The afternoon light filtered through the windows, and it was already the most significant day of my past few years.

From composing a ballad for Madison, to having her storm into the apartment and accuse me of cheating on Mia, to the explanations and emotions laid bare, my heart was battered and bruised but full at the same time.

Full of joy from the woman in my arms who had listened to my secrets, heard my explanations, and kissed me anyway.

There had always been a strong connection with Madison, but I hadn’t been sure if it would survive the things I’d hidden from her. For the first few weeks I’d known her, it hadn’t looked like it would matter. Why bother bringing up Mia and dampening the mood when I would never see Madison after the third date?

Then we’d kept seeing each other. Each time was a short chat and a quick hookup, not exactly the time to get into the most damaging and traumatic experience of my life.

After confessing the secrets I’d hidden for so long, I felt closer to Madison than ever. She still hadn’t committed to anything—just said that she needed more. That wasn’t good enough for me.

I ended the kiss even though it had rapidly gotten more intense and passionate, and she’d climbed into my lap. Madison looked down at me with wide eyes, her lips parted as she breathed heavily.

“What’s wrong?”

I smiled. “We’re not done talking yet. And considering what happened the last time we had sex, I don’t want to get into that until I know for sure where we stand.”

Madison giggled. “How long did you lie on the bed before you realized I’d left? I tried to be as quiet as possible when I got dressed and walked out.”

I joined her with a rueful laugh. “Longer than I’d like to admit. You had blown my mind, and I wasn’t capable of paying attention to anything other than how good it felt.”

“I’m sorry, but I couldn’t resist. It was a perfect opportunity. I laughed the entire trip home.”

We shared a grin. “You surprised me. I laughed pretty hard, too.” I let my face grow more serious. “That’s one thing I appreciate about you, Madison. You aren’t just clever and a good person, but you’re also fun to be around, and I have this feeling that we’ll never get bored with each other.”

She squeezed my shoulders and kissed me on the cheek. “You’re too loose with your compliments. I’m nothing special.”

I shook my head, making sure she could see the seriousness in my eyes. “Madison, you’re a great person, and I won’t let you think otherwise.”

“Carter, if you don’t stop, I will pin you down and have my way with you right now.”

“I’m serious.”

“I know.” Madison stared into my eyes. “Thank you. You don’t know how much that means. And you don’t know how highly I think of you. No matter what happens, know that you’re the only man I’ve ever met who has touched me the way you have.”

Our lips met in a sweeter kiss. Not the kind that promised a passionate night, but the kind that hinted at a lifetime of bliss.

“Madison… I don’t know your last name.” I frowned as the realization struck me. There was so much I didn’t know, that had been off limits. Where she worked, where she lived… it was all a mystery, one I looked forward to solving.

“Croft,” she said, the corners of her eyes crinkling. “My last name is Croft.”

“Madison Croft,” I said, taking her hands in mine. “Will you date me? For as long as we continue to do it for each other?”

She smiled. “I thought you’d never ask. I would love to, Carter Atkinson.”

“Good. I think we’ve got something good here, and it would be a shame to not see where it leads.”

“I think you’re right,” Madison said. Then she put her arms around my neck and pressed herself against me. She breathed her next words into my ear. “Are we done with the mushy stuff now? Because you’ve turned me into a puddle. I never thought commitment could be so hot.”

The woman was insatiable, and I loved it.

“I think we can have a quick break from the sappy talk,” I said, stroking her back and letting my hands fall to her ass where she straddled my lap.

I kissed her even as I stood up, holding her against me. I made my way to the bedroom by feel and by memory, peeking around her face to make sure I didn’t carry her into a wall.

Rex yipped at my heels, feeling the excitement in the air, but I ignored him until we got to the bedroom. With a careful push of my foot, I kept him on the outside as I closed the door.

The last two times we’d been together had been more about the physical act than the emotional connection, but this time would be different. I undressed Madison with slow, careful movements, kissing the exposed skin as I pulled away each garment, giving her as much attention as I could. We alternated, as she returned the favor and we slowly got undressed together. It was almost meditative in the deliberateness of our actions, a sense of togetherness that far exceeded anything I’d felt before.

Once we were naked, I picked Madison up and held her for a moment before laying her back on the bed. I kissed every square inch of skin, murmuring compliments as I went. I took my time in getting between her legs, but it wasn’t out of a desire to tease her as I had when she was tied up.

This was a worshipping.

She was the epitome of everything I wanted in a woman, and I wanted her to not just hear it, but to feel it. Every kiss, every touch, every lick bound us closer together even as it brought her to ecstasy.

After I made her come, she returned the favor, then fell into my arms as we joined together.

It wasn’t just sex. It never had been with Madison, but this was more.

We made love.