Billy was desperate. He knew when he fought his way out of the hospital room that he'd made a mistake, but it was instinct. He'd felt threatened. Cornered.
If what he'd been told was right, Frank was in the wind. Curtis had come to visit him once, but he didn't get a good vibe from his friend. Something had happened there. He just didn't remember what.
Madison, the one person he wanted to see more than anyone, never came to visit. He asked about her, and the hospital tracked down her number, but she refused to come.
"She said you haven't been together in years."
The therapist broke the news as gently as she could, but Billy spiraled after that. No one. He had no one.
She lived in the same apartment. He'd scoped out the window long enough to see her.
Now he stood at her door. He held onto the door frame and knocked.
"Who is it?"
He hesitated. "Billy."
Silence.
"Come on, Maddie. Let me in, please."
"What are you doing here?" she asked through the door.
"I need your help."
"Bullshit."
"Please, Maddie. I got nowhere else to go."
—
One person she never expected to see again. Ever. She looked through the peephole and found him staring back. Even through the distorted view she saw the worry on his face.
"You were in police custody, Billy."
"I know. I'll explain, just… let me in."
She lay her head against the door and sighed. "I'm gonna regret this." She opened the door and stepped aside.
Billy just stood there a moment. "Thank you."
"Come on. Get inside."
Billy shoved his hands into his jacket pockets and went in.
"What are you doing here, Billy? You made it very clear you were done with me. Haven't heard one peep out of you since the day you walked out of this apartment."
He sat on the edge of the sofa.
"I don't— I don't remember that, Maddie."
"Stop calling me that."
"I always call you Maddie."
"You did. You lost that right. My friends call me Maddie. Why are you here?"
"I, uh… I escaped from the hospital."
"Oh, God. Billy, do you realize coming here makes me an accessory?"
"I'm sorry, ok?"
"Damn it! Why did I let you in?"
"I didn't have anywhere else to go."
"You're going to prison."
Madison pulled her cell from her pocket and Billy jumped to his feet. He grabbed the phone.
"I can't let you turn me in."
"Then leave."
"I can't. Please, just let me explain."
His eyes misted over. Madison knew that meant he was holding back tears, and Billy Russo didn't cry.
"Fine." She sat in the chair. If she sat on the sofa he would sit next to her, and she didn't want that. "Explain."
"You didn't come see me in the hospital."
"That's not an explanation."
"I know. I just… why didn't you come?"
"Because we're not together, Bill!"
"Why not?"
"Are you serious right now? You left me."
"The last thing I remember is waking up next to you, kissing you goodbye, and heading to work. I was planning our anniversary dinner."
"That was years ago, Billy. It was the only anniversary you were ever here for."
"I know. But I don't even remember the actual anniversary or the dinner… nothing past that morning. I don't even know what morning it was, just that I was planning it."
He unzipped his jacket and ran his hands over his head. His white t-shirt was soaked in red.
"Billy… whose blood is that?"
Now she stared at his shaking hands and saw the red stains. How did she not see that before?
"Arthur Walsh."
"Arthur? Why does that name sound familiar?
"He's the one from Ray of Hope."
"You saw him?"
"I needed to see someone familiar. I thought…"
"Billy, did you hurt him?"
Billy rubbed his hands over his head and leaned over with his elbows on his knees.
"Billy? Be honest with me."
He nodded. "He talked about what he did to me. Told me I wasn't so pretty anymore."
Madison closed her eyes. "What did you do?"
"I snapped. I… I've got this anger. It's like a gut instinct I don't remember having before. Like I have to survive at any cost. Like something inside me knows I've done wrong, but I don't know it."
"Is he dead?"
Billy nodded, barely holding back tears, and Madison stood.
"I'm sorry," Billy said. "I shouldn't be here. I don't want you in trouble."
He got up and walked to the door, but Madison grabbed his arm.
"Wait. You can't go out like that."
"I shouldn't have come."
"Just… take a shower. Get cleaned up. I'll find something for you to wear."
