“Okay, fine. He’s hot, but marginally so.” Melanie arches her eyebrow at me and I know I’ve won.
We walk out of Macy’s, no purchases in hand and I’m really struggling with what to get him. As we’re walking down the overly crammed walkway of the mall, I’m instantly drawn to the pretzel stand at the side. Buttery, doughy goodness? Yes, please!
After handing the cashier my money, I lean back on the counter and wait for my drink and pretzel nuggets. I catch Melanie staring across the way, and following her persistent gaze, my stomach drops when I see Reid in the jewelry store.
Grabbing onto her, I nearly rip Melanie’s arm out of the socket. “Is that . . . is he . . . he’s not buying . . .” I can’t even get a full sentence out.
Melanie’s face is laced with surprise as she turns to face me. “I don’t know, Maddy. Do you want me to go talk to him?”
“I don’t know! What are you going to say? Don’t tell him I’m here! Oh God!” Melanie laughs at my overly dramatic reaction.
“Oh, just calm down, would you! I’ll just say I saw him and thought maybe he could use some help. Okay?” She runs her hands down my arms to try and calm me down. It doesn’t work.
Slinking down into one of the chairs the pretzel booth has set up, I prop my bag up in front of me to try and disguise myself. All I really manage to do is feel like an idiot. I’m sure I look like an idiot too.
Watching from behind my stupid bag like a moron, I watch Melanie and Reid chatting animatedly. She points at something and Reid points at another.
When Reid turns away to pay the clerk, Melanie looks over to me and stifles a laugh. She holds her hands out in front of her and mouths the words “it’s huge.”
My heart plummets. She didn’t let him buy what I think he just bought, did she?
Now, I sound like a fool even in my own head.
As Melanie walks back over to me, I see Reid walk the other way. Standing up from behind my post, I nearly yell at her as she approaches. “What the hell, Melanie? What did you just do? Please tell me you didn’t—” She cuts me off before I can continue my frenzy.
“Oh, just shut up.” She quips as she grabs her bag and mine from the table. Saying nothing else, she just walks away from me.
Chasing after her like the fool that I am, I call out, “What did he buy me? Where are you going? Melanie!” The last shrill outcry forces her to turn around. It also garners a few awkward stares from some shoppers.
“Oh.My.God. I am not telling you what he bought you.” She crosses her arms over her chest and snickers at me. “But, believe me, you’ll love it.” When her lips curl up into the goofiest grin, I want to slap it off her face.
Pulling me to her side, she smiles, “I think we’re going to have to do better than flannel PJs though.”
That thought makes my stomach drop yet again.
Bonus Scene #6
Deleted Scene from Let Love Stay
“What about this one?” I hold a random carton of ice cream in front of me. Picking out an ice cream flavor should not be this difficult.
Leave it to Maddy though.
Holding the pint of Ben and Jerry’s, she’s actually reading the label. “Maddy! Does it really matter? It’s chocolate. It’s peanut butter. What else could you want? Let’s just get this one.” I wrap my arms around her waist and nuzzle into her neck. I know what’ll get her ass in gear. “The sooner we get home,” I lick her neck to emphasize my point, “the sooner we can start the movie. And the sooner we start the movie, well, then,” one more lick just to bring the point home, “the sooner we can get distracted by other things.” I shove certain “other things” into her fine, tight ass just to continue emphasizing my point.
Damn! Now I want to get out of here for entirely different reasons.
I feel her melt against me and I know I’ve won.
“Hmmm,” is the only response of which she’s capable.
The superhero fanatic in me fist pumps in the air. I have been dying to see the new Batman movie since it came out on DVD, but well, even when you put Batman up against hot sex with your girl, well, sex always wins.
Walking hand in hand to the cashier, Maddy stares up at me dreamily. “I know what we could do instead of watching one of your silly ‘boy movies.’” She arches an eyebrow at me and I know exactly what she means. She’s not getting off that easily. Well, I mean she will, eventually. But, dammit, I’m watching my movie first.
I pull her to my side as we walk away from the cashier. “Oh, no you don’t! The last time we rented this DVD, you won.”
