Turning off the water and grabbing the towels, I wrapped the bigger of the two around me and used the smaller one to wrap my hair up in. Standing by the sink, I took out my liquid foundation and applied it to my face. Opening up my powder, I put a thin cover of it over the top. I applied my eyeliner next, followed by my mascara. Turning and moving to bed and after making sure that I was completely dry, I put on my sexiest bra and panties set before I picked up my new dress and unzipped it. Stepping into it I pulled it up over my body. Hearing a knock on my door, I cursed and moved to open it, seeing a very well dressed Morgan on the other side.
I swallowed hard when he grinned. “Told ya you’d find somethin’.”
I rolled my eyes playfully and couldn’t help but grin some more. “Can you zip me up, baby? I’m having a little trouble.”
He motioned for me to turn around so I did. He zipped up my dress and I could feel his breath on my neck. “Can’t wait to do that in reverse, Angel.” He kissed my neck and I shivered. Now, that time, I felt something.
Turning around to face him, I pressed my lips softly against his and murmured, “Thank you,” against his lips.
“Welcome.” I kissed him again before pulling away and ran into the bedroom. Pulling my towel from my hair, I messed it up and let it fall in the messy curls it currently was. Adding the final touches of makeup, I moved back to the bedroom and slipped my feet into my heels. Grabbing my bag, I spotted the bracelet still lying in its box on the bed. Picking it up, I tried to put it on but was struggling. Hearing Morgan come in and ask if I was ready, I looked up and gave him my best fake pout and held my wrist out to him. He chuckled and helped with my bracelet before gently pulling me closer to him. Wrapping my arm around his back, I looked up and kissed his jaw softly.
“Thank you, Morgan. For everything.”
Morgan placed a finger under my chin and tilted my head back a little more and pressed my lips against his. “No need to thank me, Maddie, but you’re welcome.” He pressed a soft kiss to my temple and I smiled.
“Shall we?”
“Yes, let’s.” Morgan led me to the door and out into the hall.
Looking up to see who would be joining us for dinner, I couldn’t help but cringe when I was Tim standing there - dressed the same as Daniel and Lucas when they were working, so I got my answer.
Tim gave me a cold look and spoke into his earpiece. “On the move.” I moved around him and made my way to the elevator. Morgan came up behind me and wrapped his arm around my waist. Instinctively, I leant into his side. When the doors opened, we all stepped in and I hit the button for the lobby. I stepped out when they opened again. Morgan placed his hand on my back and led me toward the doors. Waiting outside was the most gorgeous Hummer I’d ever seen. Sleek, black perfection. I thanked Morgan again when he opened the door and helped me inside. Sitting back in the seat I tried harder still to forget about my feelings for Tim. It was hard, considering how close he was.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Ghost
The most awkward thing in the world was not my parents finding my porn stash when I was a teenager, but rather going on Morgan and Maddie’s first date. I had to hand it to Morgan, though, he pulled out all the stops on this one. Including me. When Lucas first told me about tonight and that Morgan wanted me, I refused to do it. I couldn’t watch her on a date with someone else. ‘Specially this douche canoe. Jasmine reminded me though, that if this plan was going to work then I had to be around Maddie. I had already turned down working when they went out earlier, because Maddie in a bikini? Just damn! Another refusal could see me on the first plane back home.
So, after showering and changing into all black, I got my gear from Lucas and stepped into the hall just as they did. I turned to see Maddie and my jaw hit the floor. Jasmine was right. That dress on her, was drop dead gorgeous. My eyes trailed down her arm to her wrist and saw that she was wearing the bracelet. Worth every cent. I knew it had been something she’s always wanted, so while Jas and I were shopping, we found one and I had it personalized with the diamond M. When she didn’t say a word, my eyes turned cold and let them move past me. After Maddie was in the Hummer - over compensation perhaps - I got in the front and gave the driver a nod. Taking out my phone I sent a text to Jasmine.