Billy reached for her hand, but stopped himself at the sight of the blood stains.
"Thank you."
"You remember where the towels are?"
"Yeah."
—
Billy let the water cascade down his aching body. Everything hurt from trying to build his strength back up.
He scrubbed the blood from his hands, and used her body wash to clean himself. He remembered this scent. It was so fresh in his mind. She was so clear. How could he have left her?
A pile of clothes waited on the bed when he was done. These were familiar, too.
He got dressed and went back into the living room.
"You kept my clothes?"
"You left a few things behind. I put them in a box. I was going to bring it to you, but I every time I—"
"Every time you what?"
"I couldn't face you. So, I shoved the box to the back of my closet and forgot about it."
He sat next to her on the sofa. "Why couldn't you face me?"
"Billy… you hurt me."
"I would never hurt you."
She scoffed. "God, you really don't remember, do you?"
He shook his head.
"Your company had just gotten its first big contract. You were working constantly, putting yourself in danger again… it was the one thing we fought about. So, the day you signed that contract, you came home and told me we were done. You had this new, bright future ahead of you, and if I couldn't be happy for you, then there was no place for me in it."
"Maddie, I—"
"You wouldn't even discuss it. Just packed up and left. I never saw you again."
"I don't remember that."
"Yeah, well, I do."
"I'm sorry. I can't imagine ever walking out on you that way."
She wiped a tear from her eye.
"Maddie… I love you."
"Stop." She got up and walked over to the window.
"No. I don't remember those things. In my mind, we're still together."
"Well, in reality, we're not."
"That doesn't change the fact that I love you."
"Bullshit, Bill. You're telling me you love me? When did you ever say those words before?"
"Come on, I've told you that I love you."
"Nope. You've joked about it. You've danced around the idea. But not once did you ever say that you loved me. And you obviously didn't."
"Don't tell me I didn't love you," he said through a clenched jaw.
"Look at the evidence, Bill."
"You want evidence?"
He went back into the bedroom and Madison followed. He knelt down and opened the bottom drawer of her dresser.
"What the hell are you doing?"
"You want evidence." He stuck his arm inside the drawer and felt along the top. When he withdrew his hand and pulled out the ring box he'd taped there. "There's your evidence."
He tossed her the box.
"What is this?"
"Open it."
"Billy—"
"Open it." The words came out through a clenched jaw, but his voice was soft.
Madison stared at him as she opened the box, then looked down. The ring was gorgeous. Simple, not a lot of diamonds, but elegant.
"I bought that two months before that anniversary dinner I was planning. I was just waiting for the right time to do it."
"Why didn't you take this when you left?"
The question was like a smack to the face.
"I don't know."
Madison sat on the edge of the bed.
"You were going to propose?"
"Yeah. I love you, Maddie."
"Please stop saying that." Her voice cracked, and she wiped a tear from her face.
Billy got down on his knees in front of her and took her hand.
"I don't know why I left you. I can't imagine anything worth more to me than you."
"Get up."
"Maddie—"
"Stop! You can't do this to me. You're a fugitive. You've killed people, Bill."
He grabbed the box and threw it across the room.
"I don't remember any of that!"
He grabbed his head and pressed it against the floor.
"My head is so messed up."
"Turn yourself in, Billy."
"No."
"You'll get help."
"No! That psychobabble bullshit just makes me angry. Makes me feel useless." He scrambled up her legs and grabbed her hands. "Please, no matter what I did… the stuff I don't remember… I love you. Don't forget that."
He got to his feet and walked away.
"Wait. Where will you go?"
"I don't know, but I can't put you in this spot. You're right. I shouldn't have come here. I'm sorry. For everything."
The doorbell rang, and they both jumped.
"You expecting someone?" he asked.
"No. Stay in here."
—
Madison wiped her face and took a deep breath.
"Who is it?"
"NYPD, ma'am."
Madison looked out the peephole.
"Can you hold your badge up, please?"
