by Cathryn Fox
“I love the way you fill me, Brad,” she cried out.
“I know, baby. I know.” As a barrage of emotions ripped through him, some small coherent part of his brain registered that sex with her was always good, but there was something different about this time. Something that was making it harder and harder for him to separate sex and emotions.
Silence fell over them as they both gave and took, communicating through their touches only. They both pushed and pulled, increasing the rhythm and pressure, knowing just what the other one needed to bring them to orgasm. Even after all the sex they had last night, both their climaxes came fast, and as moisture sealed their bodies, he collapsed on top of her.
“Jesus, Madison,” he murmured into her neck, his chest rising and falling erratically. He inched back and smoothed her hair from her forehead, and when he caught her glance, his eyes moved over face. A moment later his stomach dropped, and he rolled off her. “Shit.”
“What?” she asked, her body tensing as her hand once again went to her hair to smooth it down.
He angled his head to see her. “We didn’t use a condom.”
Her eyes lit with surprise, then her hand closed over his. The warmth and familiarity in her touch escalated the tension inside him. “It’s okay. I’m on the pill, remember.”
“Yeah, I remember.”
She crinkled her nose. “Actually, I was kind of wondering why you went back to using one. I mean, we’re protected and we accidently went without one the first night…”
As she let her words fall off, he pulled her to him. She snuggled into him and his nerve endings came alive. Deep down, he knew he was getting in too deep with her. And somehow, he just somehow knew, making love to her for the rest of the month, without a barrier in place, one that helped him keep a measure of distance, not only physically, but emotionally, was going to change everything for him.
He threw his legs over the bed. “I…uh…I need to get moving.” He raked his hands through his hair and shot her a look over his shoulder. “The realtor is coming by to assess Granddad’s place.”
A surprised look came over her face. “It’s going on the market already?”
“Yeah. I’d like to at least get it up for sale before I leave at the end of the month.”
“Right,” Madison said as she stared at the mussed sheets. She wet her lips and her thoughts seemed to be a million miles away when she added, “I suppose it’s good to tie up all loose ends before you go.”
His gaze moved over her face as she reached for her lip balm on her nightstand, and he felt an odd tightness in his gut. Is that what she thought of him? A loose end to be tied up at the end of the month? Really, why wouldn’t she? With that last thought in mind, he slipped from the bed, pulled on his clothes and left in a hurry.
For the next few weeks Brad worked on getting the house ready for sale, and when he wasn’t at the old homestead he could be found at Madison’s place, finishing her repairs, helping her replace the old copper piping and seal the holes in the walls.
They cooked together every night, talked quietly over their dinner, and last weekend she even helped him pick out a gift for the baby shower. For that he was grateful, considering there was a good chance he’d have showed up with a screwdriver set or something equally pathetic. Every night, however, he fell into bed with Madison, where they’d make sweet love until the wee hours of the morning, taking advantage of every moment they had, while they still had it.
As he looked at her now, on this beautiful Sunday morning, he realized that going to bed with her every night was one thing, but waking up with her every morning was something else entirely, something he was getting awfully used to it. Except the month was quickly coming to a close, and in a few short days he’d be heading north and his brother would be moving back in to take over where Brad had left off. Well…not exactly where Brad had left off. At least he hoped not. Not that he had any rights with Madison. He didn’t. And the truth was, she could date whomever she wanted.
As Madison stretched out beside him, he glanced at the clock. They’d been up half the night making love and if he didn’t tear his eyes off her naked body and get his shit together, he’d be late for the baby shower.
“Hey,” he said, and when she turned to him, looking all sleepy, sexy…a well-fucked woman…his cock hardened. He smiled and as she rubbed up against him he had to admit, he loved how comfortable she now was in her own skin, how she no longer hid under the cover of darkness, or ran away every morning only to come back completely made up. His smile dissolved when he thought about walking away when this thing between them was over.
“What’s wrong?” Madison asked, blinking dark lashes at him.
He pointed to the clock. “I have to get ready for Gemma’s baby shower.”
“And that’s a problem?”
He ran his hand down her arm, and gently stroked the underside of her breast, loving the way her nipples tightened beneath his touch. “It’s a problem because all I want to do is fuck you again.”
A smile split her lips and the emotional way she looked at him nearly stopped his heart. Christ, there was no denying that he felt a new closeness between them, an intimacy that went well beyond sex.
As she adjusted her body, offering herself up to him so nicely, he climbed over her and dropped a soft kiss on her mouth. “Baby, if I don’t move now, I’m never going to.” His cock probed her opening, anxious to nestle deep inside.
“Then I guess you should move,” she murmured, a wicked glint in her eyes as she wiggled her hips, her passion drenched pussy closing around the tip of his cock, urging him to move inside her.
“Fuck,” he murmured, his mouth going to her breast. He kissed her nipple, and her skin tightened beneath his lips.
She grinned. “Exactly.”
Her hand slid over his back, and he moaned, allowing himself to get lost in her touch. “A fast one?” he asked.
“And hard,” she said.
