Page 31

Chapter 31

NATE

“Ben, this is Madeline,” I say, introducing the building maintenance superintendent to her. “Madeline, this is Ben.” He nods and smiles before returning to work.

“That's the fourth person you've introduced me to,” she laughs. “I feel like a tourist.”

“I want you to get comfortable being here,” I tell her before we step into the elevator. “I moved into this place a few months ago because I wanted a real change in my life. If I had known, I would've just waited for you to arrive. You've definitely turned my life on its head.”

“I'll take that as a compliment,” Madeline beams.

“Oh, it is.” I pull her into a long kiss that ends only when the elevator doors open.

We step right into my apartment and Madeline does a little twirl. I watch her from the door. “This place is huge!”

“That's the great thing. I wasn't sure why I needed all this space for, but now that you're here, it doesn't seem so empty.” I close the gap between us and put an arm around her. “Remember what the doctor said, you're not supposed to do anything stressful.”

“Yup,” Madeline says. “That little twirl surprisingly took a lot out of me.”

“Here.” I scoop my beautiful mate into my arms and carry her around the house until I reach the bedroom.

I place her carefully on my bed, watching how she melts into the sheets and pulls the covers over herself. She gives me a very content sigh.

“I could get used to this,” Madeline says.

“You’d better, because it will be just me and you until you recover.”

“In that case, I may choose to never recover. I like being with you.”

I kiss her on the cheek. “What would you like to eat?”

“I'm not hungry.” She completely disappears under the covers.

I pull them back to reveal her beautiful face again. “You at least have to eat something.”

Madeline looks around my room. She spots the bookshelves on the far wall. “Whoa, that's a huge collection,” she says. “I didn't know you liked books.”

“I do,” I respond. “I like reading them, I like collecting them.” She suddenly frowns, worrying me. “What's wrong?”

“It looks like there's a lot I don't know about you.”

“That's my fault,” I admit after a few seconds. “I'm not the best at putting myself out there. It takes a lot for me to open up, but I'm working on it. I want to be completely open with you from now on, so no more secrets or hidden lives.

She smiles at me, and the curve of her lips makes my heart melt. I lie down beside her in bed, holding her close. Madeline adapts to my body, melding with me. We lie there in comfortable silence for a long time.

Soon, her breathing becomes louder. I look over and see that Madeline is already fast asleep. The sight makes me smile. I place a gentle kiss on her cheek, holding her close.

My mate's scent is even more intoxicating now than it’s ever been. Despite the million things I have to do, I lie in bed with the love of my life, not planning to let go anytime soon.

Eventually, I join her, and we both fall fast asleep.

I remove the pan from the stove and give it a good shake. The pancake flips perfectly, revealing the golden-brown color it had been cultivating on the heat.

I add it to the growing pile of blueberry pancakes on the counter. I bring out the maple syrup and diced strawberries. I add them to the meal before transporting it to my bedroom.

Madeline is rubbing her eyes and yawning when I walk in. She does a double take seeing the mountain of food I'm bringing her way. “What is all this?” she asks.

“Breakfast.”

“I told you I'd make breakfast today,” she pouts.

“I know, but you looked so peaceful as you slept. I didn't want to wake you. Besides, I really like cooking for you.”

Madeline can't stay mad at the gesture. Her cheeks start to blush, but she changes her mind. “Thank you, but I can't finish all of it.”

“That's okay, we'll eat it together.”

She cuts herself a piece, letting it stay in her mouth for more than a second before swallowing, causing her to shiver and shake her head. “How can it be this good?” she moans. “How do you keep doing this?”

“They're just pancakes,” I explain.

She continues shaking her head. “No, they’re not. These are heaven's gifts to all of us.” She eats again and finally drops her fork on the plate.

“What's the matter?” I ask. “Is there a problem with the food?”

Madeline suddenly looks like she's on the verge of tears. “I feel so guilty.”

“Why?” I take the plate away and draw closer to my mate. “Talk to me.”

“You're wasting your time with me,” she says. “You could use that time to work or have fun or something, you know? You could be doing something you really want to do.”

“I want to be here with you,” I tell her. “That's the option I'm taking, the same one I'm going to keep taking.”

“I've been here for more than a week and you've made me feel like a princess for every second of it. I feel bad because I know you have a lot of important things to do. I'm your intern, so I also know the insane workload you'll have when you get back to the office.”

“Why do you think I'm going to the office without you?” I joke. “We'll sort through the paperwork together, the same way we're waiting for you to get better.”

I rest on my side and Madeline turns to face me. She looks at me for only a second, proceeding to bury her face in my chest. She grabs hold of the fabric and pulls it even closer to her face.

“Don't waste your time on me,” she says.

“Time with you will never be a waste,” Nate says. “You're my mate and I would spend every second with you if I could. I love you.” The words almost seem real. They come out of my mouth like a dream. “I love you.”

“I never thought I'd hear you say that to me,” Madeline says, her face still nestled against my chest.

“It still seems unreal,” I confess. “Yet, nothing feels more honest than that.”

“Can I be honest?”

“Of course, you definitely can,” he answers.

She pulls away from my shirt and finds my eyes. “I'm a little scared to say it,” Madeline admits.

The revelation catches me off guard. “What? Why?”

“Because of what happened the last time I said it to you at my house. You ran out on me. I don't want that to happen again.” I feel a pang of guilt rising in my chest. I'm pretty sure she can hear my heart tightening given her proximity to me. “I don't want you to ever be mad at me again.”

“I wasn't mad at you,” I say with a heavy sigh. “Madeline, I was mad at myself. I told myself repeatedly not to fall for you, but it was a game I kept losing. Not a lot of things scare me, but you confessing like that, it did the trick.”

“That wasn't my intention.”

“I know.” I kiss her forehead. “It's not on you, it's on me. I wasn't brave enough to just lean into my feelings the way you did. That took a level of bravery I'm still coming to terms with.”

“I don't think I was brave,” she giggles. “I just say whatever comes to mind whether there are consequences or not.”

We both share a small laugh. “I can't believe I hated that about you. I love it now.” I kiss her again, this time on her nose. We lie in each other's arms for a while, just savoring the moment. I wish we could stay like this forever.

“I'm sorry for leaving you,” I apologize.

“You don't have to—”

“I do. I'm sorry for hurting your feelings like that and leaving you the way I did. You didn't deserve to be treated like that and I can assure you it will never happen again.”

“I believe you,” Madeline says. “You seem pretty obsessed with me right now.”

“Oh, you have no idea,” I chuckle. “Thank you for coming into my life. I tried to run away, which was a foolish thing to do in the first place–but you tracked me down. Now, my life is a hundred times better because of you.”

I physically feel the weight lifting off my chest. Madeline tightens her grip on me. “I know how you can thank me.”

“I know, too.”