We were in step. I’d never been this at ease with my ex and spent every day on edge, waiting for disaster. I focused on the crowd and tried to stay in the moment with Arman and forget Bob. “Can I help?”
He shrugged. “Nothing any of us can do except be there when needed.”
That was true. He was stable because he came from a supportive family. I took his hand. “It’s one of the best things about the Norouzi family. You’re all super close.”
Except for my time with Arman, I’d been on my own and lonely. The ache inside me from having no one on my side had defined me for years, probably long before I ever got married. The only times I’d felt whole had been when I was in mom mode or with Arman. I’d always wanted to be part of his world.
As we approached the rides and my daughter, he went to the ticket booth and said, “You probably shouldn’t ride the roller coaster, but we could do the Ferris wheel.”
My daughter rushed toward Arman, ignoring me entirely, and took the offered tickets. She and her friends left to do a twirling ride. I probably should have said something about manners, but the moment had been so fast, and it felt like Aurora and I were part of his family. I wished we were.
He waved the rest of the tickets at me, and I said, “I’ve actually never been on one.” I walked with him to the ride.
As we handed over the tickets, he said, “Glad I can still be your first time, then.”
I laughed, and we took our places in the line to get a cabin for ourselves. I glanced at his profile and imagined what being his wife would be like. He probably wouldn’t enjoy seeing me in tears. I’d heard sex was fun, and with Arman, maybe that was true.
I whispered, “Believe me, I wish you’d been my first time and every time after that.”
He stared at me, and I was lost in the moment until he said, “Come on, then.”
Our cabin for two stopped. Longing to be his, I took his hand. He was the best connection to the world I’d ever had.
Chapter Eight
Arman
As the small cab lifted off, the sweet scent of Maddie’s strawberry shampoo wafted into my nose and made my body tense and ready for a kiss. But she wouldn’t want that from me. Not yet.
Her husband had hurt her. I would have to wait till she was ready. So I stared up at the moon that we were climbing toward and relaxed my shoulders.
She tapped my shoulder, and I gazed down at her. I ached to have our lips meet, but I ignored the feeling as she asked, “When’s the last time you went on a Ferris wheel?”
One like this? Years ago. I shrugged. “Must have been the London Eye when I went for a meeting two years ago.”
She held onto the rack. “I bet that was different from this.”
I laughed as we continued to soar. “Smoother ride, enclosed, and with room to snooze and drink.”
She slipped her arm in mine. “I’ve had more wine with you than I had in years.”
We started the descent, and I said, “Do you not like to drink?”
She bobbed her head and then whispered, like it was a secret, “I have always wondered what being a little drunk and giggly feels like.”
I laughed. No one was as innocent as she was. I playfully bumped into her shoulder. “When you’re recovered from surgery, we’ll make a night of it in New York, then.”
“Sounds good.” She gazed up at me.
The world stopped. I wanted to tell her she still had a sparkle that mesmerized me. No one else had even come close.
We completed our revolution, and the cab bumped to a halt. The attendant opened our gate, and I followed Maddie out. She looped her arm through mine, and my body felt electrified. She had such a strong effect on me that my mind was swirling.
Should I tell her how I feel? She wasn’t ready. I closed my mouth to keep it from crossing a line.
We headed back to find her daughter and her friends, who were riding the bumper cars. We stopped to watch from the side, near the popcorn stand and the whack-a-mole game. An older man with gray hair walked over to us, staring right at Maddie. It took me a second to remember that he was the former pastor of a local church.
He didn’t blink. “Madeleine?”
She jolted and stood straighter. “Reverend Jerry, I didn’t expect to talk to you.”
He stayed back, but I could feel that she was on edge as he said, “Your mother always has beautiful plants for sale, but she sold out fast. How have you been?”
Maddie let me go and lifted her chin. “I’m a work in progress.”
“So is your mother, it seems.“ Jerry quietly added, “You must miss your father.”
