Page 12 of Perfect Guy
“If I tell you, it won’t come true.” Her voice holds a hint of humor, and I’m glad she’s not angry at me.
“True.” I let it go.
After a few beats of silence, Madelyn speaks up. “How come you’re up here?”
“I could ask you the same question.”
“I already told you I didn’t feel like going home.”
“I didn’t either and needed to think.” I grasp the rail in front of me and lean against it.
“Think?” Her voice rises nervously.
“Yeah, is that odd?” I smirk to myself.
“No. This is a good place to clear your mind.” I wish I could see her and observe her small movements and facial expressions. Talking with our backs to each other and the tower separating us limits me, but it’s also kind of cool. It allows me to be more aware of her voice, the way it rises and falls.
“It is,” I agree.
“It’s a beautiful night,” she says softly.
“Yeah.” I nod to myself, still looking at the sky. A distant airplane passes by, interrupting the peaceful stars, but it’s gone quickly.
“I’m sorry I ran off like that,” Madelyn says after a few more minutes of silence.
“It’s okay.”
“It’s not. It was stupid and immature.”
“You’re young, Mads. Now’s the time to be stupid and immature.” I smile to myself because despite being seven years younger than me, Madelyn isn’t either of those things.
The James siblings were raised with responsibility ingrained in them since they helped their dad on the ranch from a young age. I remember hearing Wilder talk about waking up before dawn so he could complete his morning chores before going to school while the rest of us complained about waking up at seven.
It was the same for Levi and Madelyn. They were raised with duties that were necessary for their family’s livelihood to run smoothly. Not to mention the importance of having an animal’s well-being at your hands.
“I don’t like being immature,” her voice is hard.
“I’m only kidding. You’re a lot more mature than some thirty-year-olds I know. Besides, I may have pushed too far tonight.” I don’t tell her that I couldn’t help it nor that I wanted to push even more, feel her body melt against mine. What’s the point?
“It was innocent enough. I just…”
“Innocent?” I ask before I can take it back. If she only knew…
“Yeah?” I hear the question lingering.
“Madelyn,” I sigh, shaking my head. “If I told you what I really wanted to do, you would’ve climbed right back down that ladder as soon as you saw me up here.”
“What…” Her voice trails off.
Fuck this. I stand and round the tower until I’m by her side. She looks up at me with wide eyes. Instead of sitting the way I was, she’s standing. Fuck if I don’t want to pin her against the tower and take her lips, swallow her surprised gasp, and feel her heat consume me.
I shake that fantasy away and focus.
“Call me crazy, but holding your hip and singing those words to you was the least I wanted to do.” I reach out and brush away strands of hair sweeping over her face. I want a clear view, especially since lighting is not abundant.
“What are you talking about?” She crosses her arms. Her eyebrows dip low over her eyes.
“I mean that for whatever reason, I can’t stop thinking about you. I’m telling myself not to act on it. My life is busy, and you’re not someone I see whenever I’ve got a free moment. You deserve a man’s undivided attention.” I release a loud exhale. Madelyn looks at me with parted lips and wide eyes.