CHAPTER 4
Maddox walked away satisfied. Very satisfied. Mila had been forced into a corner and decided to ask him to join them for dinner. He wouldn’t dream of turning her down.
Of course, trying the same thing as before was pointless. He could take this for what it was worth and enjoy making her squirm though. Shoved between her mother and Danny, Mila wouldn’t be able to brush him off so easily. And he would take advantage of it.
Maddox may have been more motivated when Mila came into view at the restaurant that evening. Taking advantage of her position had its…advantages. He wouldn’t deny he liked what he saw.
He smiled when they saw him and offered his arm to Mila. Her mother was thrilled, and Mila had to swallow down whatever she thought and play along.
He held her chair out and sat next to her. Mila sat rigidly, which delighted him. Whatever she wanted to do or say, she kept stuffed inside.
“How is that rogue brother of yours?” Danny asked roughly. “Still messing around?”
Maddox swallowed a shot of anger that welled up inside. He didn’t pretend to always understand his brother. But Danny like so many others had no idea what Jalen was truly capable of.
“Jalen is working with us as a consultant now,” Maddox told him.
Danny raised his bushy gray eyebrows and nodded slowly.
“It suits him,” Maddox added. Actually, he knew it suited both of them.
When Jalen had worked in the company, Maddox worried about him and worried about keeping rivals at bay so he could groom him for the position of CEO. Now, Jalen could do his thing and Maddox didn’t have to keep an eye on him.
“It sounds like you’re all close,” Mila’s mother said.
Maddox kept his expression neutral. He didn’t like delving into his personal life with strangers. “We try.” It was the best answer he could give. And it was true these days.
After eating, Danny and his fiancée started heading to the dancefloor. “You should join us,” Mila’s mother said with sparkling eyes. He could see the possibilities churning in them and he had to suppress a smile. If only she knew how little her daughter would play along.
But Maddox was happy to do just that. “I agree.” He angled toward Mila, whose eyes grew wide. “Would you dance with me?”
Mila stared at him like he’d asked if she wanted a root canal and then looked up at her mother.
Maddox kept his eyes on Mila. After a silent exchange with her mother, Mila nodded tersely. “Of course.” She even managed to sound okay with it, which was impressive.
Maddox stood and held out his hand. Mila took it after a second and rose from her seat. Again, as he glanced down at her, he had to admit this wasn’t all bad for him.
He led her around tables to the small dancefloor only occupied by a handful of couples, and he didn’t hesitate to pull her in close.
Mila moistened her lips as his arm slid around her back. This was a familiar situation to him. Though Mila’s lack of enthusiasm was new.
“I didn’t take you for the type to buckle under pressure,” he told her.
“I’m not.” She glowered into the distance. “But I’m not going to humiliate my mother either.”
“So I still haven’t won you over?” He feigned disappointment.
Mila’s fiery eyes met his. “Appearances matter to my mother, so I try not to embarrass her.”
“I’ll take that as a no.” Maddox’s lips curved up.
“I’m sure you’re a busy man and have better things to worry about than me.” Mila sucked in a breath. “So let’s just get through this night in one piece and then you’re free to try and seduce someone else.”
That was more what he expected from this evening. “Who says I’m trying to seduce you?”
“No one.” She exhaled. “But you’re transparent and I know you had ulterior motives for showing interest in me.”
“Really?” Maddox raised his eyebrows. “I’ll have you know I find you attractive.”
“And how many other women have you strung along like this?” Her eyes challenged him.
Maddox didn’t know why, but he didn’t want to answer her question. The knowing look in her eyes made him want to move on to another subject.
“Exactly,” Mila said with a satisfied smile. “I’m sure I’m one in a long line.”
It shouldn’t have but what she said bothered him. Maybe even stung. His jaw tightened as he gazed down at her pretty face. “I’m not the only one stringing women along. Have you talked to Jackson lately?”
Her body tensed. “What did you say?”