Chapter 11

Michelle

I don’t belong at this fancy restaurant, and my only comfort is that Maddox doesn’t fit in either.

Not when he is wearing sweatpants and a hoodie-the only thing he had with him to the game. The rest of his stuff is in the back of his car.

I eye his chest, and even though his muscles are hidden behind the fabric and some cheesy slogan from our college, they are still visible. Firm and snug. Maddox is in peak condition. 1

My cheeks turn molten when his eyes catch me looking, and I stare at the floor instead. We finish our drinks in silence. There is no sign of our food, and the atmosphere is thick

Awkward.

Tense.

“They usually aren’t this slow,” Maddox comments. “Maybe they burned our food or something.”

“I bet it would still taste good even if they burnt it. I’ve never eaten at a classy dinner before. The chefs here could probably serve me dog shit, and I would still like it.” Maddox chokes on his drink and laughs tears. “Did prim and proper Michelle just say the word “dog shit” in a sentence?”

Did I?

Oh.

I did.

I shyly smile at him. “I’m not good at handling alcohol.”

He pushes his drink towards me. “If I had known alcohol could unwind you, I would have bought you a drink long ago. Here, have mine too.”

“Are you trying to get me drunk?” “Maybe?” I narrow my eyes at him and blush. “You’re a terrible influence. Please don’t try to inspire me to become an alcoholic.”

“You don‘t have to drink. That’s not why I brought you here.” “You don’t want me to drink?”

Warm blue eyes move over me. “No. I want you to eat with me.”

I go still and let my eyes roam his face. Maddox tilts his head as if trying to read whatever is in my expression. Whatever he sees has his features warming up around the edges.

“Are you afraid of eating

“No.” I’m lying

salt. But I’m already in over my head. He disarmed me when he kissed me, and now I’m sitting here like a toothless

me gentleness and sly humor are dangerous. I’m eating from his hands, but I know I can’t get used to it

suspiciously flirtatious. He persuades and cajoles. He could probably charm a manager-seeking Karen at the supermarket into admitting she was

“Then just enjoy the food and don’t overthink,” Maddox says and shrugs a massive shoulder. Ah, there it

I say in a low

too deep. He asks me weird stuff, like my favorite color and what kind of flower

my dessert, Maddox throws

seems to slow down, and it feels like someone has placed a heavy

have any other friends to talk with. “They

you’re fine with

this guy just ask whatever he wants and

Probably.

king of

for money even though I’m a poor college student. I have a scholarship, and rent

do you pay

don’t like the questions, but… I’m trying to give Maddox a chance to get to know me, Call

I’m searching for a new one, “I blush when I catch myself sounding like a beggar.

I understand you better now. Your parents. Did they mistreat you or something? Is that why you’re

Mistreat me?

hit me a couple of times, but my real fear comes from when Thomas raped me.

I wake up

“Yeah, that’s probably why I’m so timid

to work on your self-confidence.” I snort. Maddox Daniels said “we” as if we are on the same team or as if we are friends. It’s endearing, but the big guy doesn’t look amused when he catches me laughing and smiling

His nostrils flare. “What?”

bite back a smile. “It’s

“Yes?” He drawls.

talking. “I sometimes can’t tell whether you like us hanging out or if you hate it. Now you’re wearing a

but whatever I said changes the demeanor on Maddox’s face. The flare

wouldn’t hang out with you if you were a bad company,” his eyes rake me up and down, merciless, yet not as cold as usual. “You’re weird and

smile. “You think

of secrets… Like, what is your favorite hobby? And for the love of God, don’t say

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