Page 8 of Moonlight With Maddox
“I had a really good time,” he cuts in.
I pause on the top step and turn toward him. He’s standing a step below me, but he’s still taller than me. I love the way he can make me feel daintier than any other man I’ve ever been with.
He’s holding my camera bag in one hand, and I reach for it, but he doesn’t make any move to give it back to me.
“Are you sure about that?” I tease, as I brush the remaining powdered sugar off his chest. “You didn’t seem thrilled with the funnel cake after the hayride.”
He rests his hand over mine, and I can feel the steady thrum of his heart.
“Maybe not, but I liked watching you enjoy it.”
My heart does a ridiculous flip in my chest, and I feel warmth in my lower belly.
“I hope you got all the shots you wanted,” he says, as he rests the strap of my camera bag on my shoulder, sending a wave of goosebumps down my arm from where he touched me.
“Almost,” I say, trying to steady my voice “The only thing missing is a good wide shot of the whole town.”
He leans against the railing, thoughtful. “You should try Lookout Point. Best view in the county—especially at sunset.”
“That would be perfect.” I can already picture the valley bathed in golden light.
“I could take you,” he offers, but then clears his throat. “If you’re interested.”
My teenage self screams in my head, but I manage to keep my voice somewhat steady. “That would be great.”
“After my shift tomorrow, I can come pick you up.”
“Tomorrow it is.”
For a moment we just stand there, the quiet of the leaves blowing in the trees is the only sound. Maddox is the first to move, shifting closer, and I catch the faint woodsy scent on his skin. His gaze drops to my mouth and then back up to mine, almost as if he’s making sure I won’t bolt.
I don’t.
He dips his head, slow and sure. This time, nothing interrupts us. The feel of his lips brushing against mine is warm and deliberate. Every cell in my body tingles with electricity. I melt into him, opening to allow him to deepen the kiss.
I get lost in how long we stand there but I know it’s not long enough before he pulls back. He rests his forehead against mine.
“Goodnight, Leni.”
“Goodnight,” I whisper back.
9
Maddox
I pull into the clearing in front of my cabin and kill the engine of my truck. I sit there for a moment in silence and let out a slow breath I didn’t know I was holding.
Leni’s laugh still echoes in my head, bright and unguarded. And that kiss—it took every ounce of strength in my body to not pull her into my arms and show her just how much I’m already feeling for her. It’s nothing like the memories that I’ve been carrying around of my past. It’s like the door to my heart has been cracked open inside me, letting in light I hadn’t realized I’d needed to see the hollow man I’d become.
Maybe I am ready to let someone in again. No, not someone, but Leni.
I head inside and breathe in the familiar scent of cedar and woodsmoke. I toss my keys down on the table near the door, and head into the kitchen for a beer. Twisting the top of my bottle, I take a long pull of the amber liquid.
I’ve nearly finished it when I see it. The little red light blinking on the ancient answering machine by the phone.
No one ever calls on this landline except for the ranger station, and that’s only if they can’t reach me on my radio.
I hit the play button.
