Page 18 of The Ruckup
I reach the bottom of the bag and frown. I’d been in such a hurry to get here, I hadn’t checked to make sure everything was there when I got my order.
“What’s wrong?” There’s an offness to Maddie’s voice. A hint of caution I haven’t heard from her since the night of my parents’ Christmas party.
It has me pulling in a deep breath, trying to calm the anger rising toward a man who should hope our paths never cross. The man who made Maddie fear any sudden change in emotion or behavior.
Even one as subtle as disappointment over missing ketchup.
“Nothing’s wrong.” I force on an easy smile so she knows everything’s okay and that she is still safe. “I just forgot to check for ketchup.” I take ownership for the missing condiment instead of blaming whatever unknown person packed my food.
It’s another thing I want Maddie to know. That I can carry responsibility for my own thoughts and actions.
But that’s not something I do just for her. That’s something I do for myself as well. To prove I can be a better husband and partner than my dad. A man who deserves the kind of partner I’m seeking.
Maddie lifts her dark brows, a hint of a smile curving her lips. “Well…” She turns away, opening the fridge behind us before pulling out a small bottle and holding it up. “I guess it’s a good thing someone added it to their last grocery order.”
I stare at the bottle, surprised at how important it feels.
I know this thing with Maddie is a marathon, not a race, and moments like this—where she proves she thinks of me the way I think of her—let me know I’m not running alone.
“You are an angel.” I lean down to kiss her again, pausing just before our lips meet.
Then I wait. Give her the choice.
And damned if she doesn’t make the same one I would have.
When Maddie’s soft lips meet mine, I go completely still, afraid of spooking her. The kiss is sweet and short, but still everything I could’ve hoped for.
But when our lips separate, Maddie doesn’t pull away. She stays close, her dark eyes moving over my face like she’s looking for something specific. I wish I knew what it was. I’d give it to her. By the fucking crateful.
Whatever she wants, I’ll find a way to provide.
Without warning, Maddie hooks an arm around my neck, bringing my mouth back down to hers.
This time her kiss is more. Of everything.
More confident. More sure.
More demanding.
When her full lips part against mine, I can’t stifle the groan that rumbles through my chest. Everything about her is so sweet, and I don’t think I will ever be able to get enough of it.
Of her.
Maddie pushes higher on her toes, trying to close the gap created by the differences in our heights. She’s making herself as tall as she can, and I’m hunched over, so neither of us is comfortable.
Bracing my hands at her waist, I lift her up, sliding her butt onto the counter beside me. She doesn’t yell or jerk in my hold. And the second she’s settled, both hands tangle in my hair.
Since she doesn’t seem bothered by my handling of her, I step close, hips bracketed by her thighs. “Better?”
Maddie gives me a nod, already leaning closer. “Better.”
Then her mouth is on mine again, soft tongue slicking between my lips. When her legs wrap around my waist, ankles hooking together behind my back, I start to feel lightheaded.
Probably due to the sudden and dramatic reallocation of my blood.
Everything is moving faster than I anticipated or planned for. When Maddie’s hands grip my shirt, attempting to shove it up my body, I’m faced with a decision. Do I give her what she seems to want?
Or do I slow everything back down?