“You don’t think that she believes Morgan brought her all that, do you?” It didn’t take long for her reply to come through.
“No. How would he know her dress size, or shoe size, or have any idea that she has always wanted THAT bracelet? Why do you ask?”
“She keeps thanking him…”
“Surely not.”
“Yep.”
“I’ll set her straight.”
Letting out a breath, I ran my hand over my hair and looked out the window. This was gonna be a long ass night.
How I managed it, I don’t know, but I managed to get through the night without a) dragging Maddie out of there, or b) beating the fuck out of him. I focused on what I was there to do and nothing else. It wasn’t my girl sitting there. Nope. It was just some random girl he’d picked up with smooth talking lines. That’s what I had to keep telling myself anyway. When I got back to the hotel, I waited until they went into her room and let myself into the ops room. Seeing Daniel sitting there, I started to de-mic and shit.
“Where’s Lucas?”
“His room.”
“Asleep?”
“Doubt it.”
I nodded and turned and left the room again and moved down the hall to the room next to mine. Banging on the door, I waited for him to answer it and brushed my hands together. “I’m done.”
Turning and making my way back to my room, I unlocked the door and moved to pick my bag up off the floor and started chucking everything in. I heard the door open and both Jasmine and Lucas came into the room frowning. “What happened?”
“What happened? You mean apart from the bastard pretending that he went out and brought her all her favourites? I can’t sit around and watch her with him. Anyone else and it might be a different story, but Morgan is a cocky, smug asshole who I am close to losing my patience with. Lucas, I am done. I can’t be here anymore. I will get another of my guys out here to continue, but I need to be as far away from that toxic mess as I can get.” I turned to look at Jasmine. “And Maddison? Not much better than the asshole. She knew what she was doing with me this morning. She knows she doesn’t feel for him anything like what she does for me, but she is letting the past make her decisions. That’s fine. History is about to repeat itself, only I will be in control this time. I thought I could do this. I thought I could hang around, but I just can’t.”
Jasmine frowned and moved over to me. “Please, Tim. Just give me a day. I can talk some sense into her and make her see what’s right in front of her.”
I took a deep breath and nodded. “You have until my replacement gets here. Then I am gone.”
They both nodded and left the room. I threw my bag across the room and sat on the bed. Pulling out my phone, I called Gunner. “Your passport good?”
“Yeah, boss, why?”
“Get your ass out here now.”
“On it.” He hung up and I laid back. Now my focus was on not killing the douche canoe.
Laying back on the bed, I let my thoughts drift off. After being discharged from the army - after my ‘incident’, as some referred to it - I got my band of misfits together and started my company. Never in a million years did I think that would bring me to the other side of the world. Running my hands over my face, I let out a breath. I couldn’t get her off my mind, and wouldn’t be able to no matter how hard I tried. I had to try, though, if I was about to leave her again. Would she even care? I shook my head and pushed myself to sit up. I couldn’t think of that or I would never get on that plane.
Hearing a knock at my door, I glared at the thing and ignored it. I wasn’t in the mood to deal with anyone right now. There was another knock followed by an impatient sigh then another knock before whoever was on the other s
ide started banging hard on it. Pushing myself up, I moved to the door and ripped it open. “What?” I snapped. Morgan stood there glaring at me. I raised a brow in order to repeat my question.
“We are leaving first thing in the morning. Maddie wants to drive to Tamworth before we go to the Hunter Valley.” I saluted and went to close the door, but his foot was in the way.
“Something else, your highness?”
“Are you gonna act like a spoilt brat who’s lost your favourite toy the whole time?”
I narrowed my eyes and tried to fight back the urge to beat the shit out of him, I gripped the door harder. “Nope. As soon as my backup gets here, I’m gone.”
A flash of surprise crossed his face before he steeled his expression. “What about your contract?”
