“Oh, wow,” Madi stated enthusiastically as the car stopped out front of the steps.
Brett seconded that as he came to her side, the driver grabbing their bags from the back.
They stopped in front of two massive mahogany wood doors as Brett used the key. When they came inside, Brett smiled at Madi’s obvious approval. This home was perfect; he saw right away why Linc and Val had fallen in love with it. It was open, lavish, and felt like home. He’d have to send them a gift to thank them, maybe some tickets to an event or a fancy dinner—something nice.
When Patro dropped their luggage, Brett shook his hand, planting a large tip into his palm as he did so. Patro tipped his fedora to them and left, telling them to call if they needed him. Brett had his business card in his pocket.
Madi smiled again and looked at him as if he’d given her the world. He’d do it a thousand times over to get her to gaze at him as she was doing so at that moment. She moved toward him then and wrapped her arms around his neck. Much to his absolute shock, she planted her lips softly on his. The contact jarred him. This wasn’t the first time Madison had kissed him on the lips, not the first time she’d pecked them. Hell, she’d freaking made out with him prior to now, years ago when they were teenagers; but this time felt different. Perhaps it was wishful thinking on his part or perhaps he just felt more hopeful now that Hunter was gone—as horrifying as that might be. But either way, the touch of her soft, sweet lips on his had him yearning. When she pulled back, he fought everything within himself not to grab her and kiss her like he really wanted to.
“Thank you. I don’t deserve you.” She studied the lips she’d just kissed, and Brett stifled a moan.
Damn, this was gonna be tough. And tomorrow was gonna be tougher; he knew how good his best friend looked in a bikini and he’d end up with a raging boner the entire time. He was gonna need tape. And alcohol. And to take an ice-cold shower he realized as she walked into the foyer and squealed in delight, leaving him to push down the discomfort in his pants.
CHAPTER FOUR
Brett awoke the next morning with a start. It was bright as hell in his room. After rubbing his eyes, he grinned as he heard the sound of the waves lapping against the shore. Seagulls and pelicans called overhead, and a dolphin leaped in the waters as he stood and walked toward the open balcony. It was a beautiful day on the Yucatan Peninsula, sunny and warm. A beautiful day for a run, chilling on the beach, and snorkeling. Maybe they could go swim with the dolphins or stingrays or something. There were some shipwrecks and reefs not far from here; maybe he could call and make a reservation for them to scuba-dive. They both had their licenses. There was also a hot nightclub he’d heard about, but then again Madi’s melancholy might need to wait for that.
He stretched and checked his watch. Nine AM, he needed to get downstairs and work out. He brushed his teeth, dressed quickly, and moved downstairs, observing that the coffee pot was already going, either from Madi or it was automatic, he wasn’t sure. He poured himself some into a mug then moved to the fridge and smiled as he saw it was stocked with everything a person could possibly need. He grabbed out the almond milk and rummaged through the pantry, finding a giant container of protein powder, and began mixing his shake. He took in the turquoise waters, so clear and enchanting, through the wall of glass in front of him. How could Linc and Val ever leave this place? It was breathtaking.
Once his shake was mixed, he swigged some as he moved to the back of the house where the workout area was and was surprised to see Madi running on one of the treadmills already; he’d assumed she was still sleeping. He felt his heart ache as he watched her red face crumpling. Dammit, she was crying, tears streaming her face as her pace accelerated. He took another swig of his shake and opened the glass door, letting it close behind him as he entered. Madi’s sniffling and sobs drowned out the music she’d turned on but she didn’t slow her pace. Brett became concerned, afraid her emotions were going to cause her to lose her concentration and fall.
“Madi, I think—” he stopped, coming to her side even as she ignored him, looking ahead as if he wasn’t even there. His hand covered hers and he looked up into her face. “Mad. You should stop.”
She shook her head, vehemently.
“Yeah, how about we—” Again, he stopped and sat his shake down in the cup holder. And he was grateful he did because her foot shifted and she started to teeter. Brett shuffled quickly behind her and grabbed her as she fell and bounced up and into his arms. They both fell backwards onto the floor, Brett hitting his ass hard. He winced even as Madi cried out, grabbing her bare thigh which was burned from the skid on the treadmill and bleeding. Brett stood with her cradled in his arms and moved over to the treadmill, slamming down the stop button, before he turned and carried her out the door. She was sobbing into his collarbone as her arms wrapped around his neck, probably a combination of her emotions and the embarrassment she felt.
Brett sat her down on the couch, mindful of her leg as he moved into the pantry and grabbed the bottle of peroxide and gauze he’d seen there while searching for protein powder. One thing about athletes, they always had medical
