Valentine's Day

Chapter 12

A few weeks later, Maddie was still thinking about Brian's lips against hers. Occasionally she'd touch her lips to make sure he hadn't burned them off which the kiss. Kiss seemed too mild a word. Consumed. He'd consumed her. She was thirty, and she didn't think she'd ever been kissed like that in her life. One second she'd just been standing there talking to him, and in the next, his mouth had been on hers. One second the air around her had seemed normal, and in the next, it had turned thick with a the desire to make out with his extremely hot guy. While she'd been melting all over him, he'd only kissed her to make a point. He could definitely get it up. While she'd been all light-headed and brain dead, he'd made a second point. He still didn't want her. Not only did she feel outraged, she felt rejected, too. Again. She hadn't learned her lesson the first time.

"Madison," Larry's voice shook her from her thoughts.

"Yo," she said trying to cover up her spacey-ness "I mean...yes sir?"

"Where were you just then? It's like you're a million miles away today," Larry said walking up to her desk.

"Just have a lot on my mind," Maddie tried to assure him.

"Uh huh, this wouldn't have anything to do with the date you had with Brian Haner the other night would it?" he asked outright.

Maddie was horrified. "How did you know that?"

Larry gave her a dismissive wave. "He's one of my prized clients. I know everything about him at all times down to his favorite brand of toothpaste."

"Dad, that's scary as hell," Maddie said. "And really...it wasn't a date. I was just saving him from being set up with some chick Val Sanders had in mind."

"So you aren't sitting there daydreaming about him?"

Yes. "Ugh...no...seriously...not at all, like not even a little bit."

"Methinks the lady doth protest too much," Larry pressed.

"WHAT? No...c'mon...I'm not interested...like at all."

Larry lifted his eyebrow. "Really? Well you'd be the only one. But just in case...be careful...you know what happened to his marriage right?"

"No?" Maddie asked curiosity clear in her tone.

He shook his head. "He and Michelle were a mess to begin with but neither could stay faithful for very long and Brian hooked up with the wrong groupie one night."

"What does that mean?" Maddie asked slowly.

"He had a stalker that showed up at his house with a gun."

"Oh my fucking God...really?" Well that made a lot sense. No wonder he said he didn't pick up women in bars anymore.

Larry nodded with a tight lipped expression. "And he and Michelle are in the middle of their divorce. I'm actually working with his lawyer and business manager on their asset settlement today. It wouldn't look as if I'm impartial if my daughter decided to date him."

"True," Maddie said feeling sick at his words.

"Yeah...but since it wasn't a date," Larry said "I don't have to worry, right?"

She shook her head. "No reason to worry at all. So what's up? Did you need something or did you specifically come to grill me about hanging out with Gates?"

He couldn't help but laugh. "I came specifically to grill you about hanging out with Gates. Especially since he's coming in today."

"It was nothing, really," Maddie assured him. "Nothing at all."

==========================

Brian sighed as he sat in the conference room listening to how much they were recommending he'd have to give Michelle in their divorce settlement. They'd had no prenup and he knew that he'd have to pay handsomely. Not that he minded. Michelle was his friend...the original love of his life and he knew that he owed her for his cheating behavior. His lawyer had tried to turn the tables and bring up her indiscretions as well but Brian stopped him. He didn't want all that dirty laundry aired.

"Just give her what she wants," was his standard answer, no matter how much Larry and the lawyer pressed.

When it was over, he stood and shook their hands and made a beeline for the door. He needed to get out of the room for a cigarette. He was in such a rush that he didn't notice Maddie crossing his path until he'd smacked into her causing her to drop the papers she was scanning.

He reached for her to steady her upon impact. 

"Oh my God, I'm so sorry," she said quickly and then she realized it was him. Her eyes narrowed slightly before she took a deep breath. Might as well take the high road. "I didn't see you...Brian." She bent down to pick up her stuff.

He managed a chuckle and he leaned down to help. "It wasn't your fault. It was mine. Dying for a cigarette after that long ass meeting." He handed her a few stray sheets which she took from him.

She nodded in understanding. "I can imagine. I hope it went well," she replied standing back up and he followed suit.

She nodded and waited...for what? An apology? Like he'd ever do that. "Well I'll let you get to your cigarette. Enjoy." She began to walk away.

"How'd you like to come to the beach with me tomorrow?" he called behind her before he could stop the words from coming out of his mouth.

She turned stunned. Also suspicious. "Why?" 

"Can I be honest?"

"I don't know. Can you?" she asked arching her eyebrow.

"I need protection." 

"From overtanning?"

 "Nope." He flashed his glamour boy smile. "I love the beach, but so many people recognize me that it's hard to chill. Usually, if I'm with a woman, people give me a little more space."

 "And I'm the only woman you can find to go with you? I doubt that," she scoffed.

 His brown eyes twinkled. "Don't take this the wrong way, but it'll be more relaxing if I invite somebody I'm not planning to sleep with."

She couldn't help but laugh out loud but then her brain processed what he said. She felt tingles and was thinking about the kiss and he felt nothing. "Poor Brian, you need a friend not a lover."

"What do you think, Maddie?" Brian cocked his head toward the elevator. "We'll go to any beach you want in Huntington. I'll pick you up. I'll bring a cooler. We can hang out, swim, listen to music. It'll be fun. You can lower your standards for a couple of hours, can't you?"

She considered...Larry wouldn't be happy with her. She wouldn't be happy with herself, giving in after he embarrassed her. Not once but twice. But maybe this was as close as he could get to an apology. 

"Okay but just this once."