The office smiled, and complied. She unlocked the door, but only opened it enough to fit in the gap.
"Can I help you?"
"I hope so. Bill Russo escaped from the hospital."
Her eyes widened.
"The hospital said he asked for you, and they reached out."
"That's right."
"But you didn't go."
"Why would I go see an ex-boyfriend who, apparently, became a murderer?"
The officer shrugged. "Curiosity?"
"I have none when it comes to Billy."
"Why not?"
"Look," she sighed, "Billy and I were together for a long time. Then he just decided he was done. He packed his bags and walked out. I never saw him again. It hurt, but I finally got over it. I have no desire to change that."
"Has he tried to contact you?"
"Other than the hospital? No."
"Well, his therapist said he was pretty upset you wouldn't see him. So, we'll put a car outside for a few days."
"Why?"
"In case he decides to try to see you. He's dangerous, Ms. Harper."
"Yeah. I watch the news."
"If you're declining the protection—"
"No. I appreciate that. Thank you."
He nodded and handed her his business card.
"If he reaches out, or if anything comes to mind that could help us find him, please call."
"Ok."
"Thank you for your time."
—
Billy paced back and forth in front of the bed until Madison came back.
"You lied for me. Why?"
"I don't know."
"I'll give him enough time to get away, then I'll leave."
"You can't. They're putting a car outside to watch for you. You'll get caught."
"No, I won't."
"Don't be cocky, Bill. You'll get caught, and they'll realize I lied."
Billy sat on the edge of the bed.
"I don't want to get you in trouble with the cops."
"Then you'll have to stay until they pull the car."
"He said it would be a few days."
Madison sighed. "I know."
"Thank you."
Billy took her hand, but she pulled away.
"You can sleep on the sofa. I'll get a pillow and blanket."
"Maddie…"
He followed her to the closet and reached to help her pull a blanket from the top shelf. She froze with his hand on hers, so he let his body press into her back.
"I can't do this, Billy."
"Do what?"
"You, thinking you're in love with me—"
"I am in love with you."
She ducked under his arm and left him to get the blanket himself. He followed her into the living room, and she tossed the pillow onto the sofa.
"I have to go to work in the morning. I need you to promise me you won't try to leave. You won't go near the windows."
"I promise."
Madison went back to her bedroom and locked the door, leaving Billy alone. Did she think he would try to hurt her?
The sofa wasn't that comfortable, but he'd slept on worse surfaces. He stared at the ceiling, willing himself to sleep. The thought of the dreams returning kept him awake. That skull haunted him.
After an hour, he let his mind wander to Madison. She'd moved on, but his memories of them together felt like yesterday.
He thought about the night he got home from a long mission overseas. Madison was expecting him the next week, but his debriefing ended sooner than expected and he caught the first flight home to her. That was when he realized he loved her more than any woman he'd ever been with. They made love and held each other all night.
The good memories lulled Billy to sleep for a while before the skull showed up. The screams, the glass…
—
The cries woke Madison, but it was the scream that got her out of bed. She threw on a robe and went into the living room.
Billy thrashed around, still asleep, until he screamed again and bolted up.
"Billy?"
He held up his hands toward her, as if defending himself.
"Hey. It's ok. You're safe."
His shoulders relaxed as he realized where he was, then he put his head in his hands and sobbed.
Sitting on the sofa next to Billy was a risk. She knew if she comforted him, she would start to feel something for him again, but Madison couldn't ignore the state he was in. She'd never seen Billy like this.
She sat next to him and put a hand on his shoulder.
"You're ok, Billy. I'm here."
He stared at her a moment, then wrapped his arms around her waist, his head tucked beneath her chin.
"Billy—"
"Please."
"What's wrong?"
"Nightmares."
"Nightmares of what?"
"Whatever happened to me… my face… my memory loss."
"Do you wanna talk about it?"
"No."
She rubbed her hands over his back, and his grip around her waist tightened.
"I've got you," she whispered. "You're safe."
