<b>Chapter </b><b>62 </b>
Harper
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Maddox drove with one arm on the wheel, his gray shirt so tight that it made it impossible not to notice every flex of muscle. The white smart pants only added to the effect of him being effortlessly attractive. He looked good and he knew it, too.
“You know, now would be a good time to tell me where we’re going or do I have to keep on guessing?” I asked for the third time. “You told me to put on a nice outfit but emphasized that I wearfortable shoes and I still don’t know what’s going on.”
“That’s exactly what’ll make it fun.” His eyes were still fixed on the road.
Before I could roll my eyes, his handtched onto my thigh and heat shot through me instantly. I could never get over how easily he could do that to me. Just a touch and I was already on the edge of wanting more.
But I wasn’t even able to lose myself in the moment as he quickly pulled away to turn on the radio. Not only did that leave me feeling empty, it also left me feeling disappointed.
When he turned up the volume, a familiar melody made my chest tighten. It was our song with Grayson. He and I had sung along to it on that Friday night just like we did when we were younger, like nothing had changed. But everything had changed and it made my stomach twist. His harsh words from earlier that day pushed their way into my mind.
I blinked quickly with my lips pressed together, trying to hide the sadness in my eyes.
“You okay?” His voice was softer.
<b>I </b>sighed with an effort. “Grayson and I used to sing this song all the time.”
His hand moved like he was about to change the song, but I stopped him. “There’s no need for that. Let it y.”
I refused <i>to </i>sit there and sulk over a broken friendship.
“Hey, we’ll be there by 6 PM. That’s like five minutes from now, so your impatient ass can keep track.” His voice was teasing, like he was trying to cheer me up and it was already working.
“Are you sure about that? All I see is dirt and grass.” I huffed.
“Patience.” He chuckled lightly.
Only a few minutes after saying that, a wide sign carved in stone appeared.
WELCOME TO LARKSPUR HILLS!
I let out augh in pleasant surprise. “You actually brought me here?<b>” </b>
“Yup.” He spoke so casually like it was the most normal thing in the world. “I haven’t had the chance to check
10:00 Thu, Sep 18 B..
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out this particr birthday present since it was given to me.”
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My jaw nearly dropped while we were still at a distance. The estate looked like something out of a dream. It was intimidating in its size and nothing like I had ever seen before.
The security guards at the front gates addressed him with so much respect as he drove past them.
shing me a grin, he said, “I hope you’re ready for the tour. We might be walking for hours.”
I thoughtfully tilted my head. “Is that why you emphasized that I wearfortable shoes?”
He nodded with confidence.
When he parked, he stepped out first, running a hand through his blonde hair before circling around to open my door. I stared at him the entire time. Never in a million years had I thought I’d be spending so much time with him.
The walk through the estate revealed threeyers of mansions. The outeryer was luxurious, the inneryer even more luxurious, but it was theyer at the very center that was the most extravagant of them all.
Two hourster, we finally reached thergest mansion in the center and it was in this specific one where I got a tour inside. I couldn’t stop looking around and had the urge to touch the marble surfaces. Even the towering windows were unlike anything I had ever seen before.
“This is insane. It’s absolutely beautiful.”
He shrugged, leaning against the frame of the master bedroom door. “It’s alright.”
I chuckled in disbelief. “Just alright?”
“Nothing beats the motorbike uncle Sebastian gave me. That’s a real gift.” His nk expression shifted to something more flirtatious as he came closer but didn’t touch me. “One of these days, I’m going to take you for a ride and that day, you’ll get to ride something else other than my cock.”
I didn’t mean tough, but I did. It wasn’t because I found it funny. I had just been caught off guard. He held his head high as he watched me, like he was proud of himself.
“Wow, when did youe up with that one?” I teased him.
“I’m just d it made youugh, considering what happened today.”
“Yeah? What’s that?” I crossed my arms.
“I ran into Grayson a few hours ago and he told me about the incident with Tiffany when you were at the restaurant.” His tone waszy.
Grayson’s version must have painted me as the viin and as soon as Maddox told me he’d spoken to him, there was a spark of curiosity within me. I wanted to know what exactly Grayson had said, but I quickly shut it down.
“I don’t want to talk about it.” My tone was t. “Let’s not waste time talking about that. We both know you
don’t have much time left since you need to head back to London tonight.”
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Just as I was making my way to the bedroom door, he suddenly pulled me back and I gasped when I was facing him again and just an inch away from his face.
“You’re right.” he said quietly, his gaze dropping to my lips. “We should put the time we have left to good use. We can grab something to eat after this<b>…</b>”
I knew that look in his eyes and it sent a wave of heat between my legs.
While holding my hand, he brought me to the balcony, the cool air hitting my skin.
I didn’t even get the chance to appreciate the view of Larkspur Hills from that high above as he soon towered over me and ced his lips on mine before I could speak. He didn’t even touch my body, as if he was waiting to see if I’d pull away.
Moaning softly against his lips, I wrapped my arms around his neck and that sent a signal to him <i>to </i>deepen the kiss<b>. </b>
His hands then slid down to my thighs and he impatiently lifted me as our breaths turned a little heavy.
He ced me right on the balcony couch, quickly exposing my lower half and burying his face between my legs. I arched my back at the sensation of his warm and wet tongue on my clit, my hands running through his hair as I looked down at him.
With no residents yet, I was as loud as I wanted to be.
It waste in the afternoon and I came to the cemetery. The ce was so quiet that I could hear the sound of my own footsteps.
I knelt before my mother’s gravestone, sweeping off some dry leaves with my hand before putting down the fresh bouquet of flowers I had brought with me.
“Hey, mom,” I whispered with a smile. “I brought you some fresh flowers.”
I forced a chuckle, my smile not even reaching my eyes as I spoke my next words. “Looks like Anna hasn’t been here in a long time. You know, I almost sent her a text but in the end, I was scared of being ignored. I still wonder how she celebrated her birthday. I just hope she’s happy and safe, wherever she is.”
I stayed for a while, talking to her about everything that had been going on with me while tracing her name carved into the stone.
I curled up on the couch as soon as I returned home, cheering myself up by dropping the first text in my group chat with E and Zoey. They quickly replied, joking about how they werepletely over the Bary twins<b>. </b>
Just as they began to tease me about the time I had spent with Maddox the previous day, his name shed across my screen with a video call. It was such perfect timing.
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He was still setting down his phone when I picked up and he grinned with a wiggle of his eyebrows.
When his camera was perfectly still, I leaned forward like that would help me figure out where he was. I could see the sunlight in his silky hair and on the side of his face. I was also used to a quiet background but this time, it was full of clinking sses and chatter.
“Where are you?” I asked, tilting my head.
“Outdoor restaurant. I’m meeting a client.”
While I was mostly focused on him, I also watched the people in the background moving around.
Then, someone rushed past the screen while calling out for a taxi and my heart skipped a beat. It was a side profile I knew too well and it instantly brought tears to my eyes.
“No way.” My voice cracked as I covered my mouth.
“What’s wrong?” He leaned towards the screen with concern.
“I just saw Anna! Please, follow her! Don’t let her get away!”
AD