Her shoulders sharpened. “My father and my ex did not… never mind.”
Right. Her family was the opposite of mine.
The reverend said, “He wouldn’t want you to break your vows.”
“My vows?” Maddie asked, astonished. “I’m no longer married. Bob and I divorced.”
“You took a vow in front of God. Man’s evil courts cannot remove that vow. In God’s eyes, you are a married woman. You are a fornicator.”
I stepped in front of her. There was no way she’d get bullied in front of me. “Reverend, I’m sure you misunderstand. Maddie and I are old friends. We haven’t seen each other in many years, and we’ve reconnected, though that is no business of yours. If we decide that there is more for us, that is between us and God. I don’t see that you have any concern in the matter.”
The reverend bristled and took a step back. “Are you trying to intimidate me, Mr. Norouzi?”
“No, Reverend, but you are trying to intimidate my lady. Let me remind you of the words of your God: ‘Judge not lest ye be judged.’”
The reverend lifted his hand to his chest as if he’d been assaulted.
Maddie took my hand. “Goodbye, Reverend. Let’s go, Arman.” She slid her arm through mine again and held her head high as we stepped away from the shocked pastor. “It’s all fine. Let’s keep walking, Arman.”
It took a second before I could breathe. Never in my life had I felt angry at a man of God. I placed my hand on her back to make myself feel more grounded, and we found a new spot to watch her daughter. “Sorry if I sounded possessive.”
She beamed at me. “No, it was nice that you called me a lady.”
Near the edge of the pier, Cyrus, Jeff, and Elon were deep in conversation. They hadn’t moved. I tapped Maddie’s shoulder. “My brother is still where we left him. We should head over.”
She texted her daughter and walked beside me. “Cyrus always seemed so serious to me. He must be in shock.”
I took a deep breath and focused on my brother. “Agreed. He’d planned out everything in his life and tracked his schedule with organizational skills I’ll never have.”
She took my hand again and squeezed. “He was determined to outshine you as a kid.”
Maybe there was truth to her words. I’d never had to vie for attention the way my brother felt he had to. I was always fine on my own and more worried that my parents would find out whatever I did than not notice me.
I said, “He’s a heart doctor because that’s as specialized as you can get. First, the dancing, which is totally out of character, and now this—I don’t know how he’s going to cope. He’s a Taurus and hates change even when it’s good for him.”
She glanced back at her daughter, who was laughing and having a great time with her friends as they walked to the Tilt-A-Whirl. “Well, neither of us put stock in astrology, but I know what it’s like to raise a girl in less-than-ideal conditions. Leah seemed… put together and smart, like him. I’m sure they’ll work it out.”
“Thanks for being here with me.” I went to rejoin my brothers. I had no idea how to help. I’d do anything to protect them, just as I had with Maddie and her daughter. I kept what was mine.
Arman
My last night at the beach, I’d wanted to spend every second with Maddie. However, my brother’s confusion was palpable, and helping family was in my DNA. Mad
die stayed at my side as we turned away from the pier to join my brothers.
As we reached them, I asked, “Cyrus, how are you?”
His lips were thin, and he gave a curt nod. “I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.”
Jeff quietly said to Maddie that the divorce was final and he was working on the custody arrangements but felt confident he could ensure that Aurora was forever in her care. Maddie nodded. She trusted my brother.
I focused on Cyrus. Family meant being there, even when it was inconvenient. And being near Maddie the past few days had somehow brought out more of my heart with everyone I loved. “If you want to talk—”
“For the first time in years, I don’t know what to fucking do. I don’t think she even intended to tell me.” My brother then turned to Maddie, and his face reddened. “Wait. I’m sorry for swearing, Maddie. It’s been a shocking day.”
She smiled brightly and laughed. “I’m not that easily offended.”
As Cyrus focused on her, my skin prickled with a jealousy that made no sense. I knew logically that my brothers would never interfere.