She huffs a sigh at me. “What the heck is that supposed to mean, ‘I won?’” Her words are shocked, but playfully so. She knows exactly what I mean.
As we walk up to the car, I open the door for her and lean into her neck once again. “You know exactly what I mean. Now, if you let me watch my movie first,” I lick a seductive path from her neck up to her jawline and hover above her lips. When I’ve rendered her speechless, I move my lips to speak at they flutter on top of her. “Well, if you let me watch this first, then you’ll win over and over and over again.”
Her responding groan is all I need to hear to know I’ve won. Boy movie night it is. Not to be overshadowed by “the hottest sex of your life” sex night either.
In true Maddy fashion, she passed out on my lap less than thirty minutes into the movie. That works out perfectly for me actually. I got to watch the movie, and now, I get to carry a drowsy Maddy up to her room and, well, you know.
She barely stirs as I move to pick her up, but by the time I’m halfway up the stairs, she finally wakes up.
“Did I miss the movie?” she asks sleepily while pressing her lips against my neck.
“You sure did, sweetheart. But don’t worry, we can watch it again tomorrow night.” My response is met with a playful swat to the ass.
I didn’t even realize her hand was back there!
As I drop her onto the bed, she looks up at me lustfully. Oh, hell! Two can play at that game. I feign a yawn and plop down next to her. “I’m beat, Maddy. Let’s go to sleep.” Trying my best to hide my smile, I turn on my side and curl away from her.
I can hear her harrumph and fidget on the bed. Before I can say or do anything, she’s pinching me on the side, tickling the shit out of me. Oh it’s on now!
With lightning quick reflexes, I turn over to her and wrap my legs around hers, essentially pinning her in place. “So that’s how you want to play it, huh?” I pull her arms above her head and encircle both of her tiny wrists in one of my hands.
Her eyes dilate and I can see how hard she has to work to swallow past her desire. Just when I have her where I want her, I reach for her breast with my other hand.
Hovering above her supple flesh, I wink at her and then change tactics quickly. Pinching and tickling at her sides and underarms has her squirming beneath me in seconds.
“Reid . . . stop . . . please . . . that tickles . . .” Her words trail off into a fit of hysterical laughter.
When she’s out of breath, I press my lips softly to hers and stare into her deep green eyes. “Love you, babe.”
“I love you, too, Reid. Now, can we finally go to sleep?” She arches her hips up into mine on the word “sleep” and I know “sleep” is the last thing either one of us have planned.
Bonus Scene #7
This character interview was done for the Let Love Stay Blog tour with Lisa Jones at True Story Book Blog.
I’m very excited to get to meet Reid and Maddy from Let Love In/Let Love Stay. I heart them big time–they’re like a life size Barbie and Ken doll. I arrive at the local coffee shop where we decided to meet, and walk in to find them already seated at a small bistro table near the back. Perfect, nice and quiet so I can pick their brains without being disturbed.
They rise to greet me shaking my hand. They’re both so warm and friendly and couldn’t look any happier. Gives me butterflies! They’re soooo cute!
Lisa: “Well, I know you
both are very busy, so if you don’t mind, I guess we’ll jump right in.”
Reid: “Sounds good to us.”
Maddy looks over to me smiling and nodding in agreement.
Lisa: “So, Reid, what do you think Shane would think about Maddy?”
Reid looks over and smiles warmly at Maddy.
Reid: “He’d love her. Hell, he’d have a partner in crime with her.”
Maddy grabs his hand and lovingly squeezes. Awww . . . I give them both a warm smile.
Lisa: “Personally, I thought your old car was pretty sweet. Do you miss your mustang?”
Reid: “Hell, yeah, that car was awesome. Had lots of good memories in that car.”
His voice is positively cocky. Maddy gives him a sideways glance and he quickly straightens in his chair.
Reid: “Um, what I meant to say is no. No, I don’t miss that car one bit.”
Nice recovery, Reid.
Lisa: “How is work going? Everything you thought it would be?”
