Heartbreaker: A Filthy Dirty Love Novel

“I suppose that’s very true,” Emilia conceded. “I guess you never know, the unimaginable could happen and he could fall head over heels in love with you, and you could live happily ever after.”

Joss reached for her cupcake and laughed. “Now that is a true fantasy if I’ve ever heard one.”

“Why a fantasy?” Emilia nibbled her cupcake with a frown. “You’re beautiful, smart, and clearly someone he hasn’t been able to forget. Don’t overlook the fact that he wanted more of you, too.”

Joss pondered before deciding not to look too deeply into it. She couldn’t go there. Not even once. She couldn’t ever cross that emotional line and examine why Maddox did the things he did. Hell, she simply didn’t want to. No strings. That’s where her happiness lay. “He came back looking for more because we had incredible sex together.”

“Are you sure that’s all it is?”

“Very sure. That’s all he can give me.” She peeled back the wrapper on her cupcake and, before taking a bite, said, “He’s clear about that, Emilia, and I believe him.” She swallowed then added, “Besides, sleeping with him is one thing. Dating him would complicate everything. First, one of us would have to transfer to a new division to avoid the conflict. Then, there would need to be a whole lot of explaining from Maddox about how he’d gotten involved with me in the first place. Not to mention, I’d likely have to lie to ensure that he didn’t face suspension.” Her head hurt even thinking about it. “It’s a mess that I don’t want, and I can only imagine he doesn’t want it either.”

“Yeah,” Emilia said, licking the chocolate icing off her finger, “but sometimes, relationships are messy before they get all neat and tidy. All I’m saying is that you’re both taking big risks here. Him, professionally. You, emotionally. I guess I’m wondering why either of you would take such big risks just for sex?”

Joss nearly allowed herself to fall into that train of thought, wondering about all the emotional intricacies, before she stopped herself. “Because the sex is amazing,” was the only answer she felt needed to be said.

Emilia gave a look like she didn’t believe Joss and lifted up the final piece of her cupcake. “Well, then, here’s to many more emotionally unavailable orgasms and sexy secrets.”

Joss laughed. “Hear, hear.”

* * *

Maddox had planned to head to the gym for his usual workout after his shift ended. Tonight, he opted to take a run later in the evening on the Burke-Gilman Trail. An invite from Grey’s mother, Anne Crawford, wasn’t something he could decline. When he’d arrived at the Lake Washington south shore mansion belonging to Grey’s mother, he found Grey waiting for him in the kitchen with a cold beer in his hand and one ready for Maddox. Anne was nowhere in sight, nor was Grey’s sister, Riley. The house hadn’t always been so grand or modern, but it had been a house handed down in Grey’s father’s family for generations. The Crawfords had renovated the home years back when Grey was at the University of Washington.

“Are you seeing Joss again tonight?” Grey asked, taking a seat in the chair across from Maddox at the kitchen table.

Maddox shook his head and leaned back in his chair, raising his beer bottle to his mouth. Before he took a gulp, he said, “I decided tonight I’d much rather see your pretty face.”

Grey snorted. “No, really, you’ve already ended it? I gotta say, I’m surprised. You seemed to enjoy this one, more than any of the others.”

“I do enjoy her,” Maddox admitted, placing the bottle back down on the natural wood table. He hadn’t intended to tell Grey much about Joss, but being his closest buddy, he knew he’d have to tell him that she was still in his life. “And, no, it’s not over. She’s taken on a couple of night shifts. I’m seeing her again on Wednesday.”

A perk of his job was to always be on the day shift, but it annoyed him—and his greedy cock—greatly to not see her for the next couple of nights. She’d been in his thoughts all day today. Before the idea could arise that he should text her to somehow squeeze in a quick visit, he stopped it. Surely, he could go a couple of days without seeing her again.

“Well, that’s a pity,” Grey muttered, reaching for his cell phone in his pocket and giving it a quick look before glancing at Maddox again. “Though, it’s good to see you’re keeping this one around for longer than a night.”