He grumbled something unintelligible before storming, albeit quietly, from my office and out of the shop.
I stuffed the ring box in my pocket and sat at my desk to attempt to do some paperwork before my next client arrived. It was somewhat of a relief to have that confrontation done and over with. I would never have guessed that facing Knox would be a piece of cake compared to a protective older sister.
9
Ariel
I was still riding high from the orgasm Maddox had given me hours later when I delivered the second wedding cake to the chapel. It was one of my best creations yet—each of the four tiers were different flavors; chocolate with toasted marshmallow filling on the bottom, lemon and lavender buttermilk filled with lemon on the second, mocha paired with rum custard on the third, and vanilla with a sweet rose cream on top. Each layer was frosted with white buttercream, and I’d decorated it with buttercream hydrangeas flowing over the top tier and circling the bottom two that were a perfect match for the flowers in the bride’s bouquet. The beauty of what I’d created only added to my happiness.
It’d turned out to be an excellent day for me. I’d gotten further along in my reception prep for tomorrow than I’d expected. And since I didn’t need to worry about moving my stuff into Maddox’s place like I’d thought I’d need to do, I was looking forward to being able to spend my evening relaxing with him instead of packing up a bunch of boxes. Especially with everything he’d said he had planned for us.
More orgasms for me, a blowjob for him, and another round of sex, but in a bed this time, sounded like the perfect night to me. I might not have had any experience before him, but I had a feeling that I’d be able to drive Maddox past the edge of his control when I got my mouth on him. Just the thought of it had my lips curving up in feminine satisfaction.
“Well, don’t you just look like the cat that ate the canary?” Aurora teased when she caught sight of my smile. “I thought I’d find you all frazzled and out of sorts since Belle dragged you with her to the tattoo parlor on your only day off this week, but here you are grinning like a loon.”
I couldn’t help but think that the saying was kind of fitting considering what I’d been thinking about when she walked in—and also in reverse since Maddox had eaten my pussy plenty of times already. It made a deep blush fill my cheeks. In an attempt to hide my expression from my nosy, older sister, I turned my head and pretended to inspect one of my signature buttercream frosting flowers on the top tier of the cake. I should’ve known it wouldn’t do any good, though. Aurora was too perceptive to fall for tricks like that.
“Hey, what’s going on? I joke around with you all of the time without getting a reaction like this out of you.” Wrapping her hand around my upper arm, she tugged until I faced her again. Her eyes narrowed as she asked, “Wait a second. Are you being all weird because you got a tattoo too or something like that? Fess up, little sis. You know you can’t hide stuff from me for long.”
“Um. Well,” I stammered, my cheeks heating even more as I thought about the ink on my shoulder and what it meant. I highly doubted that my big sister would appreciate the fact that in less than twenty-four hours Maddox had literally marked me as his, popped my cherry, and moved me in with him. Aurora tended to be a worrier, and her favorite people to fuss over were her siblings. I figured that I should probably wait to show her the tattoo until after she’d met Maddox and given him her stamp of approval. But she was right about not being able to keep anything from her for long, so I didn’t hesitate to tell her about Maddox. “It’s just that I’m smiling because I met a guy and he’s amazing.”
Aurora’s eyes widened in surprise. “You met someone? When?”
“Yesterday,” I admitted, my grin growing wider.
“Yesterday?” she echoed, her brow furrowing. “When did you even have the chance to meet a guy? I thought you were busy hanging out with Belle all day.”
“Yeah, that’s how I met Maddox. He does all of Griffith’s tattoos and was supposed to do Belle’s,” I explained.
Her jaw dropped. “The guy who put that goofy grin on your face is a tattoo artist?”
“Uh huh,” I answered dreamily, thinking about how I wanted to trace my tongue over all of the ink covering Maddox’s muscular body.
“I don’t get it. What could you and a guy like that possibly have in common?” Aurora’s incredulous tone pulled me out of my fantasy as she waved her hand at the wedding cake I’d made. “You’re butterflies and rainbows, looking out at the world with rose-colored glasses. You see the good in everyone around you and create sugar-filled masterpieces to commemorate one of the happiest days in a couple’s life. It’s hard to believe that a guy who does tattoos for a living would appreciate that in a woman.”
