Madison Awakening

We are standing so close I can feel heat radiating off him. I try to recover from the shock, but I can’t because his scent is all I can focus on. My trance is broken when he speaks.

“You okay?” He says with a mix of concern and annoyance.

“Yes, I’m fine. Thank you. Have a goodnight.” I say curtly.

I’m drunk and don’t need this shit. I move to the right to walk around him towards the curb and pull out my phone to order my Uber. But before I can, Jonathan grabs it from my hand. I pause for a second, then spin around to read him his last rights.

“What in the actual fuck do you think you’re doing?” I say in a low tone. I don’t want to draw attention from the bouncer.

“‘Have a goodnight’ is all you have to say to me, Madison?” He responded back in an angry whisper. 

“What’s your fucking problem? You walked past me and didn’t say hello. I thought we could be adults about this but apparently not. Now give me my phone so can go home!” I hiss, feeling anger wash over me.

“Fine, but I’m taking you home. You’re drunk and it’s not safe for you to go home by yourself.” He yells and motions to hand me back the phone. I snatch it from him and start walking down the block. He follows closely behind easily with his long stride.

“You don’t get to tell me what the fuck to do! I can get myself home!” I yell and the couple passing us looks back.

I realize I’m causing a scene so I stop and take a breath. I turn around to face him and this time he gives me some more space. He seems to be more contrite based on my reaction and changes his tone.

“Madison, please. Let me have Michael take you home, okay? I would just feel better knowing you got home safely. Come on. I’m not your enemy. I’m just looking out for you.” He pleads, looking remorseful for overstepping.

“I don’t need you to look out. I just need to go home.” I say in a more reasonable tone but still expressing my frustration.

“I hear you. Please…let me take you home.” He says apologetically and it softens my stance. My feet hurt and I’m wasting time arguing with him.

I make a huff. “Okay! Fuck it. I’m done fighting about this.”

“Thank you.” He says smugly and he pulls out his phone, I assume to text Michael. When he finishes he just stands next to me silently while we wait. After about two minutes, Michael pulls up in the Black SUV and gets out to open the door.

“Good evening, Miss Davis. Lovely to see you again.” Michael says and I smile.

“Thank you Michael, good to see you too.” I respond and step up into the car. 

Jonathan gives him my address, which I don’t know how he knows, then follows behind me closing the door. Once Michael pulls away, Jonathan then pushes the partition button and we sit in silence.

I look out the window and take in the city as we move through the streets. Then I quickly text Ashely that on my way I’m home so she doesn’t worry. My mind is swirling between feelings of anger and lust. I want to punch him in the face for taking away my control and fuck him for that very reason. Once we are over the bridge, Jonathan breaks the stalemate.

“You look good. How have you been?” He says in a low tone.

“Thank you. You look good too. I’ve been busy. Why aren’t you in the Hamptons?” I say calmly.

“I wasn’t in the mood. Plus I have to go to Miami next week.”

“Business or pleasure?”

“Business. As always.” I scoff at his answer. “So is that the reason you tried to sneak out of the house that day? Still think I’m fucking around? You were wrong for the way you left.” He says too damn loud for my comfort and dripping with acid.  And all the calm I have dissipates.

“First of all, you have a lot of fucking nerve! I explained why I left. Are you not used to being the one that gets left in the morning?  Was it a blow to your ego that a woman actually wasn’t falling at your feet?!” I yell.  

My heart is pounding and I’m so juiced up with Tequila, I have no filter. I can barely see his face in the darkness, but I can tell his jaw is tight. He moves closer and pulls me into him so I can look him in the eye. His hold isn’t violent but demands my compliance.

“I’m not fucking anyone else. Those days with you in the Hamptons, were the lightest I felt in so long. Then you try to sneak out of the house like our time together was nothing, like I was nothing. I thought I was over it until I saw you tonight. The only reason I was there was to check on the progress of the lounge. It was shocking to see you, that’s why I didn’t say hello. So I waited for you to come outside because I had to talk to you. I’ve missed you so much Madison. Have you not thought about me at all?” He says with a hushed tone as he moves his hand to my face, running his thumb across my lips. 

I can see through the shadows, the sincerity in his eyes. A pang in my chest starts to radiate through me at his words. For the first time since I left the glass castle, I considered how I treated him that day. I never thought he would actually care. I didn’t mean to hurt him, I just didn’t want him to hurt me. 

That realization causes the pang to intensify and I can feel tears starting to press to the surface. I have to admit aloud the truth I’ve been hiding from myself since I’ve been back home. 

“Yes…yes, I’ve missed you. And I’m so sorry I hurt you. It’s just that everything between us was so intense… I just thought it would be better if we kept it as just a fling.”

Jonathan shakes his head. “You didn’t have the right to make that choice. You didn’t even give me a chance to show what we could be…” 

And he places a soft kiss on my lips. It’s sweet and patience, immediately sending flutters to my belly. I meld into his hold and he pulls me in tighter. He moves his kisses to my neck and I am overwhelmed by the touch I missed more than I knew.  

“Madison, let me show you. Let me show you how good we can be. Stop pushing me away…” He whispers before he kisses my earlobe and moves back to my lips.

I am lost in him and my mind is no longer in control, letting my heart take over. I barely realize the car has stopped until I hear Micheal get out. I pull away breathless and Jonathan stares at me under hooded eyes.  

“You better be sure of what you are asking for. And you better not fuck me over. Do you understand?” I whisper.

Jonathan caresses my cheek. “Madison, I’ve been waiting for you. I know what I’m asking for and I know what I can give you in return. Just give me a shot. I will not disappoint you. I promise.”  

 I listen to his words carefully, but for the first time I feel his words within. I know this is what I never allowed myself to want since the day I met him, but today is the day for new beginnings.

I touch Jonathan’s face and kiss him.“Okay. We can try…”

“That is all I ask.” He says with a shy smile and then kisses me softly again, continuing the trail down my neck.  

“Do you want to come in?” I say in response to his teasing and he lets out a low groan.

“Yeah… I’m hungry.” He says with hope shining in his eyes.