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She pushed her spoon through the reht “It’s really no surprise that I focused on a degree in English literature in college, then went on to get my master’s in library science And noork at the university library as a digital data analyst and curator I know it doesn’t sound exciting, but I really love my jobI just wish I felt the same way about other aspects of my life,” she said, so quietly he had to strain to hear her
“ButI’ an upbeat tone to her voice “I’ my father or Gavin dictate what I should do or how I should act, and that feels really good” She lifted her gaze back up to the carin on her lips “Believe it or not, I wasn’t always rebellious or stubborn or sassy But I like the new and improved meand I think you like it, too”
Yeah, he did, he thought with a smile He liked it, and her, way too much
She set her spoon in her empty bowl and rested her arms on the counter, her expression soft and beautiful and honest “I just want you to know, I have no regrets about what I did last night Not because I savedto believe that I don’t know my father all that wellbut because you, Maddux Wilder, are theadventure I’ve ever experienced, and I’m not sure I want it to end anytime soon”
That stateenuine and pure, stole his breath and wreaked havoc with Maddux’s goddaht were dead and buried and impossible to resurrect He didn’t want to care about Arabella, but he couldn’t deny that she’d cracked so The pull toward her, the growing connection, was undeniable, and it scared the fuck out of him because he didn’t do emotions, and ether Not once he let her go, and not after he devastated her father’s life
Then there would only be hatred Which hy he had to keep his distance
Chapter 14
The next , Arabella woke up in Maddux’s bed alone, and she couldn’t ignore the twist of disappointlanced over at the e the covers and his pillow still neat and orderly, she realized that he must have slept elsewhere So yes, she was bummed, but she couldn’t say she was surprised Not after the way he’d holed hinore her
Refusing to start the day being ot out of bed and headed right for the caht on He had the ability to spy on her frole in the apart her
Uncaring that her hair was a tangled mess and she probably looked completely rumpled, she put her hands on her hips and looked up at the lens “Good , Maddux,” she said cheerfully “You know, you could have slept in your own bed last night I would have behaved and kept my hands to myself, if that was your concern I swear I wouldn’t have taken advantage of you or your incredible body At least, not unless you wanted rinned cheekily
The one thing she’d learned while cooking dinner by herself and talking to Maddux via the security ca to an inaniave her a sense of freedo her words or thoughts, which hy she’d been so candid when talking about her childhood and her life in general last night Because she wanted Maddux to know the real Arabella Cole, as oals and hopes and dreams The woman with needs and desires and fantasies she wanted to explore with him She’d been truthful when she’d confessed that he was theadventure she’d ever experienced
Speaking to Maddux through the camera meant he wasn’t there in person to turn hot and cold on a di he didn’t likeor walk ahen their attraction came to a head It offered her the ability to break down his barriers, with no argument or dismissive attitude from him
“So, what is the second hardest thing in the inning of the day and be a little naughty with hi the punch line “Getting up!”
She laughed at her own joke and i at the silly pun “I know that was really cheesy, but it was off the top of my head and spur-of-the-moment and the best I could do I promise to brush up on my one-liners”
Leaving him on that note, she walked into the bathroom and shut the door, and at least she had privacy in there as she used the facilities, brushed her teeth,