while longer before he'll give me more.

Ethan gets back to work and his brothers return to the table. I spend a fun afternoon with the Black family and we all get to know each other a little more. Ingrid comes to sit with me for a bit and we talk about my parents, my childhood, and how I got started in my career. She's so different to what I imagined after learning about her from Ethan's perspective, but then, I know it to be true that no two people have the same point of view on anything because we all carry different baggage in life that frames how we see things.

As Ethan guides me out of the hotel after the lunch, I say, "Gage said something odd to me today."

He looks down at me. "Yeah?"

"He said that if he had to endure lies being posted about him on social media, he'd silence everyone like you are. What did he mean by that?"

Ethan stops walking, his gaze resting on me for the longest moment before he says, "He put me in touch with someone who digs into people's lives. Finds the shit they're trying to hide. We used that to get those assholes to take down those videos of us from Louisville. I also had Hayden hit them with lawsuits that'll go nowhere but scare them a little, and rightfully fucking so. And we've done it with some other videos too." At my wide eyes, he says with determination, "I won't sit back and watch this shit, Miller. I get it that this is just how the world works now, and I'm not going after every video or story that's posted about you, but fuck, everyone's entitled to quiet enjoyment of their lives. If people get in your face while you're off the clock and post nasty shit about that, you better believe I'll go after it."

I grip his jacket with both hands and pull him close. "You are absolutely the best man I know." I'm so overwhelmed that he has done this for me that I can't even figure out exactly what I want to say. All I come up with is, "I'm so glad I found myself a grandpa who refuses to just accept the way of the world now."

His hand slides around my body to my ass. "At some point in this relationship, you're gonna have to stop calling me grandpa. It's fucking creepy when you think about it."

"It's entirely accurate, Black. I mean, you still haven't figured out what that text of mine from yesterday meant."

"Babe, give a man a break. I'm over here trying to wrap my head around secret message brackets, talking in capital letters, and asterisking words all over the damn place. Then you start talking about flag situations and it's like my fucking mind explodes. Beige flags, red flags, green flags ... How a guy's supposed to make sense of any of this shit is beyond me."

"This conversation is fast becoming a beige flag situation, just FYI."

"Great to know, and if I ever figure that flag shit out, that statement will make so much more sense to me."

I let his jacket go. "Are you going to be a grumblebum all night or are you going to do something useful with that mouth of yours?"

He takes hold of my hand, very firmly. "I'm going to do something useful with my hands, and hopefully I'll be able to wait until we get home to do that." He runs his eyes over my body. "This dress has been fucking with my dick all afternoon."

"You say the sweetest things to me, Black." It can't be denied, though; I really like his crude way of saying some things.

"I told you up-front that I wasn't the guy for you if you wanted flowery."

"Ah, no," I say as I try to keep up with his long, fast strides out of the hotel, "you told me that after you fucked me, which was after the up-front stage apparently."

He gives me a look and we then proceed to banter our way to his condo at which point, he tells me to spread my legs because we're spending the rest of the day working on his orgasm-delivering skills.

Screw flowery; I'm all about Blackery now.