I miss something?
“That’s great.” I awkwardly pat her back and do my best to sound happy, but I know my voice is as flat as a tire that’s been punctured by a nail.
She steps back, placing her hand on my arm. “We should hang out sometime soon. We can plan for the fall. I’m sure we can get together since the school’s aren’t far apart. Besides, I miss you.”
“Yeah, uh, I’m pretty busy with work, but if I have some free time, I’ll let you know.”
“Come on, Shaw. You can find some time for me.”
Raising the bottle to my lips, I down the remainder in one long gulp. I miss Maddie and wish she were here. She’s easy to talk to.
Mindy opens her mouth to speak, and I glance at my watch. “Shit. I’ve got to get out of here. My parents want me home early.” Setting the bottle on a small table, I hurry to the front door, half expecting her to follow. I luck out when she doesn’t, and I pause for a moment once I’m outside.
Running a hand through my hair, the errant pieces tumble, rearranging until they’re no longer falling into my eyes, I make a decision I hope I won’t regret.
Sitting in my truck outside The Cookie Crumbles waiting for Maddie to finish working, I’ve spent the last hour trying to talk myself into leaving. But every time I shifted my truck into drive, I couldn’t make my foot release its pressure on the brake.
I want to see her.
I want to spend time with her.
I want to kiss her.
I want her to be my girlfriend.
I’m just not sure how to go about making that happen. When Marshall gets back home I need to have a talk with him and let him know how much Maddie has come to mean to me. I’m hoping once he realizes I’m serious about her, he’ll be happy for us.
He’s a reasonable guy—sometimes. And even if we’re at college together, I can see her anytime I want to. I really think we can make this work, but I need to make sure Maddie feels the same about me. I’m pretty sure she does. Marshall is the real challenge in all this, because if he doesn’t give me his blessing, I don’t know what I’ll do.
He’s not here now and Maddie is.
Shutting off the engine, I step outside of my truck, and prop one foot over the other, leaning back against the closed door. I shove my hands in my pockets and wait for Maddie to come out.
The lights inside the shop finally shut off and seconds later she’s locking up. I don’t say anything because I don’t want to scare her. I wait until she turns around and notices me on her own.
Her eyes light up with excitement and her mouth opens in a wide, welcoming smile. “Hi. What a nice surprise.”
“Eh, I was in the neighborhood.” I feign nonchalance, when in reality, my chest is bubbling with a plethora of unnamed emotions like a pot of boiling water. Emotions I’ve never experienced before, and I don’t know what to do with them all.
But I know what I want to do with Maddie.
Pushing off the truck, I move forward, desperate to get my lips on hers. I want to kiss her and see if it packs as powerful a punch as it did yesterday and the day before.
I don’t stop until we're toe-to-toe. My hands cup her face just prior to my mouth seizing control of hers. I groan with relief as her plush lips part and my tongue dips inside for a taste. She’s the sweetest temptation, and I’m already addicted.
My arms slip down to band around her, tugging her closer to me. Impossibly closer, until the pillowy softness of her breasts is crushed against my solid chest. My head spins like I’ve had too much to drink. I’m drunk on Maddie and everything to do with her.
Small hands clutch the hem along the bottom of my t-shirt before climbing up the material, covering my stomach and stopping to press on my chest. Drawing back, I stare down at her upturned, flushed face and smile. I put that pinkness in her cheeks. Her lips are wet and swollen from my kisses.
“Maybe we shouldn’t be kissing out here where anyone could see us.” Her head swivels from side to side, eyes seeking any casual observers.
“Don’t worry, no one saw us. But if anyone does, we’ll deal with it.”
“How would we