Maddie

After my interview, I'm on cloud nine when I return to the apartment.

And I'm in an even better mood when Cameron stands in the doorway anxiously awaiting to hear about it. "Well?" He asks. "How did it go?"

"I got it!" I exclaim, bouncing excitedly on my toes. "I got the job! They gave it to me on the spot!"

Cameron closes the distance between us, scooping me into his arms and twirling me around. "Fuck, baby, I'm so damn proud of you! I knew you could do it. You're the smartest woman on the planet."

Tre mentioning a similar comment floods into my mind, and just for a second, the rush of excitement falters. Now that I officially have the position, it means Tre and I will be working in the same department for the next six months, and I have no clue how Cameron is going to feel about it.

"Thanks," I reply sheepishly. "Your texts beforehand really helped. I wasn't as nervous when I went in there, but before, while waiting at the cafeteria, I—" My heart freezes when I spot a heart-shaped cake sitting on the counter, congratulations sprawled across the center in white frosting. "You got me a cake?"

"Yeah. Do you like it? I was thinking that when Iz wakes up from her nap, we can cut into it."

I shake my head in disbelief. "You're too confident. What if I came back crying because I didn't get the job?"

He huffs a laugh, tucking a loose curl behind my ear. "I have a backup cake in the fridge."

"Rich people," I drawl.

Cam arches a brow. "You are currently said rich people. Have you taken a look at our bank account recently?"

"Honestly? No, I haven't. I tend to avoid looking at the amount of zeros as much as humanly possible. Knowing we seem to have an endless stream of money is terrifying. I'm afraid if I get used to it, my priorities and personality will change. I don't ever want to forget where I came from."

"You have too big of a heart to change, baby." He tugs me closer against his hard, muscular chest, which looks incredible in a fitted black t-shirt. "I want you to get used to having money. I want you to go shopping, pamper yourself, and do whatever you need in order to feel relaxed. I've worked hard for this money. It'd be a crime not to enjoy it."

"But it's your money," I reiterate. "I wouldn't feel right spending it."

"Mads, we're married. My money is your money. Plain and simple. When you become an exceptional, highly prestigious doctor, are you going to tell me I can't use your money?"

"What? No, of course not. That's ridiculous. I'd—" Releasing a sigh, I understand his point. "Fine. I will go shopping with Iz soon. She needs more clothes, anyway."

"And you," he adds. "Stuff for both of you."

I'm unsure how we got so off track, but I still have to tell him about Tre. I'd rather get it out of the way than hide it any longer. "I ran into someone at the hospital," I blurt.

Cam's grip tightens around my waist. "Oh?"

"Yeah, I..." Suddenly, it feels hard to breathe. "Um, Tre works at the hospital now. H-He went to school to become a registered nurse, and he travels now, and..."

As suspected, Cam's body has grown tense beneath my cheek, where it's resting on his chest. I can't look at him. I won't be able to bear whatever emotion will radiate from his eyes. Anger? Betrayal? Disappointment?

"You guys had a conversation." Not a question, a statement. His voice has dropped an octave into a dangerous, lethal tone. "He approached you?"

"Yes. I was waiting in the cafeteria until my interview started. He was grabbing breakfast and spotted me." While confessing the bad news, I might as well tell him everything. "He's only on contract for six more months here before he returns to Phoenix, but for the remainder of his time here, we're going to be working in the same unit."

Cameron steps out of my embrace, whooshing out a sigh. I keep my eyes trained on the floor. "I don't like this one bit," he says. "How the hell is he working with kids? The way he spoke to you that night..."

"He's changed," I start, then wince, realizing I sound like I'm defending him. "At least, I think. He claimed he went through counseling after I broke things off and decided to change career paths. He seems...better. Happier."

"I don't like this at all," he replies.

If roles were reversed, I know I'd react the same way. If Cameron had to work with Katie every day, I'd have an absolute refusal. I don't blame him for being upset. Lifting my eyes to his, I suck in a breath from how rigid he's grown. His knuckles are wrapped around the kitchen island, and his head is hung between his shoulders. All I want to do is find a way to ease the tension and make this situation better.

