Page 89 of The Draft
I drew in a sharp breath when her nails skimmed across my skin as they traveled up my chest. When she pulled my shirt off and took me in, I couldn’t help but notice her face flush and her breathing quicken.
Was she nervous?
It sure felt like it.
Even though she was the one to suggest that we come here, I didn’t want to push her into anything she wasn’t ready for.
“Madison?” I didn’t get a response. Her eyes were just darting from side to side. Bringing my hand to her chin, I tipped it up to get her attention on me. “Look at me, Madison. We don’t have to do anything more, you know? We can just keep kissing or talking.”
Madison smiled faintly before shaking her head. “That’s not what I want. I wouldn’t have invited you up if I was having doubts.” Well, that was good to hear. She bit down on her bottom lip and as she fixated on the space between her thighs, I knew something was up, and it wasn’t just my dick. Finally, she confessed, “I guess I just can’t believe we’re here. Like this. I’ve been thinking about it for so long.”
I brought her closer to me, threading my arms under her shirt to pull it up and off. Skin to skin, the only thing blocking us from being completely naked were my sweats and her underwear.
“Madison. What’s wrong?” I brushed my nose against hers, feeling her breath fan across my face.
“I don’t want to be fudge bunnies,” she blurted out, pulling back.
“Fudge bunnies?”
“No,” she cried out, crushing her eyes shut as she leaned her head on mychest. I stroked her hair, waiting for her to get it out. “I can’t believe I just said that out loud.” Drawing her head back, she calmed herself before opening her eyes and looking at me. “What I wanted to say was that I’m all in with you. I’m ready to tell Cade about us because I want the entire world to know that you’re mine.”
I couldn’t help by smile, liking her possessiveness. Pushing a piece of her hair behind her ear, I kissed her before saying, “Believe me, I want to do the same.”
“Really? Then why haven’t we? We’ve been texting for days. We’ve already had sex. It’s not like we need to get to know each other. It feels like the last piece of the puzzle would be to tell my brother, so everyone else can know about us too.”
I shifted my body, taking hold of Madison and pulling her toward the headboard so I could relax against it since it felt like this might be a long conversation.
As she gnawed at her bottom lip, a rock formed in my stomach because she was so desperately beautiful. So hopeful and eager. I wanted to give her everything.
“I want you to be my boyfriend,” she said confidently. “I know you, Dash. You know me. You saw me on my worst day and threw a punch to make me feel better. You see me in ways no one else does. I feel like I do the same for you. I’ve known forever that you’re more than a one-night thing. Hell, I knew the night I suggested it that you were more than that, but I was desperate for you.” She swallowed, her eyes darting around my face as she gauged my reaction. “I want to be in the crowd rooting for you. I want to wear your jersey at every single game so everyone knows I’m yours. More importantly, I want you to be the one to peel that jersey off me when you get home. I want to be by your side when you want some peace and quiet. I want to be there when you’re frustrated and need to talk it out. I just want you. Every single part.”
She’d hardly taken a breath as she uttered all the words I’d only imagined she’d say, because that was exactly how I felt. Officially dating Madison Bright would certainly help to rid the guilt of hiding something so monumental from Cade, even if it meant I’d get a broken nose for it.
But the big question for me was, would it end in a broken nose? Ideserved more than that. Especially after I’d heard the way he talked about people dating his sister. We’d been like brothers growing up and we’re supposed to be teammates beyond college. Would officially doing this ruin everything? Did I care?
No.
The reality of the situation was that Madison meant so much to me. I wanted her to be happy. No, scratch that. I wanted her to be happywithme. Cutting a look at Madison, I could see the same future she did, and it was something I wasn’t willing to give up.
“I want every single part of you too, and I want to tell Cade.”
“But.” She raised a brow because she thought she knew what was coming.
“But nothing. Your words sound like you’re serious, and I believe you.” I gave her another long, lingering kiss. One that may have involved me dipping my hand between the strings of her underwear so I could grip her ass and move her against me.
She looked wanton and delirious when I pulled away. “I want to tell your brother and get it out in the open. However…”
She groaned. “You do realize that however is just another way to say but?”
“Let me finish. However, I’d really like to take you on one date on Friday before we do it.”
“Why?”
“Because the minute everyone knows about us, I’m going to be monitored by every single member of the hockey team. I just want it to be you and me for a little bit. Not because I want us to be ‘fudge bunnies,’ but because I want to enjoy you for a little longer. I promise we’ll tell your brother after our date, but please let me just have a little alone time with you first.”
“You and me?” I nodded, and a small smile formed on her lips. “That sounds like a good idea.”
Her shoulders visibly relaxed, and that heady smile from earlier returned. “Well, you know it’s just you and me right now?”