They moved into the living room. Adam was as nervous as a high school boy out on his first date. He found the movie on Amazon, dimmed the lights, and—while he sat on the couch with his wine in one hand and the remote in the other—wondered exactly how he was going to position himself next to Maddie. Should he motion for her to sit close to him? Give her some space? He relaxed when she solved the dilemma by sitting right next to him, the sides of their legs touching. He reached for the popcorn bowl and put it in his lap to hide his arousal.
He started the movie and leaned back on the couch to get comfortable. He stretched his arm out across the back of the couch. Maddie leaned back as well, snuggled right up next to him, and laid her head on his shoulder. His fingers seemed to have a mind of their own as they gently stroked her soft, fine hair.
Adam kissed the top of Maddie’s head and closed his eyes as he breathed in the scent of her hair and perfume again. He thought he would never grow tired of being close to her. He glanced at her, observed the shape of her nose, the fullness of her lips, and the light from the TV as it danced off her hair and eyes. With heightened senses, he was aware of her breathing and felt her body touch his.
Suddenly, Maddie laughed. Adam jumped. She tilted her head and looked at him with furrowed brows, wondering why he hadn’t laughed too. When their eyes met, her smile, still lingering from the laughter, faded as he stared at her intensely.
Adam leaned over and gently kissed her lips. A bolt of electricity ran through his entire body. He had never experienced this with any woman. He kissed her gently for a few moments. She leaned into him. As the passion ignited in him, he kissed her a little more firmly. Her lips parted and their tongues met. Deep, sensual kisses followed. Adam moaned softly. This woman made him feel like no other woman ever before, and he wanted more.
He lost track of time as he kissed her and stroked her hair, face, and neck. Her fingers ran through his hair and her nails scraped down his neck and back. His lips moved to her neck and he heard the slightest moan of pleasure escape her lips. Encouraged by this, he laid her down on the couch as he ran his hand down her neck and side, and cupped her breast through her dress.
She responded and pulled his body a little closer so he was almost on top of her as he kissed her passionately. Her breasts were full and soft in his hand. He wanted to taste them. He wanted her badly. They were caught up in the passion—their hands and arms moved over each other’s bodies more frantically as fingers touched, grabbed, stroked, and caressed. He felt her fingernails dig into his back and chest, scratching and massaging as their bodies pressed together.
His hand moved slowly down her body to her upper thigh, where he felt the hem of her dress. He grabbed it and started to pull it up. He was ready to remove the dress, ready to reveal her body to him. But as he pulled her dress up past her hips, her hand stopped his. She sat up abruptly and pulled her dress back down. She breathed heavily as tears shimmered in her eyes.
She whispered, “I’m sorry, Adam. I’m not ready for this.”
His eyes widened as he sat up and absentmindedly straightened his shirt. One moment everything was going well—they were both into it, there was no denying that. The next moment, things had come to a screeching halt. His brow creased as he ran a hand through his hair.
He said, “I’m sorry if I did something wrong.”
She shook her head and said, “No. No. You didn’t do anything wrong. I’m sorry. It’s me. I just…I don’t know if I’m ready for this.”
She jumped up off the couch and made a beeline for the front door. Adam froze. He didn’t know what to do. Should he follow her? Should he let her go? Dumbfounded, he just sat there. He had never experienced anything like this before.
When she reached the door, she turned to face him. Her bottom lip quivered as she said, “Adam, I am truly sorry. I had a wonderful night tonight. The meal was amazing, and I really enjoy spending time with you. I’m just not ready for this. I hope this doesn’t ruin things between us.”
He tilted his head and narrowed his eyes as he tried to understand. It made no sense to him. Still unsure of what to do or say, he stood, walked to her, took her by the hands and said, “It’s okay, Maddie.”
She buried her face in his chest. As his arms moved to envelop her, she pulled back and looked down at the floor.
“I really am sorry.”
She wiped a tear off her cheek with the back of her hand, then turned and walked out. Just like that the date was over.
Adam stood dumbfounded. He rubbed his face with his hands.
What the hell?
He paced as he went over it again and again in his mind, trying to figure out exactly where and why things had gone wrong. Was it something he had said? Something he had done?
He was pretty sure she had enjoyed herself. When they were making out, she had seemed to be into it. He felt as if she had wanted him as much as he had wanted her. There must be something more to it. But what?
What should he do now? Should he call her? Knock on her door? Leave her alone for a few days? Let her
