Page 157 of No Headlines Please

I might've been panting.

I wanted to say something, but I had no idea what.

But then, the pilot's calm voice announced that we'd begun our final descent. I blew out a long, shaky breath as something like sanity came rolling back.

Maddox grinned.

When I grinned back, he glanced toward my abandoned seat and asked, "Want me to buckle you up?"

I wanted him to do something, alright.

Still, I slid back into my own seat and watched with warm amusement as he secured my seatbelt without asking a second time.

Afterward, he fastened his own, and my gaze strayed southward. At what I saw, I stifled a smile. Apparently, I wasn't the only one whose body was already circling third base.

My lips parted as I stared for a beat too long. Catching myself, I looked up with a little start.

Maddox gave me a wicked grin. "Hey, don't hold that against me."

I didn't know whether to laugh or groan. "Oh, great. Now you think I'm a hussy."

He snorted. "Maybe I'm the hussy." But then his expression softened. "Hey, I want you to know something."

"What?"

"No expectations, okay? Ryder's place has plenty of bedrooms."

I smiled. "You already said that. I mean…before we even left."

"I know. But I still mean it." He leaned toward me just a fraction. "And just because you jumped me—"

"Jumped you?"

"Hey, I didn't climb onto your lap."

"Well…maybe you pulled me onto your lap." My chin lifted. "You ever think of that?"

He gave a slow nod and said in a voice filled with promise, "Yeah. All the time."

59

Family Baggage

Maddox

All the time.

I hadn't been joking. For months, Delaney had been on my mind. I couldn't explain it. I only knew that during our brief time in Chicago, I'd felt at ease in a way like never before – right until she'd looked at me like I was some kind of monster.

That had felt all too familiar.

But that was my fault, not hers. And now, I was happy as hell to get the chance to make it up to her.

When I was with her, I felt like somebody else – somebody better, without all the family baggage.

And when she smiled – really smiled – it was damn near impossible not to smile back.

But here on the plane, her smile faded as she glanced toward the window and asked, "What if they're not happy to see me?"