“Jesus girl, you’re going to be the death of me.” Without preamble, he thrust inside her. As his bare cock made contact with her hot flesh, he knew it was going to be a fast time indeed, and no matter how many times he fucked her, he’d never be able to get enough.
Her eyes fell shut as he moved in and out of her, and the ecstasy flitting across her face was just about the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen. His heart pinched, some working brain cell warning that being with her like this felt too real, too good.
Shit. The last thing he wanted to do was fall for her. He hit the road in few short days, and past experiences told him not to set himself up for failure again. And of course, he couldn’t forget how she was doing a countdown of her own, showing no signs of wanting more once their thirty days were over.
“Brad,” she murmured, her mouth opening and closing as she tumbled into orgasm. Her pussy squeezed him and his mouth found hers as he too gave himself over, joining her in climax.
After their tremors subsided, he slid off and she glanced at the clock. Trying to keep things light he said, “What, now you’re timing me?”
She laughed. “No, just making sure you can still make it on time.”
He frowned, and she closed her palm over his cheek, the warmth of her hand, not to mention the compassion on her face, touching him in places so deep, a tremor moved through him.
“You don’t want to go, do you?” she asked.
He cleared his throat and tried for normal. “It’s for couples, mainly, but Gemma wants me there, and I’d never do anything to disappoint her.”
Warmth moved into her eyes, and the way she smiled up at him left him feeling breathless. “Would it help if I went with you?”
His eyes moved over her face, and his heart squeezed to think she’d do that for him, even knowing Jack’s girlfriend could very well be there. “You don’t have to do that.”
“Maybe I want to.”
He brought her hand to his face and kissed her fingers. “It could be…awkward.”
&nb
sp; She nodded, knowing full what he meant. “A lot has changed, Brad.”
As he looked at her, he knew she was right. Right before his eyes he watched her change, blossom into a confident woman, and he couldn’t help but think he was partially responsible. In fact, he hoped he was.
“If you want me to go, I’ll go.”
He swallowed against the tightness in his throat, knowing he wanted her there, and not because he found the whole idea of attending a baby shower solo uncomfortable. “I’d love it if you came.”
“Good.” She gave him a playful wink. “Otherwise I’d be stuck at home eating a whole cake by myself.”
He thought back to yesterday, to when he’d dragged her upstairs with him. She’d been putting the final touches on a cake. Little did he know she’d been baking it for Gemma and Cole, people she barely knew.
He shook his head, because she never failed to surprise him, impress him with her generosity and thoughtfulness. “So you were planning to come all along?”
She smiled. “Gemma did invite me. But I wasn’t going to go if you didn’t want me there.” She gave him a nudge. “Now come on, we don’t want to be late.”
They hopped from the bed, showered together, grabbed a bite for breakfast and made their way to Gemma and Cole’s cute little bungalow on the outskirts of town. In the yard they were greeted by their dogs, Stallone, Charlie and Nana. After Madison and Brad dropped to their knees, showering all three animals with attention—although the dogs seemed more interested in what Madison had in the cake box than in their pats—they walked up the pathway leading to the front door.
“Brad,” Gemma said as she swung the door open. But her attention quickly turned to Madison and the box in her hand. “Madison, I’m so glad you came. But you didn’t have to bring anything.”
“I wanted to,” she said, and as Brad stepped closer in a protective manner, one hand going to the small of her back he suddenly knew…knew what it was about her that had been getting under his skin, and had him thinking about long term. She was sexy, sensitive, fun loving and compassionate. Everything he’d ever wanted in a partner.
“Come on in and meet everyone.” She ushered them both inside and took the gift from Brad before she pointed to the kitchen. “The guys are in there. Go grab a beer while I introduce Madison around.”
Brad glanced at Madison, gauging her reactions. She smoothed her hand over her pretty sundress, one with a plunging necklace that showcased her beautiful curvy body. Even though his protective instincts were coming out full force, she nodded, and sent him on his way. Brad joined Jack and Cole in the kitchen, but his attention was on Madison as Gemma introduced her around.
Madison exchanged greetings with a few couples he recognized and a few he didn’t. When she came to Jack’s girlfriend, Sarah, he watched the way Sarah’s envious eyes moved over Madison’s lush body. That’s when it occurred to him the girl was completely jealous of Madison, which was probably why she’d picked on her. For a minute he wondered why Jack would date a girl like her. Then he remembered Jack’s father was a general, and from the looks of her expensive jewelry, the two likely moved in the same social circles.
“Hello, Maddy,” Sarah said, her glance moving over Madison’s pretty dress.
Tension moved through Brad, but when Madison straightened her shoulders, standing her ground and facing her childhood bully straight on, he relaxed, and released the breath he had no idea he was holding.
“It’s Madison,” she said politely. “I probably should have told you that a long time ago.”
Brad smiled, never more proud of anyone in his entire life. Not only was she sweet and sexy, she was classy and dignified, handling the situation like the poised beautiful woman she was.
“Hey,” Cole said, putting his hand on Brad’s shoulder to bring his attention back around. “What’s the matter with you?” he asked, looking past Brad’s shoulders to see what he’d been staring at.
