Tempting the Best Man - By J. Lynn Page 0,33
“No harm. No foul.”
Madison was having a hard time processing what he was saying. How long had she waited to hear him admit that he cared for her, wanted her, and this…this was added onto the end, like a disclaimer of doom?
An ache opened up in her chest.
He cupped the nape of her neck, tilting her head back. He placed a kiss under her chin, the gesture so sweet and gentle tears filled her eyes.
Because the gesture really meant nothing.
“Say something, Maddie.” He let go, moving back onto his haunches.
She wasn’t sure if she could say anything. A lump had formed in her throat, and it was quickly moving up. Her insides felt bruised, and when she spoke, her voice was hoarse. “So…so that’s the magical fix? We have sex to get it out of our systems?”
“I wouldn’t call it a magical fix,” he said, head cocked to the side. “But it’s something, right?”
It was something, all right, and no matter how badly she wanted him, it wasn’t enough. And God, did that sting like a bitch? No, it was worse than a sting. It was like being cut wide open.
“Wow,” she murmured finally, somewhat dumbfounded. “That’s such a romantic proposition, how could I refuse?”
His lips formed a tight line. “You don’t need to be a smartass about it.”
She laughed, but it was brittle sound. “How am I supposed to be, Chase?”
Standing straight, he took a step back and shook his head. “Maddie—”
“Let me get this straight,” she said, coming to her feet. Her legs shook. Her one free hand trembled as she crossed the distance between them and stopped. “You’re worried about disrespecting Mitch by being with me and you don’t want to treat me like your dad treated your mom, but somehow, in your head, sleeping with me to get it out of your system is less offensive?”
Chase opened his mouth, but nothing came out. Maybe he realized his mistake, but it didn’t matter. It was too late.
Heart breaking into a million stupid little pieces, she smiled tightly. “And even if in some messed-up parallel universe where that would be okay to my brother and you, I wouldn’t ever be okay with that.”
And then she did something she had never done in her life.
Madison smacked him across the cheek.
Chapter Eight
Well, that hadn’t gone as planned. Not that Chase really had a plan. Over an hour later, his cheek was still stinging like hell and the bathroom door she had slammed shut in his face was still ringing in his ears.
God, he’d mucked everything up in the worst kind of way.
As he had sat on the couch, wondering how in the hell he could fix this, he’d heard the water running in the bathroom and knew she wasn’t showering again. Maddie was too proud.
She’d turned the water on to mask her tears.
Damn it. The last thing Chase wanted to do was hurt her and damn if he hadn’t. He felt like the worst kind of son of a bitch.
Finally, she had emerged from the bathroom, eyes puffy but face clear as she stalked past him, dressed in another pretty little dress that matched the green flecks in her eyes, and left the cabin without saying a word, her spine unnaturally stiff.
He’d tried to stop her, like he’d gone to the bathroom door several times over, but he’d said nothing, because really, what could he say now? How could he fix this? He should’ve just kept his damn mouth shut and let it go.
By the time he stood from the couch and changed into a pair of dark slacks and a light dress shirt for the formal dinner, he was already running a few minutes late.
Most everyone had arrived to the dining hall in the main lodge by the time Chase finally trudged in. Mitch and Lissa sat at the head of the table, side by side, holding hands. And then on either side of them were their parents, followed by the… God damn, the bridal party.
Maddie sat, one leg primly crossed over the other, hands folded in her lap, and spine still straight. The seat beside her was empty.
The seating was assigned.
Squaring his shoulders, he headed to his seat, nodding in response to various greetings.
Maddie didn’t look at him, didn’t say a word.
He glanced at her from the corner of his eye. Her jaw was tight, lips pressed into a small line.
Across from him, Chad stood with a glass of wine in his hand. “Now that we’re all here,