“You walk to work?”
“It’s good for the soul.” I love walking, but I’d like to secure a car sometime soon to avoid conversations like this one.
Axel places his giant hand over mine. “You’re not calling a car. I’ll drive you home.”
My heart skips a beat. “You don’t have to do that.”
“I want to do it, Madison.” He stands and extends his hand. “Besides, this way, I’ll get to see your Christmas tree.”
That sounds like a euphemism to me, but I know what he means. “That’s quite presumptuous of you thinking that I’m going to invite you in.” Axel pulls me to my feet. Standing this close to him, he towers over me. I’m not a small girl by any means, but Axel’s size makes me feel small, delicate, petite, even. It’s a total turn-on.
“I won’t do anything you don’t want me to do,” he says, a glimmer in his hooded eyes. My body erupts in chills. For once in my life, I’m at a loss for words because there isn’t anything I don’t want him to do—with me ortome.
My heart races in my ribs. Axel helps me into my coat, and we head out into the frosty night and hop in his rental car. A smile spreads across my face because I know exactly where this is headed. I’m sure Axel does, too.
CHAPTERFOUR
AXEL
HavingMadison this close to me all night has driven me to the brink of insanity. It’s like all rational thought has flown out the window, and all I can think about is claiming her, making her mine, kissing my way up those milky white thighs of hers until I reach her sweet, wet center. I hope I’ve been playing it cool. Desperation isn’t a good look.
“It’s right here,” she says, pointing to a cute little bungalow in the middle of the street. “You can pull in the driveway.” Her eyes flicker to mine, then back down to her lap. “And park there if you want.”
I do as she says and put the car in park. “Is that an official invitation?”
“What do you think?” She shuts the car door behind her, leaving a trail of amber musk hanging in her wake. I clench my jaw, more than ready to follow that fine ass of hers inside the house, then turn off the engine.
The wind lifts a strand of her chestnut hair as we make our way to the front door. It’s a brisk one. I forgot how cold the winters get here in the mountains. It wasn’t the only reason I left Thunder Mountain, but it certainly didn’t hurt.
Madison fumbles with her keys, and we both breathe a sigh of relief once we’re inside. It’s dark except for the streetlights streaming in from the window. Madison’s heels click against the hardwood floor. It’s not too dark for me to check out her sexy backside when she leans down and plugs in the Christmas tree.
“Ta-da!” She holds her arms out to the side, a huge smile plastered on her face.
I give her a round of applause. “Very impressive.”
Madison does a cute little curtsey. “Thank you very much.” She slides out of her coat and takes mine from me before flicking on a few more lights. Her house has a soft, warm quality to it, homey and understated. The complete opposite of my aunt and uncle’s house on the ritzy side of town. I much prefer this. It’s something I could totally get used to.
“What?” Madison says, a megawatt smile spread across her lips.
“What, what?”
“You’re smiling so big. I want to know why.” Lord, how do I even answer that? Because I wasn’t expecting my night to turn out like this. Because a part of me loves being back in a town I left a long time ago, to see my aunt and uncle and feel a part of something again. But mostly, it feels good—not only not to be alone on Christmas—but to be with someone like Madison who is beautiful, kind, funny, and modest.
It just feels right.
I shrug, unable to tell her all of the thoughts swirling around in my head. “I just love your tree.”
Madison narrows her eyes on me. “Uh-huh.” Before she pries any further, she points over her shoulder. “Want a drink? I’ve got another bottle of that wine I brought over.”
“Honestly,” I say, scrunching my nose. “I’d love a beer.”
“Oh, thank God!” She brings her hand to her heart. “I was trying to be classy for your uncle’s sake, but I’m a beer drinker, too.” For the first time, I notice the cutest little birthmark below her right eye. There’s nothing about this woman that isn’t perfect in my eyes. “I’ll go grab a couple of cold ones for us. Grab a seat on the couch.”
“Cool,” I say, as Madison kicks off her high heels and pads her way into the kitchen. I don’t know what I was expecting her to be like, but it wasn’t this. Sometimes the people in this town can be so image-conscious, but not Madison. I don’t know why that surprises me. She’s a diner waitress, not the daughter of a real estate mogul—that I know of.
She joins me on the couch, and we clink bottles. The first swig makes me feel good, comfortable. “So, riddle me this.” I set my beer down on the coffee table. “Why are you spending Christmas all alone?”
Her eyes widen. “Cutting to the chase, huh?” She tucks her legs underneath her and leans back on the pillow. “My Christmases were always kind of shitty. My mom never really wanted to go all out, and I’d watch all the other houses twinkle with lights, all of my other friends come to school after Christmas break with new things, and I’d have to pretend I got all these cool things to fit in. Eventually, it just wore on me. I decided to do Christmas my way.”