Billy eventually drifted back to sleep, but every time Madison tried to get up, he startled awake. So, she got as comfortable as she could sitting up, and she held him all night. In the morning, his head was in her lap, one arm still wrapped tight around her waist. Her hand rested on his neck.
"Billy, I have to get up."
She could hear her alarm in the bedroom.
"Billy…"
He groaned.
"I need to get up and go to work."
He sat up and rubbed a hand over his head.
"Thank you for staying with me last night."
"You can thank me by keeping your promise."
"I'll stay put. I promise."
—
Billy was bored out of mind, but he was determined to keep his word to Madison. He tried watching television, but he caught so many images of himself on the news that he had to turn it off.
After doing a few pushups and taking a shower, Billy went into Madison's closet to look for the box of stuff she mentioned he left behind.
There were a couple pairs of jeans, and some shirts. The old toothbrush and comb he'd left at her apartment. It was what was underneath all that stuff that caught his attention. A stack of photos. Billy flipped through the first few and smiled. Him and Madison at Coney Island.
Billy brought the stack of pictures back to the sofa. All of this felt like he'd just lived it, but they were just memories buried at the bottom of a box.
The two of them at Frank's birthday party. Them dancing at her friend's wedding. The love in her eyes as she looked at him radiating from the image.
He stared at the pictures all day, until Madison got home from work. She seemed relieved he was still there.
"I stopped at the store to pick up more food and other things." She walked into the living room and stared at the table. "What's that?"
"I wanted to see what I left behind that you put away. I found these in the box."
"Can you put them back, please?" She slipped back into the kitchen.
"No." Billy grabbed the picture of them at the wedding and followed her. "Because of everything in that box, this is what matters." He held the picture out. "This is what I left behind. Why?"
"According to you, I wasn't good enough for your new lifestyle."
"No, that's bullshit. I can't— I won't believe I was that stupid. That I would hurt you that way."
"Yeah, well, you did." She wouldn't look at him or the photo as she put the groceries away.
"Maddie… I'm sorry."
"I know you think you are."
Billy balled his hand into a fist.
"Damnit, Maddie. Stop trying to tell me how I feel."
"How you felt." She faced him and crossed her arms. "What happens when you get your memory back, huh? When you remember why you left? You won't feel the same, and you won't be sorry."
Billy tossed the picture on the counter and grabbed her shoulders.
"Then I hope I never remember."
"You're crazy."
"Maybe. Probably. But I love you."
"Billy—"
"And I don't wanna lose you."
"You don't have me to lose."
Billy flinched, but he picked the photo back up.
"Then why didn't you throw these out?"
"What?"
"You shoved them in the box with my stuff. If I left the way you say, then I wouldn't have wanted them. Why not just throw them out?
"Because it's—"
"It's what?"
"Those were happy memories. I was hoping I'd be able to look at them again one day without them hurting."
Billy took her hand, and she didn't pull away this time.
"Do you feel anything for me anymore?"
"It's not that simple, Billy."
"Yes, it is."
"No. It's not. What I feel for you is a mix of happy memories and pain. It's love and anger and hatred."
"Hatred?"
"For a while. Yes."
"Do you hate me now?"
"No. I've moved past that."
"Good. That's a place to start."
"There's nothing to start."
Billy grabbed the back of her neck and pressed his forehead to hers. She struggled for a moment.
"Are you scared of me?"
"Billy, you're a wanted murderer. What do you think?"
"Did I ever hurt you… physically?"
"No."
"Do you really think I'll hurt you now?"
She exhaled. "No. I know you won't."
"Good. I feel like we've been given a second chance. Can we take it?"
"A second chance at what?"
"Us."
"Billy," she pushed him away, "you're a fugitive."
"We can run together."
"Do you hear yourself? You're asking me to throw my life away on someone who threw me aside like garbage."
"I don't re—"
"Remember… yeah. That doesn't mean it didn't happen, Bill!"
"Do you know how badly I want to hold you? To kiss you? I haven't, but damn it, I want to so bad. I can't change what I did, but I'm here now. Doesn't that mean something?"
