Page 66 of Someone Like You
“You are leaving.” He leaned forward, his face alongside hers. “You have to go.”
She tilted her head back, so their cheeks were together. She sighed. “I don’t want to go.”
The feeling of her face against his was heaven. Everything in him wanted to agree with her. Beg her to stay so she’d never go back. Instead, with a strength that wasn’t his own, Dawson moved so he could see her face. She did the same. He took her hand and she eased her fingers between his.Say it, he told himself.You have to say it.He took his time. “You belong there.”
Walls seemed to go up in her eyes. She stood and took a few steps toward the water. Dawson studied her. Was she angry with him, for doing the right thing and encouraging her to go?
Dawson was on his feet now, too. He put his hand on her shoulder and she turned to him. Her face was a mix of anger and sorrow. “You … you don’t want me? Is that what you’re saying?”
“Maddie.” How could he explain himself? “You’re getting this all—”
“Stop.” She was clearly upset. “I’ve fallen for you, Dawson. Can’t you see that?” She pointed to the spot where they had just been sitting on the beach. “And unless I’m clueless, it seems you feel the same.” The fight left her and she locked eyes with him. “So why are you pushing me away? I sense that, more all the time, which is why I’ve tried to keep things simple between us.” She shook her head. “But I can’t. Not on days like this.”
Every cell in his body wanted to pull her into his armsand never let go. Instead he took the slightest step toward her. “Maddie … that’s not it.”
“So why?” She brought her fingertips to his face. “Why do you push me away?”
Whatever resolve Dawson had, it was gone. His own breathing was shallow now, faster. He worked his hands into her hair. “Maddie …” He didn’t finish his thought.
Before he could stop himself his lips were on hers and he was kissing her the way he had longed to do since their first day together. She kissed him back and for the most breathless, beautiful minute they stayed that way. Hungry for all they’d avoided till this moment.
When he drew back, he studied her eyes, her face. “I love you, Maddie. I’ve … I’ve wanted to tell you for so long.” He brought his lips to hers again. “When I’m around you … I can barely breathe.”
She kissed him, pulling him close as if they were the only two people in the world. When their gazes met again, her eyes were alive, sparkling. “Why didn’t you say so?”
“Because.” Dawson needed time, needed to step back before he crossed lines he didn’t want to cross. He steadied himself and eased his fingers between hers once more. “Because, Maddie. You really do belong … back home. In Bloomington.”
The sparkle in her eyes faded, but she didn’t deny the fact. Her cheeks were red and she was still out of breath. “Do you think … maybe you love me because … because of London?”
“No.” Dawson had asked himself that question a hundred times. He fought the desire to pull Maddie close again. “With London … it was different. She was my best friend, so … I was in love with the idea of her.”
Maddie nodded.
“But with you …” He slid one hand along her face and into her hair again. Gently he cupped the back of her head and drew her close once more. “I’m crazy for you, Maddie. You’re … so different than she was.”
Dawson could do nothing to stop the next kiss or the one after that. But finally he led them back to the sand. He sat beside her, closer this time. “I don’t know … if there could ever be a way for us.” He took her hand and their eyes met and held. “But I know for sure you need to go home.”
She looked at the sand in front of her. “Maybe.”
Their bodies were touching from their shoulders to their legs as they faced the water. “Definitely.” He leaned over and kissed the top of her head. “You can’t just start a new life, Maddie. You belong there.”
Time passed and they stayed that way, connected as if they might never leave. But after a while, Dawson helped her to her feet. “You need to get home.” He pulled her in again. “Big day tomorrow.”
“Okay.” She held his hand as they walked a few feet to the waiting Jet Ski. Then she clung to him all the way up the river.
When they were out of their wet suits and in their street clothes, he walked her out to the car and took her in his arms. He had planned to apologize for kissing her, for making her decision more confusing.
Instead, with her body against his, he did the only thing he wanted to do. The thing he wanted more than his next breath. He kissed her again and didn’t let go. She was a dream, the girl he had always wanted and never known till these last few months. Their kiss was warm against the cool breeze.
But eventually Dawson forced himself to step away. Again he was breathing fast. “I’m sorry.” He searched her eyes. “For kissing you. I promised myself I wouldn’t.”
She put her hand on the side of his face and shook her head. Her gaze never left his. “Don’t be sorry.” For the sweetest moment, she leaned up and kissed him one last time. A different kind of kiss. One rich with goodbye. Their eyes held. “I’ve wanted you to kiss me since the bridge at Multnomah Falls.”
He smiled. “Me, too.” For a few seconds, neither of them said anything. It was enough just being together, sharing the same air and heartbeat. “Can I pray with you? Before you go?”
The shine in her eyes was back. “Please.”
Dawson took both her hands and lifted his voice to God. “Lord, Your precious daughter Maddie is going into surgery tomorrow. You led her to this decision, so You already know, of course. But I ask You by the power of Your Holy Spirit, to keep her safe.” He held her hands a little more tightly. “Keep her in Your arms and at the end of the day let her and Louise both be healthy and well.” He hesitated, his emotions strong. “In Jesus’ name, amen.”
