Page 35 of The Love We Make

Once the manager of the restaurant informed us it was mine and Madison’s turn, I took her hand and walked her to the door. I didn’t care who thought we were a couple, just as long as she was safe.

Unfortunately, I was not prepared for the crowd that had gathered while we ate. It was four times the size as it was when we went in and ten times more lively. Screams were coming from every direction and the barricades that had been put in place were looking limp and insufficient.

I wanted to ask if they thought we were royalty or the Backstreet Boys. Ballplayers had wild fans but this was next-level. I didn’t even know how to navigate it all.

I walked ahead of Madison to be sure I could clear a path for her. Her hands were squeezing mine so tightly that it almost hurt. I could feel her nerves radiating from her grip.

I leaned back really quick and whispered in her ear, “The car is here, stay close behind me and we will go as fast as possible. Hide your face in my arm if you need to, but do not let go of my hand.”

She nodded and I kissed her forehead, a silent apology for this situation making her so nervous. Once we broke out of the door, the crowd started calling my name, some even asking me if I would marry them.

People are wild.

We were almost to the car when Madison’s hand slipped from mine. I looked back to see her panicked eyes wide as she tried to get back up close to me. People had pushed the barricades in and someone had caught her by her other hand.

Madison was a strong woman but this would even be too much for Helga the Gladiator. So instead of taking her hand again, I scooped her into my arms, mindful of the dress she was wearing, and pushed our way into the waiting car.

With her still in my arms, I sat into the plush leather of the backseat and rested her on my lap. She was much smaller than me and with the extra room the luxury car provided, it was easy to keep her right where she was. Even after her breathing started to even back out, I held her tight against me.

“What in the hell was that?” She finally asked, a smile in her voice. Her head was resting on my shoulder. I couldn’t see her face but I could feel her breath on my neck when she spoke.

“I have no idea,” I answered honestly. We had been briefed on the crowds and fans being more active in New York for the game, but I honestly didn’t expect that.I wonder if Kace got out ok?

“I am better, Ethan, I can slide into my seat,” she made a motion to move, but I held her tight. I wasn’t sure why, but I wanted her to stay where she was.

“Stay here,” I whispered, a slight hitch in my voice.

She started to say something but stopped herself, deciding to just cuddle back into my body.

Mindlessly, I started rubbing my fingers along the bare skin of her thigh, coming close to the short hem of her dress and back down to her knee. This wasn’t in thefriendzone. This was new.

Intimate.

I could make an argument that the adrenaline rush from the crowd was getting to me. That I was needing to reassure her and myself that everything was ok.

But that wasn’t was this was either.

I had begun to look at Madison with new eyes and the closer we got to being amorous, the more I craved her. The fear in her eyes from the crowd spurred something in me. I was glad she was safe, as my friend. But I was equally glad she was safe as my lover.

Goosebumps formed on her soft skin and her breathing got more ragged. She was affected by my small movements, and even though it wasn’t time yet, I wanted to see how far we could take it.

“How many bases have you gotten to, Maddy?” I asked in a deep intimate tone. “The only thing I know is that you’ve never touched home plate.”

“Is that something you’re supposed to know?”

“It's something Iwantto know.”

“Why?”

“I want to know what kind of approach I need to take in my next at-bat,” I answered honestly, still using baseball terms.

“You suck at hitting, Ethan,” she joked.

I couldn’t help but laugh. Leave it to Madison to burst my baseball sex talk with hardcore facts.

“Let’s just pretend,” I suggested.

“You're a pitcher. You are supposed to throw the ball and other guys are supposed to hit the ball and round the bases.”

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