Chapter Nine

MADDOX

This woman has me turned inside out. First I was irritated. Then I was intrigued. Now, I'm hard as steel for her. But she's my sister's friend and that makes me a hypocrite. I made Reece and Isaac promise never to date again because I didn't want to lose a friendship or a sibling. But here I am wanting this woman anyway, and breaking my own rules I set in place.

When I saw Marigold had clearly been working something through her mind, I decided I needed to try to relax her. Give her some fun. She's been uptight since the first day I met her. Logan didn't give me much, but I know she left something hard behind her. Isaac confirmed it. A broken relationship can make anyone question a good one.

Though, I wouldn't know as I've never allowed myself to get that close to anyone.

"Your sister said you haven't ever had a girlfriend. Is that true?" Her lust driven look has vanished and in its place is a bit of sarcasm. Her fingers lay on my chest, in the icing. Wariness has drifted away and a smirk has taken its place.

Furrowing my brows, I lift her back to the counter so we're eye to eye. "What?"

"Yeah. She said you don't make time for anything other than fire."

"I date, Goldie." I scoff at her question and back away a step. But she hooks my leg with hers, holding me in place.

"Are you sure?" She tilts her head, in question. "Oh my god! Are you a virgin?" Her eyes are wide and her taunting smile turns me on.

"No, I'm not a virgin." I step back into her space. "But you make me lose all sense. You make me feel like I haven't a damn clue what to do with you."

"That's too bad." She releases my leg and pushes me back slightly, just enough so that she can hop off the counter. "I could use a night off from making decisions."

Chuckling, I step in her path not allowing her by me. Her head drops back as she looks me in the eye.

"You like to be told what to do?"

Her eyes narrow and I see the fight already happening. "No, I don't like to be told what to do, Maddox." She pushes by me, stomping over to the counter and begins cleaning up the cake and icing. I grab a rag and wipe the icing off of my chest. The room has just turned ice cold and it's not from her opening the freezer.

"Hey. What just happened? I thought we were having fun?"

"You were having fun. I have cakes to make."

She turns her back to me and I don't know whether to push or not. Then I remember all the times I didn't push and lost anyway. I gently touch her arm, urging her to turn and face me.

"Goldie. Tell me."

She watches me, eyes searching mine. There's a lot she wants to say, I can see it written all over her face. But she's not going to let me in.

She drops my stare and pushes from me once more, moving as far as she can but still cleaning up the cake. "I have to get up early. If you're happy with the cake flavor, I'll run it by Reece and move from there. I'll have it ready for the day of the party."

Her words and tone are clipped. I know I'm not getting any more out of her tonight. I pushed her too far without knowing why and now I have a feeling I'm going to have to start over with her.