Madison's Life Lessons by Gracen Miller Read Free Book Online Page B

she’d ranked it as high as her other prized possessions…her hidden romance books. The truth of his licentious ways rankled. Flirts and playboys had no business taking any space in her thoughts, much less her daydreams. And as soon as she got him, she’d rip up and trash his stupid business card.
    “Look, Jen, your parents are paying me to help you with French, not discuss local socialites posing as upstanding legal defense lawyers. I’ve got my own homework to study.” A little white lie never hurt anyone. Having a photographic memory nullified the need to study. “So what’s it going to be? Study French or you’re on your own for this test?”
    “You really need to get a life, Madison. That man doesn’t care if I know French or just plain English. All he cares about is how well I French kiss.” Jen grinned and giggled at her own joke. “When I’m his wife, all I’ll need to know how to do is count the many ways I can spend his money.”
    Madison rolled her eyes. Jen was another small town girl looking for a rich husband. How sad to have no other goals in life.
    Worse, Micah Dominus didn’t care about Jen, but Madison didn’t have the heart to be that nasty. And she swore the thought wasn’t conceived out of jealousy over him flirting with the other girl. He could flirt with whomever he chose, just so long as he stayed away from her.
    “Right. I’ll see you next week.” Madison snatched up her book bag and purse and headed for the cash register.
    “You’re bill has already been paid,” the cashier said. “By the gentleman over there.” She pointed and Madison followed her arm to Micah.
    Mr. Dominus smiled at her and winked.
    “Tell him I said no thanks and give him his money back.” She tossed a ten dollar bill down and made a beeline for the door.
    Micah caught her at the door and she hadn’t even seen him coming after her. A hand on her arm halted her. “You weren’t going to speak before you left, kitten?”His voice was low enough no one else could hear their conversation. “You never called me.”
    “No, I hadn’t planned on speaking, Mr. Dominus.” She scanned his friends. They chatted, except for one who watched them with keen interest. Disturbed by his friend’s stare, she flicked her gaze to Micah. “I never said I’d call you.”
    Arctic blue eyes peered at her. She attempted to shrug her arm free of his grasp, but instead of letting go, his palm slid down her arm and cradled her wrist. He swished his thumb across her pulse and his penetrating stare never left hers. The corners of his eyes narrowed just a smidgeon, so slight if she hadn’t been paying attention, she’d have missed it.
    “Your heartbeat is erratic.” His thumb flicked across her wrist. “What’s wrong?”
    “Look, we’re not friends or acquaintances.” She licked her suddenly dry lips. “We just happen to live in the same town. It’s best we leave it that way.”
    Madison snatched her wrist free, turned and walked away, leaving Micah Dominus standing in the doorway of Nirty’s Tropical Explosion.

Life Lesson Twelve
     
    Micah watched as Madison bolted, setting off down the sidewalk in a brisk stride. No woman had ever walked away from him. Damned if he wasn’t intrigued by her gumption. Rejecting him like a chipped piece of china was fucking sexy.
    Something had miffed her, but he had no idea what.
    He glanced toward his dining partners and grinned at his brother. Elias dismissed the other men without comment and rose from his seat to approach him. Coming to stand beside Micah, his brother asked, “That’s her? My future sister-in-law?”
    “Yes. Couldn’t you feel her energy?”
    “Great ass.” Elias stared after her, gawking in appreciation. Micah ignored his comment, even though his disrespect rankled. “Has anyone told her you’ve got designs on her future?” A tinge of satire darkened his brother’s voice.
    Micah laughed. “Hell, no. She’s too intelligent for me to attempt to