Animal Heart(48)

“I don't think Mia and Lucas are that fond of me at the moment though,” he sighed.

“They have their own selfish reasons for all that, don't they? Look, I'm sorry I've caused problems between you and Lucas. I hope things improve soon, because he's lovely. Well he was.”

“So you think he's lovely do you?” he probed, staring intently at her.

“As a person, yes. He's funny, naughty and playful, and good looking of course.”

“How attracted to him are you Maddy?” he asked hesitantly.

“I'm not... Not like that... Well, not any more. I was for a while, in the beginning, I admit that. He kind of bowled me over when I arrived,” she laughed, remembering his fast hitting on her, the second she got in the ranch door.

“So what happened to change your mind? He's still the same person now that he was then.” His eyes looked moody and darkened with concern.

“You know what happened.”

“No, I don't!” he erupted, his voice becoming heated and passionate. “All I know is that you've taken my heart and turned my life upside down and made me realise what I've been missing. I have to know, is he going to take you away from me one day?”

“Oh no... That's not going to happen. Really. I wish I'd never mentioned him now.”

“I'm sorry. I shouldn't be heaping all this heavy stuff on you today, should I?” He smiled ruefully.

“I must confess I'd much prefer to hear something funny, or fluffy, or sweet and nice. It'll help me cope with the next few days,” she admitted. “But if it helps you to feel better, you can ask or tell me anything. You really can.”

“Well here goes, sweetheart... I hope you like what you hear, because it's something I really do need to tell you. You're my first love Maddy, and as far as I'm concerned, you're my last.”

All the oxygen left her lungs in a rush. So much for it all being too fast and too soon, and whatever. This was now a full blown love affair and hurtling towards mating at warp speed. She undid her belt and literally threw herself at him, curling her arms around his neck. He hugged her tightly, painfully tight.

“I get the impression you feel the same. Do you?”

“I've never had a deep connection with anyone before, either. Not like this.” She kissed his face again and again, the both of them sighing with delight. All her caution was thrown to the wind now that she knew what made him what he was. In fact she loved him all the more for it.

Her lips met his in an explosive reaction. Everything tingled all over her body like an electric shock. He pulled her close, and she eased astride his lap as they dissolved into a hot liquid mass of sensitive feelings. Her tongue brushed his, back and forth, and time stood still. She no longer heard the traffic thundering past them outside. She was cocooned in a soundproofed vault of love and she wanted to stay there forever. He kissed her like she'd never been kissed before. Every part of her screamed out, 'I love you', and every part of him screamed it back. She took the pounding assault on her senses for a blissful age until it became too intense and she just couldn't breathe. She came up for air with a long shaky gasp. She gazed into his eyes in adoration. “I love you madly. I don't think I could love you more.”

“And I love you too. I'm going to kiss every single red hair on your head to prove it later.”

“It seems like we're lost souls, destined to find each other.”

“Mmmm, fate and destiny have certainly played a part, and I know I shouldn't be thinking it, but I thank God you fell off my horse and nearly died.”

“So am I.” And strangely, she really meant it.





Chapter 8

They arrived back at eleven and were set upon by everyone. Maddy was hugged and kissed and soon everyone was in tears. He'd never seen such a reaction in his life. She was meant to be the alpha mate. Her presence had set them alight. It hadn't always been in the best way, but it had to be said she aroused their emotions. Strongly. He was so sure of her now. He looked at her and she looked at him and they both knew without a shadow of a doubt. Everyone filtered off, and Maddy went for a girly chat with Sammy in the kitchen. He was left alone with his enthusiastic dogs, which he'd been petting non stop for the last five minutes, and Lucas. He desperately wanted to clear the air with him.

Much to his surprise, it seemed Lucas had the same idea.

“Aden, look pal... I've been way too harsh on you. I had no claim on Mads. It was a bit of a mad obsession. Put it down to temporary insanity brought on by frustration. You make a good pair. I wish you all the best. Really I do. I behaved like a fucking idiot. Sorry man.”

“Oh, right... So what's brought you to your senses?” he asked, punching him playfully. How relieved he was to have him back to his normal self. He loved this guy. He openly admitted it to himself. He hugged him self-consciously. He wasn't into intense displays of male affection like this.