“N-no.” Apparently the cold made her stutter now for some reason.
Yes, the cold. “Nothing wrong with vanilla.”
“I think so, too,” Nate said, his voice a bit rough, probably also from the cold. “Sometimes there’s nothing like savoring some good old vanilla with no other fancy distractions.”
Maddy wasn’t so sure they were still talking about ice-cream, if the trouble she was having swallowing was any indication to go by. But just in case, she surreptitiously cleared her throat.
“Yes, it’s good.” Jesus, for someone who read so much, her vocabulary seemed to have dried up spectacularly.
The teasing glint never left Nate’s eyes while they walked back to his car and he drove her home.
Stopping the car and turning the ignition off, Nate’s expression was serious as he softly asked, “Are you sure you’re okay, Mads?”
His concern made her eyes sting and her heart flutter at the same time.
She gazed at his beautiful, chocolate-brown eyes and without thinking, she leaned over and placed a soft, light kiss on his cheek, lingering for just a couple of seconds before returning to her seat.
She nodded at him. “Thank you for tonight, Nate. I had a lovely time. All things considered.”
“Anytime, Mads,” Nate said hoarsely.
And if Maddy noticed a faint blush on his cheeks as she was climbing out of the car, she didn’t mention it. She just smiled secretly to herself.
eighteen
Nate waited until he was sure Madison had entered her house safely before he let his head fall back on the headrest. If someone asked him to pinpoint every thought and feeling he’d gone through tonight, he could tell with absolute certainty that there was no untangling that jumbled mess.
His cheek was still burning where her lips had touched him. His skin felt branded by the gentle brush and Nate could happily stay in that moment where everything was warm and molten, like the thickest of hot chocolates. Except his errant thoughts chose to ruin that moment as his mind was assaulted by the sharp sting of violence that was still brewing inside him.
He felt his face fall, his earlier concern becoming something hard and cutting as rage threatened to consume him at the mere thought of anyone hurting Madison. The unwanted image of that asshole cornering Madison invaded his mind, making his blood boil at the thought. He’d never felt such cold fury suffusing his veins, an almost single-minded determination to rip that bastard’s arm clean off, an almost burning need to make sure she was okay.
He’d done his best to keep himself in check in front of her but he’d never felt such panic and fury at the sight of that asshole laying his hands on her as she clearly tried to dislodge his grip.
Images of his father wielding his anger and strength against Nate’s mom who did everything to take the brunt of it and shield both him and his brother from the worst had sprung to mind and he’d felt like a little kid again.
He’d been moving before he even knew what he was doing, leaving the guys behind him.
He should have choked the air out of that piece of shit, and he probably would have if Mads hadn’t cut through his spiraling rage with her sweet voice.
His phone vibrated in his pocket, a few text messages coming in quick succession.
Liam: Are you okay, man?
Liam: Coop and I are still together if you wanna talk.
Liam: I can put you on speaker.
Nate sighed, his dark mood slightly dissipating. He pressed call.
“Hey, buddy. Are you okay?” Liam’s voice reached him, concern clear in his tone.
“More importantly, is the asshole still alive?” Coop’s unmistakable voice chimed in. Nate could hear the way his words were tight, like he was trying to lighten the situation but his worry was bleeding through what he was saying.
“I’m fine. And yes, the guy is still breathing, despite my attempt for the contrary.”
“Is Madison okay?” Liam asked.
“Yes, she looked fine. She’s a tough nut to crack, that’s for sure.” Nate could feel the pride tinging his words.
