has ever held me like this before.
His arms and legs wrapped around me make me feel so warm and protected. A fire isn’t needed right now; just him.
“You comfortable?” he asks quietly.
I nod. “Very, actually.”
He smiles against my cheek, before whispering, “I’ve always been good at cuddling. You can borrow me anytime after this trip is over, as long as it’s in bed.”
I pinch his arm playfully. “Ha. Ha. Always with the jokes. Do they ever get old?”
“Not really. You should know this by now.”
I sort of do. He’s always been the playful type. Just in a different way than this weekend.
“Is it bad that I’m already tired?” Jess yawns from her place in Jake’s arms. “It feels like it’s close to two a.m. already. I think I’m getting old.”
“It’s barely nine,” Walker points out. “It’s probably from playing volleyball. Plus, we all stayed up late as shit last night.” He rolls over on his back and locks his fingers behind his head. His eyes land on me. “I could go all night long. I don’t get tired.”
“That’s a fucking lie,” Seth says on a laugh. “That’s not what Nicole said last Summer.”
“Fuck off,” Walker mutters in response to Seth, pulling his eyes from me suddenly. I wonder if it’s because of Madden. Whatever the reason, I’m thankful. “I was so drunk I could barely walk. She’s lucky she got the ten pumps she did before I passed out on top of her. I guarantee they were the best ten pumps of her life.”
“Fuck that noise,” Riley adds. “She ended up in my bed two weeks later, and unlike you, I lasted more than ten pumps, brother.”
“Sounds like a lucky girl,” Alana mumbles. “I bet neither one of you losers made love to her all night, or made sure her needs were met first. Men like you two don’t put women first in the bedroom. You’re too fixated on pleasing yourselves and just expect her to come before you.” Her attention turns to Madden and my cheeks burn hot from realizing that she’s most likely comparing them to him. “I’ve only met one man who could completely satisfy me in the bedroom. I don’t expect anyone to ever compare.”
I feel Madden’s arms tighten around me, and that’s enough to turn my attention away from Alana before she catches me staring at her. My face feels tight, so I’m guessing the look on my face right now isn’t a good one. I wear my emotions more times than not.
“Soooo…” Jess clears her throat to change the subject. “Are you staying with your brother for a bit before you go back to being a famous rock star or what?”
My heart pounds with anticipation as I wait for Madden’s response. A part of me hopes he says yes, while the other part knows I should hope he says no.
“Nah, not with my brother. I’m going to stay with Nat at her place for a few days before heading back to the wild life. I want some alone time to take care of her before I leave again…” He squeezes my hip, making my heart flutter. “I have a lot to make up for from being gone so much. After this, she’s mine for a few days. Just the two of us, alone, with no distractions.”
Why do I like the sound of that?
I swallow, my mouth suddenly feeling dry.
“Lucky you!” Jess grins at me. “You’re dating probably the most loyal and loving rock star to walk this earth. You’re a lucky woman. I hope you know that.”
“I do.” I smile and rest my head on Madden’s chest. When he grabs my throat and pulls my head back so his lips hover over mine, I stop breathing for a moment.
“Say that again,” he whispers against my lips. “Tell me you’re lucky to be mine.”
“I’m lucky to be yours, Madden.” My eyes meet his, and for a second, I almost believe my own lie.
“Good. Because I’m keeping you.”
“Turn that up,” Alana mutters to Riley who is holding the remote for the music. She’s sitting on the same blanket as him, so when he doesn’t move fast enough for her, she grabs the remote and does it herself. “There… much better.” She shoots Madden a hateful look before leaning against Riley’s shoulder to keep warm.
Everyone’s quiet for a while after, just sitting around enjoying the warmth of the fire, few words spoken here and there. I have to admit that I’m enjoying the simplicity of the night.