Take A Chance On Me (24 page)

Finally, he gave her a slight nod. “I guess we need to talk now.”

She felt a burst of triumph. “Yes, I think that’s best.”

“All right then.” He took her hand and turned to Gracie and Charlie. He motioned toward the door. “We’ll be back.”

Charlie gave them a salute and slid his arm around Gracie’s waist. “Let’s go find a booth.”

Mitch led her toward the bright red front door, weaving through the crowd while saying hello to people Maddie had never seen. He pushed outside, and she was blasted by a gust of warm, humid air.

He paused, scanning the parking lot, which was littered with patrons relegated to smoking outside by Illinois law. Off in the distance, a woman squealed, laughing as a man swung her up over his shoulder and started off toward a flatbed truck.

Mitch tugged her to the side of the building. They strolled past the parking lot and onto the grass, in the direction of an abandoned picnic table. Millions of stars littered the sky, and a momentary pang of loss made her chest go tight.

In Chicago, she could hardly see the stars. Right now, with the tequila buzzing through her veins, she didn’t think she could live without this view every night.

They climbed onto the benches and sat down on the worn wooden table, their bodies close. He always felt so warm and strong against her. His jean-clad thigh pressed against her bare skin as they stared out into the trees. She wanted to reach out and touch him, stroke her hand over his leg, but didn’t.

Ten minutes passed. Maybe they both wanted to prolong the inevitable start of a conversation neither was ready to have but could no longer avoid.

“I’m sorry,” Mitch finally said, surprising her. “The last thing I want to do is shut you out.”

She chanced a glance in his direction. “Then why do you?”

“I’m not used to letting anyone in.” He placed his elbows down on his knees. “I’m not used to anyone caring.”

She searched out the Big Dipper, remembering the first night they’d lain down by the river, a ritual they’d repeated many days and nights since. “Your mom cares.”

He looked at her with an unreadable expression. “Our relationship is strained at best.”

“But she wants to change that.” Maddie saw the way Charlotte watched Mitch when she thought no one was looking. The longing and pain was unmistakable. “She just doesn’t know how to change things.”

He shook his head, a wry smile forming on his perfect mouth. “I’m jealous.”

She frowned. “Of what?”

“Of you.”

She shook her head. “Why in God’s name would you be jealous of me?”

“Hell, Maddie, how long have you known her?” He turned away and looked out into the distance. “Anyone looking from the outside would think you were her kid, not me.”

Ah, it was clicking into place now: his bad moods, his hostility toward Charlotte. Maddie put her head on his shoulder. “She wants that with you, but you’re so cold she doesn’t know how to break through the layer of ice.”

“The Rileys aren’t big on emotional scenes,” Mitch said flatly.

“It doesn’t have to be one. You don’t have to get all gooey. Start by not slamming the door in her face the next time she tries to talk. Or answer her next question like she’s not a telemarketer.”

He didn’t respond.

Maddie placed a palm over his thigh. “She talks about you all the time, you know.”

His muscles bunched. “You’re saying that so I’m nicer to her.”

She raised her head, and when he refused to look at her, she placed a finger on the side of his jaw and forced him to meet her eyes. “I know about Mr. Snugglebottoms.”

His eyes widened, and in the glow of the moon and lights lining the perimeter of the parking lot, he blushed.

It was so unexpected, so completely adorable, that Maddie rushed headlong into a realization that left her stunned.

She was in love with him.

It was no gentle breeze of understanding. No whisper in her heart. It was a freight train barreling toward her with unstoppable force. The knowledge was so scary, so overwhelming, that she had no idea what to do, so she leaned forward and kissed him.

The second their lips touched, it was an inferno threatening to consume them both. His fingers curled around her neck, his thumb tilting her chin to allow him better access. She clutched at his shirt as he devoured her mouth, taking control and threatening to drive her out of her mind with desire.

The temptation to slip under his spell was strong, but they had to stop talking with sex. As crazy as it sounded, the knowledge that she loved him gave her the strength to pull away.

