Except his plan backfired. Six months into the charade, someone discovered the truth and leaked the story to a local newspaper for a buck. Maddie discovered he’d lied to her about who he was before he had the chance to tell her. She’d read that newspaper article and assumed the worst, then ended their relationship point blank. In his defense, he hadn’t known at first whether or not he could trust her. And then fear had gotten to him.
His childhood before he met Arthur wasn’t a story he liked to remember and it wasn’t something he shared easily. Other than Cassie, not many knew the ugly world Arthur had pulled him from. Most people assumed he’d been a runaway. He’d worried about Maddie’s reaction. Would his past matter to her? When he eventually showed her his back, would the scars disgust her?
He should’ve told her long before that damn article ever printed. For three years he’d lamented his decision. Now he had the chance to fix it. She might very well walk away from him again, but he had to try. The problem was, Maddie wouldn’t give him the time of day.
“I let fear get in the way last time, Cassie. I can’t do it again.”
Cassie shook her head, empathy rising in her eyes. She’d been his best friend for fifteen years; she knew the life he’d lived before Arthur found him. She knew as well the shame that life had stained on his soul. He’d worked hard to move beyond the street urchin he’d once been, eating out of the garbage and begging for money in order to make it through the day. He’d worked damn hard, too, to make sure Arthur never regretted bringing him home that night.
“I’ve said it before, Gray, and I’ll say it again. Anyone who holds your past against you isn’t worth it.” She smiled and her dark brown eyes filled with a familiar, mischievous glint. “You do realize when she finds out, she isn’t just going to be mad. If she’s a typical redhead, she’s likely to lop your balls off and hang them from the top of the Space Needle.”
He grinned. She was right, of course. If you were on her good side, Maddie could be as sweet as they came. If you were on her bad side…well, Maddie tended to hold a grudge.
He chuckled and transferred his laptop to the couch beside him. “Yes, and I look forward to the challenge.”
He let his wounded pride get in the way last time. He’d let her go, and he wouldn’t do it again. This time, he had to tell her what she really meant to him, that he loved her. Because he missed her. He regretted not fighting for her when he had the chance. That weekend three years ago, he’d planned a romantic getaway for the two of them, a little cabin on the coast. He’d planned to tell her everything and let the cards fall where they may but had hoped she’d give him the benefit of the doubt.
Then that blasted newspaper article printed, spouting half-truths. They too had suggested that he hadn’t earned his position. Had even gone so far as to accuse him of trying to con a kind old man. When he’d threatened to sue for defamation of character, they’d printed a retraction a week later, but the result was still the same. Maddie wouldn’t so much as give him the time of day, and he’d been so hurt, he’d convinced himself he didn’t need her.
A musical ping sounded from his laptop, signaling an incoming message, and Maddie’s Gchat box popped onto his screen. Of course, he knew it was her. While working alongside her three years ago, they’d spent a lot of time e-mailing and chatting. Somewhere buried on his laptop, he had well over a year’s worth of e-mails saved. He’d know that username in his sleep.
Cassie frowned and shook her head.
“That’s my cue to go. I have a dinner date. I also have no desire to watch you dig your own grave.” She crossed the room and bent over him, wrapping an arm around his shoulders and squeezing. “Don’t let this drag out. Tell her. Soon.”
When she pulled back, he smiled at her. “She’ll find out at the auction. That’s the whole idea. I want her to get to know me again, and that won’t happen if she knows it’s me. She’ll shut me down before I even get a word out. At least this way, I have a fighting chance.”
Cassie furrowed her brow as she straightened and shoved a stern finger at him. “Balls, Gray. Mark my words, you’re going to lose yours.” She leaned over to peck his cheek, then shook her head and made her way to the front door, her heels clicking softly on the hardwood floors. “Dinner. Soon. You owe me.”
He set his laptop on his knees again and darted a glance over his shoulder. “Tomorrow night good for you? I’ll even let you pick the place.”
“Tomorrow is wonderful. I should be home by seven.” The door opened with a soft crack and a whoosh of air. “And something expensive.”
Grayson chuckled. “I almost feel sorry for the poor bastard you end up with. He’s going to need deep pockets.”
It was almost an insult, but he knew Cassie wouldn’t be offended. It was a playful conversation they’d had before. He preferred simple, cheap food. Old habits died hard. A good burger was a good burger, and he couldn’t see spending fifty bucks for one because the establishment called itself “upscale.” Cassie, however, had grown up spoiled. Her father owned a small chain of Greek Restaurants and had doted on her. Cassie, jewelry designer extraordinaire, had developed expensive tastes.
As expected, she laughed, light, airy and amused. “Honey, I’ve got my own pockets. He just needs to have stamina.”
Grayson laughed, and the door closed behind her. Alone now, he returned his attention to his laptop, reading Maddie’s message. Christ, he’d missed her. She had passion. Technically, they’d never made love, and if all went according to plan, they wouldn’t anytime soon. At least not yet. He had plans to sweep one Madison O’Riley clean off her stubborn heels. He wanted her trust first. Then he planned to make love to her long and slow. But the thought of her at home, flirting with him, was enough to light his fire.
MadHatter3000: is this your idea of an A-game? Flowers are really cliché, you know.
Grayson grinned. Two days had passed since their first chat. He hadn’t spoken to her since. Meetings and book releases had kept him busy. Today, he’d decided to take the charade one step forward. He’d sent her flowers. He was leaving breadcrumbs. By the time the auction came, she’d have enough pieces to put together the puzzle. The first one was, of course, his Gchat username. He’d chosen it on purpose. The second? He’d sent her white lilies. The exact kind he’d given her for her birthday when they first started dating three years ago. Mixed in, of course, were some brighter tones so it wasn’t too easy for her to guess.
BookNerd: Flowers are classic. If you ask me, they’re never cliché or out of style. Are they too much?
Seconds passed in silence. Having to keep himself in check was killing him. He wanted to ask her what she was wearing, what she was doing, what perfume she’d put on this morning. None of which he could, because she had no idea who he was. He was essentially a stranger to her. It drove him nuts, and yet lured him at the same time. He couldn’t wait to get to know her again, to open her up. Hell, simply being able to talk to her at all made him want to beat his chest.
A full minute passed before her reply popped up.
MadHatter3000: No. They’re beautiful. Thanks. I’m not sure what to say, though. I didn’t expect it. How’d you know where to send them?