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“Dixon…”
But I press. “Madison, just open it. If you don’t like it, I can take it back.”
“That’s not the point. Whatever you give me, I’m going to love. It’s just that…this is too much.”
“You don’t even know what’s inside. I could have a hot tamale in there.” She smirks and sighs when I nudge the box into her palm.
I can’t bear to watch her open it as I’m terrified she’ll hate it. I’m terrified that this was a bad idea. I walk over to the balcony and turn my back, unable to stomach the thought that she might hate something so important to me.
When the box hinges whine open, I take a deep breath and look out into the star-filled sky. There is no noise, only the sound of my harsh breathing. Do I regret giving Madison this?
No.
“Dixon…I don’t know what to say other than it’s beautiful. Thank you so much.” Her bewildered voice reveals she means every word.
“It was my mother’s,” I explain. “She was a devout Catholic and wore that medallion every day. It’s Saint Christopher, he’s known as the patron saint of travel. That was given to her by her aunt the day she left Italy. I know traditionally he’s meant to protect travelers, but I figure he’ll protect you from the emotional journey you’re currently on.
“Protect us on our travels, wherever we may roam; keep us safe and guide us, always safely home,” I say, reciting the prayer my mother used to say every day. But now, it holds more significance than I ever knew it would. “I want you to know that I will always be your home. No matter how far you roam, I’ll always be here, waiting for you to come home.”
I know my mother would have wanted Madison to have this. I also know she would have loved Madison as much I do. Whether she decides to wear it or not, that’s entirely up to her. I just wanted to give her something special, something personal, to show her how much she means to me.
“Will you help me put it on?” Maddy asks.
“Nothing would please me more.” I turn around and smile when I see Madison standing before me. She hands me the silver necklace and brushes her hair to one side. I walk behind her and place the chain around her neck, fastening it gently. I can’t help but run my fingers along her neckline.
She spins around slowly, fingering the charm as she peers down at it. The tears running down her cheeks reveal she likes it. Unable to see her cry, I wipe them away with my thumbs. More just fall in their place.
“What’s the matter? Are you unhappy?” I ask suddenly, watching her lower lip tremble uncontrollably.
She shakes her head.
“Then what is it?”
“Dixon…” Her voice is hoarse, and I can hear the terror in her tone. “I love this.” She grasps the charm, her eyes never wavering from mine. “And…I love…you.”
“What?” I jar backward, not believing the words I just heard. Surely, I’m mistaken. There’s no way she said what I thought she just did.
Taking an agonizingly slow breath, she steps back and shyly reaches for the hem of her dress. I’m watching in complete and utter fascination when she draws the garment up and over her head. It drops to her feet a second later and then she’s standing before me, completely naked.
I am rendered speechless. The fact she came out here totally naked underneath her dress is a fucking turn-on.
Under the moonlight, she appears godly and ethereal. I’ve seen her naked before, just not her entire body at the one time. There are simply no words to describe what I’m seeing.
“Make love to me.”
And again, there are simply no words to describe what I’m feeling.
But as she stands watching me nervously, I know I have to pull it together and be the man she deserves. “Are you sure, Madison? There’s no hurry.”
She nods. “I know I’m being greedy, seeing as you’ve already given me so much. But this is my way of giving something back.”
“You don’t have to give…” She steps forward, placing her finger over my lips.
“I want to. I want you.”
No man could ever turn down such a request.
“I want you, too.”
