Chapter 15 Liam
Liam
Stepping into The Bending Willow feels wonderfully cool after the heat of the day.
It’s quietly calm and smells of eucalyptus.
Maddie has it decorated in the soothing greens and earthy browns of a forest. A local artist painted a beautiful mural of a weeping willow on the back wall.
The lobby is full of strategically placed plants and artfully arranged flowers in black matte vases.
The wooden counter and shelves are the perfect accent to the forest theme, while providing a space for the yoga equipment she has for sale.
Grabbing a handful of peanut M&M’s from the dish on the counter, I head toward her classroom. The sound of children’s laughter leads me to the door of her classroom. I check the time and see that she’s got fifteen more minutes of class left.
I take a peek inside. The sight that greets me has me grabbing my phone.
Pictures are a must. I quietly let myself into the room, staying off to the side and out of the way.
Ace is the center of attention, doing his own version of downward dog.
Madison’s struggling to hold back her giggles until finally she lets herself go and laughter fills the room.
Ace, done with his “pose” trots over to Maddie, giving her a short bark and licking her face.
Of course, that spurs more hilarity. I just keep taking picture after picture, because this is fucking gold. I can’t wait to show her.
Practice was tough today. I take a seat on the floor when the burn in my quads gets to be too much.
The second week is always harder than the first. Things are getting competitive, and that’s where you find out who’s all in and who isn’t.
I’m sore all over and tired as hell, but that never matters when I’m near Maddie.
I love seeing her like this, unguarded and full of laughter.
Those soft, mossy eyes sparkling with joy, drawing everyone into her orbit.
Pink lips curving into a wide smile that urges everyone around her to respond with a smile of their own.
Seeing her like this always makes my heart beat faster and my dick get hard.
She’s so effortlessly sexy it takes my breath away, and I have to resist the urge to toss her over my shoulder and carry her upstairs.
There’s nothing I want more than to show her how much I appreciate that sexiness.
Slowly, with thorough attention to every one of those sweet curves.
My dick throbs at the thought of taking her apart with every tool in my arsenal–lips, tongue, hands, teeth.
.. Fuck, now I’m rock hard in a class full of children.
Nope. Not good. Down boy. Think of gross things. Walker’s feet. The locker room smell after practice. My workout gear when I forget it’s in my bag.
I take a minute to breathe and get myself under control.
I almost miss Ace doing corpse pose, and it’s hilarious.
What a derp! I zoom in and take a couple of shots of him, mouth open, tongue hanging out while lounging on his back.
This will be perfect for Maddie’s social media, like that puppy yoga that’s a thing, but better.
The kids are loving it. I don’t take too many pictures of the kids because I know a lot of parents don’t like that.
She might not have permission to post some of these pictures, but I bet she’ll love seeing how much fun these kids are having.
I’m a guy who loves kids. I’m the first one to toss a puck, or more than one, over the glass during warmups for all the kids watching.
Adults are complicated and messy, but kids are easy.
They don’t care who you are. Once they get comfortable with you, they keep it real.
There’s nothing like it. It keeps us all humble and laughing.
I put my phone away as class finishes, and when Mads notices I’m here, I don’t see her usual guarded look. Her face lights up and she waves. That’s new, but I like it. I’ll take a smile for any reason. Hell, I’ll take anything she’s willing to give me.
“Hey there, hockey boy,” my Maddie smirks.
Smirks. My girl is never smug. Then, to my complete and utter delight, she initiates a hug.
A good, wrap yourself around me, rub my back hug.
What is happening here? She seems thrilled to see me, and it’s a heady feeling.
I go with it, enjoying the feeling of her body against mine.
“Hey there, Mad girl.” I say with an answering grin, but I’m all jumbled up inside, but she looks so happy to see me, I don’t care.
“I am. I’m really glad you stopped by.” She is?
Damn, that’s nice to hear. I don’t care why this is happening.
I’m just going to enjoy it, so I tighten my hold and breathe in her wildflower scent.
