Page 36 of This Time Around
He pretended to think it over seriously.
“Embarrassing? No, not really. I did however own a pair or two of cargo pants.”
“The ones that had a million pockets and could fit all your possessions?”
“Yep, those ones exactly.”
“Yeah no, that’s not embarrassing enough. Not even a fringe?”
“Nope, sorry.”
“Well that’s disappointing.” Madison’s eyes were sparkling in obvious amusement. And Nate knew that because he’d somehow drawn closer as they’d kept talking. He realized that he was actually having fun, and he felt lighter than he’d felt in years.
He knew he should take a step back or even look away but he didn’t want to. And something told him that maybe she didn’t want to either.
A loud noise like glass shattering on a hard surface snapped them out of whatever that was and Nate felt a surge of annoyance at the interruption. However, no interruption could dissolve the underlying thrum of excitement that seemed to be buzzing through his veins. He suddenly had the desire to be just a little bit impulsive.
“Dance with me, Mads?”
Up to that point, the music had been a mix of dance hits from the 90s and early 2000s as well as endless RnB songs. But as the intro to Edwyn Collins’s ‘A Girl Like You’ started blasting from the speakers, Nate decided he was going off-script.
Madison’s smile started from a mere tilting of her lips and evolved into a full-on grin.
“Are you sure? How much have you had to drink exactly?” she said, her excitement tinting her cheeks in a way that made his breath hitch.
“Unfortunately, not at all so I can’t blame this on alcohol.” He extended his hand, palm up. “And I’ve never been surer.” His voice sounded rough even to his own ears, as Madison reached out and clasped her hand in his. He gently tugged her towards him, slowly walking backwards to the middle of the living room where everyone had been dancing.
Nate’s left hand found its way around Madison’s waist while his right one clasped her left as he attempted to twirl her, which of course had her laughing in seconds. They danced through the whole song and the next one, both of them busting out some of their best and some of their most ridiculous moves and laughing until tears formed in the corners of their eyes. If the only goal of the night was to see her have fun, then Nate would go home feeling proud as hell for achieving it.
From the corner of his eye, he caught the familiar figures of Liam and Cooper who were standing stock-still and gaping at him as if he’d grown an extra head.
He was definitely going to hear about this later.
He had no regrets.
The music suddenly changed into something lush and slow, charging the mood around them. He was ready to let Madison go, to maybe guide her to their earlier spot and resume their conversation.
Except his body felt locked into place, his muscles tensing with anticipation.
Nate peered into Madison’s eyes, and what he saw there reassured him that letting go was the last thing on both their minds. He found himself moving closer to her as if he’d been doing this forever. She fit against his body, her arms grasping the front of his shirt, her warmth sipping though the fabric while he held her close, one arm around her waist and one around her nape, as the music crooned away. They were surrounded by dozens of bodies but they might as well have been alone with only the music guiding their movements in a soothing, sultry vibe.
A sense of peace came over him as Nate came slowly to a realization that had been a long time in the making.
He wanted this girl. In whatever capacity, as a friend or otherwise. There was no going back for him.
He was not letting her go.
seventeen
Maddy thought she could hear her heart beating in her ears. That particular organ seemed to be working overtime tonight. She was practically vibrating. Or maybe that was her pulse jumping against Nate’s fingers where his hand was pressing against it, cupping her nape.
She’d never felt so conscious of everything, like she would be able to summon to memory every instance, every thought, every emotion from this night.
She could feel every spot where Nate was touching her. His touch wasn’t just protective; it made her feel treasured, like something delicate yet fiercely desired. Or at least, that was how she chose to interpret it.
The fabric of his shirt, bunched in her clenched fist, was soft against her skin, carrying the heat of his body. That warmth seeped into her, making her hyper-aware of how close he was. His scent—rich, familiar, and intoxicating—wrapped around her, making her head swim. She hadn’t had a single drink all night, but with him this near, she didn’t need one.
She and Nate swayed to the music until the song changed to something more upbeat and Maddy reluctantly unglued herself from him.
