“How did you afford this place?” I blurt. “Not that it’s any of my business, but it seems impossible on a server’s wages.”
“Well.” She gives me a playful grin. “I’m no longer a server. I just came into an inheritance, and thus begins my new life of leisure.”
She might be giving me a lighthearted answer, but I can see a flash of pain in her pretty green eyes.
“I’m sorry. Who died?”
“My great-aunt. We hadn’t spoken in years.”
“And?” I prompt.
“And I don’t deserve to be sad about it. But I am sad. I missed a lot of time with her, and if I hadn’t been so wrapped up in my own petty issues, I might have thought to reach out.” She gives a self-deprecating laugh. “I know how fast things can change, how people can suddenly be gone. But I still never thought to do anything about connecting with her.”
I know what she’s talking about. One day Kyle was with us. The next day, gone.
I put my hand on her shoulder, feel her soft warmth beneath the jacket I folded her in earlier. “You still deserve to be sad about it. Whatever you’re feeling…you know grief is complicated.”
“You know it, too.”
I swallow hard past the lump in my throat. “Yeah. Anyway. Before we go upstairs, we should probably put some cardboard over the broken window.”
The intruder broke a large pane next to the door handle so he could let himself inside. I’ll also recommend Madison get a new door, something more secure.
We patch up the door and sweep the glass shards away. Madison works quietly. When she walks, she favors her injured foot, but she doesn’t complain.
I check my phone. It’s five-thirty. “Let’s get some sleep.”
“Right.” She starts hobbling up the stairs.
I follow behind, arms out to catch her if she falls. I’d rather just pick her up and carry her, but I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t allow it.
She points to an open door. “You can sleep in that room. I think we can find some bedding in this closet over here?—”
“I’ll sleep in your room.” At her shocked expression, I shake my head. “On the floor, Madison. You just had a home invasion and your front door isn’t secure. I’ll sleep close, for safety.”
She stares into my eyes. It feels like she’s stripping away all the bullshit to find my soul. “For safety.”
She shows me into the master bedroom and peels the comforter from the bed, handing it to me along with a couple of pillows. “You really don’t have to sleep in here. The bedroom down the hall is fine, Seth.”
I throw the comforter on the floor near her bed and drop the pillows after it.
“Well.” She laughs awkwardly and takes off my jacket. She gets into her bed, pulling a sheet and blanket up to her chin. “I guess that’s that. Goodnight. Or, good morning, I guess.”
“Goodnight, Madison.” I lie down and pull the comforter half over me. At home, I’d be sleeping in my boxer briefs, but I’m not doing that here. Madison’s freaked out enough as it is—I don’t need her questioning my motives.
But at some point, before it’s fully light, I half-wake up to the feeling of her snuggling against me. Before I can do anything about it, my brain tugs me back to sleep.
12
MADISON
I’m warm and horny. A man is behind me, his muscular body curved around mine. His cock is firm against my ass, and every couple of seconds he flexes his hips, pressing harder into me. Yes. This is a wonderful dream. I could dream this all night long.
He slides his hand up over my stomach to cup one of my breasts. I arch my back, moving against his touch. He lightly pinches my nipple. I’m on fire, my pussy pulsing with need.
His breath hits the back of my neck and his heartbeat pounds against my shoulder. He pinches my nipple harder, harder, and I whimper.
“Please.” I reach behind me to run my hand over his hard length. The stiff fabric of his jeans frustrates me. Where’s the zipper? Buttons? I need to get these pants off of him. I need more, I need him inside me.
