Page 88 of Slow Burn
A laugh rumbled from my chest, surprising me for a moment before I realized how good it felt to be around people.
Or maybe it was good because the woman I loved, loved me back.
"Now that's the sound of folks enjoying a party." Mr. Young and his wife sidled in beside me. I felt a sharp clap against my shoulder blade before he turned toward me. "You and I need to have a beer, son. Discuss your intentions with my daughter and all that."
"Oh my gosh, Dad," Maddie groaned.
"Fraser!" her mom reprimanded.
I just grinned. "I'm ready when you are, sir."
He must've liked my answer because his wrinkly lips stretched into a pleased smile as he squeezed my shoulder.
Another wall came crumbling down at that moment. Sure, I still had a hell of a long way to go, but I wasn't going to walk it alone.
***
"Finally," I groaned against her mouth before diving back in for another kiss. We'd stayed and mingled at her mom's party for another two hours before Maddie and I finally slipped away.
As great as it had been to meet and spend time with the people who meant the most to her, it was still new and very daunting to me.
There were moments where the room had felt too small. Where eyes would linger too long and anxiety would rear its ugly head and claw at my skin. In those moments I'd wanted to flee. To hide myself from their assessments, their judgments.
But then Maddie would squeeze my hand or touch her palm to my chest like she knew what I was feeling. And then by some miracle, my thoughts would settle. My heart would calm.
She grounded me, kept me sane. I was incredibly grateful for that.
For her.
So grateful, in fact, that we'd barely stepped through her front door before I pinned her against it and devoured her mouth like a ravenous beast.
Judging by the way she was fumbling with the buttons on my shirt, I didn't think she minded our current position too much.
My lips moved along her delicate jawline to the sensitive spot below her ear. Latching on, I grazed her skin with my teeth before nibbling my way down her throat.
"Mhm." Maddie's back arched, her beasts pushing into my chest. There were at least three layers of material separating us, but I still felt the warmth of her as if her bare skin was touching mine.
But that's how everything was with this woman. Always heightened to the max.
Maddie threaded her fingers through my hair. Lifting her knee, she dragged it up along my leg. My hand went to her thigh, slowly skimming up her satiny skin until I could fill my palm with her ass.
At that first touch, an animalistic growl tore my lungs. Because shit, she was either wearing a thong or absolutely nothing at all.
It was the deep-rooted need to find out that had me sinking to my knees and ducking my head under her dress. Grinning, I traced the lacy triangle with my finger before shoving it aside and putting my mouth on her.
With a not so gentle touch, I gripped her leg and guided it over my shoulder. My mouth never left her, eagerly, hungrily lapping everything she had to give.
"Oh yes." Maddie bucked her hips, frantically writhing the more I licked and sucked.
When she got closer and closer to that blissful edge of ecstasy, I doubled my efforts. Because I lived to make this woman feel good.
"So close," Maddie moaned, her needy whimpers growing louder and louder by the second. The moment I gently bit into her sensitive flesh, her thighs shook, and my name blew over her lips in a reverent prayer.
With my hands gripping her hips, she rode the final waves of her pleasure. "You're so good at that," she finally breathed out as she slouched and slid down against the door.
Before her ass hit the ground, I gathered her in my arms and cradled her against my chest. Tilting her head back, she beamed at me with a lazy smile spreading across her gorgeous face.
It was also the moment Sheldon chose to join us. Hopping on to my stretched-out legs, he showered both Maddie and me with wet doggy kisses. Loud peals of laughter spilled from her lips, bathing me in so much happiness I feared my heart might explode.
