A/N: Okay everyone! Another bonus chapter for I Will Try to Fix You! Josh finally feels comfortable visiting Maddie's home. He's still in the process of cleaning up and selling his house, but there's nothing that can keep him away for long. This chapter has taken a long time to write, and you'll see why.
Keeping everything Rated T is so hard for this story, with the both of them being so old and all. But I shall do my best. A little backstory. It's been a few weeks since the conclusion of the story. Josh fixed up his father's motorcycle (left in the garage for years - even before the accident - and now drives that as often as he can. He's found it helps to outrun monsters better than a car.
Josh finally arrived at the farmhouse, but due to the rain his clothes were soaked through. As such, he is now wearing Mark's clothing.
Sit back, relax, and grab a snack and a friend, because the show, is about to start!
I tied the straps of the overalls around my waist, bothered by the looseness on my shoulders. I had grumbled the whole way down the stairs of course, upset that my anticipated moment had been ruined, but pushed all those disappointments behind me as I walked into her dining room. I remembered that room well, I had been over to her house for dinner plenty of times before, especially right after my parents died. Her Granny wouldn't have me starving or anything.
I nervously fidgeted as we entered the room, finding it somewhat strange to be there when I had so much on my mind, even more strange when I realized I hadn't seen her family in what must have been at least three years. Maddie directed me over to the table and pulled up one of the spare chairs they had for when family was over. She put the chair right next to her own and gestured for me to come and sit down.
"Well, if ma ol' eyes ain't deceivin' me," Granny Stallanos' old shaky voice had hardly changed, and I looked over at her as she pushed her walker into the room, moseying slowly due to her bad hip, "I'd know that gold-brown-noggin in the dead of night. Joshua Berkeley, come over here an' give Granny a hug!"
"Heya Granny," I politely replied and did as I was told. I hadn't hugged the old coot in a good long time, and while I had grown she had seemed to shrink into this bony, shaking old woman. She did not let her age or size deter her though, as she went right ahead and smacked me on the back of the head, "Ouch!"
"Why ain't cha been visitin', y'forgetful whipper-snapper? My grandbaby's been cooped up all lonesome for—" Granny began to babble in that heavy accent of hers until she was stopped.
"Granny!" Maddie interrupted her with embarrassment on her face, as she went around the table and pulled out the chair for her elder, "Josh just got over that bad accident, I told you that. He's real busy."
"I reckon y'did, but that don't mean y'can't stop in for a visit now n'then," Granny Smith pulled herself over to the chair and wobbly sat herself down, pushing her walker to the side of the table, "Siddown already, Mark's made one fine stew up."
"I can smell it," Maddie replied as she returned to her seat, watching me grumble and follow after.
"She hit me," I murmured as I rubbed the still sore spot on my head, and Maddie just chuckled at my childishness.
Annie Stallanos, Maddie's younger sister, came running into the room next, skipping about until Granny told her she was going to break something. She had started talking right away about her friends at school, and damn could that girl talk. I could hardly keep up, she was going on about some career day thing and how she and her friends were going around trying everything to see what they were good at. I think I even heard something about zip lining.
Mark came in with this huge, tall pot of stew and put it in the middle of the table. It was bubbling and steaming and smelled awesome, but I knew better than to jump up and grab some; there were rules in this house. Maddie stood up and served everyone their share, starting with Granny and Annie, then coming around to me.
I almost forgot just how warm and tasty the Stallanos family home-made dinners were. By the time I realized that I was just about finished the stew, I had almost completely forgotten what had brought me there in the first place, all that serious crap. I glanced at Maddie again, noticing the simple smile that played with her lips and shifted her freckles as she listened to her sister go on.
"—And Scout jus'got this mot'rized scooter, it's the coolest!" I tuned back in to the conversation as I brought another spoonful of stew to my mouth. "She's been wantin' one ever since she saw Josh ride up on his motorcycle, oh Mark did you see it?"
"Eeyup," Mark replied simply as he took a sip of water, smiling at the way Annie got when she was excited.