She brushed a finger over his lips. “We need to face reality soon.”

“I know.” It was a harsh, ragged whisper.

“I haven’t forgiven myself for what I said to Sophie. You are so much more than that to me.”

He met her gaze and his expression was hard. “But you’re still leaving.”

She blew out a deep breath and said softly, “Every morning, I wake up and ask myself if today is the day. And every day, the answer is no.”

“I’m not sure how much longer that’s going to be enough.” He pulled away from the intimacy of their embrace and sat forward with his elbows on his knees, and clasped his hands in front of him. “I don’t want to live in limbo anymore, Maddie.”

“I know. What do you want me to do?”

He shook his head. “No. I’m not going to decide for you. I won’t.”

She bit the inside of her cheek. Old habits died hard. As much as she hated it, sometimes it was so much easier to let someone else make her decisions for her. “You were the last thing I expected to run into on that night. Even when I went home with you, I never thought it would turn this complicated. But I’m twenty-eight and I’ve never been on my own. Never had my own apartment. I’ve never lived my own life. Everything has been taken care of for me: my house, my job. Everything.”

A flash of emotion crossed over his face like a summer storm cloud, passing as quickly as it had come. “And what makes you think I’d stand in your way?”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

His fingers gripped her jaw. “You’re more yourself with me than you’ve ever been with anyone.”

She blinked. He was right. It was why she loved him. But could she stand on her own? “Maybe.”

“Yes.” He released his hold, his hand falling back to rest on her thigh.

“I can’t keep drifting along.” The more she talked, the more she knew her words to be true. “I need a purpose beyond being someone else’s daughter, sister, or girlfriend.”

“I only want you to be Maddie.”

“That’s what I want too.”

“Then we have the same goal.”

Realizing she’d been diverted from the subject, she nudged him with an elbow. “Hey, how’d we start talking about me? We were supposed to be talking about you.”

“I’m a law—” He broke off suddenly, not finishing the sentence, his mouth etching back into that hard line.

“You’re a lawyer,” she finished for him. “That’s what you need to be doing, not running some bar you hate.”

“I can’t. Not anymore.” The words were flat and toneless.

She wasn’t going to be able to budge him on the subject, at least not yet. A plan percolated in her mind, but she wasn’t quite ready yet. She took a deep breath and broached his family situation instead. “How was the call with your dad?”

He shrugged. “Short. I told him I wasn’t going to let my mom pay. He blustered. I handed the phone to her. He didn’t call for me, he called for her.”

“What did your mom say?” she asked.

Mitch jumped off the picnic table and started to stalk back and forth across the grass. “It’s a stupid plan. He should know better.”

Maddie agreed. The chances were good it wouldn’t work. “Your mom thinks this is her chance to make things right for you.”

His long legs ate up the ground as he circled like a caged lion. “Bullshit. She wants to save
him
.”

“She wants to save
you
.”

He shook his head. “She’s always been a sucker for him. No matter what story she’s selling now.”

Maddie shrugged. “I can’t say I blame her.”

Mitch whipped around to face her. “Why do you say that?”

“She says you’re a lot alike.”

“I’m nothing like him.” Hands clenched into fists.

“As I said, we’ve been talking a lot. She told me who he was before he got caught up in the power of politics, who he was when she first met him. I think you’re more alike than you think.”

“I’d never screw over people like he does.” Anger emanated from Mitch, aggression in the set of his legs and arms. He was ready to attack.

She raised one brow. “Are you sure about that?”

He reared back as though she’d struck him. “How could you think that?”

“You’ve said yourself you weren’t a very nice person. Have you ever thought about what would have happened if you hadn’t lost your career?” She straightened her shoulders and looked him straight in the eye. “You didn’t have the best track record. You walked a shady line. You were sleeping with another man’s wife. Destroying evidence. Who knows what you would have become if the whole house of cards had never fallen around you?”

He stopped walking as though snapped by an invisible leash. With his expression transforming into a thundercloud, he crossed his arms over his chest. “So what are you trying to say, Maddie?”

