The Troublemaker Next Door (15 page)

She’d included everything Maddie had asked for and more. An appointments and scheduling page, contact listing, places for her to show off her portfolio, services and estimates, and an additional page for a link to Madison Gardner Designs, Maddie’s future design boutique.

“Oh wow.” She hugged her friend until Abby squeaked. “Thank you so much. This is terrific! When does it go live?”

“Soon as you give me some pictures for your portfolio section. You need to ask Linda if you can use the photos from the Howe house too. Those would be great because they’re recent. And a few testimonials from Linda, Robin, or Kim would work. I’d ask you to get something from Hampton’s too, but screw them.”

“Yeah, screw them.”

Maddie all of a sudden felt the pressure to succeed. Stupid, since she’d already been working for a few weeks. But the website would be global, putting herself out there for real. An office space—not her bedroom—and business cards with her website address, a new graphic design just for her, for Gardner’s…

She felt so official now. It wouldn’t be a private failure if she didn’t succeed. Everyone would know she couldn’t handle being her own boss.

It hurt to breathe.

“Whoa. What’s that panicked look?”

“Sorry,” Maddie rasped. “Just feeling the reality settle in. I can do this. I’m fine.”

“Exactly. Don’t let fear drag you down.”

Maddie huffed, her tension easing as she repeated her inner mantra.
I
can
do
this. I am not afraid.
“Funny, but I remember you freaking out when you started. It’s tough when the money’s tight.”
And
you
’
re missing Flynn.
Her conscious mind booted him right back out.
Ack. This is not about him. I can do this.

“You’ve been working for over a month.” Abby shrugged. “I’m not seeing the problem.”

“I’m not making the money I need to be self-sufficient. I can’t do it just on staging, not at this rate.”

“Do you need a loan?”

Abby barely had two dimes to rub together. “No! I don’t want your money. I want
my
money.” She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I just need to look at what I’m doing and fix problem areas.” She swallowed hard and admitted, “It’s tough, sometimes, when I’m talking to Flynn, and he’s got another job. He’s so successful. Confident and handsome and working all over the place. I’m trying not to compare myself to him.”

“Don’t. Give yourself a break. You’re just starting out. At least you were smart enough to save for your future.”

“Yeah.”
And
look
where
that
’
s gotten me. I
’
m going broke.
She wasn’t, but it felt like she was. Terrified of ever reaching the panic line she’d invisibly drawn over that account, Maddie jumped at every shadow lately. She didn’t know why, but she felt like her mother. Alone, struggling to make ends meet, underqualified for the really good work, because she no longer had the backing of a high-name firm behind her. Yet she had so many more options than her mother had ever had.

“Why do I seem to have the worst timing?” Vanessa’s drawl made the situation go from bad to worse. The queen of competent, she who ruled the land of never-makes-a-mistake.
Of
course
she’d come home early from her spinning class in time to hear Maddie confessing a bit of self-doubt.

Annoyed and wishing she’d never moved in with her stupid—perfect—cousin, Maddie growled, “Go away, Vanessa.”

“Free house. Besides, this is Abby’s office, not yours.” Vanessa wouldn’t shut up. “What the hell crawled up your ass today?” She paused, and her eyes gleamed with mirth. “You’re missing that man of yours, aren’t you? So much for hoping you’d be a new independent woman.”

“Oh, fuck off, Vanessa,” she snapped. “This isn’t about Flynn. I’m just having a bad day.”

Abby looked startled, but Vanessa didn’t flinch. She walked right into the room and sat on the floor, stretching her toned legs. “So what started this tantrum, Abby? She not getting enough action from Flynn?”

“Not now, Vanessa.” Abby glanced worriedly between them.

Furious at the thought of Vanessa insulting Flynn, who’d been nothing but nice, Maddie cut in. “Flynn has nothing to do with this.”

“Please. You’ve been pouting since he’s been gone. Your cell rings and you jump to answer it. You have it bad for the playboy.” Vanessa’s disgust came through crystal clear.

“Just because you’re one cold bitch doesn’t mean the rest of us have to be.”

Vanessa stopped stretching and looked Maddie right in the eye with an icy blue stare. “I’m a rational adult who doesn’t give up just because things are hard.
Man
up
, Maddie.” She sneered. “You have man problems. You have money problems. You’re not good enough and never will be. Wah wah wah. Join the fucking club.”

