already unlocked. She had locked the door, hadn’t
she?
It had been her who had taken that first step away
all those years ago.
She slowly inched the door open, pushing past
it and stepping into a garden. Madison drew in a
sharp breath as her gaze swept across the dozens
of spring bouquets dotting her apartment. A smile
crept over her lips as she crossed to the bouquet
on the entry table. Between the stems a little white
envelope was tucked inside.
It would have to be her to take that first step now
and bridge the distance between them.
She stepped closer as she breathed his name
upon her breath. “Matt.”
Her gaze trailed down the card to the signature
beneath. Matt.
He leaned forward then, burying his hands in
her hair as he dragged her mouth to his. His
kiss deepened, hot, passionate . . . like a flame.
Madison’s hands grabbed at his arms, bunching
up his T-shirt in her fists, and hanging on as the
overwhelming sensation flamed over her. She had
missed this, the feel of his mouth against hers, the
strength and comfort of his arms. It was so much
more than it had ever been with Jeff because
there was a familiarity here—a comfort with Matt
that she had never had with Jeff.
Before her mind could process what her feet were
doing, she was across the hall and pounding on
his door. “Matt? Matt? Are you home?”
He pulled back then, nuzzling along her neck,
nipping at her ear. “I’m sorry. I know I should have
waited.”
She drew in a breath as the door creaked open
and she met his darkened gaze. A silent moment
drew out between them as he raked a hand
anxiously through his hair.
“I think we’ve waited long enough,” she whispered.
She pulled it out, slipping her fingernail beneath
the flap as her heart thudded excitedly within her
chest. She pulled out the note and read the words
scribbled across it. Roses are red, Madison was
blue. I hear love is like a flower, so here’s a dozen
for you.
“I . . . um . . .” Her words had escaped her. There
was nothing she could say. Nothing that would
convey the warmth spreading through her or the
thump of her heart as her gaze settled over him.
He was so handsome. How could she have
forgotten? All these years, how could she not have
noticed the desire that still burned in his eyes?
She wanted to be in his arms again, to know that
that was where she belonged. Perhaps where she
had always belonged. Like a flower, her love had
bloomed. Slow and patient until it resembled this
beautiful bud between them.
But she was scared. Scared to make that first
step, to close the distance that seemed to loom
between them.
Matt pulled back and fanned kisses over her face
that took her breath away. He swept her into his
arms then, kicking H