Taken by Storm (Give & Take) - By Kelli Maine Page 0,46

him. “I’m trying so hard not to kill you right now,” she said.

The lethal tone of her voice made MJ cringe a little.

“Are we going to stand out here all afternoon, or can we go back to the hotel?” Beck asked. “I’m starving.” He tossed Maddie’s suitcase in the golf cart and got behind the wheel. “Bus is leaving. If you want a ride, get in. If not, you’re walking back.”

Rachael climbed in the front passenger’s seat and left MJ and Maddie to hop in the back. She folded her arms and angled her knees away from him.

As the cart bumped down the path, he couldn’t help watching her from the corner of his eyes. He could sense her excitement in the way her fingers tapped against the seat beside him and from the way she darted her eyes from side to side. Her breath came in short bursts and she smiled despite her anger.

“It’s beautiful,” she said, gazing around at the lilies and water. “I can’t wait to see the hotel.”

“It’s great,” MJ said, then looked down and coughed.

“I wasn’t talking to you,” she said, but she relaxed against the seat and shifted her body, not toward him, but at least not away either. “It smells good, like flowers and warm grass,” she said, turning to look at him. “Like back at the lake.” Her eyes widened. He was surprised how easily she fell back into talking about their past. Apparently, it surprised her, too.

“It does smell like back at the lake.” He wanted this ease with Maddie. He’d missed it. He’d missed her, for so, so long.

She smiled, and her eyes glassed over. She blinked a few times and turned away. He wondered if she was crying. He wanted to tell her he was sorry for treating her the way he had.

Maddie dared a sideways glance and met his eyes. They held for a long moment, then she looked away. “Why didn’t you tell me you were leaving to come here?” she whispered.

“I just…” He didn’t know what to say. Instead, he rested his hand on her thigh and squeezed gently.

Maddie sucked her lips in, and a tear slipped down her cheek as she lowered her head to his shoulder. He took a careful breath and held it, not wanting to break the trance they were in—the bubble of Turtle Tear where they could pretend nothing had ever come between them. Gingerly, he lowered his cheek against her hair and felt its soft, silkiness press against his face.

She was shaking and even though he didn’t know what the future held for them, he put his arm around her shoulders. “Don’t cry,” he whispered.

What did he tell Rachael about chances?

He had no willpower when it came to Maddie. He had to have her back. No other man could have her. She was his and always had been.

As they reached the hotel, the aroma of grilled steak and chicken filled the air. MJ’s stomach growled, making Maddie laugh. “It smells incredible,” she said, brushing her fingers under her eyes. He could barely tell she’d shed a tear.

The four of them left the cart under the awning and made their way across the lawn to the hotel. “Wow.” Maddie’s eyes wandered, taking in the exposed beams, tile roof and mosaic patio.

“Pretty nice, huh?” His hand brushed against hers, and he fought the urge to grasp her fingers and thread his own between them. His mind couldn’t keep up with the constant push and pull of their relationship, and his heart just wanted to give in.

“I’ll send someone out to bring your suitcase in,” Rachael told Maddie. “Sit down and relax. I’ll bring you a drink.”

“Is that Maddie?” Heidi jumped up and scurried over to them, embracing Maddie in a quick hug. “I haven’t seen you for such a long time. How’ve you been?”

Maddie beamed. Heidi had been like an older sister to her when they were growing up. Whenever Maddie wasn’t with MJ, he knew he’d find her with Heidi. “Good! How are you? Look how the kids have grown!”

MJ’s grandfather had always made sure his cousins came to visit when he was away at school. Maddie got to know them, but he never did.

He stood there while they chatted, wondering if he should sit down or wait for them to finish their catch-up session. Rachael and Beck went inside. Maybe he’d go in, too, and help get drinks.

One step toward the door and Maddie caught his arm, breaking off her