She shifts, sitting up a little straighter, her eyes tracing over me like she’s memorizing every inch. “How was your trip?”
I step inside, shutting the door behind me before dropping my bag to the floor. “It was great,” I say honestly, kicking off my shoes and making my way to her. “Felt like everything clicked, but…” I trail off, letting my eyes rake over her. “This? Coming home to you? Even better.”
Her cheeks flush, and it does something to me, knowing something so simple can make her blush.
I cross the room, stopping at the edge of the bed, and she tilts her chin up to meet my gaze. “You didn’t have to wait for me,” I murmur, brushing a damp strand of hair from her face.
Madison exhales, her fingers twitching against the hem of my hoodie like she’s nervous. “I know.” She swallows, her hazel eyes flickering with something I can’t quite place. “But I wanted to.”
Her breath is warm against my neck, her body molding into mine like she was made to fit there. The second my hands settle on her waist, I feel her exhale, her fingers slipping beneath the hem of my t-shirt, skating lightly against my skin. I tilt my head, brushing my nose against hers, savoring the way her lashes flutter as she looks at me.
Then, I’m kissing her.
Soft at first, just the slow, deliberate press of my lips against hers. But the second she sighs into my mouth, her fingers gripping my sides, I’m gone.
I cup her jaw, tilting her face as I deepen the kiss, taking my time, drinking her in after too many days apart. The taste of her, the warmth of her, the way she makes the ache in my chest disappear with just a simple touch—it’s everything.
Her hands slide higher, palms pressed to my stomach, and Igroan against her lips, my body reacting before my brain can catch up.
I want her.
God, do I want her.
But there’s also the fact that I’ve been traveling all day, sitting through flights and interviews, and I’m painfully aware of hownotfresh I feel.
I press one last, lingering kiss against her lips before pulling back, my forehead resting against hers as I catch my breath.
She blinks up at me, her hazel eyes hazy and lips pink and swollen. “What?” she murmurs, fingers still teasing the edge of my shirt.
I chuckle, shaking my head. “Baby, I’d love nothing more than to keep going,” I rasp, running my thumb along her jaw. “But I really need a shower.”
She smirks, dragging her fingers along my stomach just to make me suffer. “Oh, I don’t mind a little sweat.”
I groan, tipping my head back, gripping her hips to keep myself from throwing her down on the bed and proving just how much she tests me. “Mads…”
She giggles, finally relenting, shifting off my lap. “Fine, fine.” She tugs the hoodie over her knees, eyes playful. “But hurry up.”
I grin, dropping a quick kiss to her forehead before backing toward the bathroom. “Don’t go anywhere,” I murmur, letting my eyes roam over her one last time.
I have every intention of making up for lost time.
Just as soon as I don’t smell like an airport.
—-
I take the fastest shower of my damn life.
Soap. Shampoo. Rinse. Done.
I barely bother with a towel, dragging it over my hair and wrapping it around my waist before stepping back into my room, already picturing Madison’s lips when she told me to hurry up.
But when I walk out, a teasing remark dies on my tongue.
She’s curled up in my bed, tucked beneath my sheets, herbreathing slow and even. One arm is tucked under her pillow, the other resting near my side of the bed, fingers slightly curled, like she had every intention of staying awake but sleep won.
I pause, standing in the doorway, something warm and unfamiliar twisting in my chest.
She’s really here. After everything—after all the running, all the nights I spent wondering if I’d ever get her back—she’s here.
