Heart's Duo (Ugly Eternity #4) Read Online Free PDF Page A

hotel complete with a private ballroom and a staff ready to please. They had the place for the entire weekend and Maddox was keeping the cash bar hopping. It was the only thing saving his sanity. Two hours earlier, the live band they’d hired fired up, filling the place with music. The staff had thrown the doors wide, letting in the night air hoping to keep the people crowding the dance floor cool. Maddox had found a spot outside and out of sight. He hadn’t moved since.
    Occasionally, a partygoer would slip out for a moment, disturbing his space. Otherwise, he had the spot to himself. It was best for everyone. He wasn’t good company. As the night grew late, the crowd thinned until barely a dozen people remained inside the ballroom. Maddox had an unhindered view of Hawke and Jamie. No matter how hard he tried, which wasn’t very hard, he couldn’t look away from the pair. Jamie had changed so much. The man was damn near unrecognizable. He’d gained an extensive amount of ink since the last time Maddox had seen him and his hair was longer. The biggest transformation was his smile. The man hadn’t stopped all night, leading back to his original thought—he was a showman now. If ever a moment passed when Hawke looked bored, Jamie fired to life. With everyone watching and Hawke backed against a nearby wall, Jamie pretended to strip. He did a damn good impression.
    The expression Hawke wore as Jaime shook his ass and gyrated against him was priceless. Hawke was ridiculously in love. It was right there for everyone to see. Maddox reached up, rubbing the spot in the center of his chest that ached at the thought. His pain didn’t matter. He wanted this for Hawke.
    *
    Benton had moved beyond the ability to taste the amber liquid filling his glass long ago. That tiny detail didn’t stop him from lifting it to his lips. For some reason, one he couldn’t explain, he was fascinated by the sight of Maddox skulking in the shadows. Of course, he too was doing a bit of lurking, but at least he was sitting down like a civilized stalker. He’d spent his entire night dodging Sophie while cursing himself for missing his chance to spend time with Sophie. The previous night had been a reality check. She was with Joss—not him.
    As Benton looked on, Maddox rubbed the center of his chest. Benton followed the line of his gaze to Hawke and Jamie. The pair was a tad enthralling. Benton bit back a chuckle as Jamie urged Hawke’s arms over his head and held them against the wall. His hips moved in time with the music as if waiting for someone to shove a few bills down his pants. The man was insane. Benton had to respect that.
    How the pair didn’t feel all the eyes upon them, Benton couldn’t explain. They were standing close enough Benton could make out every letter of Jamie’s name spelled out in permanent ink across the inside of Hawke’s forearm. Knowing Jamie, as he did, the man couldn’t care less who was watching them. He didn’t relent until Hawke was laughing so hard no sound emerged. Benton went back to watching Maddox. There was something about the entire situation niggling at that back of his mind. Something slightly off. Maddox was so focused on the pair he’d yet to notice Benton, leaving him free to puzzle it out.
    This man had cheated on Hawke, throwing everything away. By all accounts, he should’ve let this go a long time ago. He’d broken things off and moved another man in. His expression said none of those things. Benton glanced around, Hawke and Jamie were still dancing. Sophie and Joss were in the corner having an up-close discussion. How had Joss came to be with Sophie over the last few months? None of it made any sense. If Maddox had put Hawke out and moved Joss in, why would Maddox watch Hawke instead of Joss? Benton’s gaze returned to Maddox. Maddox smiled at the sight of Hawke’s laughter and Benton knew. It was exactly like someone ripped back the curtain, revealing the real story.
    “Oh my