“Why don’t you like when I touch you, Madison? Is it me? Are you scared of me? Do you think I’m going to hurt you?” She closes her eyes, and damnit, I think she’s gonna cry. But that’s not Maddie. This tiny woman is stronger than that. She steps in front of me, with her eyes locked on my chest. Then with a shaky exhale, she flattens her palms over the cotton of my shirt against my pecs. I suck in a sharp breath, my hands aching to wrap around her. To hold her. To comfort her. To soak in just a little bit of her light and warmth, but I don’t. This is her show now, and she needs to be in control
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