Chapter Thirteen

MADDOX

Being with her on this beach, the stars, the lights flashing across us, it's intense.

I had no idea I'd feel what I do for Marigold. It was fast, and it was sudden. I wasn't in the space for a girlfriend but that's the vibe she's giving off. She's a take home girl, not a one nighter. And though I don't date often, all my dates have only been one night stands.

Goldie seems to have changed that for me.

I don't know when my annoyance for this chick turned into something new. Something fresh. Something more.

But when I knew the stars were coming out tonight, I had to take her there. She needed the fun and I needed the girl. My dad might be right—that I can't work all the time and his story about doing the same until he crossed paths with my mom made me wonder if I had found her.

I have to take chances as a fireman. I take risks and make choices every day with my life, with other people's lives. Split decisions and quick reactions are what make me, me. So when I met Marigold, it shook me because I wanted to do the same with her, but something held me back. It was almost as if I was afraid to make the wrong decision or give the wrong reaction and scare her away. When all I wanted to do was draw her close.

And now that she's been in town for some weeks, and loosened up, we've turned our angry banter into more of a flirty banter. The sexual tension between us grows each time we see each other. It's exciting and makes me feel like a teenager again with that first crush.

Standing close with her tonight, feeling her body against mine, had my thoughts running wild. I had to get her home. So I made that split decision and opened my mouth to ask if I could take her home. When she nodded and said, ‘yes', I didn't waste another minute. We ran as fast as we could through the sand, laughing the whole way back to my truck. I almost wanted to stop and throw her over my shoulder in a fireman's hold but I didn't want to drag her anywhere.

I want her to come to me on her own. I want it to be on her terms. I want her to acknowledge the chemistry between us that's fighting its way out.

I want her to admit she likes me.

We make the short drive back to her home in silence. I lay my hand on the seat between us and she places hers on top of mine. With quick glances at each other, I'm about ready to explode. We pull up outside her house and I cut the engine. She turns with an expectant look and asks, "Aren't you going to help me out of this ridiculous truck?"

I laugh. "Don't move." I jump out, making it to her door in record time. Opening it, I lean in and she wraps herself around me while I lift her out. I carry her with ease to the front door, letting her slide down my body seductively and steady her on her feet while she unlocks the door and we walk in.

"Goldie. I want to know so much about you. I want to know your likes, your fears, your dreams. I want to know if owning your bakery feels like you made it, or if there's still more you want to obtain."

I take her hand and pull her further into her home. I gently urge her to take the lead and walk me down the hall to her room. "And I will learn all that. But tonight?" I pull her to a stop, brushing the hair from her face and cupping her cheeks. "I need to know how your body feels with mine. I need to know how perfect you fit against me. I need to know how soft your lips feel on my skin and I need to know if you taste as sweet as that icing you made."

Her eyes flutter and she turns her head to kiss the inside of my wrist. "Maddox." My name leaves her lips with a soft gasp. "I want to know all that, too."

"But most of all, Marigold, I need to know if your heart is on fire for me like mine is for you."

Her eyes are soft and the look she gives me is relief. Like she was waiting for me to say it first, to spark that first bit of truth. I won't lie and say I wasn't afraid she would turn me down, but I had to take the chance. I had to know if tonight means anything.

"How'd we get here so fast?" she asks tentatively.

"You just can't resist my charm."

She laughs. "Is that what you've been giving me? Charm?"

"I'm about to give you the best night of your life." I lift her up and she automatically wraps her legs around my waist. "The stars gave it away tonight, Goldie. There's no turning back now." She nuzzles her face into my neck and I walk us down the hall before I stop at the end. "Left or right?"

"Left," she whispers the word and I pause.

"Are you sure?"

She lifts her head and slides out of my hold. She takes my hand and steps in front of me, opening the door and leaning against it, allowing room for me to pass her. "Positive."

