Page 60 of Made
He shrugs, looking sheepish. This huge man can be so confident and dominant one minute and look like a nervous boythe next. “Really?” he asks. “Because looking at you now, I feel like an asshole. I should have brought you diamonds.”
I lean up to kiss him. “This means more to me than diamonds ever could. This represents where we began. Will you put it on for me?”
“Are you sure? You don’t have to wear it tonight if it doesn’t go with your dress.”
“It’s perfect.”
I spin around, and the touch of his fingers brushing my skin is intoxicating, sending shivers down my spine. He drops a soft kiss onto my bare shoulder, and if not for Katy being in the room, I wouldn’t have minded getting out of this dress right away. She’s grinning when I turn back to her, and Maddox disappears off to use the bathroom before we leave.
She admires the necklace and wraps me up in a hug. “You know how I always say you could do better?”
I nod, feeling euphoric and free.
“Well, I take it back. This time, I don’t think youcoulddo better. He is so right for you, Ellie. Seeing you two together is almost enough to make me want one of those for myself.”
“Sorry, my friend, there’s only one Maddox James.”
“Any cousins?” she asks speculatively. “Secret brothers who aren’t loved up?”
I laugh at her silliness, and she leaves the apartment at the same time as us, heading off for a drink with Josh. There’s a car waiting for me and Maddox outside, and I’m secretly relieved. I have my sneakers on right now, my heels in a bag, just in case we decided to walk. It’s another warm night and there’s a severe risk that if I overheat, my makeup will melt off. I would turn up looking like the Joker, and nobody wants that.
He holds my hand for the entire ride to the theater where the event is taking place, and neither of us can stop smiling. “You happy, baby?” he asks.
“I couldn’t be happier,” I tell him truthfully.
Once we arrive, both of us are busy. I have work to do, people to meet, and he has family duties. We reluctantly say our temporary goodbyes, but not before he leans down and whispers to me, “I hope you’re not too attached to that dress, Ellie. Because later on, I’m going to rip it off you and fuck you until you’re lying in a puddle of cum and screaming my name.”
After dropping that bombshell into my panties, he disappeared, a picture of sophistication in his vintage tux, into a crowd of smartly dressed people sipping wine and munching on canapés. I was left gaping, hot and bothered in ways that did not go with the civilized event. I shook my head and went off to find the guests I needed to talk to.
I help to organize media passes and assist the TV crew that’s in attendance, hoping to get some soundbites from the celebs we’ve invited. I’m super excited to see a couple of players from the Yankees.
The real stars of the evening for me, though, are two siblings from Brooklyn, Laurence and Michelle. They were orphaned at the age of three and four and spent years bouncing around the foster system. Michelle is dyslexic, and Laurence had behavioral issues that made him a tough proposition. It’s only when they came into contact with Be Your Best Self that things started to turn around for them, and now Laurence is doing well in high school, and Michelle is starting at Brown next year. They’re great young people, a little nervous being the center of attention, but I seem to put them at ease as we chat about everything and nothing. I spend a lot of time with them, making sure they’re totally comfortable with being interviewed by the press and having their photos taken. I love the fact that my work allows me to make a difference,—not just to Jamestech’s profits and public image, but in ways like this.
Maddox and I cross paths at various stages during the night, and he’s always affectionate, always attentive, but also always respectful of the fact that I need to work. In short, he is the perfect date, and after one brief encounter where he brings me a glass of champagne and gives me a luscious kiss on the neck, I simply stand in awe of him. I can’t get the stupid grin off my face.
How did I get so lucky?
The goddesses must have been smiling down on me when I applied for this job. It didn’t just boost my career; it changed everything in my life. I finger the pretty necklace he got me, which means more than diamonds or pearls ever could. My heart is so full I feel like I could cry with happiness.
Distracted, I don’t initially notice the sniggering behind me. And when I do, I don’t automatically assume it has anything to do with me. I’m not that paranoid. Eventually though, I can’t ignore it any longer.
I turn around and take in the small gaggle of women. There are three of them, and it’s easy to see who the queen bee is—the sneer on her face is as outing as if she had ‘Mean Girl’ stamped on her forehead. Tall, beautiful, impossibly skinny, with bright red lipstick and sharp cheekbones. She looks like she hasn’t touched a carb for decades.
If that’s true, then no wonder she’s sneering. A life without bread will do that to you.
They’re looking at me knowingly, with the kind of expressions that make you wonder if you have spinach in your teeth or toilet paper on your shoe. The ringleader gives me a tiny finger wave, and I have a moment of doubt. Should I know them?
“Hi,” I say brightly, walking towards them. “Have we met? I’m Ellie Madison.”
Queen Bee smirks, fluttering her eyelashes. “Laura Boswick. Iloveyour necklace. Thrift stores are so quaint, aren’t they?”
My fingers wrap around the pendant. “Thanks. Actually, my boyfriend gave this to me.”
“Really?” she replies, holding her hands to her heart as though she’s upset for me. “Your boyfriend is Maddox James, and all he gives you isthat? You must have been so disappointed.”
So, she knows who my boyfriend is, but obviously doesn’tknowhim if she thinks this gift is disappointing to me.
“Not at all. It has sentimental value. And besides, diamonds are kind of…over, don’t you think?”
