Page 17 of The Ruckup
And my phone number.
I climb into my car and back out of the driveway, aiming for the exit of my little neighborhood. While my best friend Gavin decided on a condo with a view, I opted to purchase a house with a yard and a pool. The ocean’s nice, but I like the idea of having something that’s just mine. A place I don’t have to pass anyone to enter.
I also like having the ability to swim naked, and I can’t imagine the other building residents would love the sight of my dick floating in the community pool.
I’d like to bring Maddie to my home at some point, but I’ve got to be patient. She’s been through so much, and I never want her to feel like I’m trying to fit her into my world. That’s not what I’m looking for. At all.
I want someone I can build a world with.
That’s part of why I haven't done a single renovation to my house. Because I’ve been hoping to find my person. If we decide to make my house our home, I want them to have just as much say in it as I do.
And I’ve already been imagining how Maddie might change things. Wondering what we could create together.
Giving myself a mental shake, I turn out onto the main road. I’m getting way ahead of myself. First, we’ve got to get Maddie through her divorce. Get her legally free and clear of Drake.
After making a stop to pick up dinner at a local hot dog place I love, I head for her apartment, parking next to my unknown friend PAPI69 like I usually do, before striding up to her door.
I don’t even have to knock. Maddie opens the door before I reach her welcome mat, greeting me with a warm and welcoming smile. “Hey.”
I love that there’s already a difference in how she acts around me. The first time I came over, she was shy. Maybe even a little withdrawn. Uncertain.
Those aren’t totally gone, but she seems less reserved. More comfortable. More content.
“Hey.” I lift the bag containing our dinner. “I hope you like hot dogs and tater tots.”
Maddie rocks up onto her bare toes, expression eager as it lands on the food. “Is that from Dave’s?”
“It is.” I give the bag a little jostle. “Does it earn me entry into your kingdom, Princess?”
Maddie laughs, the sound light and easy. “Absolutely it does.” She steps back, holding the door as I pass by. Without really thinking, I lean down to press a kiss to her lips. I didn’t mean to do it. It just felt so natural. Normal.
And I’m not taking it back.
Especially not when Maddie beams up at me, looking even happier over the kiss than she did over the dinner selection.
So I decide to push things a little further. See what happens if I nudge her into the sort of space I’d like us to be.
I make a show of taking her in, looking over the sweatpants and T-shirt she’s changed into since getting off work. “You look beautiful.”
Maddie rolls her eyes. “I look comfortable.”
“Two things can be true.” Closing the door and flipping the deadbolt, I lock us in. I reach up to rest the tip of a finger against the underside of her chin, making sure her eyes stay on me for the next part. “You could be covered in mud and smell like the inside of a sewer, and you would still be beautiful.”
Maddie’s eyes widen, moving over my face as she stares up at me. “You really mean that.”
I smile. “I do.” I remove my finger from her chin so I can tap her on the end of her cute little nose. “I’m not saying I wouldn’t hoseyou off before letting you in my house, but you would still look beautiful.”
Maddie laughs, the lightness of the sound settling deep inside me. Taking up residence.
Going to the kitchen counter, I start to unpack the food I brought, lining up the options. I got four different kinds of hotdogs and three servings of tater tots. I thought about bringing enough Maddie could have the leftovers for lunch tomorrow, but hotdogs don’t keep well.
So maybe I’ll have to bring her lunch at work.
The idea has barely bloomed before I know that’s exactly what’s going to happen. Right now I have a lot of free time on my hands, but soon I’ll be busy with training and practice, so I’d like to get as much groundwork laid as possible.
Not that I’m rushing. Maddie has been through a lot. We haven’t even come close to discussing what she wants and what she’s ready for. That doesn’t mean I don’t already know exactly whatIwant and whatI’mready for.
And what I want is for Maddie Miller to be mine. I’ve dated enough women to know what Idon’twant, and apparently I’ve also dated enough women to know what Idowant, because it didn’t take long for me to recognize it in Maddie.