"A motor-m'cycle? What in the heck is that?" Granny Stallanos asked as her spoon-holding hand shook against her bowl, "Sounds like'a death trap."
"Don't worry Granny, Josh rides real safe," Maddie confirmed with a nod, glancing over at me to be certain she was right on that, "Not that I've ever been on it myself."
"Really?" I thought about it for a second, sipping at my spoonful as I tried to remember if I had taken her on it with me. Truth was, I only ever once gave someone a lift, and that was Emily, and she was screaming the whole time and crying for me to let her off even if it meant she'd be late for her shift at the animal shelter, "You're right."
"Maybe you'll have to take me for a ride sometime," Maddie said, and it sounded completely innocent, but her movements contradicted that.
I felt her foot touch mine, and at first I thought it was just a mistake, until she started running it up my leg. I nearly choked when I realized she was flirting with me, and I hurriedly tried to drown my blush by drinking a mouthful of water. She smirked at me, I saw it from the corner of my eye. Damn it, she was messing with me, the way I had done in front of all our friends. She could be a devil when she wanted to.
"You two sure are growin' up fast, I'll tell y'that much," Granny Stallanos spoke up again, and we both looked over at her, "I r'member when you two were youngin's, 'bout th'same age as Annie, y'all came in for supper all covered in mud and arguin'. Mark and I had to hose y'down before we'd letcha in the house, y'all were shiverin' and shakin' and your clothes were all soakin' wet, you kids were always tryin' my patience."
"I remember," Maddie laughed lightly, but that story did not stop the under-the-table advances as she looped to the inside of my leg and rubbed my ankle and above, teasing me silly, "Mark gave Josh this big ol' shirt to wear, went right down to his knees."
"Uh, yeah," I spoke up in agreement despite my mind being entirely elsewhere.
"It's hard t'believe that ma sister was ever ir'isponsible!" Annie called out with a big grin, sitting up in her chair.
"Oh, she was a handful," Mark chuckled lowly, his voice quite a contrast to the feminine voice of Annie. Indeed, Mark and Maddie had spent a long time trying to correct their Southern/Country mannerisms; as a way to not stand out too much as children. Mark had covered his up by refraining from speaking more than a sentence at a time, most times less than that.
Thankfully, they'd realized their folly and had instilled in Annie the confidence and appreciation of her heritage to not care what others thought of her accent. In regards to pitch, Maddie seemed to nestle right in between their tones nicely, it was funny. "Her and Mister Josh were always gettin' into trouble and foolin' around."
"That certainly hasn't changed," I muttered quietly, and Maddie shot me a silencing glare as she noticed the innuendo between the lines.
"Annie, you mind clearin' the dishes tonight?" Mark asked as he stood up and reached for the large pot, which was far too big for the little girl to have carried.
"It's always ma turn," she pouted but obliged, hopping off the wooden chair and gathering some dishes from around the table somewhat clumsily.
Maddie took my finished bowl and handed it to the young girl, who leaned well over the table on her tip-toes to reach it. My clothes were probably almost dry by now, since they were the only things in the dryer and all, but I didn't care to check. I watched Maddie finish cleaning the table while her younger sister started doing the dishes, waiting for her to be mine again.
My heart was pounding as I watched her lean over the table with a wash cloth, and even though Mark was around I could not restrain myself from leering at her. If he did notice he didn't say anything about it, he was a man of few words anyway.
Maddie glanced up at me from leaning over the wooden table and paused in her circular scrubbing, meeting my eyes. There was something curious about them, something intriguing and pulling, and she stood back up. She must have remembered that we had more to discuss, and she bunched up the rag she was carrying. She barely dipped into the kitchen as she tossed the rag towards the sink, before she came back around and gestured for me to follow her.
I tried to seem casual as I stuck my hands into the pockets of the overalls I was wearing, feeling the fabric that had once hugged her so tightly. My eyes flickered up to her as I followed her up the stairs, and swayed with her hips as she stepped up the creaky wooden stairs. Damn, I was so awfully perverted, but even realizing that did not stop me from looking. She stepped onto the second floor and let her fingers slide along the support bar, making her way to her own bedroom door and tapping it open farther.
