Page 38 of Trouble

He scooped me up and spun me around a couple of times, before kissing me so thoroughly I was glad I wasn’t standing—my legs wouldn’t have held me.

As he drew back, he glanced over to where Andre, Wes and Ianthe stood. “Thank God for that. Let’s go celebrate with all our friends.”

He dropped me back to the floor and took my hand, holding on so tightly I figured he’d never let go. We went and joined the others. Ianthe threw her arms around me and squealed.

“Just one thing, Maddox.” Andre reached out and jabbed his finger into my boyfriend’s chest. “You mess my little sister around and I will end you.”

“Dre, I’ve waited ten years for this. There is absolutely no chance of me doing that.”

He hugged me close to him and my heart contracted.

“There is just one thing though, Lyla,” said Maddox, his tone growing serious. “The Midget. You still want to work on it with me?”

I let out a breath, scared it was going to be something more serious. “Are you kidding? It’s my dream.”

“You might not think that after you’ve been working for me for a while.”

“Me working for you? Somehow I think it’s me with the upper hand in this relationship.”

He bent close to my ear. “Does that mean you’re wearing a lacy bustier under that t-shirt?”

I laughed. “If I’d have known sooner lacy underwear was your weakness…”

Maddox stepped backwards and held me at arm’s length, as if seeing me for the first time.

“Lyla, you should’ve knownyou’remy weakness. Always have been. Always will be.”