Page 39 of The Cinnamon Spice Inn (Maple Falls #1)

THIRTY-TWO

ZACH

Zach couldn’t explain the pull Madison had on him. It defied logic. It always had.

Even after all these years, after all the hurt and distance, he wanted her more fiercely than ever before. Because Madison wasn’t just a memory or a pretty face. She was home. She always had been.

It wasn’t just the way her wild hair fell in messy, beautiful waves over her shoulders, or the way her green eyes sparked when she laughed—though God knew that undid him, too.

It was her fire. Her stubbornness. The way she threw herself heart-first into everything she cared about. The way she stood up for the people she loved without hesitation. The way she filled every room she walked into—not with noise but with life. No one else ever matched that.

Time stopped as he held her gaze. The only thing Zach could hear was the crackling of the fireplace and the beating of his heart. Then, as if drawn by an invisible force, he leaned forward. Madison did the same.

Their lips met in a kiss that was slow and achingly familiar.

Zach took his time, brushing his lips against hers, purposely keeping the kiss soft.

Waiting to see where Madison wanted this to go.

One ounce of hesitation, and he’d stop. He needed her to know she was in control. He wanted this to be her choice.

Her mouth opened, inviting him in. His tongue slid against hers, tasting her. So sweet. So soft. Her hands sank into his damp hair, pulling him closer.

Zach shifted his weight, pressing her back against the couch.

All he could think about was wanting more. More of her.

His rough hand trailed underneath the softness of her sweater, moving along her side, feeling the dip of her waist. So soft. So warm.

His hand moved higher, his thumb tracing the lace of her bra. The feeling caused her to shiver under his touch.

God, he wanted her. He wanted to devour her. He wanted to claim her.

He wanted to cage her between his arms and let her feel the weight of his body pressing down on hers.

He wanted to kiss her until she saw reason. Until she stopped trying to leave and realized this was where she belonged. Underneath him. Beside him.

Just here.

He couldn’t think. He just wanted.

Which was why he pulled back. Because as much as he wanted her, as much as he wanted this, he wanted Madison to want it even more. He wanted—no, needed—for her to say yes.

“Do you want me to kiss you again?” Zach asked, easing his weight off of her, giving her space.

Madison looked down, tracing the seam of his jeans with her thumb, gathering her thoughts. “You should know, Zach, that I’m not sure if I’m staying,” she admitted, her voice softer now.

“I know,” Zach replied simply.

“But I do know I want this right now. I want you. That’s why I’m here. And I think…”

“What do you think?”

“I think you should take off your shirt.”

Zach had never done anything faster. He reached behind his neck and tugged the shirt over his head in one swift motion, tossing it aside.

“Better?” Zach asked, his grin softening as his hands found her waist, his thumbs grazing the fabric of her sweater.

“You’re still unfairly hot,” she said, leaning forward and trailing a line of kisses from his stomach to his chest and then his neck.

Zach sucked in his breath. Trying to hold still, wanting to stop her, but not wanting her to stop at the same time. “And you’re still maddening in every way,” he managed to grind out.

“Charming,” she teased, her fingers tracing the lines of his chest. She was on her knees now; they both were.

Zach kissed her deeply, meeting her on the same level, taking everything that she gave him. This time, there was no hesitation, no holding back. He was tired of being afraid of tomorrow. Of being afraid of her leaving.

He didn’t want to think of anything past this.

He kissed her neck and Madison arched further, offering herself to him, her head falling back as a broken whimper escaped her lips. “Zach,” she murmured, her voice barely audible.

Zach lifted his head. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes dark with desire, and her chest rose and fell with every shallow breath.

“You want more,” he said, his voice a low rumble.

She nodded, biting her lip as her hands gripped his shoulders. “Please,” she whispered.

That was all he needed.