"All right, Josh," She held the door open as I walked past her, and she closed it up tight right behind me, "I'm all yours," and those words were just what I wanted to hear.
We spoke for a long time about our feelings for each other; something we'd kind of just...let happen and go unaddressed for weeks. Now that we put it into words, we realized how much of a disservice we'd done each other.
"But when I went over to your house again after all that time apart, and despite that it wasn't entirely fun all the time, that a lot of different things hung in the balance, I felt really good. And then, well then you kissed me," she smiled as the memory came back, and she seemed genuinely content, "It scared me so much because it didn't feel wrong, or weird or anything, in fact, it excited me."
"Well clearly you realized that it did the same for me," I reminded her, moving a bit closer and laying down beside her.
"Sure, but besides the fact that I haven't got squat for knowledge about how to deal with romantic stuff, I was afraid for awhile that you were just screwing around, playing a game or something. Or that you'd get bored of me, I couldn't risk our bond over silly games, Joshua. You mean a lot to me," she told me honestly, and it sounded good to hear.
"But it's not a game to me, Maddie!" I defended myself vigilantly, making certain she was looking at me so she would know I was not playing around, "Ever since we were kids, it's always been you. Always, always."
Maddie smiled again, this simple, crooked smile that I knew her by, exposing a sweet dimple that was usually unnoticeable under her freckles. It was comfortable with her, even if the moment was tense and the subject was awkward and potentially devastating. Her eyes flickered up to mine like sparks, and I could feel her energy and love in them, embracing me as she spoke.
"I dunno much about romantic love, Josh. But I know that I like it when you're around, you get me all hot and bothered and happy and stuff. And when you kiss me, it drives me wild," Maddie's smile broke into a grin as she confessed, and she reached over to ruffle my unruly hair,"I dunno how to say it any better than you did, but Josh, I know I have feelings for you, too."
"You better not just be saying that," I made double sure, looking right into her eyes to search for any lies. I could feel my heart in my throat, and almost felt like crying, for Pete's sake.
"I'm not," Maddie turned to fully face me, and if I did not believe her already, her gaze made it impossible to doubt her.
She moved just that few inches closer and pressed her lips on mine, a simple and honest kiss that was so completely her. I returned it readily, feeling the excitement building up in my entire body. Her hand touched my waist and pulled me closer, encircling my form and holding me still. I couldn't help it, and I broke the kiss suddenly.
"Oh my gosh, oh my gosh," I breathed like a damn girl, and then I grinned and nearly did a back-flip, though Maddie's expression was not quite so stoked.
"What? I'm not doin' it wrong, am I?" She asked curiously, sitting up on her elbow as she watched me, but the question sent me into a fit of giggles. She blinked and made a concerned face, clearly self-conscious about everything.
"No, no, you're great," I affirmed her with nods, but could not bite back the grinning. She continued to watch me as I sprawled out onto my back and sighed in contentment, "It's just, this doesn't even feel real. It's like I'm floating or flying or some shit."
"Be still my beating heart, you are a charmer, aren't cha?" Maddie chuckled sarcastically at my unimaginative choice of words, but I didn't care. She seemed to though, as she fell quiet for a few seconds before speaking in a softer tone, "Josh, do you think this is okay? I mean, should we be doin' this?"
"What kind of a question is that?" I asked as I flipped onto my side, mirroring her own position and leaning on my elbow. I pouted my lips a bit, "We aren't doing anything."
"No, I suppose not," Maddie chewed on her cheek again as she looked at me, letting herself inspect that which had become hers. She seemed a little unsure.
"Come here, let me show you something," I commanded, never waiting for any obedience.
"Excuse me? If I'm not mistaken, this is my house, what could you possibly—" I pulled her off the bed into a full sprint, knocking open her door and sprinting down the stairs. She could barely catch her breath, much less find a word, and I guided her all the way to the front door, nearly throwing it open, "Joshua! Where are you taking me? It's dark out!"
"I know, it's perfect!" I called back as I dragged her faster, though she resisted me long enough to close the front door behind her.
