The Day I Stopped Waiting Was the Day He Started Begging novel Chapter 81

Madeline Monroe averted her gaze from his lazily sprawled figure.

When did this man turn into an exhibitionist?

She had no idea how York Yates conducted himself at work, but lately, whenever she was home, he couldn't seem to wear his clothes properly.

If he wasn't leaving his pajamas completely unbuttoned, he was purposely undoing the top three buttons of his dress shirt to expose his bare chest.

It was unbearable to look at.

If people didn't know his identity, they would have assumed he was a stripper at some downtown club.

They were so used to trading barbs, but now that Madeline needed a favor, she couldn't exactly act as hostile as before.

She paused and stood up.

"Let's eat."

York followed closely behind, taking the seat right next to her.

He looked at the spread on the table, the amusement in his eyes deepening.

"Well, this is a surprise. What kind of luck do I have today? The housekeeper made nothing but my favorite dishes."

Madeline was speechless.

She felt a strange prickle of annoyance, certain that York was being deliberately sarcastic.

Fighting back her innate reflex to snap at him, Madeline abruptly changed the subject.

"Have you been busy at work lately? You've been back from San Francisco for a while now, but it seems like you're always home..."

"Tsk, Ms. Monroe," York said, placing a piece of BBQ rib on her plate. He leaned in, a half-smile playing on his lips. "What, are you afraid I'll have too much free time to pester you? Are you starting to keep tabs on me?"

"I've been back for almost a month, and you haven't asked a single question about my work. I'm honestly flattered by this sudden burst of enthusiastic concern."

"Or perhaps you're worried some young thing might catch my eye at a party, and you're trying to vet my social circle."

York closed the distance between them with every word.

She could clearly see the teasing and mockery dancing in his dark eyes.

It hit her then.

York had seen right through her intentions from the start. He was just sitting back, waiting for her to take the bait.

He was doing this on purpose.

Madeline dropped the polite smile, her eyes turning sharp and clear.

Madeline's head snapped up, looking at him in sheer surprise.

Why did he agree so quickly?

Had he suddenly changed his personality?

"But I have a condition."

York spoke with agonizing slowness.

Madeline fell silent.

She knew it. A man this inherently wicked would never make things that easy.

"York, if you're going to use this to force me into... doing certain things, my answer is no."

Madeline looked him dead in the eye.

"Piper is my best friend, but I absolutely refuse to use my body as a bargaining chip with you."

Even if finding a physical release was a normal thing for adults.

She still refused.