52. Maddox

FIFTY-TWO

Standing here, looking at Hannah, I feel more at peace than I have in a long time.

It's that feeling you get when you think you lost something important, and so much time has passed that you figured you'd never have it again, but then you find it. You dig through some drawer you haven't used in years, and there it is. And the memory hits you with a familiar comfort.

"I want to kiss you," I tell Hannah, needing her to know.

Her eyes lower to my lips.

But when I lean down, she presses her palms into my chest. "Maddox…"

"Yeah, Bunny?" I keep my voice low.

"We shouldn't."

It's a lie.

We absolutely should.

But I'll let her have her win in this moment.

"Alright." I stand up straight, and it takes Hannah a long second before she lowers her hands from my chest. "Walk me out."

I savor the way her fingertips trace a trail down my stomach before she lets her hands fall completely away and turns to the door.

I didn't miss the way her tits look in that fucking shirt. The way the material is clinging to the swells of her breasts. Or the way her damn nipples are still begging for attention.

But I was here for serious reasons, so I kept my eyes on her face, even though it killed me.

Now, as I follow Hannah through the house, I don't bother being subtle as I stare at her ass, watching her hips move with each step.

And then there's knowing about the sweetness that lives between her thighs.

It's been just over twenty-four hours since I had my hands on her pussy. But it's been fifteen years since I had my mouth on her there, and we need to change that soon.

Hannah slows, reaching the front door.

I slide my feet into my unlaced tennis shoes and step through the doorway, stopping on the other side of the threshold and turning to face Hannah.

Dawn is breaking behind me, covering her features in the softest glow. And her eyes…

She looks the way I feel.

"Maddox," she whispers. "I want to kiss you."

I lean down, just a little. "We should."

Hannah shifts onto her toes, and I bend the rest of the way to meet her.

Our lips connect with a gentle brush, feeling like not enough and yet the perfect amount.

I lift my hand and gently circle my fingers around the front of her neck.

Her skin is so soft and warm beneath my calloused palm.

The perfect smooth to my rough.

I want to deepen the kiss.

Want to hold her tighter.

My body is ready for more. But I'm not positive Hannah's is.

Not yet.

I slide my hand off her neck and pull my mouth back from hers.

Hannah's cheeks are flushed, and her chest rises with quick breaths.

"Good night, Utley."

She glances past me toward the sunrise. "Morning, Lovelace."

I take a step back. "Lock your door."

"I know how to take care of myself," she tells me, one hand on the door.

"I know you do, Babe. But let me do some of that caring too."