We weren't wearing any shoes, and the gravel kind of hurt my feet, but Maddie didn't complain. When we were kids we used to run barefoot everywhere, and it never bothered us back then when our feet were accustomed to it. We touched dried grass and hay soon enough as we came upon the old barn, which didn't look like it was used for much more than storage. Still she followed me with this inquisitive, uncertain look, as I fumbled around in the darkness for the ladder that led to the loft above.
"Keep up, will you?" I winked at her as I started up the ladder, and she followed me only one step behind.
The ladder was dusty on my hands from lack of use, but I did not hesitate until I reached the top, only pausing once I climbed onto the wooden floor and wiped my hands on those overalls. It looked exactly the same as ever, complete with one folded up blanket and one pillow placed near the edge. The slivers of light from the moon caught the particles of dust that were suspended in the air from my intrusion, shining down in breaks and cracks of the walls and roof. I moved out of the way as Maddie reached the top of the ladder and peered around, taking in the dark scene just as I did. I helped her to her feet and watched as she patted her dirtied hands on the rear of her jeans, huffing a laugh as she recognized the loft.
"I can't believe you remember this place, Josh" Maddie shook her head as she stepped forwards, almost too tall to stand upright under the sloping roof. "What's it been? Must be years since we've been up here."
"How could I forget? It was early autumn, if I remember right. I was over one evening, and you woke me up in the middle of the night and yanked me out of bed to see a harvest moon, even though I had no idea what that was," I reminded her coolly as I spun around on the creaking floorboards, looking for the particular spot of the roof I had in mind. "You said the view from your window wasn't good enough, and—"
"You asked me how the inside of a barn could be much better," Maddie finished for me, a smile creeping up on her as she realized why I was reaching up to the rafters and poking around.
"And what's this? Practical Maddie never repaired the leaky old barn roof, now did she? She opted for a skylight instead, something she never told even her family," I found the hatch and unlatched it, pulling it down into the barn to reveal the clear night sky above us. I smirked as I put my hands on my hips under the glowing light and watched her walk right up beside me to see the stars, "Miss truth and honesty, keeping a secret all to herself."
"I told you, didn't I?" Maddie countered as she glanced over at me, quirking a brow under the moonlight.
"Exactly!" I extended my arms out to either side, and watched her smug expression fall a bit in confusion. "Before you even knew about how I felt, before I kissed you, before any of that, you had shared something so personal and special with me," I stepped towards her and put my arms around her waist, holding her near, "I'd like to think you've had feelings for me for a long time."
"You're full of something, Josh," she chuckled that cute little Maddie laugh and bowed her head a bit, but she did not have her cowboy had to hide her eyes this time.
"Maybe I am," I shrugged as I leaned lower to catch her eyes, before putting my finger under her chin and raising it so she would look at me, "but I really don't give a dam. All I care about is you, me..." I broke away from her for an instant grabbing the blanket and shaking it out before laying it down below the open hatch in the roof, "and a little nostalgia."
"Shucks, honey, who'd have thought you could be so sickly sweet?" Maddie titled me endearingly and followed me willingly, brushing the blanket flat as she sat below the falling starlight, while I grabbed that pillow and brought it over.
I placed the pillow behind her back and crawled up beside her, watching intently as she laid back against the plush fabric. I could not stop my erratic heart beat, my spinning mind and awfully impure thoughts as she moved around until she got comfortable. I laid right next to her, but instead of looking up through the hatch at the night sky, I was looking right at Maddie.
For the time being I didn't really care how strong I was coming on. I was tucked up real close to her and was focused on watching her, despite the twinkling sky above. She shuffled around as if it made her uncomfortable, but that just made her all the more adorable to watch. I still couldn't believe it, here I was laying beside the woman I loved, and she was not pushing me away. The pressures of all the naughty things I had thought about doing to her over the years seemed to lift, leaving me with peace and serenity. So of course, I had to push the limits of that.
