Chapter 27
A.
It had been a week since she'd fallen asleep on my lap, holding my hand tightly. And since that week I've wanted to take that first kiss right out from under her. It was driving me nearly mad thinking about it, spending almost every waking minute with her. When we had our separate classes I found my mind going directly to a dark-haired beauty. At lunch I made sure I always had some form of contact with her, and she let me. At home, with the group we didn't stay far away from each other for long, unless Anna wanted Madeline for something.
I wasn't getting tired of her presence at all. In fact, I craved her more every day. With each passing day I felt more of a pull to her, and I felt my rationality slowly recede to the corners of my mind. Even though I slept downstairs on the couch every night all I wanted was to be up there next to her. But Mozart was the only one allowed to cuddle with her
At this point her mother and mine got along extremely well. My dad, though not much of a talker, laughed so hard at something she once said that his beer ran out of his nose.
We all flowed freely throughout the house, never stepping on the other's toes. During the fourth week Madeline had no need for any form of help from me for anything anymore. I didn't like it much, considering now I couldn't touch her as often without an excuse. It was the week before winter break and right now I was watching her playing a video game with Riley and Daniel. She was kicking their butts like there was no tomorrow and laughing. She was so beautiful.
"Whatchyaaaa dooin'?" I jumped and turned.
"Jesus, Anna, you fricking demon." She frowned.
"I swear you guys keep calling me demon, I wonder if I have horns I can't see." She said giggling to herself.
"Anyways, when are you going to do something about how you feel about her?"
"Yeah," the voice made both of us jump. My Dad smiled, "Seriously kid, I'm hurting watching you do this to the both of you."
"Thank God you said it Brett," Mom came from behind him.
"As long as you take care of her that's all I ask." Mrs. Reed said coming from the side.
"Where are you all coming from?" I asked. Dad put his hand on my shoulder, gripping it firmly.
"You take her out and you romance her. You do it right. Be a man." I nodded quickly.
"Yes sir." I said. I looked to Mrs. Reed. She put her hands up.
"As long as you're good to her, I'm fine."
"Thank you." I said before turning and heading back into the living room. Madeline gently tossed her hands up in a victory hoot. I chuckled, she was so cute with her messy bun. Usually she wore sweatpants and my t-shirt like right now and somewhere close by, Mozart was watching not really letting anyone but me too close. He wouldn't bite, but he'd nearly sit on her and wrap his giant beastly body around her, which wasn't good for her rib. I looked back at Anna and she nodded shooing everyone from the room.
"Where y'all going?! We were gunna play another game!" Madeline cried out.
"We're going to start a fire outback, Asher is gunna help ya get dressed up and not freeze yer toes off."
"Oh, okay!" She said, hopping up slowly only to trip on Mozart who slept on her feet.
"Ack!" she cried out as she began to fall. I shot my arm out and caught her, pulling her to me, her back to my chest. She was so soft, so warm, beautiful, smart, kind, and strong. I couldn't take it anymore.
"Go out with me." I breathed out. She froze and in that moment my heart dropped. She started wiggling out of my arms, but I tightened my grip without thinking and rested my head on her shoulder.
"It's okay to say no, I understand, I mean I was the cause of your pain an-"
"Asher, let me turn around." She said. Slowly I let my grip loosen and stepped back from her just enough so that she could turn around.
"I know it's kind of sudden to ask but I just couldn't hold it in anymo-"
"Yes." I froze, and my head shot up to her.
"What?"
"Yes, I will go out with you." She said, her hand reaching out to my face, cupping my cheek. The warmth of her hand finally shocked me into reality and I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her.
"Thank God." I said smiling so wide, it hurt my face. But I didn't care, I was so happy right now, nothing was going to change that.
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EDITED VERSION
J. Vas
YOU ARE READING
Her Cowboy (Book One Of The Brave Series)
Romance(Currently Being Edited) Madeline Reed has been moving around all her life and this time was no different. It's the middle of her senior year and she's never had a friend so she's given up on the concept. Until Anna Tyler, the most stubborn girl Mad...
