Page 53 of Every Single Wildflower
I take my seat again, and he takes his. “Can we just eat now? That was a lot to unload.”
With a simple nod he grabs his fork, and we spend the next fifteen minutes in silence, while I process the fact that I just told my father’s secret.
After we finished, Maddox left the kitchen. I don't blame him considering the grenade I just launched on a random Saturday. I know he cared for my dad, respected him, and Aiden is his friend. I trash the food boxes and wipe down the table before I head to the hallway with a plan to curl up in my bed and rewatch episodes of Heartland. When I pass Maddox’s room, the door is ajar, and I glance through the opening as I walk by. Something catches my eyes that's lying on his nightstand. I press my palm to the door, tiptoeing in before I confirm that I hear the shower running behind the bathroom door across the hall. My bare feet carry me across his bedroom. His scent wrapping around me the farther I explore. When I get right up to the small wooden table, I peer down at the picture. Its half burned, but through the dirt and the ash I can see a smiling face.Mine.I pick it up, recognizing the picture my mother had framed in our old living room. I press my palm to my heart. He must have gotten it from the ruble. He found my picture.And kept it.
My legs are moving before my mind can catch up. My hand tentatively hovers over the doorknob to the bathroom before I throw out my insecurities and yank it open. My eyes land on a very wet and very naked Maddox. He's facing away from me, and even through the trickles of water filling the clear glass, I can see the vigorous muscles of his back. My heavy eyes trace over the curve of his firm ass, and down his thick legs. My core pulses and I grip the picture tighter in my hand.Is he even real?
My feet slide across the threshold, my heart nearly in my throat as I rip open the shower door next. Maddox doesn’t even flinch. He uses both hands to run them through his hair after he dips his head beneath the spray. His wet ends curl and I completely stop breathing when he turns to face me, those hypnotizing eyes locking me in place. I drag my gaze down his chest, across his abdomen, then lower, where his steel cock twitches under my gaze. I’ve pictured Maddox Sheppard nakeda thousand times. Even that night in the barn, our clothes didn’t come off. But this. This version is beyond what my imagination could conjure.
“Goldie.” The word is barely a whisper. Almost a plea as my eyes lock back on his.
Two beats. Two heartbeats, then he’s reaching for my wrist and dragging me into the shower. Sweatpants and all.
Chapter forty
Maddox
My arm bands around Ivy’s waist before I crush her to my chest. The water cascades over her white t-shirt, melting into her perfect frame. Her gasp is audible inside the shower stall, and I quickly swallow it with my lips. I wasted precious time the first time I had her. She gave me something special, something delicate, and I did a shit job of handling it. I was rough, and impatient. A man driven by his emotions. Tonight, I was changing the game. I spent a long time on the sidelines. I watched my girl get heartbroken. I watched her bounce back. I watched her thrive in every area of life, while silently rooting for her from my corner. But I can no longer sit on the sidelines. Ican no longer pretend that what this is, isn’t real. It’s the realest fucking thing I’ve ever felt. And right now, I plan to show her.
“Lift,” I mutter the words against her lips, and she obeys without hesitation.
Her arms raise, and I use all of my ability to pull myself away long enough to peel her shirt from her body. The material slaps against tile floor where I deposit it, then my fingers slip into the waistband of her sweatpants. Falling down to my knees, I slowly trail the wet garment down her thighs, and to the floor. Her hands rest on my shoulders, using me as leverage as she gracefully steps out, standing beautiful and completely naked for me.
Leaning in, my tongue traces the path of a water droplet, leading down to the curve of her hip.
A soft moan sounds above me, followed by the feeling of her hands sliding into my hair.
“Maddox,” she breathes out.
I press a kiss to her hip bone, before dragging my tongue across her stomach, then land another soft kiss on her other hip.
“I apologize, Ivy," I rasp out, looking up at her.
Her brows furrow, and her head slightly tilts in confusion. She's so fucking beautiful. Makeup free. Hair wet. Skin glistening.
“For what?” She asks.
“For our first time.” I let my hands slide down to her thighs, kneading the smooth flesh beneath my fingertips. “You deserved better than some frantic fuck in a dusty old barn.”
She smiles with a shake of her head. “I don’t regret it, Maddox.”
“I don’t either.” I hold her gaze. “But I do regret not treating you with the respect and attention you deserve.”
Her hand runs through my hair, twirling one of the locks that I haven’t cut in months.
“All that stops now," I declare. “From now on, when I have you, you’ll be a withering mess before I’m through with you.” One of my hands trial to the inside of her thigh, sliding up until I’ve reached the place I've dreamed about for years.
My fingers tease, my lips moving closer as she willingly parts those pretty thighs for me. She leans back, bracing herself against the shower wall.
Watching her expression, I lean in, blowing hot air against her swollen clit. Her eyes roll back, her hand clenching against my hair, giving me the confirmation that my girl likes the attention.
“Do you want to come, Goldie?” I ask, blowing just lightly enough that she raises her hips, begging for my mouth.
“Yes.” She gasps. “Please.”
Grinning, I reach up, removing the sprayer from the holder on the wall before I’m back in position. Lifting her leg, I place it over my shoulder. “I remember the way you looked.” Two fingers slide over her slit, before I’m dipping them into her tight center. “The way your face flushed when you let go for me.”
Her breathing hitches, her eyes widening when I pump my fingers. “I memorized it," I admit. “Because that was all I was going to get. I told myself I could never lose control again.” I slide my hand out, and because I can’t sit here any longer without a single taste, I let my tongue replace my fingers.
