Beautiful Redemption (The Maddox Brothers #2)(35)
Author: Jamie McGuire

“I don’t have to. I’ve been watching you all morning. First, you hide in here, and Maddox runs in after you. Then, your ex shows up, and Maddox is up here, yelling at everyone like he used to.” She waggled her eyebrows. “He’s got it bad.”

I looked away. “I just broke Jackson’s heart—again. What the hell was I thinking? I knew something had happened to Thomas. Hell, you told me on day one he’d been burned. Marks is right.”

Val stiffened. “What did Marks say?”

“That I should stay away from Thomas. That I couldn’t commit to Jackson, and it’s likely that I can’t commit to anyone else.”

Val made a face. “You’re lying. He isn’t that much of a brazen dick.”

“He is when it comes to me. And to clarify, yes, I was paraphrasing.”

“Then, those are your fears talking. But if you like Maddox, Liis, don’t let a failed relationship govern your next one. Just because you didn’t love Jackson doesn’t mean you can’t love Maddox.”

“He still loves her,” I said, not trying to hide the wounded tone in my voice.

“Camille? She was the one who got away, Liis. He’ll probably always love her.”

A sick feeling came over me, and I curled my shoulders inward, feeling actual physical pain seeping all the way into my bones.

We haven’t known each other for that long. Why do I have such strong feelings for him?

I couldn’t ask that though. It made me too vulnerable, made me feel too weak.

I spoke aloud the only question I could, “Do you think he can love two people?”

“Can you love one?” she snapped back.

I shook my head, touching my fingers to my lips.

Val had no sympathy in her eyes. “You’re really kind of bringing this on yourself. Be with him or not. But Marks is right. Don’t fuck with Maddox’s emotions. I realize you told him once that you’re emotionally unavailable, but you’re behaving differently.”

“Because I like him. I think I more than like him. But I don’t want to.”

“Then, be straight with him, and don’t give him mixed signals.”

“It’s hard not to when that’s all I’ve got going on here,” I said, motioning to the space between my head and heart.

She shook her head. “I understand that, but you’re going to have to make a decision and stick with it, or you’ll just look like a bitch.”

I sighed. “I don’t have time for this. I have a job to do.”

“Then, get your shit straight, and do it.” Val stood up and left my office without another word.

I sat at my desk, my hands folded, as I glared down at them. She was right. Marks was right. Jackson was right. Not only was I in no position to experiment with my commitment phobia, but also, Thomas was definitely not the guy to try it with.

I stood and made my way to Constance’s desk. Unsure if I was breathless or just nervous, I asked to see Special Agent Maddox.

“He’s in his office,” Constance said without checking her earpiece. “Go right in.”

“Thank you,” I said, breezing past her.

“Hey,” Thomas said, standing and smiling the moment he recognized who was barging in.

“I can’t…do this. The date. I’m sorry.”

Thomas’s guard instantly flew up, and I hated myself for it.

“Did you change your mind about Jackson?” he asked.

“No! No…I’m…not sure I feel any different about relationships than I did when I left Chicago, and I don’t think it’s fair to you to try.”

Thomas’s shoulders relaxed. “That’s it? That’s your spiel?”

“Huh?”

“Unless you can look me in the eye right now and tell me you didn’t like it when I kissed you this morning, I’m not buying it.”

“I…you…” That wasn’t the response I’d expected. “You’ve had your heart broken. I just broke someone’s heart.”

Thomas shrugged. “He wasn’t right for you.”

He walked around his desk and toward me. I took several slow small steps backward until my backside was touching the massive conference table.

Thomas leaned in, just inches from my face.

I recoiled. “We have an assignment next week, sir. We should probably focus on a game plan.”

He closed his eyes and inhaled through his nose. “Please stop calling me sir.”

“Why does it bother you so much now?”

“It doesn’t bother me.” He shook his head, scanning over my face with such longing I couldn’t move. “Our assignment is to pose as a couple.”

His minty breath was warm on my cheek. The need to turn and feel his mouth on mine was so urgent that my chest ached.

“Since when did you start calling me sir again?”

I looked up at him. “Since now. The attraction is obvious, but—”

“That’s an understatement. Do you have any idea how hard it is for me to see you walking around the office in a skirt, knowing you never wear panties?”

I puffed out a breath. “There is something between us. I’m aware. We slept together less than twenty minutes after we’d met, for Christ’s sake. But I’m trying to do you a favor. Do you hear me? I want this to be very clear. I like you…a lot. I admit it. But I suck at relationships. More importantly, I don’t want you to get hurt again. And…neither do your friends.”

Thomas smirked. “You’ve been talking to Marks, haven’t you?”

“I’m also trying to spare us the squad-room theatrics that we both know will come if this doesn’t work out.”

“Are you saying I’m dramatic?”

“Temperamental,” I clarified. “And I can’t follow through. We were doomed from the start.”

“You stayed with Jackson for how many years after you had known you didn’t want to marry him?”

“Too many,” I said, ashamed.

Thomas watched me for a moment, analyzing me. I hated that feeling. The power and control that came with being on the other side was much more preferable.

“You’re scared,” he said. His words were gentle, understanding.

“Aren’t you?” I asked, looking up, straight into his beautiful hazel eyes.

He bent down and kissed the corner of my mouth, lingering there for a while, savoring it. “What are you scared of?” he whispered, cupping my elbows.