I study her, seeing the desire in her eyes before I step into her private space. The room smells like her, sweet and sugary. Vanilla mixed with berries. There is a small light left on in the corner and the curtains are open allowing the moon to be the remaining light to filter through the room. Pastel colors and lots of pillows make the room feel soft and warm.

Like her.

I walk to the bed and sit down, kicking off my sneakers. She steps out of her sandals and comes to me, standing in between my legs. I wrap my arms around her, pulling her in close and she drapes her arms over my shoulders, playing with the hair at my neck. She leans down and kisses me. The urge I have to flip her onto this bed is strong but I don't want to scare her away.

"Why are you so tense?" she asks and pulls back. "Did you lie to me about being a virgin?"

I laugh at her question and tickle her waist. "I'm doing my best to hold myself together right now."

"Why?" She immediately looks nervous and steps back from me but I hold her in place.

"Well, for one. If you keep touching my neck like that, I'm going to embarrass myself. And I really don't want to do that after I just promised you the best night of your life." Her body relaxes at my teasing. "I'm trying to have some self-restraint when all I want to do is toss you on this bed and make you see my stars."

She groans at my corny joke and pushes me back onto the bed, climbing on top of me as we go. "You can toss me, I won't break."

My eyes widen at her daring words. "Oh, Goldie, you don't know what you just did." I flip her to her back and she squeals but I cover it with my kiss. I settle in between her legs and she rocks against me. I can feel how hot she is. "You smell so fucking good." I nibble at her neck and she sighs. Working my way down her front, I kiss the hollow of her throat and she arches her back, bringing those full tits I've been dreaming about closer. I cup her breast, rubbing my thumb over her nipple which has peaked through her tank and she lets out a soft moan.

I make my way further down and lift her tank, kissing around her belly button and drifting my fingers over her ribs. She leans on her elbows watching me with a grin.

"You're gorgeous, Goldie."

"Thank you, Maddox."

I smile at the way she says my name. Keeping eye contact with her I come to a kneeling position and pull my shirt over my head dropping it to the floor. Her grin spreads as she mimics my position, sits up on her knees, and pulls her tank over her head, dropping it on top of my shirt.

I reach for her, tracing the lace across her breasts, my mouth watering, wanting to get a taste. Her eyes flutter as my fingers drift over her skin.

"Take your jeans off, Maddox."

"You first, Goldie."

She smirks, those full lips of hers twisting while her eyes flare. I watch impatiently as her hands drift down her body, teasing me with her own touch until she gets to the button on her shorts. She undoes it and pulls the zipper down, exposing the same white lace as her bra. Her movement stops and when I look up, she's got a brow raised.

"Even playing field, Mads. Do it."

I bark out a laugh at her insistence. "If you want me naked, Goldie, just ask." I step from the bed, undoing my belt and button, pushing my jeans down. She tracks my every move and I watch her as she pushes her shorts down and slides them off.

"We're not quite even." I pointedly look at her chest and she giggles. As she reaches around to undo her bra, I move back to the bed. Her eyes take me in as I slide her straps down her arms and toss the bra to the pile of shirts on the floor. Unable to hold back, I cup one breast while taking the other into my mouth, flicking her nipple. Laying her on her back, I climb onto the bed beside her and she turns to face me.

My hand lingers at her hip, letting my fingers memorize her as I kiss her once again. I can't get enough. Pulling her leg over my hip, I squeeze her ass, before dipping under her lace panties to get a better hold. We kiss and I play with her tits, watching as she closes her eyes in ecstasy.

I dip inside her panties, smoothing my finger through her folds and groan out loud. "Fuck. You're soft and so wet." She widens her legs and I rub her clit softly.

"Mads…" My name lingers on her lips again and I love it.

"I didn't know I needed to hear you say my name like that, Goldie." Pulling my hand back, I kiss across her belly and hook my thumbs in her panties, pulling them off and exposing all of her to me. Spreading her wide, I kiss the inside of her thighs and watch as her eyes roll at my first taste.

