Be Serious

Sam grabs my hand and places it over his heart. He is looking at me with so much love in those blue eyes. Sam whispers, “This, Maddie. This is where you are. It’s you, Maddie. It’s always been you.”

I almost look away. It’s so much. Too much. A tear slips out and makes its way down my face. Sam tenderly leans in and kisses me. I kiss him back.

Sam pulls back and places his forehead against mine. His eyes are closed, and knowing Sam, this means he is trying to think about what happens next. Sam always wants to try to plan for every contingency. Except, I'm not exactly sure how he could have prepared for this.

Taking a deep breath, he lifts his head and says, "Let's get out of here."

I reply, "Sure, Sam. My house?"

Opening the passenger door, he turns to look at me. "Alright." He manages to give me a small smile. Sweeping his arm, he says, "Your chariot awaits, Maddie."

"Sam, I drove here myself. I'll meet you back there." I say.

Immediately, Sam stiffens. He looks past me to the barn. Through gritted teeth, he says, "You are going to see Jake."

This makes me angry. He doesn't trust me. Well, can you blame him?
  

Shaking my head, I state, "Sam, I need to talk to Jake too. I need to set the record straight. I won't be long." Exactly what is it you are setting straight, Maddie? That you enjoyed making out with him or that it won't happen again?

Slamming his truck door, he mutters, "Fine. See you at the house." Without another look at me, he jumps in his truck, revs the engine and takes off.

Awesome. Totally awesome.

Sighing, I throw my shoulders back and head back towards the barn. This is not going to be a pleasant conversation. Maybe we don't have to talk? Geez-O-Pete! When did I become such a horn dog?! I have got to get a grip.

Turns out, I didn't have to walk as far as I thought because, as I round the corner of the barn, I run smack into Jake's chest. I wobble a bit but Jake puts his hands on my hips to steady me. My pulse spikes immediately.

Gritting my teeth, I step back out of his grip, putting a few feet between us.

I start, "Jake, I'm sorry about what happened."

Crossing his arms and cocking his head to the side, Jake responds, "You are sorry that you kissed me, again I might add, or you are sorry that Sam caught us?"

My cheeks flush remembering our kiss. Remembering our other kisses and other things too. "You know what I mean, Jake." I snap.

His eyes flash and I know immediately he's angry. Well, I'm angry too! "No, Maddie. I do not, in fact, 'know what you mean'."

Angrily, I state, "Jake, I am dating Sam. It is not right - us. We shouldn't be doing this."

Jake replies, "Maddie, I am sorry too. Sam is my friend and I don't make it a habit of hurting my friends."

I say, "Good. Then we are in agreement."

No more kissing. No more intimate little moments. No more Jake. This is what I wanted, right? Then why do I feel sick to my stomach?

I turn to head to my car but Jake's hand snakes out, grabbing my wrist.

Turning around, I say, “Jake, it was a mistake.”

He looks at me like I just kicked his puppy.

Exasperated, I snatch my wrist away and say, “We can’t just make-out like teenagers every time we feel like it just because our loins are on fire!”

Immediately, that lopsided grin appears with that dimple - that sexy as hell dimple. I bet a lot of girls have dropped their panties over that dimple.

Smiling at me like a predator stalking his prey, he says, “Your loins are on fire for me?”

“You’re an ass,” I quip.

Shrugging his shoulders, he replies, “That may be. But you just said I make you hot.”

Throwing my hands in the air, I state, “Be serious!”

He closes the distance fast. Jake is standing so close to me that I can feel his breath on my face.

He says, “Baby, when it comes to you and me, I’ve never been more serious.”

Squeee! I am so liking the interplay between Jake and Maddie. Sam is so sweet while Jake is a bit rough around the edges. What's next?! I wonder....

New to this rodeo! Check out the first segment of Jake and Maddie here.