Holding her soft, curvy body against mine, loving how she’s stroking her hands up and down my back.
This is not a “friend” hug. My body knows that, and my dick reacts accordingly.
Not wanting to make her uncomfortable, I try to pull away, but she just tightens her grip.
I want to throw her over my shoulder and head for the nearest bed, so we can explore every part of this change in our relationship. I don’t, but God do I want to.
“How was your day, pretty girl?” I’m a little breathless, but I’m not about to let her go.
“Really good.” She gives a happy sigh and then pulls away just enough to look up at me. “Staying for dinner?”
“Sure. If you want me to.”
“Oh, I want.” And damn if that phrase doesn’t go straight to my dick. Like he’s not already focused enough on her.
She laughs, and it’s low and husky. Fuck me.
“Come on upstairs with me, handsome.” Nothing could stop me at this point.
If I thought I was gone on her before, nope.
Totally lost now. I help her and Ace pick up all the mats from class.
Noting how Ace does his fair share by tugging them over to the used mat basket.
They seem to have found their routine, something a working dog loves.
If I weren’t so focused on my girl, I’d be giving Ace more praise.
Turns out I don’t have to. Mads rewards him with a treat for his help.
If he were human, he’d be preening like a peacock.
As it is, he trots after her, clearly smitten.
I get it, Ace. Same.
I want to ask her what’s going on, but I’m terrified it might ruin this new place we’re in. Do I really care what happened when it looks like she might be open to starting something with me? Not really. I’m just so damn happy for the opportunity.
It’s so strange when you’ve wanted something for so long and then suddenly it’s within your reach.
It doesn’t seem real. Did Walker talk to her again?
That makes no sense. He’s been trying to get us together for years, so why would it be different this time?
Besides, he’s been all up in his head lately about hockey.
He gets hyper-focused. Which is outstanding for his career, but not so much if you want to discuss anything else.
I follow her up the stairs to her apartment, sore legs protesting the climb.
“Want me to feed, Ace? I ask, as she takes off her shoes and heads to the kitchen. I follow suit, dropping my sneakers next to hers. Looking at them side by side, my heart gives a little lurch.
“Yeah, thanks. That would really help.”
I hope like hell my feet don’t smell. I showered after practice and changed clothes when I got home, but a past hookup had a lot to say about it, so now I’m hyperaware.
It was embarrassing at the time, but I was actually grateful in the end.
Athletes are used to smelly gear. and I probably wouldn’t have noticed if she hadn’t said something.
Now I pay attention to smells. Maybe that’s why I’m always trying to huff Mads. She smells amazing.
Since I usually help with Ace in the morning after my run, I know right where she keeps his food.
I grab the cute blue ceramic bowl that Maddie decorated with paw prints and Ace’s name, filling it up with his serving of kibble.
Maddie also gives him toppers, which are just chopped-up chicken and pumpkin in gravy.
Ace goes nuts about it. If I didn’t mix it in, he would just eat the topper and leave the kibble.
I stir it, making sure to cover the kibble with gravy. It’s so extra, but he loves it.
After getting Ace settled, I wander over to the kitchen to help Maddie with dinner.
We’ve gotten into a routine in the morning with breakfast, so it’s easy for me to slot myself next to her and start prepping whatever veggies she has waiting for me.
There’s something about this domesticity that we’ve created that feels so comforting.
I’ve always been a guy who’s always adhered to some kind of schedule.
I thrive on routine, and with her it’s even better. It feels like home.
Maddie’s a fantastic cook, and everything she makes is super healthy, but still tastes delicious.
As a person who’s eaten way too much plain baked chicken and brown rice, I appreciate the variety.
She’s been making me this mouth-watering protein smoothie that tastes like pineapple and coconut.
It’s kept my usual mid-morning hunger at bay until we break for lunch, even through pre-season training.
It looks like we’re having salmon tonight, so she’s prepping an enormous fillet. She’s clearly already planned to include me for dinner, and it makes me feel all warm and gooey inside.