"Oh, fuck." Softly I lick her, teasing her clit. She watches me with awe, taking my hand and threading her fingers with mine. This moment feels so intense yet I'm not nervous. I'm not afraid of what I'm feeling.

And suddenly fire is the last thing on my mind.

I work her into a frenzy. She writhes under me and I love the sounds she's making. I insert a finger, sucking her clit before she explodes. I lap up everything she gives me, her body slowly riding the wave until she lays limp. I run my hands up and down her thighs, gently squeezing and kneading.

"That was better than I imagined."

"You imagined this?"

"Oh Goldie, you don't know the things I've dreamed of doing to you."

She pushes me back and crawls down my body, taking my cock in her mouth. I hold her hair as she watches me. She dips and takes me to the back of her throat. I stroke her neck as she strokes me. Sitting up, I arch over her, running my hand down her back, giving her words of encouragement. Sliding my hands under her, I cup her breasts and tease her nipples in tune with her sucks and pulls.

"I need to be inside you. Now," I croak out. I can't wait any longer.

She comes to her knees and straddles me. My heart beats wildly as she positions herself over me. She sinks onto me and we both call out at the connection. She moves slowly, like she's unsure.

"Are you okay?"

She takes a deep breath and nods. I hold her hips, slowly rocking her body over mine.

"Goldie. Do what feels good. I promise you anything you do to me, I'm going to love." I push up to a sitting position and wrap my arms around her back, holding her flush to me. I kiss the swells of her breasts and she sighs, getting comfortable and working her hips.

We're as one, skin on skin and it's better than anything I've ever had. Her hands drift over my shoulders, to my neck and through my hair. We kiss and I work myself in and out of her, lifting her by her ass.

"Mads."

"Yes, Goldie?"

"I need more." I pull back and look her in the eye. She's got a shy smile but her eyes are full of lust. "You promised me a night I won't forget and this is sweet and all bu?—"

"Ohh, baby girl." A low rumble builds in my chest. "Let me give you more. Ask me for anything and I'll give it to you."

Scooting to the side of the bed, still inside her, she squeals when I let my feet hit the ground and stand. Holding her under her ass, I work myself in and out a few times. She throws her head back, with her arms around my neck and laughs. "Maddox! Don't drop me!"

"Never." I turn and lay her on the bed and with my feet firmly planted, I spread her legs, and begin to pound into her. With each thrust her tits bounce and her mouth forms a circle as gasps leave her lips. "Touch yourself, Marigold. Show me how you like it."

Her hand goes to my cock, sliding in and out of her, then to her clit. I watch as she rubs small circles over herself, then dips down and touches me again as I thrust in and out.

"Fuck, your beautiful. I can't wait to do this again."

She laughs and it squeezes my heart… and my cock. My breath hitches as she begins to shake.

"Oh god, keep going. Mads!"

I've got a grip on each of her thighs as I pound into her. "Watch us together, Goldie. Watch how well we fit." My breath is choppy and I'm trying to hold off until she takes me with her. She looks down her body to where we're joined. "Come, baby. I need you to come."

My words send her over the edge, her body going tight as she shudders from her orgasm. I yell out, exploding with her, working myself in and out while her body sucks me in tightly. I make small circles over her already sensitive bud, her body jumps at my touch and she giggles trying to close her legs and trap my hand, but I have to touch her.

"Oh, I can't wait to watch that happen again. You were beautiful." I pull out and she pushes herself further onto the bed making room for me. "I want to put that look on your face every night."

"Every night? Ten days ago we couldn't stand each other."

"Ten days ago you weren't naked in bed with me. What's not to like?" She swats at my chest and I catch her hand, rolling her into my side and I kiss the tip of her nose.

"Who knew you were such a romantic?"

I shake my head. How do I say that this felt different without sounding like a pussy? The minute that light struck us tonight, I felt something. And no, I don't believe in the folktale but just being there with her. It's not something I've ever experienced before. If I say too much I could scare her away. If I say too little, I could get the same result.