Cyrus said, “Thanks. I hear you’re planning Arman’s office party.”
She bounced on her toes. “I am. It will be fun to exercise that part of my brain.”
He patted me on the back. “You were always organized and cheery. I’m sure my brother’s party will be amazing with you at the helm.”
Her smile grew wider. “Thank you—that’s sweet. I used to love party planning.”
Cyrus relaxed and even cracked a smile. “Look, if you start your own business, I’ll hire you.”
Good. At least he has a moment away from his shell shock.
Maddie shook her head. “It’s hard to imagine myself running my own company. I’m not like the Norouzi brothers.”
My heart practically fell out of my body and hit the floor. Maddie had always had it rough, but she used to be brave.
Cyrus said, “Many people start businesses. With the right backing, you can do anything.”
My muscles tightened. Maddie let me go and stepped back. “Look, I need to go check on my daughter. Talk to you soon.”
The second she disappeared, chills rushed through me.
Cyrus kept his voice low but asked, “What happened to Maddie these past ten years?”
I shrugged. If she trusted me with the truth, I would understand better. “I don’t know. It clearly wasn’t good, but she hasn’t told me everything, so don’t push her.”
“You’re still into her.”
I watched her as she stood outside the roller-coaster line. I would take her on it if she wanted. I didn’t glance away. “She’s… a breath of fresh air in my life, and I don’t want her going anywhere.”
Cyrus’s laugh brought me out of my reverie. “Clearly. You’re usually demanding and arrogant. She’s bringing out a softer version of you.”
“I’m not demanding with family.” As a CEO, I was one person, but that wasn’t who I was all the time. Most of my brothers were probably the same, and it was nice having them around in the city.
He tapped my back as if to let me know I should get going. “So, you consider her family now. I guess Mom’s getting her wish.”
My love life wasn’t my mother’s top priority, or at least, I hoped not. I shook my head. “I figured Joel and Kendal’s marriage meant she’d lay off for a while. And now, with you and Leah—”
Cyrus’s eyes narrowed. “Let’s not discuss that. I’m not ready.” I was about to say goodbye, but he said, “When you show back up at your work with Maddie at your side, people will see you’re different with her.”
So what if people see that I don’t want to date anyone else? Maddie is all I want. I hugged my brother goodbye. “I don’t care what anyone says. Look, I’m going to head back to Maddie and Aurora, but if you need to talk, I’m happy to listen.”
Then I returned as fast as I could to Maddie’s side. Being near her energized me, and it wasn’t just her physical beauty. Something inside her was like a magnet that drew me toward her.
Arman
The lights of the carnival blitzed the darkness of night. I grabbed tickets from a barker for one more ride and handed them to Aurora and her friends. They took off for their last ride, and Maddie didn’t say a word.
I returned to her side and offered my arm as I showed her the tickets I’d saved for us. “Let’s go.”
She glanced up at the roller coaster. “I’ve never been on one.”
I handed our tickets to the attendant and strode through the gate. As I’d bought VIP, we headed toward the cart. I let her scoot in first. “Stick with me, and soon, you’ll never say anything like that again.”
“Sounds dangerous,” she said with a glint in her eyes.
The attendant checked our seat belts and left. Then I said, “Is that how you think of me—dangerous?”
The engine revved, and she gripped her seat handles. “No. The opposite. Arman, you’re the best thing that ever happened to me.”
We rolled off for the start of the ride, and I said, “I hope that’s true.”
“Of course it is,” she said as we were pulled to the top part of the coaster.
Then she screamed as we descended and looped. She had my full attention now that she seemed ready to let out her honest feelings. She was captivating.
When the ride ended, I helped her out. We walked off, and she said, “I never laughed and screamed so much. Thank you.”
“Happy to oblige.”
We waited as her daughter said good night to her friends. Then Maddie asked me, “So, how do I rate in your dating experience?”
