Chapter Twenty-Three
As I drive home from the arena, I make a big decision—I’m going to tell Madison that I love her.
And I’m going to do it tonight.
We played a really strong game this evening and won by four goals. I scored two of them, so I’m feeling pretty fucking great.
And brave.
That’s why I’m ready to share my feelings with the woman I love. I just hope she feels the same way. It’s going to suck ass if I spill my heart out to her and she does something like fucking laugh at me.
Shit, I will die right there and then.
“Quit thinking negative thoughts,” I admonish myself as I pull into my garage.
I shut down the Nav and just sit inside for a few minutes, listening to the tinkling sounds of the engine cooling down.
Fuck, I should’ve picked up some roses or something.
Nah, that’s too over-the-top.
It isn’t us.
I’m just going to keep it simple.
My love is strong and true, and I think that’s enough.
Nodding, I finally exit the vehicle and head into the house.
It’s quiet inside, but as my ears adjust, I hear the murmur of the TV in the living room.
I’m sure Madison watched the game tonight. Knowing her, she’s so into hockey now that she’s probably watching all the postgame coverage.
Sure enough, when I walk into the living room, that’s exactly what’s on.
“Hey, babe,” I say when she looks over at me from where she’s seated on the sofa, legs curled up under her.
“Hey.” Smiling, she lowers her legs and pats the spot next to her. “Come sit with me.”
I stride over and, as I plop down beside her, she turns off the TV.
Setting the remote on the coffee table, she says, “Great game, babe.”
“Thanks.”
We’re both silent for a beat or two.
And then, at the same time, we blurt out, “There’s something I want to talk with you about.”
Okay, the words may not have been exactly the same, but the overall gist is.
That makes us smile at each other.
Shit, I should just say it now and get it over with.
I think I will.
Taking her hand in mine, I catch and hold her beautiful gaze. Softly, I say, “I love you, Madison. I’m not a man of fancy words, but what I’m telling you is from my heart—I fucking love you, babe.”
Tears well in her eyes, and, squeezing my hand, she says, “I love you, too, Lennox. I actually decided today that I was finally going to tell you. That’s what I wanted to talk with you about. You just beat me to it.”
Wow, she fucking loves me.
It’s amazing how we are so on the same page all of the time. Sometimes we don’t realize it, but we are.
This is great.
“I’m glad I said it first,” I state, because it’s true.
Smiling, she admits, “I’m kind of glad too. I was afraid I’d say it and you wouldn’t say it back.”
“Aww, babe…” I scoot closer and take her in my arms, holding her gently. “I had the same fears. But that would never happen on my part,” I whisper into her hair. “You own my heart.”
She leans back and presses her forehead to mine, whispering, “Lennox.”
That is just enough.
Right now, everything is as it should be.
We close our eyes and just savor this moment, until our lips find each other.
We kiss slowly and passionately, and it feels so good.
Better than before, even.
“I fucking need you now,” I grind out between kisses that are growing more heated.
“I need you too,” she murmurs.
Our breaths quicken as we anticipate what’s to come. Clothes are discarded, hands and fingers roam, and then she’s beneath me and I’m finally thrusting into this woman I love.
I soar higher and higher, but what really transports me to the next level of ecstasy is that Madison loves me.
Yeah, she fucking loves me.