“It only says I have to provide someone for you. It doesn’t say that it has to be me. I think given the circumstances, we can agree that I’m probably not the best person to be doing this job. Conflict of interest and all.” Morgan stepped back and looked at me in curiosity, so I spoke again. “It’s hard to protect someone you want something bad to happen too.”
Morgan snorted. “Noted.”
I watched as he turned his back to me and walked away. I stepped back to close the door and saw Daniel watching me.
“Morgan isn’t a bad guy, ya know,” said Daniel.
“He has the girl I love. He could be the Pope and we’d still be having this conversation.” I replied.
Daniel held up his hands and gave me a grin before disappearing. I shook my head and closed my door again, only this time, I put myself on the other side of it. Heading for the stairs, I took them two at a time. I needed to clear my head. I needed to get out of here.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Maddie
We got back to the hotel and Morgan and I went back to my room. As soon as the door closed behind me, he pressed my back against it and pressed his lips against mine. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I pressed my chest against his and kissed him with a deep passion. Morgan’s hands found my hips and pulled them against his. I groaned against his lips. I moved my hands down to his waist and slid my hands up under his shirt, my fingers trailing over his skin. It was his turn to groan.
When Morgan pulled back to look at me with lust filled eyes, my lips curled into a grin. Before either of us could talk, there was a banging on my room door. I groaned and pushed him back a little, pressing my lips against his. “Hold that thought.” I turned and opened the door as he slid his arm around my waist and pulled me against him.
Opening the door, I came face to face with Jasmine, and damn, did she looked pissed. “Uh, babe?” I turned to look at Morgan. “Can you please give us a minute?” He frowned and nodded before he kissed my cheek and slipped past me. I opened the door wider. Jasmine came storming in and turned to glare at me some more. “To what do I owe this visit? I would say it was a pleasant surprise, but I feel like you are about to chew me out about something.…”
She closed her eyes and I saw her fist clench. “What the hell is wrong with you, Maddison?” I frowned and she held her hand up to me and continued. “You know what, don’t answer that. How the hell could you be such a clueless twat? You are so much smarter than this. I heard what happened, and I couldn’t believe we were talking about the same person.”
“Wait, before you keep yelling at me, can you tell me what the fuck I’ve done? And cool it with the name calling, Thundercunt.” I thought that would get a smile out of her, but she glared at me. I sighed and moved to sit in a chair and motioned my hand for her to continue.
“Don’t even try and get cute with me, Lee. You are wearing the dress he brought you, the shoes, and the fucking Tiffany and Co. bracelet you have always dreamt about and you are still all over another guy.”
I raised my brow at her and sat up a little. “What?”
Jasmine just snorted and rolled her eyes. “Oh, please. You don’t think Mr. Ego brought you all that do you? You’re blonde, but I didn’t think you were stupid. Tim brought you all of it. I know because he called me and asked for your sizes.”
I sat back in the chair and looked down at the floor. “I thought it was Morgan…”
“No, it was Tim.” I just nodded and chewed on my lip. The thought that it was Tim hadn’t even occurred to me, but it wasn’t hard to believe.
“What’s going on with you, Maddie?” I lifted my shoulders in a shrug and let them fall.
“You know he is leaving, right?” She continued. My heart sank and I leant forward, resting my elbows on my knees, my face buried in my hands. This is what I wanted, right? Then why did it hurt so damn bad? “What do I do, Jas?”
Jasmine sighed and moved over to kneel in front of me. “Only you know the answer to that, Maddie, but you really need to think about what you are giving up if you let Tim walk away.”
“But what if I let Morgan walk away?”
Jasmine rested her hand on my knee. “Honey... he isn’t your what if. He is the fun story you tell about when your life changed. I know you, Maddie. I know what you aren’t saying, so out with it.”
I looked up at Jasmine and thought about her words and what was going through my head. Morgan IS my what if. Tim is my what could have been. Didn’t I owe it to Morgan to see if this could turn into something more? I could see myself falling for him. I closed my eyes. He was a great guy, but… “He isn’t mine, Jas. I have to let him go.”
