Torque by Gillian Archer (10 ebook reader txt) 📕

Maddie smirked. “Literally. You got enough of the visual so I can clean up?”

I pulled my t-shirt off and handed it to her. She laughed but still used it to wipe her body off before crawling up the bed to snuggle into my side.

“You are fucking fantastic.” I wrapped my arms around her. “And amazing and in about twenty to thirty minutes I will show you how much I appreciate that. You. Thank you.”

Maddie giggled as she burrowed her head into my side. “Thanks for being you. I had no idea how much I needed you in my life until you shoved your way in.”

“Thanks, I guess? I don’t know how to take that.”

“As a compliment. I’m crappy with words lately. I just meant that I was in love with the thought of you for so long, I’m glad that you turned out even better than I ever imagined.”

I wondered if that epiphany had to do with her fight with her friends, but I didn’t want to bring it up and kill the moment, so I just kissed the top of her head and pulled her closer. “Well you sure as hell showed me, so I get it. How about I return the favor?”

I kissed her one more time then slid down the bed when I didn’t get any objections. She still had her yoga pants on. I pulled at the waistband down her hips when the doorbell pealed.

“Son of a bitch.” I muttered, resting my forehead on her soft belly.

“Who’s here?” She whispered like they could hear her.

“Pizza. I ordered Postmates.”

“Uncle Vito’s? Tomato pesto pizza?” Her eyes gleamed.

I nodded. “And Thai chili fries.”

“Get going!” She all but pushed me out of bed and I laughed.

“What? I’m not saying it compares with a Nathan delivered orgasm, but we’re not gonna turn the dude away. He has deliciousness!”

I just shook my head, pulled my pants back on, and headed for the door.

I had my orders.

Chapter Nineteen

Maddie

It’d started out as such a good day—an amazing day. I mean, I woke up in Nathan Burns’ arms for the second morning in a row. And I ignored the two sets of text messages on my phone. I wasn’t ready to talk to Sabrina or Hope yet. It might’ve been immature, but what they’d said hurt. I didn’t want their judgement or whatever to ruin my good mood.

But when I got to work and found Elaine sitting behind the main reception desk, I almost turned around and went back home. If there was one person in my life who was guaranteed to ruin my day, it was her. Instead, I decided to hide in the stacks and reshelve as much as humanly possible.

Which was where Dylan found me just before my lunch break. I was elbow deep in biographies when he snuck up behind me.

“I need to talk to you,” he whispered behind me, just inches from my ear.

My gasp and barely-suppressed shriek had everyone in the vicinity turning to look. I clutched my chest where my racing heart was straining to break free. “Do not do that!”

“Sorry.” Dylan’s lips twitched despite the serious expression in his eyes. “Forgot you were such a scaredy cat.”

“I’m not a scaredy cat. I’m just used to people with manners who understand simple things like personal space and not being a di—jerk.” Crap, being around Nathan so much was starting to affect my vocabulary. I couldn’t curse like that at work.

“Whatever. I said I’m sorry. Can we go talk now? Isn’t it lunch time for you?”

Speaking of di—jerks. What was with Dylan? He was usually gentler and nicer than this. I didn’t know who this abrupt, angry man was. But despite appearances he was my best friend. “Fine. Let me go grab my purse.”

After a few moments involving raised eyebrows and hums from Elaine, we were out the door. I knew she’d be all over me when I got back, but that was Future Maddie’s problem.

“So what’s up?” I asked as we crossed the little garden area between the library and the parking lot. “Where have you been lately?”

Dylan didn’t say anything so I turned. He was ten feet behind me next to a bench. He rubbed the back of his neck before looking up at me. “Do you mind if we just sit and talk for a minute?”

“Um, sure. No problem.” Except that I only had thirty minutes for lunch, and if I didn’t eat now, I wouldn’t be able to eat until after five. But I was a sucker for a sad face, so I joined Dylan on the bench. “What’s going on?”

Dylan sighed like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. “Shit with my brothers. What’s new?”

“Well what specifically are you guys fighting about now? It’s kinda hard to keep up,” I gently teased.

“Nathan was giving me shit yesterday about how irresponsible I’ve been lately. It’s bullshit. So I showed up late to work once.”

I raised my eyebrows but didn’t say anything.

Dylan lifted his lip in a snarl. “Fine. More than once. But you should’ve heard Nathan go off on me. Like he’s a fucking choirboy or something. I’m so glad you never hooked up with that asshat.”

“What? Why?” You know that axiom that no guys hit on you until you’re in a relationship? Apparently my version of that was no one bagged on my crush on Nathan until I’d hooked up with him in secret. My cheeks heated in a flush that nothing to do with the lovely spring day. Guilt swamped me. Dylan was my best friend. And I was crap when it came to keeping secrets. I don’t know how I’d lasted this long.

“You would’ve gotten the clap for sure. He likes to act like he’s all high and mighty—like his shit doesn’t stink—but Nathan has gotten more tail than all my brothers combined. I bet he’s a walking STD.”

Oh man. This was uncomfortable. I knew Nathan had been a player, but the past couple of