Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 96850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
And Madden obeyed, reaching around to the back of Eve while the cheers rose to a deafening fervor, people stomping on the floor and pounding the tables. He nuzzled her nose a moment, then with a tweak of his fingers the bra was unfastened. But they were chest to chest, so it remained in place in front, even as the back straps swung open. “That’s a nice trick,” he said hoarsely.
“Thank you, I just thought of it now.” She glanced back over her shoulder at the crowd, returning her attention to Madden a few seconds later. “I think we’ve given them enough for tonight. Always leave them wanting more, right?”
“Wise words.” Madden wasted no time sliding his forearm under Eve’s backside, lifting her off the floor, and carrying her off the stage to thunderous applause and straight into her office, kicking the door shut behind him and locking it.
* * *
The seismic shift happening in Eve’s chest was almost too much to withstand.
She didn’t even really understand what was taking place inside her, only that broken pieces that had existed for a long time were trying to glue themselves back together—and that was scary. She’d gone out onstage to destroy any chance of being a respectable wife or a valued member of the community. To claim her title as pariah once and for all so she could stop hoping for better, even in her dreams.
Maybe she had accomplished that.
A room full of people egging her on didn’t mean she’d been accepted.
But this man who was holding her so tightly, carrying her across her office to the couch positioned across from her desk, he’d shown up for her in a way she hadn’t expected tonight. And his actions were dissolving the loneliness that had lived inside her for as long as she could remember, even at the best of times.
“Nothing I do is going to get rid of you,” she said, sounding stunned. “For better or worse. You really mean it, don’t you? You want the good, the bad, and the ugly.”
“It’s about time you realized it, Eve Donahue.”
“You just . . . you came out onstage and performed with me.” She tightened her cling around Madden, aching to be closer. “You really did that.”
“Uh-huh.”
“You didn’t try to talk me out of self-destructing. You self-destructed with me. I had no idea how much I . . . I needed that.” Some of her glittery eye shadow had rubbed off on Madden’s chin and the shiny little spot was so endearing, Eve’s breath caught. “There’s really nothing I can do to make you sorry for loving me.”
“Jesus Christ, the fact that you can sound so surprised by my loyalty when you have that six-inch fucking scar on your stomach . . . it’s going to kill me. You’ve given me life in so many ways, Eve. I would walk through hell if you were waiting on the other side.” He shook her gently. “Do you accept that now?”
“Yes,” she said unequivocally. She’d never meant anything more. And having him know the extent of her devotion was like . . . soaring. Finally, she’d laid it all at his feet, the way he’d laid his love and consistency and loyalty at hers.
Madden set Eve down on the couch and knelt in front of her, burying his head in her lap. He encircled her waist with his thick arms and pressed his face to the scar on the right side of her abdomen, a gruff, prolonged moan coming from his throat. “Did it hurt, love? Were you in pain and I had no idea?”
She combed her fingers through his hair. “It was a typical surgery. No complications. No more than the average discomfort and pain. I was fine.”
“No one knew?”
“My father and sister knew, of course. Once we found out I was a match, there was so much paperwork, so many meetings leading up to the day. If I remember correctly, I went on a hunger strike and threatened to run away to California if my father didn’t give permission. He thought I was crazy, but they didn’t know you like I did.” Eve filled her lungs with Madden’s scent. “You were always mine.”
“Always.” Still looking troubled, he bowed his head a moment. “Were they with you in the hospital?”
“Yes.” Trying to lighten his mood, she tugged on one of his ears. “I really had to lean into the high-waisted vintage look to keep the secret.”
“I never would have let you do this. Never.”
“I know. That’s why I didn’t tell you.”
Madden lifted his head slightly, tracing the pink, slightly puckered line with his fingertips, as though he wanted to absorb any past pain. “Why did you do it?”
That shift taking place when they walked into the room was only beginning to settle, but the more Eve let go of doubt, the easier it was to breathe. To look at Madden and say the words she’d kept locked inside since high school. “I’ve loved you for a really long time,” she whispered, watching his chest expand rapidly and shudder back down, his eyes sliding closed. “I didn’t give you my kidney because of some girlhood fascination or crush. I loved you. I loved your character and the safety you offered me without me having to ask. I loved your intuitiveness and honesty and the quiet ways you showed gratitude to your aunt for bringing you to Rhode Island. For keeping you. I loved how you offered me friendship and acceptance without expecting anything in return.”