Reid’s face splits into a mega-watt, panty-dropping smile.
Reid: “It’s freaking great. I’ve actually been meeting with this one kid lately and he reminds me so much of Shane it’s scary. I met him at a presentation we did at a local high school, and he’s been coming to The Bridge for a few weeks now. I really hope to help him out. Oh, and working with Dylan every day is great too. It’s like I got back a piece of my family when he came back.”
I think the biggest reason why that smile is panty dropping is because it’s genuine. You can hear the joy in his voice.
Lisa: “Biggest regret?”
As Reid rubs his hands nervously over his thighs, his eyes search the ceiling for an answer.
Reid: “My mom. I just wish I had more time with her.”
Maddy reaches over and places her hand over his chest, where his tattoo is inked. Looking down at Maddy’s hand, Reid instinctively reaches his up to encompass hers. It’s very touching . . . makes my little heart squeeze.
Lisa: “All right Miss. Madeleine, it’s your turn!”
She gives me a big smile.
Maddy: “I’m ready.”
Lisa: “What do you think your parents would think about Reid?”
Maddy: “I think my dad would have hated him at first!”
Reid swats her on the arm jokingly.
Reid: “Hey! I’m not that bad, am I?”
Maddy: “No, silly! I just mean that when we first met, you were pretty much every father’s worst nightmare. Now, well, now you’re a dream come true.”
She speaks the truth!
Lisa: “Can you imagine your life without Momma and Mel?”
Maddy: “Not one bit. I don’t know what ever made me think they weren’t my family. Momma stops over a few times a week to visit Braden. She loves that little boy like he’s her own. She makes me miss my mom just a little bit less.”
Aww . . .
Lisa: “Do you still have plans to go back to college?”
Maddy: “Absolutely. I signed up for night classes as soon as I moved back home. It was a difficult decision to leave Mel and the girls back at Ithaca, but things have a funny way of working out.”
Lisa: “Good for you! What’s your biggest regret?”
Maddy: “Pushing Reid away in the hospital.”
Reid drapes his arm around Maddy’s shoulder and kisses the top of her head. Placing her hand on his knee, she squeezes gently and continues.
Maddy: “I should know better than anyone that people react to things in their own way. It wasn’t fair, but at the time it was a defense mechanism, I guess. But it brought him closure with his mom and we made it work in the end, so I guess I can’t regret it too much.”
Lisa: “As long as it worked out, that’s what matters. All right, now it’s time for both of you at the same time—what are your favorite five things about the other—physical and non-physical” ;-)
Maddy: “Hmmm, non-physical, let’s see: he’s smart and caring. He cooks, because Lord knows I can’t. He’s an amazing dad and he makes me laugh. Physical, ehhh, I guess he’s okay.”
They both laugh but then Maddy flushes and her cheeks turn pink. She’s so cute.
Maddy: “I’ll keep it PG-13 and say—his hands, his lips, his arms, his eyes and his tattoos.”
Lisa: “Hmm . . . good answers!”
Reid’s eyes rake over Maddy’s body from head to toe.
Reid: “Yeah, there’s only one thing I can come up with physically.”
A shocked look flits across Maddy’s face as she hits him on the chest.
Maddy: “Only one?”
Reid: “Yep, just one. EVERYTHING!”
He has a huge shit-eating grin as he kisses the tip of her nose and she smiles brightly back at him.
Reid: “And non-physical, yeah, I’m going to say EVERYTHING again.”
Maddy: “See, I told you he was smart!”
I didn’t think it was possible for Maddy to smile any bigger than she already was.
Lisa: “What’s your biggest pet peeve?”
Maddy: “When other girls hit on him. I mean, I’m right there, with his kid no less. I mean come on!”
Reid tries to stifle his laughter, but when a chuckle slips out, Maddy crosses her arms across her chest.
Reid: “Sorry about that, babe. I can’t help it if they all want me.”
Maddy shrugs her shoulders, and allows Reid to pull her into his side in an embrace.
Maddy: “Whatever. I get to bring you home at night. They can look all they want.”