My heart thundered. I wasn’t sure how to answer that. She was the only one who shone in my life. As the teenagers walked to the parking lot together, Maddie and I followed behind. I said, “I’m used to women falling in line with my life and doing whatever I want.”
Maddie shrugged. “I probably fit into that category with you too.”
“You’re in a class of your own.” I stopped in the middle of the walkway and took both her hands. “I’ve been holding back so I don’t scare you.”
She cupped my face. “You could never scare me. It’s not in your nature, Arman.” She went on her tiptoes, and my muscles tightened. It was like we were alone in the crowd.
“I’m fighting myself to treat you right.”
“You do.” She sucked on her bottom lip and then pouted. “At some point soon, we’re going to kiss.”
I hoped so. I lowered my head. “I’ve been waiting.”
She came closer as if she was going to kiss me. “It’s probably a mistake.”
I would never force her. I closed my eyes, though I knew I could wait for her. “Life is what you make of it.”
“You’re right.” Then she pressed her lips to mine.
My heart sped up as I held her close. Finally, she’d kissed me.
Chapter Nine
Arman
Maddie was a treasure, and her lips sent my pulse into overdrive. I’d never felt a rush of joy so fast except with the close of a deal, but that was shallow and momentary. Maddie made me believe in forever. Unlike anyone else, she made me pause. Her kiss set me off. I hugged her waist, wanting to take my time and taste her.
She stiffened. “We have to go.”
We waved at Aurora, who was hugging her friends in the parking lot. I quietly said, “Kissing is like making love. If you go slow, you enjoy every second.”
She said, “I don’t know what that’s like, and people are around.”
I kissed her forehead. “You need rest.”
She let out a sigh then held me tight. “I’ve never been kissed like that before.”
I spoke low so only she would hear me. “I want us both to experience every intimate offering you’re willing to give.”
Her cheeks blushed, and she shook her head. “I don’t know if I can.”
I turned away, not wanting to push her too far. “We can settle for more kissing, la
ter.” As we approached the car, her daughter rushed toward us. I held the door and asked Aurora, “Did you have fun with the Solomons?”
I then held Maddie’s door and smelled her vanilla scent as she took the passenger seat. A minute later, I jumped into the driver’s seat, and Aurora said, “Yes. I wish I had brothers and sisters so I’d never feel so alone.”
I jabbed the engine button as my heart raced.
Maddie turned back. “Aurora…”
“Mom, I saw you kissing,” Aurora said with a laugh. Maddie tensed. Then Aurora sat back. “Look, if you marry Arman, I’m okay with helping with babies.”
Maddie shook her head. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”
I pictured her in a white dress, telling everyone that she loved me. The word love had come out of her mouth when she was talking about party planning, and I imagined her saying it with more passion.
As I drove us home, I said, “Well, everyone be ready to leave in the morning.”
The drive to New York was easy. I showed her to the apartment in my building that I saved for important clients to let them experience life by Central Park while in the middle of Manhattan. Having Maddie two floors down from me was the closest I could get to having her move in.
I knew I needed to take my time with her. As I let her and her daughter in, she stared out the window and hugged me. “Arman, this place is beautiful. How did you manage to set this up for me?”
“I told you. I already own it, and it’s usually used for clients. It’s been vacant for months, so I’m happy to let you stay as long as you need.”
Nothing was more important than us being together, even though I needed to give her time to heal and trust me. I slipped the key into her hand. “I live upstairs, so we can go to the office together.”
She sighed. “Thank you.”
As I let myself out, I knew she was with the most important person in my life.
Six Weeks Later
I checked my tuxedo and headed into the restaurant. With blue velvet chairs and long tables, it looked nothing like the way it normally did. It was decorated like an elegant party at a French castle, as if we were in Europe and not the heart of New York. Maddie had done well. Clients and employees were in awe, taking selfies of themselves in nooks designed for photography and sipping champagne or other drinks.
Honey Bun: Virgin Cove Trillionaire Single Brothers Page 8