Chapter Fifteen

MARIGOLD

"I don't know how you convinced me to come down here tonight."

"Whatever do you mean?" Reece over exaggerates her words and has a twinkle in her eye.

"You know exactly what I mean. I have to work tomorrow morning. Early. Like, real early. Our schedules are the exact opposite. I'll make sure you're at the bakery next Sunday at six in the morning to help, okay?"

She just laughs at me and continues to pour drinks. Love Beach Brews is packed tonight, as usual, and Reece is behind the bar with Isaac while her friend Vienna is waiting tables. I'm quietly taking it all in, hiding out on the corner stool of the bar.

I know why she called me down here. I hadn't texted her in two days. Then she must have realized it was the same two days Maddox was off work.

Reece: Got any gossip for me?

Me: Actually, I do. I heard there's a new romance brEWing

Reece: Funny, I heard there's a new couple BURNing it up in town

Me: Hmm, I definitely heard he was a bit BOSSy

Reece: And I heard she liked to set FIRES in the night sky. Meet me at the bar, you sneaky biotch

Guess we weren't being too sly about our whereabouts.

So here I sit, waiting to be grilled by my friend about sleeping with her brother.

She calls out to Isaac to serve the new patrons at the other side of the bar while she leans against the bar across from me.

"Spill it."

I groan and cover my eyes with my hands. "I was going to tell you but it's just so new and I don't really know what it is or what he wants and how we?—"

"Marigold. You're spiraling for no reason. I already told you I saw this coming!"

"No, you said you wouldn't mind a little double date."

"No, I definitely didn't say that!" She laughs. "But now that you mention it…"

"Oh yeah? You want to double date with your brother and his best friend? I thought that was a no-no."

"Looks like Mads can't say shit anymore. Since he's now dating my best friend, right?"

Hearing her call me her best friend brings tears to my eyes. It was the hardest thing to leave my old town, my old life and start fresh. But I've been blessed with finding the best people right here in Love Beach.

"What are you crying about?"

"I don't know." I wipe at my eyes. "It's just been a lot in a short amount of time you know?"

"Girl, I get it. But that's when the best things happen. They sneak up when you least expect it."

"Hey! Fireman Baylor!"

"Maddox, how ya been, man?"

"Hey, hey! LBFD in the house!"

I hear a commotion from the front of the bar and snort laugh as Reece says, "How's that for timing?"

"You setting me up again? First Cakeology, now the bar?"

She shrugs, looking anything but innocent. "I need him here to go over last minute details for the party, and I just happened to mention you'd be here." She glances over her shoulder at him as he walks closer to us. "Funny how he didn't fight me about not having time." She gives me a knowing look and pushes from the bar. "Brother! Nice of you to join us tonight."

I can't ignore the way my heart races at seeing him. Or how I can instantly recall the way his hands felt on my body. And when his eyes connect with mine, I'm trapped, envisioning so much more with him than I have a right to. He slides onto the stool next to me, leaning over the bar to give his sister a kiss on the cheek. Then leans in to me, kissing me on the cheek before whispering, "I can still fucking taste you, Goldie. And it's killing me." He moves, adjusting himself, hidden by the bar for only me to see.

I feel the blush creep up my neck and when I look up, Reece has a shit eating grin across her face.

"Mads, we need to finish the last minute details for Mom and Dad's party. I've secured the caterer and DJ. I've got all the responses back, too and done the seating chart."

"I tasted the cake. It's phenomenal." Reece slides a beer in front of him and he drinks from it, side eyeing me.

Reece knocks on the bar. "And I've handled the flowers and all the decorations. Isaac is stocking the bar for the night and Vienna will do all the cleanup."

He nods. "Did I mention the icing? Fucking sweet." I snap my head at him and gape at him. His upturned lip and sparkle in his eye, daring his sister, and me, to react... is actually a huge fucking turn on right now.

Fun.

Reece raises a brow and leans her elbows on the bar, getting close to the both of us.

"Your innuendos are not lost on me. And I'm happy that you've finally had sex, brother, bu–"

"Reece!" I screech out but she only waves me off, not taking her eyes off her brother and continues, "But I'm tired. I've been working my ass off here at the bar for your friend–"

"Our friend?—"

"And planning this party. I would appreciate a bit of help wrapping up the last minute details. Like their gift. Can you do that?"

"For your information, today was my last shift until after the party. So yes, I can do that."

Reece blinks. Blinks again. Then she pushes off the bar, standing straight, putting her hands on her hips. Even I'm surprised Maddox took the time off.

"Okay. That's great. Thank you." She glances between the both of us until Isaac calls her name. "Coming!" she yells then asks, "you guys need another drink yet?"

"We're good. I'll reach over the bar if we need another." He winks at her and she shakes her head and walks off.

"I'm impressed."

"That's not the first time I've heard that, but do tell." He turns facing me completely now, his legs spread wide around mine.

I roll my eyes, trying to play cool but everything about Maddox is a distraction right now. "I'm glad you took some time off. Your sister needs you and it will be a good break for you. You've really been working a lot."

He twists the bottle he's holding on the bar with his left hand, and lays his right hand on my thigh. It's a simple gesture, but sweet, and since I'm already keyed up, any touch is making me wild. "My dad said something to me the other day that kind of made me think twice about a lot of things lately. So I figure since the old man has some years on me, he's got to know a thing or two."

"Nice to see you can listen to reason once in a while. You should put that in your speech for the party." He chuckles and I relax at the sound. Maddox has made me think twice about a few things, too. And I can't deny that I notice a change in myself, just by having him close to me.

He shrugs. "Maybe." He squeezes my thigh. "The last twenty four hours have been hell."

I furrow my brows. "Why? Rough calls?"

"No. I was missing you. I couldn't stop thinking about the way your hips worked my cock the other night and I need more, Goldie." His words light me up and I squeeze my legs together. He doesn't miss the move and gives me a smug grin. "Looks like you feel the same way."

I try to play nonchalant. "Eh, I could take it or leave it." His eyes flare at my words and I try to stifle the laughter in my tone. "It was just one night, Maddox. What did you do before me?" I'm teasing him and he knows it, but the way he leans in and drops his voice makes me rethink my going up against this guy.

"I honestly have no idea how I got by before you. Because now that I've had you, I want it every night, Marigold. If you believe ‘take it or leave it' are your choices, I'm answering for you. You'll be taking it because I can't wait to give it to you."

His eyes hold nothing but sincerity and it makes my heart scream.

What are we doing here?

"Don't overthink this. You're out on a school night, Goldie, you must be having fun."

I smile. "It's quickly becoming my favorite ‘F' word."

His lips twist once more. "Let's get out of here. I'll show you my favorite ‘F' word." He stands, placing his large hand on my waist and urges me from the stool. "Reece!" he barks her name and both her and Isaac turn from the other end of the bar. "I'll call you tomorrow."

Reece blows him a kiss and Isaac throws up the peace sign. I wave to them both and before I know it, we're moving through the crowd of people and out to the sidewalk leading to his truck.

"Did you bring your car?"

"No, I walked from the bakery."

"Good, my truck was losing that sweet sugar scent. I need you in it, then I'm taking you home. I can't be away from you another minute."