𝑊𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑇𝑟𝑒𝑒

Chapter 16 ~ Adventure

Willow

Maddox had us stop at a hotel for the night just so we can get a full rest from the adventurous night we had. And I agree with him because I heard his aunt is very energetic and I feel like if we sleep tonight, we can talk with her nonstop tomorrow without being so worn out.

"Two rooms please." Maddox addresses the man at the desk who is typing on his laptop trying to get us rooms. "Alright, room twelve and thirteen." He hands me keys that say 'room 13' in pretty font. Maddox thanks the man and helps with our bags.

"I'm surprised they didn't tell us they only had one room left in this big hotel and that we have to share." Maddox mutters.

"Maddox Brow, are you a big softy for rom-coms?" I stop in my tracks and give him a grin. He turns to look at me and sighs. "My cousin makes me watch them, I know almost all the cliches ever." He continues to walk as I trail behind him.

"What's your favorite cliché?" I tease him not expecting him to answer. "Mmm, I would have to say I'm really into small town romance, maybe a little bit of a second chance."

I scrunch my face trying not to laugh at his seriousness. He stops at his room and opens the door. I'm guessing that our rooms are the same since they are across the way. "Let me set these down and I will help put your bags in your room." I nod as I walk three steps and unlock my door.

There is a queen size bed in the middle of the room with two side tables with lamps and a hotel phone. There is a door leading to a bathroom that is just the right size for me. Maybe I can take a nice bath tonight, it's rather late but I can care less.

"Alright, here are all your bags. I will see you in the morning, or you know what, just let me know when you are ready to go, no rush." He points a finger at me as I nod. He walks out and closes my door.

I sit on my bed and try to decide what I want to do. I get up and put my suitcase on the bed and look for some bath products. I found some bath soap and salt along with my bath book.

I go to the bathroom and start on the hot water when a knock comes to my door. I step out of the bathroom and open my door and see Maddox standing in his pajamas. And we all know what men wear for pajamas.

I try to restrain myself from looking at his stomach because I know if I do my mind will go dirty. "Do you have a small towel? They didn't give me one." I nod my head and open the door for him to come in. I grab one of my small towels and hand it to him.

His hand touches mine which makes me freeze. I can tell that he felt the shock of electricity that just occurred. He is the first to move and gives me a smile. A smile that makes me want to melt to the floor.

A smile I would have died to see when I met him for the first time. I didn't notice that his arms had some tattoos on them and I find myself admiring them. He has a sleeve on one arm and the other arm is bare.

It's all black ink but the designs are beautiful. It's hard to explain, But I can see flowers decorating his arm along with numbers that are in roman numerals. I notice a saying that is in Italian, it makes me curious and makes me want to ask about it.

I shamelessly let my eyes drag down to his stomach as I saw a hold near his belly button. I can only assume that he used to have a belly piercing when he was younger which I can imagine him with. I find his ear piercings one of the most attractive things about him. His black painted nails cover the towel as he pulls away from me.

"Goodnight Carter." He gives me one of his cocky smirks and walks out of the bathroom. I know he is gone once I hear the door shut and the lock click.

Man, I'm in deep trouble.

🌿

"Are we there yet?" I ask. I have been bugging the crap out of Maddox since we got back on the road. I know for a fact that he would never take me on a road trip again.

"Yes, like around the corner." I knew that because we are driving through a neighborhood right now and I'm assume that it's hers.

Maddox pulls into a driveway and turns off the engine. He gets out of the car and comes to my side of the car before I can even blink.

His gesture makes me weak in the knees and I feel like if I get up I might collapse. To me, when I look at him, I still see the bully that had a hard life and a good excuse for being mean. But when I think about it, he has never justified his actions. He has never made an excuse for being mean.

I made that assumption about him when he went over the line. But he never said, 'Hey, I have a hard life at home, both my parents are not present and I have no siblings to keep me upright so give me a break.'

He never did anything like that. In fact every time he is around me and it's brought up, he either apologies or he beats himself up for it.

"Coming Cater?" His voice pulls me out of my trance. I nod my head while avoiding eye contact. I feel his hand on my lower back pulling me towards the door which reminds me why I'm here.

I can do this.

A/N

SPELLING AND GRAMMAR CORRECTIONS ARE ENCOURAGED!
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