Chapter 5: Corbin
THE PRESENT DAY
God, I can't go on like this. It's been a long time since I've dreamed of Sienna, but ever since Maddie showed up, my mind has become a mess of memories and confusion. I need to focus on my own shit; there are much more important things to think about than reliving ghosts from the past.
"I've already told you, John. I don't want any mistakes. It has to be a clean job."
"Yes, sir. We're on it. Everything will go as you expect. The orders will arrive this afternoon; I'll handle it. And I'll also get what you asked for."
"I hope so, John." I end the call. When you want a job done right, you're better off doing it yourself, but John is my right hand and he's never failed me. I need that report in my office today.
I leave my house and head for my truck. I need to get to work now more than ever.
(####)
Damn it. That voice again. Why does it have to be so damn sweet? Maddie is in the kitchen with Ian, and from the looks of it, they're having a great time. I don't want her having fun; that only means I'll have to hear her melodic laughter.
"Where the hell is Tara?" I ask, noticing some employees standing around doing nothing. "We aren't in a fucking spa!" I bark. "Get to work! And find me Tara. NOW!"
I take a step back and feel something collide with me. A hot liquid begins to pour down my back.
"I-I'm sorry, sir. It wasn't my intention."
"DAMN IT!" I let out a yell as I rip off my white t-shirt. I notice everyone watching me with horror, but they aren't looking at me—they're looking at the person behind me.
I take a deep breath and turn to face her. Her large grey eyes clearly show the worry and fear she feels. I glare at her, cursing silently as I brush past her.
This shit is going to be impossible.
I walk into my office, thinking that maybe I'm not entirely wrong. Maybe there really is a chance that Maddie is my Sienna. Her gestures, her voice, that clear and sweet gaze that expresses everything without a single word... her height, her body... and God, that sensual way she walks. It's impossible for two girls to be this similar. Or am I just looking for similarities? Why do I torture myself like this?
"Excuse me, may I come in?" I didn't hear her open the door.
"You're already here. What do you want?" I didn't mean for my voice to sound so harsh.
"I just want to help. I brought a bucket of ice and some towels."
"I'm fine, don't worry about it."
"Well, I wouldn't say the same," she says as she walks in and closes the door. I watch her with surprise.
"Your back is very red, and just because you're an igloo doesn't mean you can't get burned. Besides, I have an aloe cream for burns. Now, if you don't mind, lie face down on the sofa." Her voice is soft but firm; she gestures to the sofa with a tilt of her head. I look at her, but I don't move.
"I said, lie down." I react immediately and do as she asks—not because I'm afraid of her, but because she is so much like Sienna. She loved giving me orders, too. I smile to myself; I miss her every single day, without exception.
"Did you just call me an igloo?" She goes quiet for a second.
"Yes." I could barely hear her.
"Why?"
"Well, you see... igloos are small houses made of ice blocks. They're empty, with very little space inside, except for one person to inhabit. You remind me of one of those." This woman has no filter. Is she even aware she just insulted me?
"You think I'm that cold? Empty?"
"Yes." She clears her throat.
"An igloo," I murmur thoughtfully. Quite the definition for me.
"Try to relax, I won't hurt you." She says it with such sweetness that something inside me tightens. A part of me feels remorse for how I've treated her since she arrived.
"I know," is all I can manage to say.
I feel her sit beside me and place the cold cloth on my back. I say nothing and let her do her thing. I let myself sink into the soft caresses she gives my burned skin. I don't want her hands to stop touching me. But damn, I'd be lying if I said this—her—didn't remind me so much of Sienna and how attentive she was with me. But she wasn't Sienna, and I wasn't the man who left his heart behind with the only woman he would ever love.
I've had to learn the hard way that just anyone can't fill your bed, much less the hole in your heart. I've lost count of how many women I've been with, and none of them could ever fill the void inside me.
I can feel her fingers tracing the three scars on my back, taking her time, contemplating them.
"Done. I'm finished." I don't even feel her getting up from the sofa.
I sit up immediately and study her for a moment. Seeing her standing there, hands intertwined, looking nervous, is almost ironic considering she just finished healing my back. I look at her a moment longer; she's wearing tight jeans, pink Converse, and a white t-shirt that offers an excellent view of her white lace bra. I have to stop looking at her or I'll end up with a fucking hard-on.
I stand up and walk toward her.
"Thanks. Though you shouldn't have."
"Of course I should have. I was the cause of your burn; it was the least I could do." She thinks I haven't noticed that, while she speaks, she's backing toward the door.
Without thinking, I keep moving forward. I don't know why, but I feel something so familiar in her that... God, I really don't want to be right. Because if my suspicions are true, and she is who I think she is... I'll be beyond pissed, and I really don't know what I'd do. She's beautiful, even if she hides those stunning eyes behind those glasses.
"I think I should go."
"I think you should stay a moment longer." What the hell am I saying? She looks at me expectantly. I kick myself mentally for being an idiot. "I mean... why don't you stay and have lunch with me?" That didn't sound right either. Since when do I invite anyone to lunch? Still, I don't try to correct it.
"B-but I have to get back to the kitchen."
"Don't worry about that, I'll take care of talking to Ian. Stay and eat with me."
"I..."
"I don't like repeating myself. I think I've told you that before."
"Okay."
Before we realize it, she is pressed against my office wall, right by the door. I'm only a few inches from her mouth due to the height difference. I lean down further. My eyes travel from hers to those full, red lips that are screaming for me to devour them. And even though I know I shouldn't—because no woman would ever matter to me the way Sienna Green did—I'm going to do it anyway. I move closer, feeling her breath hitch. Her chest rises and falls rapidly... she just watches me, her lips parted. If she doesn't push me away in three seconds, I'm going to kiss her.
Three: I don't know why the hell I'm so attracted to her.
Two: I've never liked anyone else—not the way I liked Sienna Green, and now... Maddie.
One: As sure as hell, I need to push her away, or this is going to end badly.
Zero: But fuck it... I want to taste those soft lips so badly. They promise to be as sweet as honey and as hot as hell itself.
I can't resist anymore and I press my mouth to hers in a desperate, fierce kiss. At first, she refuses to cooperate, but then she gives in, and our lips fit perfectly, like a goddamn puzzle piece. This electric sensation has only ever happened with Sienna. I have to stop thinking and just enjoy this burning kiss she's giving me.
Feeling her play with my mouth, her tongue dancing with mine. Feeling her hands in my hair, pulling at it—it's fucking intoxicating. I place my hands on her hips and pull her closer, pinning our bodies together. I can't stop my erection from pressing against her flat stomach. I hear her let out a moan. God, what a sweet, delicious moan! I press against her again as I devour her, biting her lower lip. My right hand travels to her thigh, gripping it hard before lifting her leg. I want more of her.
Suddenly, a hard shove to my chest separates me from her body. I look down, disoriented by the sudden change, and see her there—flushed, breathless, her gaze fixed on the floor, one hand on her chest trying to recover.
I frown and look at her skeptically.
"I have to go."
"Wait..." She doesn't let me finish. She throws the door open and slams it behind her. Just like that, she's gone. What happened to the brave woman who walked in here giving me orders?