Both Quil and Madison looked toward the living room as they heard the front door slam shut.
"Did he leave?" Madison asked with a sniffle.
"Yeah," Quil didn't release her but could feel Jacob's nearness fading away.
"Do you need to go?" Madison asked as she looked up at him.
"Nah." He smiled down at her and ran his hand up and down her back, in an attempt to comfort her.
"Are you sure?"She asked with a smile.
"Not going anywhere."
She smiled up at him again her face reddened with a faint blush, "Are you hungry?"
"I'm always hungry." He laughed softly and released her and took a small step back, "But I don't want you to have to cook every time I come over."
"I enjoy it."
"Well only if you let me take you to the store to restock you." As he finished she shook her head, "Why?"
"I'm not letting you restock my kitchen. I can do that myself." Madison stated and stepped around him into the kitchen.
He turned and watched her as she stopped at the bar, "But the question is," he followed her and sat down on the barstool beside and took her hand in his and pulled her to him, "when will you go? We both know that you didn't want to go when you went before." She sighed and watched as he ran his finger over her knuckles, "What if I took you to Forks?"
"Tonight?" She asked incredulously.
"No, not tonight." He replied knowing it was too late, "Tomorrow."
"I don't know."
"Come on. What harm can it do?" Quil asked as he watched her expression
"I just don't want to cause you any more trouble."
"Do you really think that I'm worried about that?"
"You should be."
"Madison, I have been friends with Jacob for years." He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her to stand between his outstretched legs, he smiled down at her as she propped against the inside of his leg and wrapped one arm around his waist, "And I'm sure that we will still be friends tomorrow, and the day after that. Please don't worry about us."
"I worry that you are doing this because you feel sorry for me and I can't stand the thought of that."
"Okay let's get this straight. I have only done one thing for you because I felt sorry for you and that was bringing you what you had picked out in the store. Everything else, every other time that I came here I did it because I wanted to see you or I wanted to check on you. Okay?" She smiled up at him hesitantly and nodded. "Well then get over there and fix me something delicious to eat." He grinned and kissed her on the forehead. Madison and laughed but did as he asked.
"I could seriously get used to this." Quil pushed back from his plate after he took his last bite and grinned up at Madison as she moved past him to the sink.
"Would that be such a bad thing?" She asked without turning.
He stood and moved quickly to stand behind her, he rested his hands on her hips, "No, I don't think so. What about you?" His question was a whisper but he felt her heart accelerate and he smiled.
"No, I don't." She turned and looked up at him, "I think I might like it."
"Good." He smiled softly down at her and found himself lowering his head toward hers.
Just as his lips brushed hers she pulled away and took small step away, "I'm sorry." She whispered.
"No I'm sorry. I," He didn't know what to say but his words died on his lips as he saw the look on her face, "Madison its okay." He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and pulled her tightly against him. "I'm so sorry."
"No, it's not you. I'm just not ready."
"And I realize that and I'm so sorry for not respecting that. I promise it won't happen again." Until you're ready, he added mentally. He moved his hand up and down her back again hoping to comfort her. "Come on, I want to sit outside."
"It's too cold." Madison responded as she looked up at him.
"I'll keep you warm." He replied, never looking at her.
He took her hand in his and led her outside. Once they were outside he moved them to the small white wicker love seat. He released her hand and she sat on the chair and he knelt down in front of the small stone fireplace across the porch from them. Within minutes he had a roaring fire warming the small area, lighting the spot in a golden glow. He sat down behind her and leaned back against the arm before he motioned to her, "Come here."
"I'm too heavy." She stated as she shook her head.
"Puh-lease." He rolled his eyes and grinned at her, when she didn't budge he took grabbed her around the waist and picked her up depositing her on his lap, "Told you, you weren't too heavy." He pulled the cover from the back of the love seat and placed it over her shoulders and made sure it was tucked tightly around her back. He wrapped his arms around her and released her slightly as she moved to a more comfortable position against him. He sighed as he felt her cooler body rest against his overheated one. "Comfortable?"
"Very much so." Madison replied trying not to think about everything that had happened in the last few days but she wasn't as careful as she thought she was.
"What are you thinking about?" He asked her softly as he rested his chin on her head.
He listened as she sighed and waited patiently, "Just thinking about everything that has happened in the last few days, and how I ended up here." She pulled away from him and looked up at him, "You don't think badly of me, do you?"
He looked down at her, "Why would I? I'm confused."
"I was just with Jacob a few days ago."
"And did you choose to not be with him?"
"No."
"Okay then you shouldn't be worried about something that you can't help. If you had been in a serious relationship with him I guess I would be a little more cautious but you weren't so it doesn't really matter, at least not to me," He paused for a second then looked down at her, "Do you think I should think badly of you?"
"I don't want you to. But I don't know really."
"Well let's not worry about it right now."
She lowered her head back to his chest and snuggled back in, "Okay."
He smiled as she seemed pleased that she was content with his declaration.
They had sat in comfortable silence, separated by short conversations for well over an hour when he noticed that her breathing had changed and she was still.
"Madison?" He whispered. He smiled down at her as she snuggled a little deeper into his chest when he lifted the cover and cool air rushed over her body. He wrapped one arm around her back and slipped his other under her legs before he stood lifting her effortlessly. She groaned slightly as he jostled her as he pushed open her front door.
"Shhh, it's okay." He whispered as he carried her to her bedroom. He realized once he got into the room that he had no idea how she slept. He shrugged and decided that tonight she would sleep clothed; he wouldn't cause any more concern on her behalf. He moved to the far side of her bed and laid her down gently. He smiled at she rolled to her side and a smile graced her face. He pulled the covers up over her and bent down, "I'll see you tomorrow." He whispered against her temple before he pressed his lips to her cool skin gently. He turned to leave the room, looking over his shoulder one more time before he left. He made sure her front door was locked, knowing that it wouldn't stop Jacob if he really wanted in but he wanted to make a point to his pack leader. He double checked the fire, making sure it was out before he made his way toward his house.