Invisible to My First Love (Harper and Maddox) novel Chapter 32

Harper 

I didn’t know if Maddox expected me to say something in return, or if he was about to say something himself, but the silence felt like if neither would happen, it wasn’t going to matter. 

We let it stretch on for a while as he continued to face the sky until he finally said, “Margot shouldn’t have done that to you.” 

My eyes went wide. “How did you-” 

“I heard it when you were with Zoey and Ella. I was just in the study with Uncle Sebastian…the whole time.” He emphasized the last part. 

I let out a chuckle of relief. “They thought my description was nonsensical.” 

“It was quite the opposite.” He barely made eye contact as we got back in the rhythm of moving along the pavers. “Good thing I was there when you said it. We probably wouldn’t be here right now. Anyway, I’m leaving tomorrow.” 

I thought he’d say more about the painting, but I chose not to push him. 

“I know. That’s one of the reasons I came. Even when you were being such a jerk, I wanted to say goodbye.” 

“Goodbye?” He scoffed. “Who says this is the last time?” 

“That’s because you’re the one who made it feel that way.” 

“Guilty.” He raised his hands in defeat. “It must have been so hard for you to see my clothes in your closet.” 

“That part.” I nodded in agreement. 

“Keep them for now. You’ll definitely give them back one day. When the time comes, I’ll tell you how.” 

He stroked his chin, looking at me from head to toe like he was stripping me naked with his eyes. 

Grayson had looked at me in a similar way not too long ago, but there was something about the way Maddox did it that sent a rush between my legs. 

“It doesn’t matter what Tiffany says about your dress, it shows off everything I’ve missed about you, or at least most of it.” 

“And you think that’s going to fix everything?” I stopped in my tracks and crossed 

He sighed. “Let me make it up to you.” 

“How?” I tilted my head. 

“Come with me and I’ll show you.” He smirked, holding out his hand for me, my arms. 

“I don’t think Kate will like this.” 

“She’s probably passed out by now. She’s not even my girl. I just want to have a good time with you. Don’t worry, I’m not about to fuck you.” 

I scoffed. 

“Now, let’s go.” 

I didn’t know what exactly he was up to, but something about stepping into the unknown made it exciting. 

As soon as I gave him my hand, he led the way back to the party. 

“When is your birthday?” he asked casually. 

“June 5th.” 

“Be nice to me and I might throw you a party like this.” 

I rolled my eyes. “Like that’s going to happen. Oh, wait…” 

I stopped in my tracks again and he followed suit, watching me rummage through my purse. 

Then, I took out a long narrow box neatly wrapped and handed it to him. “Happy birthday.” 

He took it, a small smile on his lips as he narrowed his eyes. “What’s inside?” 

“How about opening it so you can find out?” 

He scoffed, nodding in agreement, proceeding to open the box with a smirk but as soon as he checked what was inside, it faded and I held my breath. Did he not like it? 

“Well?” I forced a chuckle. 

“What made you get me something like this?” His expression was unreadable. 

“I don’t know. I just…pretty stupid, right?” 

He smiled in satisfaction, gently closing the box. “I haven’t painted anything in years. This art brush set must be a sign for me to get back into it, so no, it’s not stupid at all.” 

“I’m glad you like it.” I exhaled deeply, relieved. 

The moment both his hands rested on my hips, my movements were fluid as I threw my arms around his neck to perfectly match his energy. 

“You’re enjoying this.” He licked his bottom lip. 

I tilted my head back, my lips parting in a small smile. 

“Maybe.” 

When his hand slipped up my spine, as if he was testing how far he could go without starting something neither of us would want to stop, it reminded me of everything we had done beyond that present moment. His hands had been on every inch of my body and it began to feel like he was inviting me to something 

more. 

He rested his face right on the nape of my neck and his warm breath against my skin felt like gentle caresses. He didn’t do much, but it was enough to make me close my eyes for a few seconds, trying so hard not to lose my senses right there. 

When he raised his head only a few seconds later, I felt a little empty as I could no longer feel his breath against my skin. 

He stared into my eyes like he was daring me to look away, but how could I when he knew how to get under my skin? His eyes turned darker with a desire I was too familiar with, but then he spun me around to get behind me. He had his hands on my hips, guiding how they swayed for him. I even looked over my shoulder, teasing him with my gaze. 

He looked at me like he was giving me a silent warning, but I wasn’t about to stop. 

I was so lost in the moment that I closed my eyes and threw my hands in the air even as I faced forward and raised my chin towards the ceiling. His hands traveled further up to the narrowest part of my waist, grabbing it like he owned it. 

It was only when I opened my eyes and faced forward that I realized Grayson and Tiffany had been watching. Maddox had made me forget that they were there the whole time. They slowly stopped dancing as she dropped her hands from his neck a little too hard. She only wanted to see me break but things didn’t go away. 

As for Grayson, he just couldn’t look away. There were other people now standing between us, but his gaze was still sharp enough to slice through the crowd. For a few seconds, that was a satisfying sight to see, but it began to bother me. What was his problem? He looked like he wanted to rip me away from his brother–in- law. 

Then, Maddox’s hands possessively pressed harder into my hips as he spun me around so I could face him again. He wanted me to pay attention. 

I thought that maybe I only agreed to dance with him because Tiffany was showing Grayson off and I wanted to get back at her, but the more I danced with him, the longer I wanted to be there. 

The music shifted to something slower and I placed a hand at the back of his neck, the other one resting right on his chest. 

“Look at you.” He teased me. 

I didn’t even have a comeback for that but I still held him tight enough. 55 vouchers 

Then, he brought his lips near my ear and I thought he just wanted to tease me with his lips, but his next words made my heart skip a beat. 

“Upstairs, where it’s just you and me.”