Maddie blinked. Vanessa sounded surprisingly bitter. Unfortunately, she wasn’t done. “It’s called life. Deal with it. All I know is my free time is too precious to spend it listening to you whine about how scared you are. Everyone’s scared of failing. But sometimes you have to put on your big-girl pants and step up to the plate. You want your business to succeed, talk to the right people and figure it out. But stop with all the drama. It’s giving me a headache.”

Vanessa rose from the floor, graceful as always, and stalked out of the room and upstairs. A door slammed and classic rock boomed above.

“Somebody other than you had a bad day.” Abby pushed her hair back behind her ear. “Wonder what crawled into her Nikes and died.”

Maddie didn’t know what to think.

She wiped her cheeks dry, no longer weepy. “Thanks, Abby.” She hugged her. “You’re such a good listener. But I’m not talking to Vanessa until she apologizes. You can tell her that for me.”

“Ah, sure. But I’m going to wait until tomorrow. Vanessa is on a tear, and I’m too small and cute to be crushed under one of her size elevens.”

She and Abby shared a laugh, then Maddie walked upstairs and fell into bed. For once, she didn’t dream about the future, Flynn, or her mother. And she didn’t wake up until her alarm rang at seven the next morning.

Friday morning, Maddie felt a buzz of energy she hadn’t felt in weeks. She exercised, ate a healthy breakfast involving more than a box of cereal and milk, and cleaned up after herself. Vanessa had already left for the day—good riddance—but Abby sat at her computer with a steaming cup of coffee by her side. She waved at Maddie and kept writing.

Maddie took her time in the shower, concentrating on all the positives in her life. Vanessa could be a real bitch, but she had a point. Dwelling on the negative didn’t help anything.

That afternoon, after a business meeting with Kim that really helped her put her worries into perspective, she felt more like the old Maddie, the woman who knew her worth and made damn sure others knew it as well. Kim had started from the ground up. Maddie couldn’t have asked for a better example of how to make a design business work. Readjusting her time and budget, she’d figured out how not to lose so much money on her jobs. She should have talked to Kim weeks ago, but she’d also needed to learn by experience. Now it was time to put her plan into practice. She’d be a success because she had to be.

Of all Kim’s advice, one piece she’d said had stood out, because it sounded like something Maddie’s mother had said.
“One thing to remember, Maddie. Don
’
t lose yourself in work. Because one day you
’
ll look up and see life has passed you by. It
’
s Friday. Go get laid, have a terrific meal, then get back to the grindstone on Monday. Really. What do you have to lose?”

Kim’s words wouldn’t leave her all day. She had a valid point. Hell, so did Vanessa. If Maddie didn’t believe in herself, could she ask anyone else to?

That thought in mind, she readied for her night out with Flynn. After checking herself three times in the mirror, she grabbed her bag and went downstairs to wait.

In the living room, Abby sat on the couch watching television. She muted it when she saw Maddie. Abby stared at Maddie’s blue heels, jeans, and leather jacket over a silk tank. Her sly expression promised trouble. “You look all spiffed up. Where are you going?”

“Out. With a guy, Miss Nosy.”

Abby tapped her fingers on her knee, glancing from Maddie to the discreet overnight bag sitting on the floor next to her purse “Hmm. Anyone I know?”

Maddie shrugged. Under her jacket, the deep V of her shirt shifted enough to advertise she wasn’t wearing a bra. But Abby’s attention seemed focused on Maddie’s bag.

“Let me rephrase that. Where is Flynn taking you?”

Maddie sighed. “He’s just a friend.”

“Yeah, one you’re boinking. Just tell me this. Is he hotter without his clothes on, or with?”

“Without.”

“You lucky, lucky whore.”

“Abby!”

Abby moaned and fell back on the couch. “Do you have any idea how long it’s been since I’ve seen a penis? I mean, one not on the Internet?”

“And whose fault is that? I keep telling you it’s past time you reentered the dating scene.”

“Please. You’re supposedly not even dating. A friend, my ass. You and Flynn are doing it. You like him, he likes you. You’re dating.”

Maddie inhaled and let her breath out slowly. She would not let Abby ruin her good mood. “No, we’re not. Dating implies rules, compromises, and time spent reassuring fragile male egos. Flynn and I aren’t like that. We actually have fun together.”

“Outside of the bedroom?”

In
the
club, actually.
She cleared her throat. “Yes. As a matter of fact, we had fun a few weeks ago walking around downtown. Not holding hands or making goo-goo eyes at each other.” Technically they had held hands, but Flynn had called that a leash. So it didn’t count. “Just talking and window shopping. Nothing major.”

Abby sat up and stared at her. “Guys don’t window shop. Especially not guys like Flynn McCauley. It was a date.”