"Yeah, it means I've lost my mind."
—
Madison shoved past him and slammed her bedroom door. What was she thinking letting him stay?
"Maddie, I'm sorry."
"Stop apologizing!" She screamed through the door. "Just… stop."
"Open the door, please." He turned the locked knob.
Billy Russo apologizing, saying "please" and actually sounding like he meant it… whatever happened to him had changed him. He was definitely scarred, not just physically. The only time he'd ever said "please" was when he was trying to get his way and he was using his puppy dog eyes. It was never a sincere ask. And apologies? Few and far between. Usually when he knew he really screwed up.
"Maddie, I don't know what to do here."
"Just leave me alone."
"Ok. I'll leave you alone."
Her shoulders relaxed long enough for her to realize he might leave. She flung her door open and ran into the living room where Billy sat on the sofa. He stared up at her.
"I thought…"
"I promised I wouldn't leave, Maddie."
She nodded and went back into her room. Maybe he should leave. So what if he got caught? She could say he snuck into her apartment. She picked up her cell and dialed the 9, then froze. Could she really do that to him?
Madison canceled the call and fell down on the bed. Her mind was a mess. Even scarred, Billy was still one of the most gorgeous men she'd ever seen. Being in his arms while she comforted him brought back memories of the two of them locked in passionate embraces. Billy made her happy right up until the day he left. Which was why it left her so shell shocked. There was no warning.
He knocked softly on her door.
"What?"
"You hungry?"
She was.
"I'm going to make something," he said, "but it won't be as good as yours."
She chuckled. That was the Billy she knew. She was expecting him to be at the door when she opened it, but he was already in the kitchen.
"I saw you got pasta," he said.
"I'll do it."
"Nah. You can help, though."
"My kitchen, my food. I'm doing it. You can help."
Billy put his hands up in surrender.
"Yes, ma'am."
—
Billy decided to give Madison her space. For the next few days he kept to himself. He greeted her in the morning and in the evening when she got home from work, and he helped in the kitchen when he could, but otherwise he kept his distance.
Except at night. The nightmares still haunted him, and he woke to her by his side every night. Being in her arms was almost worth the horrible dreams. She let him hold her tight and she whispered that he was safe. And he did feel safe, for the first time in weeks.
He was determined to get Madison back. He didn't know how, and he had no plan beyond that, but he wanted her. She was still his girlfriend in every way in his mind, and it was killing him not to be with her.
She came home on the fifth night, irritated and near tears. She flung her purse on the chair and kicked off her heels before plopping on the sofa next to him.
"Hey. What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
"I know you better than that."
She scoffed. "I just had a really shitty day."
Billy reached down, grabbed her by the ankles, and lifted her feet to his lap. She fought against him.
"What are you doing?"
"Trying to help. Stop kicking."
Madison adjusted herself sideways on the sofa, and Billy gently kneaded his thumbs into the arch of her foot.
"Oh, God, that feels good."
"See? Come on, tell me what happened."
"You don't really care."
"Maddie… tell me, now."
She rolled her eyes and sighed. "The police have a car on me at work, too. They told my boss about it, and he told HR, and both of them have big mouths. So, everyone has been avoiding me, giving me sideways glances like I'm going to implode or something. My supervisor took away one of my biggest accounts because 'you're already under enough stress.'" Madison used air quotes and mocked the tone of his voice.
"Shit. Maddie, I'm sorry."
He rubbed her ankle, and it made her moan.
"It's not your fault," she said.
"It's not?"
"That other people are assholes? No, it's not your fault. I'm just tired, and hungry."
"There's leftovers."
"No. I'm ordering in. I need comfort food."
"Chinese?" He smiled.
"You remembered?"
"Yeah, well." He tapped his temple. "Up here it hasn't been that long."
"Right. Sorry."
"Hey. You have no reason to apologize to me. None. Understood?" She nodded and he handed her the phone. "Order enough for me, too."
