Cinderella's Last Stand by Michelle Lindo-Rice

Author:Michelle Lindo-Rice
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2022-06-12T22:56:16+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

Maddie had almost fallen asleep when she heard the banging. She should leave him outside. Because only a nincompoop would be knocking on her door in the middle of a hurricane watch. From the other side of the door, Maddie could hear the whistle of the wind competing with the thunder. She kept a firm grip on her front door and cracked it open a smidgen to let Axel inside.

He was soaking wet.

“What are you doing here in this weather?”

“I couldn’t stay there” was all he said before dropping his duffel bag on her living room floor.

“Did you lose power?” she asked.

“No.”

“Did a tree hit your house?”

“No.”

She released an exasperated breath. “Then why are you here?”

“I had an unexpected guest,” Axel said, taking off his shirt. “Lindsay showed up, and I had to give her a place to stay.”

Maddie had a huge problem with that explanation. “Why is Lindsay spending the night in your house?” Her tone sounded as harsh as she felt.

He tugged his pants down while he filled her in. Maddie did her best to listen while trying not to be distracted by the man undressing before her. Most of his clothes were now in a damp puddle at his feet, and he stood before her in his boxers. She dashed to the linen closet to get him an oversize towel. Axel thanked her and proceeded to dry off his body. She watched him rub the towel over his torso before moving lower. All he needed to do was gyrate his hips and she would be in the middle of a striptease.

Maddie turned around and wiped her brow.

The man was a walking erotic fantasy. Tonight was going to be a restless night.

“So, she intrudes in your space, and your response is to invade mine,” she said.

“I don’t know her like I know you,” Axel said. “Plus, I can’t have the media seeing her there and getting the wrong idea.”

That heedless statement pushed her button. She spun to face him, her left eye ticking. “Do you know how insulting you sound right now? So, your being here with me is safe because I’m a plain Jane?”

His eyes went wide. “I didn’t mean that...” He stammered. “I’m comfortable with you. I don’t see you that way.”

“What way?” she huffed out. “I have a good mind to toss you out to deal with Hurricane Shelley’s fury, because she’s no match for my anger right now.”

Axel stepped close with the towel wrapped about his waist. She kept her gaze on his face to keep from ogling his well-defined chest, but there was nothing she could do to stop her own chest from heaving.

“You want to know how I see you?” Axel cupped her head in his hands. “I see you as a friend.” His voice dropped. “I trust you. When I’m in your presence, I feel empowered. I feel like as long as you’re in my corner, I can conquer anything. Trust me when I say you’re no plain Jane. You are exquisite.

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