Clearing my throat, I lean back into my chair and smile. “Ms. Stark, we’re here to talk about you, not me.”
“I would much rather talk about you,” she replies. “I’ve been seeing you for a couple of months, and I know nothing about you.”
“I’m your therapist, and that’s all you need to know,” I bluntly reply.
“But—” she counters, but I cut her off.
“Your time is up for today. If you’d like to make another appointment, please see Ms. Vale on your way out.”
My response is lacking tact, but quite frankly, I couldn’t give a damn. She’s the third woman this week to hit on me, and yes, I would once have encouraged this behavior, but now, it just makes me sick. Thankfully, she gets the message loud and clear and leaves without a single word.
“Hello, Dr. Mathews,” Madison says as she ducks her head around my door.
The moment I see her, my shitty morning seems like a distant nightmare. I jump up from my leather chair and eagerly greet her with my lips as I shut the door behind her. Pressing her up against the wood, I devour her mouth, and my body hums in pleasure as she returns my affection just as passionately.
Madison and I have been taking things slow, but I’m grateful they’re moving at all. After Boston, we have been seeing one another exclusively, which suits me just fine, as there is no one I want other than her.
After much persuasion, I convinced Madison to see a psychologist, and although it’s early days, I can see a vast improvement in her behavior. I meant what I said, I have complete faith in her, and in us, and no matter what obstacles are thrown our way, I’m ready to fight them.
Madison breathlessly pulls away while I groan low in my throat. I want this woman with every inch of my body, but I won’t push. Yes, Madison has made substantial progress, but physically, she’s still stuck in the past—a past which involves her asshole brother defiling her in unspeakable ways. I clench my jaw, thinking about what he did to her, but I rein in my temper because that’s what supportive boyfriends do.
“So, I just came by to say hi,” she says, her beautiful smile lighting up the room.
“Well, hello,” I reply, nuzzling her neck, her smell driving me wild.
She giggles, turning into my embrace. “What time is your next appointment?”
“Appointment? I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I playfully reply, drawing on her neck in a long, wet pull.
She gasps under my lips. “Dixon.”
I sigh, pulling away with a pout. “Fine, you win. For now,” I add with a wink.
She laughs once again, and I smile, loving how carefree she’s become. “We still on for tonight?” she nervously asks, and once again, I restrain my seething temper.
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
Tonight is the engagement party of her stepsister and brother. It is also the night I meet her mother, Rachel, and her stepfather, Sebastian. Like I mentioned, we’ve been taking things slow, but this is a big step for Madison, and I’m going to try my hardest to not make a scene when I meet her brother. Visions of me beating him to death with his own limbs have been playing on a loop in my head since she invited me, but I will do everything in my power to remain calm, because I can only imagine how Madison feels.
She hasn’t said much about her stepsister, but from what she has shared, it’s safe to assume there would be no tears shed if she contracted an incurable disease and dropped dead tomorrow.
I need to be strong for Madison because I don’t know how she’ll react to seeing Dylan. She mentioned she hasn’t seen her brother in over a year, so tonight will test her mental and physical strength. It sure as shit is going to test mine.
I know she’s made progress, but dealing with what that bastard did to her is going to be an ongoing battle for her. All I can do is provide her the unconditional love and support she deserves, and show her that nothing will ever change my feelings toward her.
“Thank you,” she says, nervously tugging on her lip. “I don’t think I could do this without you.”
“Yes, you could,” I affirm, brushing her cheek with my thumb. “You’re capable of anything you set your mind to.”
“Anything?”
I nod. “Anything. I mean, you entrapped me, didn’t you?” I say with a laugh when she playfully slaps my shoulder.
“I think the feeling was mutual,” she replies with a dimpled smile.
“It was more than mutual,” I say, my voice lowering when I remember the first time we kissed.
“Dixon,” she says, her cheeks flushing.
“Madison,” I playfully counter, wrapping my arms around her waist and drawing her close. “I’ll pick you up at seven?”
“Sounds like a plan,” she replies, her breath hitching when I lean forward and kiss her cheek.
“Okay, well, I’ll see you then.” I unhappily pull away, not wanting to ever let her go.
“Can’t wait,” she whispers. “I’ll see you tonight.”
She gives me a quick peck on the lips, and leaves me staring at her perfect ass as she exits my office, wondering how a son of a bitch like me ended up with someone as incredible as her.
“Are you sure we can’t skip this gathering and have our own gathering at my place?” I ask, nuzzling into Madison’s exposed neck as we ride the elevator to the twenty-second floor.
“I…wish,” she gasps as I nip her collarbone. “But I’ve told my mother we’re coming and she really—” she giggles as I tongue her ear “—wants to meet you.” I sigh against her neck. “We’ll stay for an hour, tops.”
“If we must,” I reply, pulling away, my eyes dropping to her amazing breasts, which are pushed up to the high heavens in the gorgeous red strapless dress she’s wearing.
“We must, although if you keep looking at me like that, I don’t know if we’ll make it out of this elevator anytime soon,” she says, her smoky eyes doing an appraisal of my sharp Armani suit.
Just as I’m about to pounce on her offer, the elevator dings, indicating we have reached our floor. I feel Madison tense up, and my heart breaks at what she’s currently going through. My brave girl is taking her first step toward freedom, and I’m with her every step of the way.
“Ready?” I ask, reaching for her hand and interlacing her fingers through mine.
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” she replies, squeezing my fingers and giving me a nervous smile.
“I promise I won’t leave your side,” I say, meaning every word.
“Thank you,” she replies, and we take our first step toward the unknown.
The foyer of the ballroom where this engagement party is being held is quite stunning. This would have cost Sebastian a small fortune, no doubt, but from what Madison has shared with me about his daughter, Beth doesn’t settle for anything but the best. Quite frankly, she sounds like a spoiled little bitch, but I’ve got bigger fish to fry—like Madison’s lowlife, son-of-a-bitch brother.
“Everything okay?” Madison whispers as we make our way toward the entrance.
“Never better,” I lie, my jaw clenching.
“Well, do you think I could have my hand back?”
Looking down, I see her fingers are squished under my firm grip, and I instantly loosen my hold. “I’m sorry, angelo,” I say, lifting her fingers and kissing them gently. “I’m taking my promise of never leaving your side a little too literally,” I add, while she bursts out laughing.
“Madison?”
Both Madison and I spin around to see a stunning woman in a navy gown approaching us quickly. Her green eyes, heart-shaped face and gentle smile gives her away. This lady is no doubt Madison’s mother.
“Hi, Mom,” Madison says, letting go of my hand and rushing over to her.
They tenderly embrace, and I watch, happy that Madison’s excitement to see her mom is reciprocated.
“Sweetheart, you look beautiful,” her mother says, pulling out of their embrace and holding her at arm’s length. “I’ve missed you so much.”
“Mom, it’s only been a month,” Madison replies, embarrassed.