"I don't have to take the position," I say. "I can call them back, and—"

Cameron's head shoots up, seeming even more infuriated. "Are you insane? No way are you letting go of this opportunity. This is what you've worked your entire life for."

"I know, but I don't want you to be upset or stressed whenever I'm at the hospital or—"

"Mads." He pulls me back into his chest, and the warmth of his embrace settles my nerves. "I may hate that you're working with your ex, but I'd never ask you to give up this opportunity. It's only for six months, right? And I have enough faith in our marriage to know he's not a threat. However, if he tries anything, I expect you to give him a swift kick to the balls."

For the first time all day, I laugh, and it feels more than good. Lately, it seems as if life has been nothing but stress. I'm a planner, and when I can't see the future, it weighs on me. I haven't felt like myself since leaving for Germany, but now that I'm home with my family and have a job? Life seems to be paving a path, and the anxiety and stress I've had weighing on my chest melt away, leaving all those pent-up emotions to rush to the surface. In seconds, I'm a blubbering mess in Cameron's arms.

"I love you," I manage to say between breaths. "I love our partnership. I love how much we support one another. I know I'm crying, but it's because I'm happy. I'm back home with you, and I never have to leave your arms. Thank you for being so understanding about everything with Tre. You are the epitome of what a husband should be, and I just..."

I'm overwhelmed with all this love for him. This sensation of reassurance has my body buzzing with pleasure. I'm floating, and I want to show him just how grateful I am for this foundation he's given our family.

As soon as I regain composure, I sink to my knees at his feet, hearing a sharp intake of breath leave his mouth. His eyes are hooded with lust as he pieces together what I'm about to do, his hand reaching out to cup my cheek. "You don't have to," he says deeply, his voice sultry and smooth.

Pushing the band of his shorts and briefs down, his cock springs free, already hard for me. I wrap my hands around his length, dragging it down the ridges and veins and strumming my thumb across his tip, gathering the salty texture. He's in an utter daze when I place my thumb inside my mouth, sucking greedily to taste him, and then his hands weave into my hair, clenching tightly.

"My dirty fucking girl," he praises. "Look at you on your knees, about to suck my cock on the floor of our kitchen."

I'm squirming from the wetness already gathered between my thighs, and it's uncomfortable from the tightness of my dress pants. This isn't about me, though. It's about him, so I push my feelings of discomfort aside and wrap my lips around the head of his cock, taking it deep in my throat.

The sound he emits is more gratifying than it should be. "Fucking hell, Maddie." His eyes meet mine, and almost as if the pleasure is too much, he lets his head fall back instead, his eyes closed.

I take him deeper, gagging before I come up for breath. Then I add one of my hands to stroke his length while I wrap my mouth around the tip, dancing my tongue over the sensitive nerves. Cameron's hips are thrusting to meet my tongue, becoming more erratic as he fucks my mouth with a purpose.

"I'm going to fucking come," he groans. "Is that what you want, baby?"

I nod, my voice muted from the thickness of his cock. We've done this plenty of times over the years for him to know I'm perfectly fine with swallowing his release, and Cameron seems to realize that as his thrusts grow harder. My eyes are watering, my throat gargling spit as I try to take him, and when I think I'll need to come up for air, his body stills. A stream of cuss words falls off his lips as the salty liquid slides down the back of my throat.

"You are incredible," he says. After a few seconds, he pulls out of my mouth and lifts me into his arms so I'm straddling his waist. He wraps one hand around the back of my neck and pulls me in for a kiss, more than likely tasting his release, too.

"I wanted to relax you," I say. "Get rid of your stress the same as you did for me the other night."

"Well, it certainly worked."

"Good. Wait, what are you doing?" He spins around to set me atop the island, parting my thighs with his hand.

"You think you're going to dress like a sexy businesswoman in front of me and not have me fuck you senseless?" He pulls at the neckline of my blouse, popping open the buttons across my breasts. "This top was barely holding your tits in," he groans. "Fuck, that's hot."

I arch a brow, teasing the hell out of him. "What are you going to do about it, Holden?"

With a dark, raspy chuckle, I'm whisked away to the bedroom.