Burning Love ~ Billy Hargrove ( +18)

Chapter 19

Maddie's POV

"I can't give you what you need right now. Nancy just broke your heart, and I don't want to be the next one to break it. I'm not the one who can heal your heart."

"Alright," he exhaled a loud sigh. "Don't ever say you're bad again. You just proved to me that you're really sweet"

I couldn't help but laugh and nudge him.

"Maybe you're partly right. Just let me at least be your friend. I haven't felt this comfortable with someone in a long time. Don't push me away again."

"Okay," I smiled. "But just promise me one thing."

"Tell me."

"Don't fall in love with me, Harrington" I played with his fingers intertwined with mine.

"Same goes for you, Mayfield," he replied teasingly, and I couldn't help but smile again like a fool.

We continued sitting on the steps, watching as the teenagers went about their business. We chatted a little more to get to know each other better. Apparently, Steve's relationship with his parents wasn't very good, probably because they were hardly ever home. You could say they were workaholics. The only good thing is that at least they didn't hit him, they just gave him money to live his life and ignored him.

I wish Neil had done the same with Billy.

The truth is, I felt really comfortable with him. He was a charming guy, and when I was with him, I felt like I could stop being defensive. I knew he was going to treat me well. I'm not stupid, I know it's my fault that men have always treated me like a piece of meat. It's what I've always sought since I never wanted any kind of relationship beyond a one-night stand. Except with Billy. Once you've tasted it, you'd want to repeat it over and over again. He made you touch the stars. And seeing him so vulnerable made you feel... things.

But with Steve... With Steve, he was the first guy with whom it felt different. He was sweet, kind, and caring. He made me laugh and worried about me. And I wasn't blind, he was really attractive, plus he had one of the prettiest smiles I'd ever seen. I could spend hours talking to him, having a drink, or just enjoying a movie together while hugging. It was a completely new feeling for me. The tenderness with which he looked at me. The sweetness with which he kissed me... It was a feeling I liked and scared me equally.

No matter how tough you pretend to be, even if it's just to protect him from yourself, you'd wish to kiss him again. Those lips made you feel... things.

Damn it, Madeleine, do you hear yourself?
You can't feel things like that for two guys. And especially not for two guys so opposite. You're losing your mind.

"I think we should leave now" I was so lost in my thoughts that I barely heard Steve's voice.

"Hmm?" I merely responded, looking up and finding his brown eyes giving me all his attention.

"Where's your head at?" he laughed when he saw my dazed expression. "I was saying we should get going. It's starting to get dark, and your mom is probably waiting for you to have dinner."

"I don't know what time my mom will be back, she went out with Neil, and they might not even have dinner at home," I shrugged. "But yeah, we should go or Billy will fly into a rage," I added, standing up.

"Are you really doing this just because of that idiot? I don't know why you have so much respect or fear of him," he mimicked my steps and stood up.

"I don't respect him at all. And even less fear. I've known how to handle him since the day we met," I replied, somewhat annoyed. "If there's one thing I'm not, it's fearful. It's just that he knows I'm with you. And that bothers him to levels I've never seen."