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“Likewise,” she replies, her cheeks stained a bright red.
“Talk tomorrow, Doc.” He playfully jabs me in the arm.
“I’ll see you out,” I say, and we both commence walking to the door.
“Don’t be a stranger, Cherry Pie. I’ll see you soon,” Hunter says over his shoulder while I basically shove him out the door.
“Good night, Hunter.”
“Don’t fuck this up,” he whispers and leaves before I have a chance to reply.
I take a deep breath before shutting the door, and as I turn around, I see Madison clearing the table.
“Hey, leave that. I’ll do it in the morning.”
But she’s insistent and carries a handful of empty bottles into the kitchen, giving me a quick smile. “It’s fine. It’ll only take a minute.”
She suddenly looks incredibly nervous, and I have a feeling that’s got to do with the fact that we’re alone. I collect the rest of the empty bottles and join her in the kitchen, where she’s vigorously wiping down the countertop. I move around her and place the bottles into the recycling, and decide to wait for her to finish before I speak, as she looks to be deep in thought.
However, when she begins washing the empty chip bowls, I know she’s not going anywhere for a while. I decide to leave her to it because I know a pensive female when I see one, and like my mother, keeping busy seems to be Madison’s escapism.
I quietly exit and head to my en suite to get ready for bed. After I’m done brushing and flossing, I change into a pair of sweats and splash on some Aramis because Madison commented earlier that she likes the scent. The moment I turn the light off in the en suite and step into the bedroom, I hear a stunned gasp. I look up to see Madison’s back.
“Madison?” I ask, confused. “Is everything all right?”
She takes a second before she replies, “Um, yes. I’m just, um, being silly.” She turns around, the bedside lamp illuminating her flushed cheeks.
I watch the way her eyes timidly swoop down my bare chest, and I now understand her actions—she’s shy. I was too busy thinking about what triggered the sudden mood change in her and completely forgot to slip on a tee. However, seeing as I usually sleep nude, she’s lucky I remembered the pants.
“Nice ink,” she says, her eyes zeroing in on my ribs.
“Thanks,” I reply, rubbing over the tattoo.
“‘We are never so defenseless against suffering as when we love,’” she says, tilting her head to the side and reading out the cursive text. “That’s really beautiful.”
“I think you mean pathetic,” I correct, and Madison raises an eyebrow, confused by my response.
However, her mouth parts a second later. She understands what I mean. “You got that because of your ex-fiancée?” she asks, and I nod.
“See, pathetic.”
I turn toward the dresser and open my drawer to grab a T-shirt, but Madison charges forward and latches onto my bicep. Looking down at her hand, I expect her to remove it, but she doesn’t. She loosens her grip but doesn’t let go. She takes a step closer while I take one back.
“Tell me what happened,” she gently coaxes, but I break free from her hold.
“No,” I bluntly reply and instantly feel guilty when I see Madison lower her eyes, wounded by my curt response. “I just don’t want to bore you with the pitiful details of my fucked-up relationship because there’s not much to tell. I fell in love with someone who I thought loved me back, I proposed, bought her this apartment,” I say, spreading my arms out wide. “Andin return, she fucked my best friend, got pregnant, got married, and lived happily ever after.”
Damn, where thehelldid that come from? I thought I was over Lily, but obviously, I’m not. And I don’t think I will ever make peace with her betrayal.
But looking down at Madison, who has a hand pressed over her mouth, and her honest eyes filled with tears, I know she’s the reason for my outburst. Now that Madison is standing before me, looking absolutely at peace in my home and with my friends, I know I want more.
I haven’t felt this way in so long, and go figure, the girl I’m attracted to, both inside and out, is unattainable because of a little thing called a boyfriend. But I can’t help but think back to what Hunter said. He’s right, she hasn’t mentioned him all night, and sheishere, sleeping in my bed, not his.
Madison’s words from last night come flooding back, and the reason she’s here is because she wants to be. I make her feel safe, and for someone who seems fearful most of the time, it makes sense that she’s drawn to a place that gives her a sense of security.
I don’t know why she’s afraid, but I’ll try my hardest to make sure she’s never scared again. Whether that’s as her friend, or something more, I’ll take whatever she wants to give because, right now, I’m her fucking slave.
“I’m going out for a cigarette.” I reach for the deck off my dresser and open the balcony doors.