Billy thought back to what Madison said about her day while she ordered. Something she said about her biggest account. When she hung up the phone, he switched to her other foot.
"I have a question," he said.
"Shoot."
"You said you have a big account?"
"Yeah. It's one of my biggest."
"Maddie, did you get promoted?"
"Yeah," she smiled. "Last year."
Billy beamed. "I always told you they'd be stupid not to promote you."
"You did. You were always supportive."
"Hey, I'm proud of my girl."
Madison's smile faded. "But I'm not your girl, Billy. Haven't been for a long time. In fact, you leaving is what got me promoted." She sat up and put her feet on the floor.
"What?"
"I threw myself into my work so I wouldn't go crazy trying to figure out what I did wrong to make you leave."
Billy swallowed hard and put his hand to the back of her neck. He pulled her head toward his and pressed his forehead to her temple.
"I don't remember leaving, but I can guarantee that it was nothing you did. If anyone was at fault, it was me."
"How do you know? You have no memory of it."
"Because I know how I feel about you, and there is nothing you could have done to make me leave." He pulled back to look into her eyes. "Nothing. I know I wasn't always the best boyfriend. Cocky, bossy, jealous… you put up with all that. You were perfect. And if I left you, I was either scared of hurting you, or I turned into the biggest fucking asshole in the world. I don't wanna be that guy again."
Billy brushed a thumb over her cheek. Her eyes were moist, and she was clearly holding back tears. Billy leaned in, hesitated, but pressed a soft kiss to her lips. She didn't fight. Didn't pull away. When Billy pulled back, her eyes were closed, lips slightly parted.
"I've missed you so much," she whispered.
When she opened her eyes, a tear slipped down her cheek, and Billy wiped it away.
"I thought I was over you. I really did. But having you here…"
"It's like we always were."
She nodded. "I can't get over you again."
"You don't have to."
"Billy, you're a fugitive."
"I have some connections. I can get us out of the country."
"How can you be sure those connections still exist?"
Billy flinched. He hadn't considered that. "I can reach out."
"Too risky."
He held her face in both hands. "No one is going to take me away from you. Those contacts are discreet, and brothers from the war. They wouldn't turn me in." He kissed her. "You just gotta say 'yes.'"
She covered his hands with her own and sighed.
"I can't."
Billy stood and paced. "Why not?"
"What happens when you finally remember everything… including why you left me?"
"Nothing."
"Nothing? So, you'll remember why you broke my heart and just decide it wasn't necessary, and not do it again?"
"Maddie—"
"You've got to be honest with yourself, Billy."
"I am. Are you?"
Madison took a deep breath to compose herself, and Billy knew he lost. At least for now.
"Billy, I can't put my heart on the line like that."
"It won't be on the line. It'll be safe. Right here." He put his hand over his heart, and he sat next to her again. "I'm not leaving you again."
"If I could believe that—"
"You can."
"I can't."
—
Billy gave up. At least for the moment. Madison knew him better than to think she'd heard the end of him trying to convince her to run away with him. The idea was absurd! To leave behind everything she'd built and live God-knows-where as God-knows-who and have to start all over? Absolutely ridiculous.
And yet, Billy would have to leave. He couldn't stay with her forever. The idea of him leaving without her? That hurt. It dropped a pain right in the pit of her gut.
Billy was in the shower, so Madison sat on the sofa picking at the little bit of rice she had left. The photos from the box were still on the table, so she picked up the stack and started looking through it.
She smiled at the picture of them on the ferris wheel. She remembered that day so clearly. She'd been seeing Billy casually, going on dates here and there, and they'd had one passionate night together after he took her to a friend's wedding. But the night on the ferris wheel would always be special. She took the picture, both of them beaming after laughing hysterically at him rocking the cart, then he kissed her. The kiss was so intense that she blushed as he pulled away. She'd never forget the look in his eyes.
"Maybe we only see each other from now on."
And that was it. From that point on, they were almost inseparable. He spent more and more nights at her apartment. Billy Russo was off the market.
