Hearing Red

by Nicole Maser

Maddie needed to hate her so much that she’d wish she’d burned alive in that cell. Then maybe she’d protect herself next time. Maybe she’d put herself first—keep herself safe.

Maddie leaned forward, losing the last of her control. “I fucking hate you.” “Good,” Saff spat back. “Now maybe next time you won’t almost get yourself killed for me.”

“You could’ve died,” Saff said, her voice cracking on the last word. And something about the way she said it was different.

“You want me,” she breathed, the words twisting like an insult. “And you can’t handle it.”

Even through the last bit of remaining hatred, that maybe had never even been hatred to begin with, every fiber of her body screamed for Saff. It wanted everything. Her heart, her mind, her body. Every bit of it.

She ran her hand around the back of Saff’s neck, releasing a breath that suddenly felt suffocating. “I want—you.” The moment the words left her mouth, Saff’s lips—no, her entire body—crashed against her.

Just feeling Saff’s lips on hers again gave her a release that almost pulled a moan from her lips. The memories of their kiss hadn’t done it justice. It was so much better—so much more than her brain could possibly replay.

Saff’s lips left hers, trailing down her neck in a way that sent bolts of pleasure down into her spread legs. She breathed out a moan, and Saff’s body instantly tightened against her.

Every touch, every sound, every movement, was like some deep, yearning addiction. And now, she wondered how she would ever be able to stop.

And Maddie needed more. She needed to feel every detail of how Saff’s body wanted her.

Her body acted on its own, craving every touch and taste as if she’d been starved her entire life.

Saff let out a low, raspy chuckle that made something in Maddie’s core instantly reignite with need.

“Shower with me,” she whispered, not caring how it sounded like a plea.

Everything with Saff somehow felt safe. Every touch, every feeling, was like a shield protecting her from the world.

Saff’s lips found hers, but they moved differently than before. It wasn’t urgent or frantic. It was—more. And feeling that intense want behind the kiss brought back the instant heated pulse between her thighs.

She’d go into freezing cold water every day if it meant being with Saff.

Then Saff lifted one of her legs, hooking it on top of her hard, muscled shoulder.

she realized in that moment that maybe she’d never again be able to deny Maddie of anything. That at some point, maybe even right from the start, Maddie had some hold on her. And deep down, she’d always want to give her anything—everything—she asked for.

Erin finally looked over at her with a soft smile. “I’ve seen Maddie in many relationships.” Saff eyed her carefully, cautiously. “But I’ve never seen anyone look at her the way you do.”

MOMMAS APPROVAL

“It took everything in me to not get my rifle and hunt every one of them down.” A shiver snaked down Maddie’s spine. “Whatever you felt that night,” Saff continued, barely above a whisper, “I promise, it didn’t even come close to what I felt when I saw you in that house.”

im shivering too 😛 i love me a protective woman

“If you want to leave, then I won’t try to stop you,” Maddie whispered. “But I don’t want you to go.” Saff released a breath, but her arms tightened around her. Then Maddie felt her head slowly turn, and warm lips kissed her cheek. The sheer happiness that bloomed in her chest then was like nothing she’d ever felt before. “I don’t think I can leave you,” Saff whispered.

Saff leaned back an inch, closing her eyes for a second as she relaxed into her touch.

Touching someone else so often was something she was still working to get used to. And craving it was another thing she hadn’t yet gotten used to.

“If you’re not worried,” Maddie mumbled, leaving another gentle kiss against her hairline, “then come back to bed. Try to sleep. At least for a little while.”

ugh theyre so domestic i love themm

she leaned into her, placing a soft kiss against her cheek. And as she did it, she knew then that she could’ve done it every single day for the rest of time, and lived a happy life. Because that’s what she’d had in those few weeks with Maddie. And maybe this was her happy ending.

Maddie wiped away the fresh tears on her cheeks, then placed a gentle hand on Saff’s cheek, pulling her in closer. “You have to get up, okay, baby? Please, just get up.” Her voice cracked, and with it, Saff felt something in her crack too. “Just get up, okay?” Maddie whispered, and Saff finally gave in to the heaviness in her eyes once more. “I’ll get us there. It’ll be okay. You’ll be okay.”

This wasn’t supposed to happen. They were supposed to make it through together.

If she could, she would’ve given her every last bit of warmth. Every last bit of life.

she couldn’t imagine any greater pain on earth than feeling the life slowly seep from the woman she loved.

There was nothing left in her. Nothing beyond making sure Saff was okay.

And that’s when she’d realized that it wasn’t just Maddie that seemed to care for her. It was them, too—all of them.

“The outbreak forced us all to do things at times that we probably wish we hadn’t,” he said softly, and Saff wondered then if Maddie had told him some details of her past. “But,” he continued, his words careful and precise once again, “you are a very brave woman. And I want you to know,” he said quietly, finally looking at her, “how proud I am of you.”