I leaned in and kissed her on the cheek, feeling her turn and take notice of the action. I didn't hesitate to move along, playing with the collar of her shirt in my hand and nibbling at her ear. She was tense and uncertain about letting me doing these things, but she seemed to reservedly enjoy the attention.
I moved closer until my leg slipped in between hers, noticing the nervous grunt she made as I played around with her boundaries. My lips found hers in the darkness and I could feel her kissing me back, but she was still so very tense. I would have to do that out of her, you see, so I ran my hand along her body, moving back to her chest and inching up to her breasts. I didn't even get to touch one by the time she pulled back, sitting upright and shielding herself.
"You okay?" I asked as I sat up beside her, alarmed by her defensiveness. She didn't look at me in the eyes, but I could tell she wanted to, "Maddie, relax, all right? It's just me, just Joshua, your best friend, remember?"
She sighed slowly as she looked at the wrinkled in the blanket beneath us, "Sorry," Maddie murmured to the floor in a low tone, nervously fidgeting under my attention.
"Don't be, we don't have to do anything you don't want to, you know," I told her with my eyes and my words, holding the eye contact long past when she broke it.
"It's not like I don't like it. It's just, I just dunno what to do, or what to let you do," she implied something subtly as she breathed an easier breath, bringing her head back up as the topic was addressed.
I smiled, knowing enough about her to have seen her initial resistance coming. She was too responsible and cautious for her own good sometimes. I pulled myself up and moved in front of her, kneeling one knee in between her legs as I did.
"I'll make it easy for you, Maddie. If you don't like what's going on..." I was considerate with her then, easing her onto her back once more and looking deep into her eyes, "just tell me to stop."
I leaned over her, holding my weight on my right arm that pressed into the blanket beside her. I moved up a bit until our faces were near, and I watched her regard me anxiously. She didn't move away this time though, she watched as I moved my free hand up her body and paused over her chest, which was pounding hard and rising with each heavy breath. Her hands reached up and clasped my own in both of hers, cold and shaky and uncertain.
This contact was different than our usual touching, it was not rough or playful or friendly, it was a touch that we both knew was gentle and comforting and intimate. My usual brimming lust was suddenly not as important as just being with her, just touching her and looking at her the same as I always did. There was a strong pull between us and I leaned in, pressing our lips together in a tender and telling embrace.
I always imagined my first mutual interaction with Maddie would be forceful and heated, the way we always were with each other. But this felt so much more real, so genuine and honest. And I was pleased to let to go on slowly. I pulled barely away and touched my forehead to hers, our eyes still closed and our lips still humming. Gods, this must have been the best moment of my life.
I let my body rest against hers at our hips, my thigh delicately laid between hers. She leaned up and kissed me again, gripping my hand once tightly before releasing it to peruse the messy strands of my hair. She pushed it back as she got a feel of it, her fingers tracing my neck and shoulders. I felt myself suddenly heat up at the attention, overindulging in her body the way I always wished I could.
Our kissing grew more and more fervent, and I could feel her hands all over me the way mine seemed to find her. It was quiet at first, but before I knew it the blood pounding in my ears and the growing weight of our warm breaths filled the space around us well.
My hand set to work loosening the buttons on her shirt, feeling the rhythmic rise and fall of her chest beneath. Her mouth opened against mine as she groaned a bit in frustration, rising up against my touch. We both moved against each other in little refined squirms, trying to get even closer as if it were possible. She squeezed her legs around mine lightly, trying to keep from grinding against me like I knew she wanted to do.
Our legs entwined below us, pressing each other in just the right areas as if it was second nature. I bit lovingly at her lower lip until she complied to my unspoken command, allowing my tongue to breach the barrier of her mouth. My chest rubbed against her breasts unintentionally, a hazard of such close quarters and laboured breathing, but it was more than all right. I barely pulled away to get a full reading on just how wet our mouths were, the saliva thick and her lips gleaming in the starlight.
We both gave each other everything we had that night, getting lost in the amazing feel that was the other. We were adults now, technically, and somehow it felt right to enter adulthood the same way we'd left childhood; together. It was very quiet then, the only sound of life being our intense and heavy breathing, which steamed and heated up the barn and made me rather glad I was naked.