“Nothing.” He took a huge swig of beer.
“Don’t worry,” Cole said. “She’s in good hands.”
“Yeah, that’s not what I heard,” Jack said, a knowing grin on his face.
“Who’s in good hands?” Garrett came into the room, his fiancée, Tallulah, beside him. Brad smiled at his best friend, then turned his attention to Tallulah, thinking how good the two looked together as he took note of her small baby bump.
“How are you feeling?” he asked.
When Tallulah smiled and leaned in to Garrett, there was so much love on her face it damn near took Brad’s breath away. That look had something niggling in the pit of his gut, something he couldn’t quite put his finger on.
“Never happier,” Tallulah said, rubbing her hands over her stomach. Garrett dipped his head to give her a kiss, and Brad’s stomach took that moment to nosedive. He was happy for Garrett, he really was, but he couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy that his friend had found love and happiness, the one thing Brad had always wanted and was certain he could never have. His brain took that moment to think back to his ex’s betrayal and as the memories shook him, he finished off his beer.
Garrett eyed him, then glanced in to the other room. “Why don’t you grab me a seat, babe. I’ll be right in, okay?”
After Tallulah slipped from the kitchen, Garrett turned to Brad and folded his arms. “Want to talk about it?”
“There’s nothing to talk about.” He reached for another bottle.
“Oh really?” Garrett questioned, his expression skeptical. “Then what the hell have you been doing for the last month? Hibernating? Winter’s not here yet, pal.”
Knowing he could never keep anything from Garrett, but not wanting to talk about the deeper emotions he was feeling for Madison, not only because he was too goddamn confused about them himself, but this was neither the time nor place.
But he knew Garrett wouldn’t back down without an explanation so he said, “I’ve been working on Granddad’s house. I wanted to get it listed before I leave.”
“I stopped by your place a few times and you weren’t there. You don’t even answer your cell anymore.”
He took a pull from his bottle. “I’ve been staying at Madison’s, helping her around her place while Jonah is away. Besides,” he added, gesturing with a nod toward Tallulah in the other room, “you had your own issues to work out.”
“So there’s nothing going on between you two?” Josh asked, coming into the kitchen from the back door.
Before he could answer, Gemma called them all into the living room to play games and open gifts. He soon found himself eating cake and playing board games that required them to divulge intimate information—sexual information—but after a while he relaxed into the afternoon, enjoying the laughter and camaraderie. After the presents were unwrapped, and the food was devoured, Madison excused herself and made her way into the kitchen to refresh her drink.
When Brad saw Josh follow behind her, he climbed from his seat, a wave of possession zinging through his blood. As he made his way toward them, he could hear their voices spilling into the hallway.
“I thought I’d come by the bakery again,” Josh said. “I’m still dreaming about your sticky buns.”
What the fuck…
“They’re new on the menu, so I’m glad you liked them.”
Brad drove his hands into his pocket and leaned against the doorjamb to watch the exchange. Silence fell heavy for a second as Madison poured soda into her cup. When she turned back to Josh, he angled his head and asked, “So, you and Brad…you’re just friends?”
At the mention of his name Brad stepped farther in the room to make his presence known, and Madison swung her head his way, her long hair flying around her shoulders as her eyes locked with his. The scent of her shampoo wafted before his nose. He breathed it in, and as he thought about how he’d washed his hair with it earlier that morning, along with all the other naughtier things they’d done in the shower, she went quiet, like she was waiting for him to say something.
She aimed a smile Josh’s way, but her voice sounded tight when she said, “He’s staying at my place to help with repairs while Jonah is away. We’ve had a lot of plumbing disasters lately, and Brad, well…he’s good with his hands.”
Brad nearly swallowed his tongue as he thought about all the things he’d been doing with his hands, not to mention his tongue and his cock. Jesus, just thinking about it now had him hardening.
“And you and Jonah?” Josh asked, interested clear in his eyes as he inched closer. “I thought—”
“Friends,” she said. “And roommate. When he gets back in a couple of days, he’ll be moving back in and Brad will be leaving.” She swung her head back toward him again, thick lashes blinking rapidly over her dark eyes. “Isn’t that right, Brad?”
“What?” he asked, his thoughts racing a million miles an hour.
“You’ll be leaving in a few short days,” she said.
Brad drove his hand into his pocket, his blood flowing thick and heavy through his veins as she held his gaze. “Yeah, that’s right,” he said, not bothering to mask the hardness in his tone as she reminded him of their timeline.
Josh stepped closer to her, a wolfish smile on his face as he deliberately moved into her personal space. In that instant, Brad realized just how much he wanted to keep Madison all to himself, how dangerously close he was to falling for her. Not to mention how much he wanted to beat the living shit out of Josh just for talking to her. After all, she could talk to and date whomever she wanted to, right?
Jesus Christ, he was in so much fucking trouble.
“What’s gotten in to you?” Sophie asked. But before Madison could answer, Sophie gave her a teasing wink. “Never mind. I already know.”