Leaning his forehead against hers, he sighed. "Do you know how special you are to put up with me? I’ve never been in love before. It’s my first time, so please don’t think I’m weird."
The pieces fell into place for her when he admitted he’d never been in love before. It made sense now why the love making needed to be special, something sacred, and not just another hook-up. "I don't think you're weird. Well, yeah, I do, but in a good way. But I'm weird too, and I've waited a long time to find someone who could appreciate my weirdness."
Cory nuzzled into her neck and laughed. Kissing her, he led her to the door. "I need to go. I’ll set up a night to come out to Bel Rosso and meet my dad. I had a great time tonight." Kissing her again, he smiled down into her eyes. "I love you."
Walking out the door, he felt like a million bucks. Everything was going to be okay, he could feel it.
51
It was the big night. Madison would finally be meeting Shade! Cory was a bit nervous. His dad could be intimidating. As he drove down the private drive to Bel Rosso, Madison was fiddling with a long strand of her dark blonde hair. "Are you nervous? Because you don’t need to be, he’s expecting to meet you. Just be yourself, Madison, he’ll appreciate that.”
Madison anxiously wiped the palms of her hand across her skirt. She wasn’t usually nervous about meeting people. She didn’t usually care whether people liked her or not, but she knew this was different. She knew how close Cory was to his dad. What if he didn’t like her? Would that change how Cory felt about her?
She looked out the window of the truck as the rolling hills of Bel Rosso slipped by. The sun was setting behind the mountain range, and the sky was a blend of pinks and purples. She thought this may be the most beautiful place she’d ever seen. She took a deep breath and placed her hand on Cory's thigh as he maneuvered the truck around the driveway, stopping in front of the house. She saw Kate standing in the doorway to greet them, and Madison released her breath, unaware, until now, that she’d been holding it.
Cory quickly slid out of the truck and walked around, opening the door for her, and helping her down from the cab. The lights were on in the house, and it looked welcoming as day turned to night.
As Madison stepped down from the truck, he wrapped his arm around her waist, kissing her cheek. "Remember, I love you. Just be yourself." With his arm still around her waist, they walked toward the door where Kate greeted them.
***
Kate had sent a message to Aegis to stay clear. She’d heard the rumble of the truck engine as it moved toward the house, and she hurried to the door to greet them. She knew how important this was to Cory, and she wanted this girl to feel comfortable here. Gaining her trust would be important to her accepting what they were when the time came to reveal that to her. She walked toward them as Cory helped his girlfriend from the truck. "Welcome back, Madison."
She wrapped her arms around the girl’s shoulder. Madison was returning her hug when they all heard the scramble of small feet as a barefoot Lorenzo, clad in pajamas, ran out the door toward them.
Lifting his hands in the air to be picked up, Lorenzo called out. "Cory!"
Cory laughed as Lorenzo ran head long for him with his arms held open. Catching him in the air, he lifted Lorenzo over his head before settling the boy on his hip. "Hey, little dude, you should soon be in bed. Do you remember my girlfriend, Madison?"
Lorenzo squirmed until Cory put him on the ground and the child wrapped both arms around Madison’s legs to hug her. "Hello, Miss Madison."
Kate saw Theresa at the door as she chased after Lorenzo and waved her back, letting her know it was okay. Madison laughed, and ran her hands through the toddler’s coal black curls. Kate knelt down to Lorenzo and gave him a stern look. "I thought we understood it was bedtime."
Lorenzo looked back at her with a practiced innocence as he responded, "But I had to say hi to Miss Madison."
Kate shook her head and picked up her son, balancing him on her hip. "Come on inside, you two. Shade is still tied up in a meeting. He's running a little late. Cory, why don't you take Madison upstairs to your room, and I'll call you as soon as your dad is free."
"Sounds good, we can relax a bit before Dad sees us."
Following Kate up the stairs, as she held a wiggling Lorenzo, Cory shook his head. "Little dude, you need to get to bed, and listen to your mom. You need your rest."
Lorenzo looked over Kate's shoulder at Cory and Madison. "I know, Skelk says I need to rest so I can learn to be a better warrior. Are you coming to the camp tomorrow?"
Damn, Cory knew somehow Lorenzo would say something he’d have to later explain to Madison. "Oh yeah, little dude, see you tomorrow."
Cory quickly angled Madison down the hall to the next flight of stairs that led to his rooms. Shutting the door behind them, he apologized for Lorenzo’s enthusiasm. "Sorry about Lorenzo, I think he was supposed to be in bed before we got here, but man, he never gives up. Let me get some music on."
Walking to the huge setup of electronics, he plugged his iPhone into the system and looked over at Madison. "Any preferences? I think I have just about everything on this thing."
She walked around the room again, looking at his things. "Nah, just hit shuffle. So, who was the other lady at the door? The one that looked like she was chasing after Lorenzo."
"Oh, that was Theresa, she’s Lorenzo's nanny. She helps with him because seriously, you need a full-time runner for him. I’m sorry I didn’t introduce you to her. That was rude." Walking to the large sectional sofa, he summoned her to join him. Madison curled up close to him.
"And what was that other name he mentioned? Skelk? Is that Scandinavian or something?"
Cory swallowed hard. He couldn’t bring up the warriors and the camp. "Oh, Skelk? Don’t pay any attention to Lorenzo, he has a wild imagination. I never saw anything like it, he’s an only child and he lives in his own world here. Skelk is his imaginary friend. My dad built this pirate ship playhouse out back, and Lorenzo likes to play pirates and stuff like that. He pretends he’s a warrior pirate and he has these imaginary friends he fights and plays with. Sometimes, Dad goes out there to play with him and I do too. It’s fun."
Madison felt his nervousness, and it only fed her own. Was he worried his dad wouldn’t like her too? "Lorenzo sounds like a handful. Didn't you say your step-mom was pregnant? I guess it's a good thing she has help. Sounds like she's going to need it."
"Yes, Kate’s pregnant. Everyone is excited for the new baby."
Madison picked up several books from his coffee table, all novels, and all about vampires. "Wow. You never mentioned you were interested in vampire mythology. I've read a few of these from Anne Rice."
"Oh, uh, yeah, I like vampires. It’s pretty cool. So, you’re into vampires too? I never knew that. What’s your take on them?"
Madison scrunched up her face. "My take on them? I guess I never really thought about it. I mean, I believe there are supernatural elements in this world. I believe ghosts are real, and there are people who’ve had encounters with them, same with angels. I believe in angels. I know people who claim to be witches. But not, you know, flying around on a broom or anything. I think they’re just connected to the energy of nature, somehow. I think their spells are more the power of suggestion. You know, if you believe it will happen, then it will, like a self-fulfilling prophecy sort of thing. But vampires? I don't think people rise up from the dead and walk around. I've read some stuff where people claim to be vampires, but I think it’s just a lifestyle choice, like all those kids who dress goth. I don't know, what do you think?"