He needed some cold, hard truth. Tough love, as her dad used to say. “Have you ever thought that losing your career and reputation was the best thing that ever happened to you? Maybe the tragedy wasn’t that everything went to hell, but that you never picked up the pieces and put them back together again.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

The following evening, Mitch sat in his back office at the bar, contemplating the chaos of his life. Maddie’s words had struck a chord last night, and now he couldn’t stop thinking about them. Was she right?

Before he’d lost his respectability, he’d been tearing up the partner track, defending rich, oily assholes more guilty than innocent. He hadn’t cared about screwing anyone over, hadn’t thought twice about sleeping with another man’s wife. Was it really a stretch to assume he’d have followed in his father’s footsteps?

The truth rocked his foundation.

Late last night, after Maddie had fallen asleep, he’d realized something. This whole time, some part of him had secretly pined for his old life. He hadn’t put down roots here in Revival because deep down he’d believed he didn’t belong. He belonged back in Chicago, living a life he’d someday reclaim.

But that was a lie. He
didn’t
want to go back. The man he’d been was a distant memory belonging to someone else, not him.

In the quiet peace of his farmhouse, he’d finally shrugged off the past and allowed himself to wonder whether his future was as black and white as he’d thought. It was time he did some good in the world instead of sitting on his ass in a bar he hated, living off his trust fund.

It was time to man up.

A soft knock sounded, and Mitch pinched the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger. “Come in.”

Maddie walked into the dreary, rundown room like a ray of sunshine, beaming a megawatt smile.

“I hope you don’t mind me stopping by.” She carried a box he recognized and put it on the desk in front of him.

He stared at the white cardboard box containing all of the pertinent details of Luke’s case. “What’s that doing here?”

With her cheeks flushed and her eyes a bit glassy, she didn’t say anything. She’d been at home when he’d left for the bar, and as far as he knew she hadn’t been hitting the margaritas again.

He raised one brow in a question.

Her pink tongue darted out to wet her full lower lip and his cock stirred. One finger traced the line of the box as she walked around the desk. Her hips were a seductive sway in a little white flip skirt he’d never seen before. It matched the short-sleeved button-down that managed to look both innocent and drop-dead sexy in a combination only Maddie could pull off.

Her green eyes gleamed with something predatory.

Suddenly, the urge to flip her over the desk and take her swept over him so strongly and powerfully that his hand twitched on the pen he’d been absently holding.

He pushed back from his desk and gave her a slow, thorough once-over. “You look like a woman with something on her mind.”

“Oh, I am,” she purred, in a voice he’d never heard before.

“And what would that be?”

The only answer he received was a slow smile filled with such lascivious promise that his cock went from stirring to rock hard. She stopped between him and the desk, standing before him with her legs slightly splayed, looking like a warrior princess despite her petite stature. She picked up both of his wrists and put them on the arms of his chair, her fine-boned fingers looking small and fragile against his skin.

The need to take control of the situation spiked hard and furious, racing through his blood and making his heart kick up a notch, but he reined it in. He was too curious about what she intended to put an end to her game.

She leaned over, not touching him except for her hold on his arms, and licked at his bottom lip. The simple touch was like a lightning bolt straight to his balls, and he curled his fingers around the edge of the chair arms to keep from throwing her onto his desk. She traced the seam of his lips with her tongue. Then, slowly and confidently, she melded her mouth over his. A low groan escaped when her tongue slipped inside to caress his.

It was like no kiss he’d ever experienced before. Slow. Deep. Almost dreamlike. She weaved a spell around him until he forgot everything but the drugging sensation of her mouth.

That was, until a cold metal cuff clicked onto his wrist.

He jerked back, tugging, only to find that she’d somehow managed to lock the other end to the chair. “What the hell?”

She straightened, looking oh so pleased. “Now I’ve got you right where I want you.”

He made a grab for her, but she jumped back, sliding onto the desk and out of his grasp. Although he could reach her, he wasn’t able straighten enough to get a good hold on her. He said in his most deadly voice, “I hope you have the key, little girl.”