“It was not.”

“So okay. What are your plans for tonight then? And that bag? That’s overnight equipment, sister.” Abby’s tone had gone from hard to teasing.

As annoyed as Maddie wanted to stay, she knew Abby just wanted the best for her. “So what? I might spend the night. Like a sleepover.” She batted her eyes. “His mom said it was okay.”

Abby laughed. “I’ll bet she did. So what’s in the bag? Whips and chains? Lube? Some toys, maybe?”

“Abigail Dunn. Where do you get your ideas?”

“Not from my own love life, that’s for sure.” Abby scowled. “Now stop avoiding the question. What’s in the bag?”

“A change of clothes and a six-pack of beer. Next?”

“Hmm. Okay. What are your plans for the night?”

Through the screen door, Maddie heard vehicles approach. Vanessa’s car pulled into the driveway. Behind her, Flynn parked his truck and opened the door. Maddie didn’t want to deal with Vanessa, so she picked up her bag and purse and turned to Abby. “Tonight I plan to give Flynn the best blow job of his life. We might see a movie, we might not. Then I’m going to spend the rest of the weekend whipping him into shape as my love slave. Any more questions?”

Silence reigned.

Abby crossed her arms over her chest and bowed her head. “You’re my idol. I can only dream of one day aspiring to give great head like you.” She lifted her chin and grinned. “We’re
so
talking when you get back. I need material for my new book. Go get your groove on, and think of me while you’re getting yours.”

“Sorry, but I won’t be thinking of you when that happens.” Maddie gave her a smart salute, turned, and left the house. She met Flynn before he could walk up the steps to the porch.

His unhurried perusal slowed over her breasts and lingered on her heels. “In case I haven’t said it already, I’m really looking forward to tonight.”

“Me too.” She didn’t pause as she passed Vanessa. They exchanged a silent but graphic communication involving fingers until Vanessa slammed into the house.

“Whoa. What was that about?”

“Never mind. Let’s not spoil the mood. Drive, Flynn. Somewhere out of the way, hmm?”

***

Three fucking weeks, an eternity spent without Maddie. Flynn had filled his days with work, his nights spent playing cards with Brody or watching TV. When he couldn’t fall asleep without thinking about her, he’d remember their time spent in his apartment, or in the closet of that club. Images of Maddie’s beautiful red hair, her breasts, and her long legs never failed to make him sweat. Then he’d remember how hot and tight she felt when he pushed inside her, how sweet she tasted when he went down on her. And he’d come in a heartbeat.

Now the woman he’d been thinking far too much about sat next to him wearing a tame enough pair of jeans, a jacket over a pretty top. But the heels… He’d fucked her in those the last time they’d been together. Did that mean what he thought it did? He’d only been half teasing about her giving him a blowjob when he’d called her earlier in the week. While a part of him—the part already hard and throbbing—wanted to feel her lips around him, his rational side didn’t want to have sex with her this time.

He’d done nothing but think about her while working, and he’d come to the conclusion that by having sex whenever they’d met, he’d perpetuated her idea that he only wanted her for one thing. The woman didn’t want a relationship, or so she’d said. But damn it all, Flynn had changed his mind. He did. With Maddie.

He’d been telling himself no sex tonight. He’d change things up, put her off her game and indulge in an honest-to-God date, with no strings attached. But those heels bothered him.

“It’s warm in here.” She fanned herself.

Before he could ask if she wanted him to roll down a window, she took off her jacket. The teal blue silk tank she wore molded to her curves. His mouth dried in seconds.

“No bra?” He tried to sound together, sophisticated. Like this happened to him all the time. But he’d never had a woman like Maddie, and the knowledge that at any moment she could twist in her seat and her tits might pop out made it almost impossible to concentrate. He gripped the wheel and focused on not crashing into the vehicles around him.

“I thought I’d go without tonight. Something new. You don’t mind, do you?”

“Um, mind?” He hadn’t made a sound that high-pitched since Brody had tagged him in the balls trying to steal home in last summer’s big game. He coughed. “No. No, you’re good.”

Determined to see the night through, his way, he pulled away from the crowded streets and headed toward Golden Gate Park. Maybe they could walk a bit before the park closed and they went to dinner.

She crossed her legs. He widened his, hoping for some release from the hard-on from hell.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw her finger trace down her breast, calling attention to her nipple. Christ, was she trying to kill him?

He cleared his throat. “I thought we’d go walk at a park for a little bit, then hit dinner. Okay?”

“Sure. Whatever you want.”

“Jesus, help me now.”

