I took her back to the car, setting her in the passenger seat. I placed my hand on the back of her head, drawing her close so that I could plant a brief kiss on her forehead. I always itched to touch her in some way, to feel her touch.
Sex and lust were addicting in their own right. Who didn’t like pleasure? There was something different about the kind of touch that I craved from her. As much as I craved her body, sex wasn’t always the first thing that came to mind. Even just imagining holding her in my arms made me feel warm and satisfied. The little things stood out to me as much as the big things.
When we got back to my place, I didn’t drag her to the bedroom and start yanking her clothes off. Instead, I took her hand and led her to the couch. I laid on my side, inviting her to lay next to me so that I could drape my arm over her and spoon her from behind. I breathed in the sweet scent of her hair as she cuddled back against me, and I swore that there was nowhere else that I wanted to be.
“You should stay here tonight,” I told her as I secured my arm around her stomach tighter. I didn’t want her to just go home, leaving me to lay here alone wishing that she was still here. When I started spending more time with her, I realized how lonely my home life was. It was just me and silence here.
“You want me to stay?” Madison asked. I could hear the smile in her voice.
“I mean, it’s getting late. It’ll be easier for you to just stay here,” I said, babbling through my usual casual response. However, I stopped and mentally shook my head at myself. There was no need for this pointless shield that I used to put up. Hiding from my own emotions was cowardly at this point. “I want you here with me.”
Madison placed her hand over mine, twining our fingers together as we lay there and gazed at the television in front of us. It was doubtful that we were actually paying attention to whatever show was playing, though. I closed my eyes as I rested my head on the pillow beneath our heads, letting my body become heavier and heavier. She felt so warm and soft in my hold, coaxing me to rub gentle circles against her bare skin under her shirt. Eventually, that heavy feeling took over me, and I fell asleep nestled against her. It was the best sleep I had in a long time.
Chapter 19
Madison
Despite how much fun I was having with Tyler, it was hard getting through the week. By the time Friday arrived, I had to drag myself out of my apartment to go meet with Hannah and Nick at the library on campus. I was so tired lately, but I couldn’t even blame myself. I was juggling so much, and my energy was draining more and more by the day. Graduation was in sight, though. I wasn’t giving up just yet.
I lugged myself across campus toward the library, grimacing as I placed my hand on my stomach. I woke up not feeling too great this morning, which coaxed a whole new batch of worries into my mind. I couldn’t afford to catch a stomach bug at this point in the semester. I had too many final assignments and projects to turn in, and I wanted to finish strong at my internship.
Swallowing hard, I tried to force the nauseous feeling down as I walked up the stone steps that led to the five-story library. I passed by the café on the bottom floor, feeling like I was on the verge of gagging when I caught the scent of bacon and egg breakfast sandwiches. I hurried into the main part of the library to escape the smell, soon spotting Hannah and Nick at their own table in the back.
“Don’t eat the orange chicken from Dragon Palace,” I muttered as I sat down next to Hannah and across from Nick. I nearly shuddered as I thought of last night’s dinner. I ate way too late, but I was starving by the time I finished up some assignments for my classes. I couldn’t go to bed hungry.
“What’s wrong?” Hannah asked, tilting her head at me with a worried look on her face.
“Just don’t feel good,” I replied as I dug my laptop out of my backpack to place on the table in front of me. I drew in a deep breath to steady myself, wanting to focus on the reason why we met in the first place. “So, everyone is good with the final draft?”
“I’m happy with it. We only revised it a million times,” Nick sighed as he ran his fingers through his hair, fluffing up the matted strands. Like every student on campus, he was struggling through piles of assignments and constant stress. Everyone looked a sleepy mess.