She batted her lashes, slipped a hand into her bra, and extracted a key. “I’ve got it right here.”

What was she up to? He narrowed his eyes. “You know, once I get free, I’m going to turn you over this desk and paddle that ass until you can’t sit for a week.”

“Sounds like quite a punishment,” she said, not sounding scared at all.

The little vixen.

Despite his position, he wanted her like wildfire and his cock pressed insistently against the zipper of his jeans. “What are you planning?”

“I thought we could play a little game.” She ran her hands up her legs, stopping at the hem of her skirt. “You know, I’m not wearing any panties.”

He stifled a groan. “I don’t believe you.”

She laughed and flipped the edge of the skirt up, flashing bare skin before smoothing the hem back down. There was no trace of the shy, guilt-ridden woman he’d met in his bar that first night.

He levered up off the chair, only to sit back down when the whole chair jerked with him. These were no play cuffs. “Where’d you get these?”

“Charlie lent them to me. He had a spare set.”

“I’m going to kill him,” he said darkly. Was that why she’d gone to see him?

“He mentioned that.” She reached for the buttons on her top and slowly popped each one, exposing her flesh, inch by torturous inch. “I want something.”

“Anything,” he answered.

“Anything?” Her tone was so sly the hair rose on the nape of his neck. She pulled forward the cardboard box. “I want you to take Luke’s case.”

So that’s what this was about? He met her gaze. “I’m not going to take it.” Not until he had his life straightened out.

She parted the draping fabric of her blouse and traced a path over the white lace of her bra. “Are you sure?”

He stared transfixed at her breasts spilling over the demi cups, but managed to croak out, “Yes.”

With trembling fingers, she ran her hands along the edge of her bra before stroking over silk-covered nipples.

He ground his teeth and kept quiet.

She circled the hard peaks over and over, her breath catching. “Why?”

“Because despite his troubles, he’s a good kid and deserves a lawyer who’s not on the verge of getting disbarred.”

“Mary Beth thinks you’re perfect.” She played with the front clasp of the bra, running one finger up and down until he wanted to rip it off her. But he couldn’t, because she’d cuffed him to a fucking chair.

“Plenty of qualified attorneys can handle it.”

“Sam told me you’re the one.”

He closed his eyes, shaking his head. He could not believe this. “What, is he your psychic advisor now?”

“I was informed he doesn’t care for that word.” Her fingers played over the swells of her breasts, taunting him.

Though dangerous and edgy, he managed to keep his voice controlled. “I’ll find Luke someone and pay for it. Will that make you happy?”

The clasp popped. “No. That will not make me happy.”

“It will have to do.”

“We’ll see about that.” She peeled the cups off her breasts and rested her hands on the desk. Pink-tipped nipples begged for his mouth. “I asked Tommy and Mary Beth about the case.”

That confirmed his suspicions about her trip to the garage.

She thrust her chest out, arching her back. “You’re acting like he’s up for murder, not teenage delinquency. I think you can handle it before any concrete action would even be taken against you.”

She was probably right. Not that he’d tell her. She didn’t understand. He didn’t want to get a taste of the law again only to have it ripped away. “I don’t want to take the chance.”

“On him, or on yourself?”

Before he could retort with something scathing, she straightened and ran her thumbs over her nipples.

His argument fragmented. He remembered their first night together, when she’d been so hesitant to touch herself.

There was no hesitation now.

He had to get out of these cuffs. Using the only weapon he had available, he started to talk. “You’ll need a lot more pressure to get yourself off, Princess.”

“You don’t think I know how to give myself an orgasm?” she shot back, still playing gently over her nipples.

“I hadn’t realized you needed to since I came along.”

“I haven’t.” She licked her lips. “But I still know how.”

“You might know how to give yourself a nice come, but you need the bite of a little pain to really get you going.” His gaze flicked to her breasts. “Pinch them for me.”

Her lids drifted closed, and she squeezed the hard buds between her thumbs and forefingers, head tilting.