“Who?” She raised a brow. I shook my head and stood up. Crossing the room, I walked to the door and opened it. Standing in front of both of their doors, I looked between the two of them. I turned my head to look over my shoulder at Jasmine, who had her arms crossed over her chest, leaning against the door. Jasmine nodded at me and I moved to knock on Tim’s door. As I did, another door opened. Jesus Christ. Does everyone need to be in on this?
Daniel stepped into the hall. “You won’t find him. He left.” For the second time, my heart sank. I whipped around to Jasmine. “You said he was leaving. Not left!”
“I thought he was waiting!” I turned to look back at Daniel. “How long?!” I asked.
“He only just left.” I didn’t wait for anything else. Running to the elevator, I called it to our floor with the push of a button. Getting in when it finally arrived, I closed the doors and hit the ground floor button. Please, let him still be there. Please. When it finally got to the bottom, I stepped out and looked around the lobby for any sign of him. I moved quickly across the floor and outside onto the street. Looking up and down and still not seeing him, I turned to go and ask reception if they had seen him when I saw him coming from the stairs. I let out a sigh of relief and rushed over to him.
Tim looked up at me in surprise. “Maddie? Are you okay?”
I swallowed the lump in my throat and moved my hands to his cheeks. “Please don’t leave me again. I know what I am doing isn’t fair on either of you, and I don’t expect this has been easy to watch, but someone made me open my eyes and see the big picture. I am always going to choose you. Please, please don’t leave me again. If you can’t give me everything then tell me now. I am not putting my heart back on the line for you to break it again.”
Tim sighed and pulled me closer. “Maddie, if I had my way then I never would have left or you would have known I was coming back for you. When I didn’t hear anything, I thought that was you telling me it was over. It’s always been you, Snowflake. No one else will ever get me like you do. I am as hooked now as I was back then.”
Without another word, Tim kissed me. It was slow at first then built in passion. It was the kind of kiss I had been hoping for. It told me more than his words did… He was and still is my person.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Ghost
Seeing Maddie come toward the door I had just walked out of made my heart fly out of my chest. What was she doing here? Wasn’t she supposed to be with Morgan right now? When she cupped my cheeks and told me if I couldn’t give her everything then to tell her now, I pull
ed her close to me. How could she think that? I would give her the world if I could. Dropping my head and pressing my lips against hers, I let my emotions take over and hopefully give her the answer she needed with that, rather than the words I was having trouble with. My problem with Maddie was, she turned me into a bumbling idiot who couldn’t string a sentence together. Pulling back to look down at her, I gave her the smile that she loved so much.
“Can I go for my walk now, Snowflake?” She shoved me hard and I chuckled and pulled her back to me. Dropping my head, I pressed my lips to her neck.
“I’m sorry I didn’t thank you for my bracelet. I had no idea you would remember.”
“I told you there wasn’t a thing about you that I didn’t remember.” She nodded softly and I pulled back again to look down at her. “I thought the engraving would have given that away…” I told her.
“What engraving?” I moved my hand to the wrist she was still wearing the bracelet on and turned the heart over, showing her what I’d had engraved. ‘Always and forever ~ T’. I pressed my lips to her wrist and let it go again as I wrapped her back in my arms.
“I am such an idiot. I didn’t even think.” I looked down and saw the frown on her face.
“Hey, that’s my Snowflake you’re talking about. I know she is anything but an idiot. Maybe next time I will make sure to put a card with it though.” She shoved me again and I couldn’t help but laugh. I tucked her into my side and kissed her temple as I walked up to the elevator. If I had her in my arms, I wouldn’t think about where I was.
Reaching our floor, I moved towards our rooms. When she stopped in front of Morgan’s door, Maddie looked up at me and I kissed her softly before giving her a nod.
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