“Yeah, me too.” How badly could I screw up a kid? Probably pretty badly.
“But it works out. You do your best and try to do right by everyone involved. You’re a good kid, Maddox.” He put his hand on my shoulder. “And you’d make a great father or stepfather. Trust yourself in that, but make sure before anyone’s heart gets too involved that you’re ready for it. I don’t think anyone would fault you for waiting a little while before getting too serious.”
She was my fated mate. I’d fault myself.
15
Bethany
The diner hummed with business that didn’t slow down for a second, even in such a small town. I slid into the booth with Kara. Abby had already ordered our teas. She’d texted this morning and asked if we wanted to do lunch. Of course, I’d agreed. We hadn’t had a chance to hang out since the night we’d sort of argued in the bar about how I was treating Maddox. That had been nearly two weeks ago now and a lot had happened since then.
Kara and I had gone back this morning and checked out the house I couldn’t focus on when Kyle’s parents called, and we’d decided it was a good investment. It was a friend of Kara’s who was selling it, so she’d given me first dibs on it. We’d talked about the possibilities all the way to the diner, both of us growing excited about what the property would be once we had some time with it.
When we sat down, Kara told Abby about the house, but the tension between Abby and me was pretty thick. She’d been standoffish since the scene at the bar.
“I apologized,” I blurted out when Kara ran out of things to tell Abby about the house. “To Maddox. And now we’re...” I blushed and looked down at my tea. How could I describe what Maddox and I were now?
“You’re what?” Abby’s eyes widened and she smiled at me. “Are you talking?”
Kara snorted. “They’re doin’ it.”
Abby squealed, but luckily for me, the noise of the diner drowned it out. “I’m sorry I got in the middle of it,” Abby said. “I should’ve let you two work it out and minded my own business.” She pursed her lips. “Jury kind of got onto me for butting in, and now he won’t tell me anything about you two.”
I held out my hand and she took it. “It’s okay. I get really prickly when things don’t go exactly my way. I didn’t make any of this any easier.”
Abby squeezed my hand. “So tell me! You’re doing it?”
After pulling my hand back and covering my face, I peeked out at her. “I don’t want to kiss and tell.”
That told her all she needed to know, though. More squeals from both Abby and Kara, but these didn’t go unnoticed in the busy diner. A few people nearest us gave us odd looks. I shushed my friends with tears of laughter in my eyes.
“We’re getting to know each other. And the more I learn about him, the more I like.”
“How is he with Tiffany?” Abby asked. Kara and I had already discussed it.
I sighed. “You know I’ve never had anyone around Tiffany. No guys at all. Hell, not that many friends.”
They both nodded. “Maddox stepped in like he’s known her all her life. Right now, he’s like an uncle or older brother. But it’s all too easy to imagine it blossoming into something more. Something larger.”
Abby put her head on her hands and looked at me dreamily. “That’s so sweet,” she whispered. “I knew he’d surprise you in the end.”
Kara sighed. “There’s just something about the Kingston men.”
Abby and I both nodded as we watched our food approach. Once we had our plates in front of us, Abby started telling us about something ultra-romantic Jury had done for her.
My phone beeped halfway through her story, and though I didn’t want to be rude to my friend, it was the tone that indicated Maddox was trying to get in touch with me. No way I could resist checking.
You having fun with your friends?
I smiled and typed a quick reply. I am. I’ve been neglecting them.
He didn’t reply, so I slipped my phone back in my purse. Seconds later, the back of my neck prickled. I turned to look behind me and desire slammed through me when I spotted Maddox greeting diners as he worked his way toward our table. Damn, but he wore that uniform well. Very, very well.
Kara turned to see what I was looking at. As soon as she realized Maddox was heading our way, she giggled and slid out of the booth. Abby scooted over and Kara sat beside her and dragged her plate across.
“Hello, ladies.” He greeted Abby and Kara with a nod and smile before his eyes landed on me. “Bethany.”
The way my name rolled off his tongue made my skin crawl with anticipation. I knew exactly what he was capable of doing with that mouth. And those hands. And... other parts. “Maddox,” I whispered.
He leaned over, never breaking our gaze. I lifted my face upward to maintain the eye contact, and when his lips met mine in front of the whole diner, my nipples pebbled under my bra as shivers coursed through my body. The diner went silent because of course most eyes were on Maddox. He was a police officer in uniform, which would’ve attracted attention either way, but on top of that, he was the youngest Kingston. Black Claw royalty.
Our first PDA. Wow.
And once again, I thanked the inventors of the lightly padded bra.
He straightened up with a self-satisfying and smug expression on his face, but it didn’t bother me. I felt pretty damn smug myself. I’d never felt this way about anyone else in my entire life. What was a little PDA when my emotions were so strong?
“Sit?” I asked and gestured toward the empty space in the booth beside me.
He shook his head.