Maddie's hands reversed my hold and pulled me down, putting my weight onto my hands and knees again as she leaned up and grabbed me roughly. One of her hands wrapped behind my head and dug into my hair, the other played coy and calm on my cheek as she drew me in for a much desired kiss. I felt so close to her, so accepted and loved, it was everything I thought it would be. It was just too bad that the world outside of the barn was so cold.
I embraced her warmly and continued to kiss her, showing her just how much all of this meant to me with each peck and slip of my tongue. She was so very gentle as she helped me off of her, laying me beside her instead in a more relaxing manner. I didn't leave her side though, I nestled right in close despite the fact that I was sweating profusely. Maddie didn't seem to mind, she held me there near to her like she would never let me go. Her fingers brushed loose strands of hair out of my face and she looked me right in the eyes, seeming just as infatuated as I was.
"Y'okay?" Maddie's voice was hoarse and hushed, but all I could really do was nod and smile, "For an athlete, you sure run outta breath pretty quick," she teased playfully as she inched closer, her feet touching mine.
"Sheesh," I reached out and hit her lightly, faking a pout, "You trying to pick a fight?"
"Maybe," Maddie whispered as she leaned in and kissed me again, something so intimate and precious disguised as something so simple. It had become quite apparent that she seemed to enjoy kissing me, and hey, I was not about to complain.
I laid onto my back and sighed, feeling all the stress and trouble exit my body in one joyous motion. The stars above me gratefully took all my worries away, replacing them with bright little specks of lights so beautiful I hardly noticed the darkness at all. I felt Maddie move closer and snuggle against me, placing her head on my shoulder and letting me put my arm around her.
Lying there naked with the woman I loved beneath the wonderful night sky, it was heaven, heaven in an old barn loft. We were both comfortable in the silence, our bodies pieced together and our aggressions finally worked out.
"I almost wish I had made the hatch a bit bigger," Maddie spoke up, and her voice was so small I wasn't sure it even carried to the rafters. "It's still pretty hot in here and the roof isn't much to look at."
It was true, outside of the barn would have been much crisper and breezier, but though the stars would be so beautiful, they would pale in comparison to what I just experienced.
"Say, Maddie..." An idea emerged in the looming darkness, and looked down at the girl in my arms, "Were you just kidding about wanting to ride with me earlier?"
"Excuse me?" she inquired as her eyebrows furrowed, and I noticed that little wrinkle that Fiona had spoken of.
"On my motorcycle, I have an extra helmet you know. I could take you out," I told her, growing to like the idea more with each word. Especially when she gave me that uncertain but hopeful expression, "The lights of the city are fantastic at night, you'd love it."
"I dunno Josh, my legs are still all tingly," Maddie chuckled as she addressed such a thing, but I consoled her easily.
"You don't have to do anything but wrap them around me, babe," I grinned and nudged her with a playful wink, drawing her chuckle out into a full laugh. She nudged me back and nodded slowly.
"Well, in that case, I reckon I might have to take you up on that. If you don't think it'll be too sappy or romantic or anything," Maddie's eyes jumped up into my own and I watched the rosiness in her cheeks darken to try and imitate the lush crimson of her lips.
"I think it'll be the perfect amount," I kissed her lightly before I squirmed out of her comforting embrace and pushed her a bit onto her side. "Now, get up." I grinned deviantly and smacked her rear twice to get her moving.
"Hey!" she complained as she rolled onto her stomach, lifting herself onto her hands and knees with an irritable expression. I laughed at her embarrassment and helped gather our clothes back up.
I tossed her jeans her way, and though she groaned to have to get back up, which was very unlike her since she was always such a workaholic and never one to whine, she got dressed and tried to straighten herself back up nice. I was quicker about it, excited for our little adventure. I took her hands in my own and led her to the edge of the loft in something of a goofy dance, causing her to giggle and shake her head at my ridiculous antics.
I stepped back suddenly despite her shocked expression and landed on the first step down the ladder, making her roll her eyes and push me to keep going folded up the now wet blanket and stored it away once more and shut the hatch before finally coming down after me.