Tapping his finger to his bottom lip, Reid looks like he’s thinking carefully about his response.
Reid: “I would have to say my biggest pet peeve is blind hatred. It brings me back to all of the things that Shane and Dylan, and too many other people have gone through. There’s no reason to hate someone over who they love.”
Lisa: “Very insightful, Reid. I have to agree with Maddy; you are pretty smart. You’ve had an ‘unconventional’ relationship from the start. Was there an ‘ah-ha’ moment when you ‘knew’ that this was the only person for you or was it gradual?”
They both look at each other and answer at the same time.
Maddy: “Gradual.”
Reid: “Instantly.”
Maddy gapes over at him with a “you have got to be kidding me” face.
Maddy: “Seriously? You were all douche-tastic in the beginning!”
Reid’s face sobers a bit and he sits up straighter in his seat.
Reid: “Yeah, I’m not proud of that. But it was because I knew right away you were different. I’m not too macho to say it scared me and I acted like an ass.”
Lisa: “Well, at least you can admit that now. And speaking of admitting–re-do time! The night at the hospital, what would each of you have done differently?”
Reid: “I never would have walked out.”
Maddy: “I never would have pushed him away.”
Lisa: “Alright, I’ve been too serious–kinky question time! :-P Have you had more fun with using the belt from Maddy’s robe?” Lol
I can’t help but giggle as I watch Maddy slink down into her chair and her face turn red. Reid sits up proudly and his lips curl into a sexy, lopsided grin. No one says anything.
Lisa: “Alright . . . maybe too kinky! We’ll move on! Where do you see yourselves in the next five years?”
Reid: “I’d like to finally buy that house I promised her. She deserves a white picket fence and all that stuff.”
Reid’s chest puffs with pride as he smiles at Maddy and she beams back at him. Gah . . . they’re just so stinkin’ cute.
Maddy: “I’m perfect where we are, but I’d like to be done with school. Maybe another kid.”
Reid smiles and pulls her close.
Lisa: “Okay, time for some word association. Give me the first thing that comes to mind. Family?”
Maddy and Reid answer at the same time: “Braden”
Aww . . . it’s cute and dorky an
d sweet and they turn to each other and share a small kiss.
Lisa: “Shane?”
Reid almost subconsciously rubs the scar on his chin.
Reid: “Pain.”
Maddy: “Dylan.”
Lisa: “Trust?”
Reid: “Maddy.”
Maddy: “Melanie.”
Looking at Reid, I say,
Lisa: “Maddy?”
Reid: “Perfect.”
I grin and nod, and turn to Maddy,
Lisa: “Reid?”
Maddy: “Happily ever after.”
I think I might get a toothache from all the cuteness and sweetness—but I still love it.
Lisa: “Love?”
Reid: “Her.”
Maddy: “Possible.”
Lisa: “Very good answers! Ya’ll are surprising me a little bit. Now for some rapid fire questions. It’s really easy, either/or, just pick one . . . fast or slow?”
Maddy: “Slow.
Reid: “Slow . . . THEN fast.”
Kinky . . . I like it! ;-)
Lisa: “Books or movies?”
Maddy: “My Kindle”
Smart Girl!
Reid: “Not chick flicks.”
Such a boy!
Lisa: “Muscle cars or jeeps?”
Maddy: “Jeep”
Reid: “Jeep. You’d be surprised how much room is in the back when you fold the seat down!”
Kinky again! Love it! :-D Maddy blushes and gives him a love tap. He kisses the top of her head as she buries her face in his shirt. She’s so cute when she is embarrassed.
Lisa: “Chocolate or vanilla?”
Maddy: “Chocolate”
Reid: “Vanilla.”
He winks and adds,
Reid: “As long as I get to keep the robe belt.”
I think the reddish-hue on Maddy’s cheeks might be permanent!
Lisa: “Hot or cold?”
Together: “HOT!”
We all share a laugh at their enthusiastic, in-unison response.
Lisa: “Go out or stay in?”
Reid: “Stay in. I love coming home to my family at the end of the day.”
The Love Series Complete Box Set Page 84