Jesus Christ. His cock pulsed, and his breathing increased as he watched her. “That’s it. Harder.”

She followed instructions well, moaning as she increased the pressure of her hold.

He growled low in his throat like some feral beast. “Don’t stop, but reach down and flip up your skirt.”

She raised her head and gave him a smile so carnal that he wondered if it was possible to rip off the arms of the chair and get free. Her hands fell away from her breasts to once again rest on the desk. “I will, as soon as you agree to finish the case.”

Stunned, all he could do was blink at her.

She sucked in a breath. “I’m prepared to do this all night.”

“Are you sexually blackmailing me?”

She laughed, a low husky sound from deep in her throat. “What was your first clue, Counselor?”

Hazy lust clouded her green eyes, but so did conviction. Perseverance. The quiet fortitude had only gained in strength since the night she’d cried her heart out down by the river.

“It’s against my better judgment,” he said, through clenched teeth.

She shrugged one shoulder. “I don’t care about that right now. I just want you to agree.” She slid one hand up her skirt, making sure to keep herself hidden. She was a damn tease. Her head fell back as she stroked, keeping what he wanted out of sight. He knew what all that smooth flesh felt like.

Hot. Wet. Silky smooth.

Her chest rose and fell in an increasingly rapid rhythm, and he gripped the arms of the chair so tightly that he was surprised the wood didn’t shatter. “When I get out of this, I’m going to bend you over that desk.”

“Yes, I want it,” she said.

“Then let me go.”

Her skirt fell farther up her thighs, giving him a glimpse of her fingers circling over her clit. The whole room was permeated with sex and desire.

“If you keep going that fast you’re going to come.” Her hips lifted and the white fabric fell away, no longer obstructing his view. “Jesus, Maddie. Open your legs wider.”

She complied, one hand behind her as she braced herself on the desk.

“Slip those fingers inside.”

“Tell me you’ll take the case.” Her voice took on a needy, desperate quality. If he were inside her, he’d either go harder or stop, depending on his mood and hers.

He needed inside. Now.

“Please, Mitch.”

“Fine,” he said harshly.

Fingers slipped into her core. “Do you promise?”

“Yes.” He needed to feel the way her tight muscles clenched around his cock, milking him. “Take off the cuffs.”

She moved fast, grabbing the key and sliding off the desk as though she was scared he’d change his mind. She fumbled as she tried to work the key into the lock, telling him how nervous she’d been.

He waited with the stillness of a predator, knowing not to jump and scare his prey. The second he was free, he grabbed her wrists, twisting them behind her back and catching them both in one hand. “You are in so much trouble.”

She trembled, her nipples peaking at his words. “I don’t care. It was worth it.”

He took her mouth, a hard, brutal melding. She rocked into him, helpless to do anything but squirm against his onslaught.

With his free hand, he pinched her nipple, pulling and squeezing as he rolled the hard tip. He dragged his mouth away, roaming down her neck, licking over the pulse pounding at her throat, scraping his teeth over her sensitive flesh.

And then he broke.

He couldn’t stand it one more second. He released her hands, whipped her around, and pushed her flat over the desk. He flipped her skirt over her hips and smacked her naked ass. Once. Twice. Three times.

Color bloomed pink over the round cheeks. She let out a scream that had to permeate the paper-thin walls. He kicked her legs apart and reached between her legs.

Soaking wet, his fingers glided over her. He rubbed her clit until she moaned and thrust her hips back. He snapped his fingers over the flesh, and she let out another strangled cry. “Oh, God, yes.”

Jesus, she was made for him.

She bucked under his touch. “Again, please do that again.”

“Some punishment this is turning out to be.” He delivered a series of rapid beats as she went wild under him. At the first swell of her orgasm under his fingers, he backed off.

Unzipping his pants, he freed his aching cock, bent at the knees, and drove hard and high inside her.

She clutched at the desk, nails scraping along the worn wood as her red hair fanned out over her back. “Mitch, please.”

He gripped her hips and impaled his cock so deep that he kissed the tip of her womb.