5. Chapter Five
Chapter Five
Ezra
The rough growl that leaves my throat sounds more like an angry bear than a man.
The moment those pouty red lips form the word, I dip my head and cover her mouth with mine. This isn't one of those slow, tentative kisses like on a first date. I press her up against the wall and devour her. Swiping my tongue over her bottom lip, I taste a hint of her skin.
Madison moans low in her throat and opens to me. Our tongues meet as I deepen the kiss, tasting a hint of champagne. Jesus, she's my new favorite dessert.
I break the kiss to press my lips to the soft skin beneath her jaw. Down her throat. She smells like peaches and maybe cinnamon. Sweet and spicy. Exactly how she tastes. I cup the back of her head, sliding my fingers through those ebony locks. I love her hair. It’s definitely played a part in my fantasies.
“Ezra,” she says on a breathy sigh that makes me hotter.
“You’re beautiful,” I whisper against her throat.
When she walked out on stage, the spotlight made the green sequins of her dress glow, but all I could focus on was all the creamy skin on display. The dress clings to every delicious curve of her generous breasts and hips, but it’s the high slit that’s making me lose my mind.
My hand slides down to that exposed thigh, feeling goosebumps on her cool skin. I need to get her back inside. Soon. I'm a brute for keeping her out in the cold like this when she's only wearing that tiny dress and my jacket. But fuck, I could kiss this woman forever. Sliding my hand behind her knee, I hook her leg around my hip, pushing my hard, heavy cock against her. We moan in unison at the contact.
I kiss her again, stroking into the depths of her mouth like I ache to do with her body.
The door to the depot bangs open a dozen feet away, and a couple exits, laughing and snuggling together as they walk to their vehicle.
Tucked away in the shadows, I know they didn't notice us. It's a timely reminder though. Anyone walking from the parking lot could see her and that's not happening. While she's in White Falls, no one else is going to see her like this.
It's an effort to tear my lips away. To remind myself that she’s not for me.
She blinks, eyes slowly opening and I'm treated to the sight of her slightly unfocused, lustful gaze. My cock hardens almost to the point of pain.
“Let's get you back inside where it's warm, angel.”
A smile flickers over her lips. “Why do you call me that?”
I shrug and glance away. She'll think this is stupid.
“Tell me.”
Taking her hand, I lead her to the door. “You remind me of a Christmas angel. Only heaven could produce a woman so beautiful.” I pull the door open and hold it for her, finally daring to see her reaction.
Those plump red lips are teased up in the smallest of smiles, her aqua eyes glittering with what I hope is pleasure. “That's the sweetest thing anyone's ever said to me, Ezra.”
I put my palm on her lower back and guide her inside where it’s warm. At the threshold, I pause. I should go. Coop is home alone, no doubt getting into something that he shouldn't and the drive up the dark mountain road is slow going even when it isn't snowing.
As I contemplate leaving, the music changes from a Christmas carol to a slower instrumental and I remember Madison's request. I didn't want her donated hours. God knows I want to spend time with her, but this bright, beautiful young woman has a television show back in New York. She doesn't need to hang around a battered ex-soldier with a brain injury. But I find I'm not quite ready to leave her yet. Taking her hand again, I head for the dance floor. “One dance.”
Madison smiles.
She comes easily into my arms, and we sway together to the music.
“Why don’t you want your hours? I could at least make you dinner.”
I hear the confusion in her voice. I kissed the hell out of her but I don't want more time with her. It's not something I can explain. Not here anyway. “My buddy Caleb says you're friends with Amanda and Roland?”
She nods. “Amanda and I have been friends since grade school. She's like a sister to me.”
I understand. In the service, my Delta team was my family. And before that, the Rangers. Even though I've been out for two years, a few men like Caleb, Everett, and Gideon are still my brothers. Always will be. “You came out to visit her?”
“Yes. I needed a break.”
“Then why spend time with me? You're here for her.”
“Why can’t it be both?”
I don’t know what to say to that. Silence settles between us.
“Do you have plans for Christmas?” she asks a few moments later.
“Not really. I haven’t celebrated in awhile. It’s the first time in years that I’ve put up a tree.”
She smiles at me. “You decorated a Christmas tree?”
“Decorated? No. There was an old tree stand at the cabin, but no lights or ornaments. Meant to pick some up earlier but I forgot.”
“Poor naked little tree.”
I huff a laugh. “Yeah. Pretty sad.”
“I could help you decorate for a few hours.”
I picture her at my place, singing a carol as she stretches up to hang an ornament. Coming up behind her to help and feeling the softness of her body against mine. Snuggling with her by the fire. I want those things. Badly. But every minute I spend with Madison, I feel myself getting more attached. How’s that gonna go when she leaves? Or worse, what if I have an episode while she’s there?
“Sorry, angel.”
Madison lays her head on my shoulder and doesn't reply. What is there to say? She has a life in New York. Hell, maybe even a boyfriend. Probably shouldn't have kissed her until I knew the answer to that, but I lose my mind around this woman.
There's something about her. Not just her pretty face and fuck-me curves. Something that calls to me on a level I didn't know I had.
The music draws to an end and we stop moving. Madison doesn't immediately let go. She stays cradled in my embrace.
Another song begins, but it's livelier. We should move off the dance floor, but I don't want her to move. She's perfect right where she is.
It isn't until we're jostled by other dancers that the spell is finally broken. I lead Madison off the dance floor and reluctantly release her. It's the right thing to do, for both of us.
She slips off my jacket and hands it to me. “Thank you for the dance. And uh...” she waves toward the door, cheeks flushing pink.
That kiss will linger in my dreams for the rest of my life. I brush a strand of silky dark hair off her cheek, savoring this last bit of contact. “The pleasure was all mine, angel.”
She falls silent again.
“Goodbye, Madison.” I leave before I do something caveman—like throw her over my shoulder, drive to Vegas, and marry her.
Thoughts like that are a stark reminder of just how scrambled my brain has become after the attack. Having a chunk of metal lodged in your skull will do that.
I nod at Caleb who is standing near the dessert table. Caleb's eyebrows are raised as he looks at me, then to where I danced with Madison and back. There's a question there. One I don't have an answer for. Heading out into the snow, I climb into my truck and head home.
At least Cooper will be waiting for me.