While she climbed back down I crept into her house again, knowing riding a motorcycle in loose fitting overalls was not the smartest idea. I got back into my own clothes, which were still warm from the dryer despite having sat in there for a good while after it had finished tumbling around.
I grabbed my gray jacket from the rack and put my shoes on as quietly as I could, not trying to attract attention to myself from her family. When I opened her front door again I found her sitting on the wooden steps with her own jacket on, adjusting her cowboy boots on her feet and extending her legs to have a look at them.
"I guess it's not weird now if I tell you that you look really sexy in those," I told her bluntly as I closed her front door behind her, admiring her as she pulled herself onto those raised heels once more.
"Do you ever quit?" Maddie asked as she leaned in and flicked my nose lightly, causing me to twitch it about and make a face.
"We wouldn't be here now if I did," I reminded her with a smirk.
We went over to my parked motorcycle and she waited patiently as I popped open the under seat storage and revealed my second helmet, which I brought along just in case I ever needed it. I passed it into her waiting hands before I pulled on my gloves, wriggling my fingers out the open ends of each hole. I turned back and looked at her, watching the way she tucked her hair under the helmet and buckled it under her chin.
"A helmet doesn't really suit you as well as your Stetson, Mads," I teased with a playful wink.
"Oh hush," she stuck out her tongue as she grabbed my own helmet and roughly shoved it into my hands, gesturing for me to hurry up.
I slipped the helmet over my wild hair and adjusted it to fit just right, tilting my head to either side leisurely as if testing her patience. She said nothing as I pulled the goggles over the back of the helmet and placed them just above my eyes, leaving them off while I slipped one leg over the vehicle.
I kicked backwards and knocked it off the kickstand with ease, stepping backwards slowly as I reversed it out of its position so it would be easier for Maddie to jump on behind me. I turned it to face the driveway and roughly revved it up, turning it on with a great vicious and fierce roar that must have been heard all over the farm.
"Hop on, cowgirl," I grinned as I looked back at her, finding her expression a daring mirror of my own. She stepped wide and slung her leg over the motorcycle, straddling the mechanical contraption right behind me, nestling up close until I fit perfectly between her legs, "Maybe we can head on over to my place and continue where we left off?" I jested as she smacked my shoulder lightly and moved against me, her hands fondling my fitting jacket.
"Just drive, hot stuff," Maddie said into my ear as her arms wrapped close around me, and I could feel her chest pressing up against my back. Her arms were tight around my waist, and I was sure she did that on purpose.
I did as I was told, hitting sixty in ten seconds flat and racing down her old dirt road. She squeezed on tight due to her initial fear and shock, but I was a good driver so I wouldn't let anything happen to her. The wind that was grinding against my body and suspending us in motion was flawless, though deafening. As we drove on, her hands eased up a bit and she even leaned back off of me, getting a good look around while we road across the countryside.
The city lights were gorgeous as we came over the last hill, the skyline shimmering like a painting despite the lack of stand-off high rises. It was no Manhattan, or at least no Manhattan from what I had seen in pictures or what Maddie told me from the once or twice she had visited her aunt and uncle there. But still, the roads were mostly empty and it seemed we had the whole night to ourselves, all the views and lights twirling around us like a dream.
I was by no means reckless, especially at night with such precious cargo, but I did tease her with speed once or twice to make her grip back on. Her hands played with my still aroused body the whole while, but the distraction was not too much for me to handle. As I took off along the straight, vacant streets, I could see the lights for a mile light up green and illuminate our path. Everything seemed so much more exciting and lively when she was there with me, and I could not hide this great big smile I had plastered on my face the whole time.
I loved the way she felt wrapped all around me, so much that I barely even registered the blinding lights that raced towards us, or the crushing impact that threw us off the motorcycle.
A/N: And so begins a little side-story for all you who can't get enough of this. Since I love you all so much, I've decided to make this two chapters instead of one.
I have no idea when the second will be finished! None at all! As always, I hope you enjoyed the chapter and if so, please review? It makes my frozen heart glow.
