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“Do you want to know what I think?”
“Sure.”
“You sure?”
“Yes, Maddox. Tell me what you think.” No wonder Alex couldn’t stay away from this guy. He was hotter than hell and gruff as all get-out, with a heart bigger than Butler Ranch.
“He really regrets whatever happened with you two.”
Wrong word. She had no room for regret, his or anyone else’s. If he regretted having sex with her, why in the hell was he so relentless about wanting to talk to her? Did he want her forgiveness? She’d never forgive him for something she’d never regret.
“Can I ask you a favor, Maddox?”
“Of course.”
“Would you please tell Brodie he doesn’t owe me a damn thing. He doesn’t need to apologize, or feel regret, or even feel any responsibility for my baby. I’m raising two other precious children without their father’s involvement, and we’re doing fine. There is no reason for me to believe it’ll be any different with my daughter.”
“Two things. What did I say? And you know it’s a girl? Shit, Peyton, that’s wonderful.”
“As I said, I don’t need anyone’s regret. If he’s ashamed or embarrassed about what happened, that’s between him and who he sees in the mirror. And as far as knowing my baby is a girl, I’ve known for weeks. It’s a feeling, Maddox. One that is born out of love for my child.”
“I didn’t come here to cause more trouble, Peyton.”
“I know, and I’m sorry I’m taking my anger out on you. None of this is your fault. I don’t need any bullshit from your brother. Please tell him to move on with his life and stay the hell out of mine.”
“Can I visit you again, or are you banishing me, too?”
How could this man smile at her when she was treating him so abhorrently?
“You’re a good man, Maddox, and you can visit me whenever you’d like. But you might want to consider purchasing protective gear before you see me again.”
Maddox leaned over and kissed her cheek for the second time, then grabbed her hand and put it near his chest. “If you need somebody to beat on, sweetheart, I can take it.”
BRODIE
Brodie slept for most of the day. The travel took more out of him than he’d expected, and he was glad the Argentinian doctor had insisted he go by medevac. If he had tried regular travel, he might not have lived through it.
Maddox came in and pulled a chair closer to Brodie’s bed. He leaned forward, rested his forearms on his knees, and then gripped his neck.
“What’s bothering you, Mad?”
“Tell me what happened between you and Peyton.”
“It isn’t any of your business?—”
“Tell me!” Mad bellowed. “Right now. Or I won’t help you, brother. And whether you’ve figured it out or not, you need a helluva lot of help.”
By the time Brodie finished recounting his last night with Peyton, Maddox said he understood why the word “regret” had set her off the way it had.
“Are you going to help me?”
“Nope. You’re good. Just remember this—no woman wants to think she was a mistake. Be mindful of that when you’re groveling.”
“Why would she think she was a mistake?”
“You mull it over. When you’re certain you’re ready, I’ll make sure you get to talk to her.”
PEYTON