She laughed, the rich sound making everything inside him come to life.

“Just sit there and don’t move or talk to me until I get us away from the traffic, okay?” It would be the longest twenty minutes of his life, but he’d suffered worse. Hadn’t he?

“Sure.” The silence between them only increased the tension.

“Okay, the quiet isn’t helping.”

“Helping what?”

“Helping me keep my mind off my dick,” he snapped.

She laughed again.

“Tell me what the silent treatment between you and Vanessa was all about.”

“You do want to kill the mood, don’t you? My cousin. Hmm, where should I start? I was having a bad day, and she made it worse.”

“How? What happened?”

She squirmed in her seat, and the material of her shirt slid over her breasts. “It’s embarrassing.”

“Yeah? Well, so is trying not to come in your jeans when sitting next to a beautiful woman. I’m dealing. Get over yourself and tell me what happened.”

“So bossy.”

He had every intention of bossing her around later. So much for trying to make their date platonic. “I am so weak,” he muttered. At her look, he prodded, “Vanessa…?”

“I’ve been having a few problems getting used to my new job. How to spend my money, make better contacts. Just growing pains and nerves.”

“We all have them. Hell, Brody and I still do. We go a few days without a client, he’s climbing the walls.”

“It’s hard. Hell, you know all about it. I was just having a moment—”

“Like the one you had when I first met you?”

She blushed. “A little.”

He laughed. “Wish I could have been there. You’re fucking sexy as hell when you’re ticked off.”

“Shut up, Flynn.” But he could tell his comment pleased her. “So Vanessa turned on her bitchy-as-hell mode. I didn’t appreciate little Miss Perfect throwing in her two cents, and she didn’t like me whining—again.”

He shrugged. “Sounds to me like maybe she should be more understanding. You’ve been through the wringer the past few weeks. You’re entitled to a bad day or two.”

She didn’t say anything, and he wondered if he should have just shut up and let her vent. He fiddled with the radio, suddenly feeling a little nervous.

“Oh, leave that song. I like it.”

“Sure.”

By the time they’d reached the park, it looked mostly deserted and the sun had gone down.

“Wait. Pull over there.” She pointed to an empty spot under some trees away from the overhead light. When she reached for her jacket, he figured she wanted some privacy to put it on, not wanting the rest of the world to ogle those luscious breasts.

Her action relieved him. He didn’t want her showing anyone else those perfect tits, but he didn’t know how she might have reacted if he’d told her to cover them up. In no way could he imagine a scenario where that wouldn’t blow up in his face.

He parked and moved to turn off the engine.

“No, keep it running.”

She sat much closer, nearly in his lap.

“Maddie?”

She unbuckled his seat belt. Then her fingers ran over his thigh, creeping dangerously higher up his leg. She palmed his cock.

“Oh, fuck.”

“Exactly. Now lean back and let me do what we both know you want.” She licked her lips.

How the hell did a red-blooded man say no to that? To refuse a blow job from the hottest woman on the planet because he wanted her to feel appreciated for more than her mouth?

Hell
no.
Rejection at this point would only hurt them both. She’d feel insulted, and he’d expire from the worst case of blue balls ever on record.

The sound of his jeans being unsnapped sounded like a shotgun compared to the muted sound of the radio.

“Keep your eye out, Flynn. We wouldn’t want to get caught.”

“Right.” His nervous cough turned into a moan when she unzipped him. He wanted to scoot the material down, but she stilled him.

“No. Let me.”

The woman refused to make him more comfortable, which only turned him on even more. She pulled his cock through the slit in his underwear, exposing his long, thick shaft. Asshole that he was, his tip beaded with pre-come, unable to hold himself back. Even to himself, he looked huge. “Ah, Maddie, you sure about this?” Because no way in hell did he want to wear a condom for a blow job.

“Oh yeah. I’ve been thinking about this for weeks.”

She slowly bent down. Her hair tickled his cock, then her breath washed over him.

“Maddie. Oh fuck. I’m not gonna last, baby. Not at all,” he moaned as she fitted her lips to his cockhead.

The warmth of her wet mouth eased over him so slowly. The impulse to shove her head down and fuck her throat pulled at him. But he clenched his fists and kept his eyes on the rearview and side mirrors. The last thing he needed was to get busted for public indecency and stop this before it had even gotten started.

She moaned around him and pushed down. She had half of him inside her, but it wasn’t enough.

She flattened her hand against his belly, while the other cupped his balls through his jeans.

Then she sucked, and he felt himself spurt a small amount into her mouth.