"I miss that smile," he said as he came back into the living room. "Whatcha lookin' at?"
Madison held the photo out to him. "You tell me."
"That was a great day."
"It was. What happened?"
"I asked you to be my girlfriend."
She chuckled. "Not quite."
"Yeah, all right. I said we should only see each other. Same thing, right?"
"From you? Yeah. Same thing."
"What does that mean?"
"You, sir, had a reputation."
He leaned back on the sofa. "I was proud of that rep."
"I'm sure you were. But it scared me."
"I know." He brushed her hair away from her face. "You didn't have to be."
"Funny thing is, once we were exclusive, I never once worried about you cheating on me."
"Good."
"Even though women flirted with you constantly." She looked up at him. "'Billy the Beaut,' right? That's what your military buddies called you?"
He shrugged.
"Yeah." She brushed a thumb over the scars on his cheek. "You're still the most gorgeous man I've ever seen."
"Yeah, right." He cast his eyes toward the floor.
She traced one of the scars on his forehead, then pressed her lips to it.
"What are you doing?" His voice was barely a whisper.
"I don't know. You've got me so confused."
He held her hand to his cheek. "Do you still love me, Maddie?"
"I shouldn't."
"That's not what I asked."
Billy brushed a thumb over her lips.
"I still love you," she whispered.
—
Billy had imagined when he'd finally gotten her to admit that she still loved him that he would kiss her breathless. Now that she'd admitted it, all he felt was relief. He rested his forehead against hers, and he sighed.
"You're mine."
"Am I?"
"No one's taking you away from me. I'll burn this entire city down if they try."
"Billy, stop."
"No. We're going somewhere we can be together."
"Billy—"
He put a finger to her lips. "You can't take it back, and I'm not letting you go."
Billy pulled her legs across his lap and pulled her closer. He wrapped his arms tight around her waist.
"Mine?"
She nodded, and Billy pressed his lips to hers, breathing her in before deepening the kiss. Madison sighed and slipped her arms around his shoulders.
Madison ran her fingers over his face, skimming over the scars. Billy pulled back.
"Does it hurt when I touch them?"
"No. I just…"
"What?"
"You look as amazing as you always did, and I look like this."
"I told you before, you're still the most gorgeous man I've ever seen." She kissed the large scar on his right cheek. "These don't matter." She kissed the ones on his nose. "I still love your face."
"It's hard for me, ya know?"
"I know. You lived your entire life on your good looks. Some people won't see past the scars, but I do."
Billy kissed her neck. "You always did understand me."
His hand slipped under her shirt and she gasped.
"Not sure if this is a good idea," Madison whispered against his ear.
"Probably isn't. You wanna stop?"
"No."
—
Madison knew there was no turning back. She either stopped it now, or she ran away with Billy. She would become a fugitive. Billy's lips on hers after so many years, feeling his hands on her again, she couldn't lose him again. Her decision was made.
Billy unbuttoned her blouse as he laid her back on the sofa. He moaned as he kissed down her neck to her chest.
"I missed that sound," she said.
That seemed to spur Billy on. His hands were everywhere, until he finally pulled back and stood.
"What's wrong?" Madison sat up, and Billy lifted her from the sofa.
Billy kissed her as he walked to the bedroom, and her worries faded. He was almost frantic, pulling off their clothes and tossing them aside, until their bodies joined together.
Madison shivered. She missed this. She missed him.
"I love you, Maddie. I never said it before, but I'm sayin' it now."
She ran her hands over his face, but he didn't give her time to respond before he kissed her again.
—
Madison lay curled in his arms as they caught their breath. He kissed her head and smiled.
"You always were amazing."
"So are you." She traced her finger down his chest. "I love you, too."
"Does that mean we're leaving?"
She nodded, slowly.
"You sure?"
"I'm sure. I want you, Billy. You're all I've ever wanted."
He brushed his fingers through her hair.
"No one is taking you from me. You're mine."
"I'm yours.