My spine straightened in anger. “You don’t know anything about him, Aurora. Maddox might use ink instead of sugar, but he creates art, too. It’s just that it’s on people’s bodies, and I know for a fact that there are people with tattoos he’s done that mean a heck of a lot more to them than the cakes I bake do to our customers. Like Griffith”—I used him as my example instead of myself because I definitely wasn’t going to bring up my tattoo in the middle of an argument—“and the heart tattoo Maddox did for him with Belle’s name. You even said how beautiful it was when you saw it. Heck, I think you might’ve even cried a little.”
“Fine, maybe I’m being a bit overly judgmental,” she huffed, crossing her arms over her chest and tapping her foot on the floor. “But can you blame me? At least when Belle fell for her rock star, I had the chance to threaten him with bodily harm before things went too far between them. Judging by the dreamy look in your eyes and blush on your cheeks, I’m guessing that ship has already sailed with you.”
“Um. Yeah, you could say that,” I admitted softly.
“Then I’d better meet him soon.” Aurora wagged her finger at me until I nodded in agreement, and then she threw her arms around me for a big hug. “And don’t think for a minute that just because I didn’t get the chance to warn him that I won’t still castrate him with a spoon if he hurts you.”
Thinking about the muscles on my big guy, I knew that wouldn’t stop her if she thought I needed defending. Patting her on the back, I agreed, “I know you will.”
It wasn’t until I got in my car to head to my new home that the seeds of doubt sparked by my sister’s concern started to pop into my brain. I might’ve convinced her to keep an open mind about my relationship with Maddox, but our discussion left a niggling doubt in the back of my mind about how compatible we’d really be together.
Being in charge of the bakery meant lots of early mornings for me, but tattoo parlors were more of a late-night business. Balancing our schedules was definitely going to take some work. The chapel was doing well, but we weren’t as wildly successful as Ink Addiction was. A-list celebrities didn’t come to us to get married like they went to Maddox for ink. At least not yet.
Our lives were quite different, and I wasn’t sure how we’d be able to meet in the middle. The only thing I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt was that I wanted to figure it out. All I could do was hope that Maddox did too, even if my talk with Aurora made me wonder a little about what he saw in me.
As I parked my powder blue Mini Cooper next to Maddox’s black Dodge Challenger in the garage—since he left the door up for me—it reminded me of our differences. Then I walked into the house and saw all of my things mixed in with his, and it was a bit of an eye-opener too. My stuff was pastel and girly, while his was so masculine and dark. We really were opposites who barely knew each other, and now I was living with him. After one day...and we’d had unprotected sex.
My heart started to beat quicker, and my breath came in shallow pants, but then I spotted him standing at the kitchen counter and my panic eased a bit. He had a beer in one hand as he poured me a glass of white wine with the other. His piercing blue eyes darkened with need when his gaze landed on me.
As he set our drinks down on the count
er and prowled over to me, I held my hands up in a gesture meant to ward him off. There was something I needed to know before I lost myself in him again. Before he got to close, I asked, “Why me, Maddox?”
10
Maddox
I halted in my tracks and stared at Ariel in confusion. “Excuse me?”
She cocked her head to the side, and her eyes darted away nervously before coming back to my face. “Why do you want me? We’re opposite in every way. I guess I just don’t understand what you see in me that makes you think I’m the right woman for you.”
My eyes narrowed, and I glared at her as anger bubbled to the surface. I quickly closed the remaining distance between us. She watched me warily but didn’t step back when I reached for her. I wrapped my big hands around her biceps and brought her so close that the tips of our toes were touching. I was so much taller than her that she had to drop her head back to look up at me.
It was a power move. I wanted her to understand that I meant what I said and to recognize that while I would always give her anything she desired; I was the one in control. “First of all, Ariel. I don’t think you’re mine, I know it. You’ve been mine since the moment you walked into my shop.” I slid my hands from her arms, up her neck, to cup her face. “As for why I want you. That list is never-ending. But I’ll hit the high points. Your brand of sunshine is addictive. It calls to me because you fill every dark corner of my life with light. You are everything I’m not, and that makes us perfect for each other.” I grinned and winked. “You’re also sexy as fuck.”
Ariel giggled, and her crystal blue eyes brightened. The smile dropped from my face, and I closed my eyes as I leaned my forehead on hers. I inhaled deeply and let it out slowly. Then I lifted my head and locked my gaze with hers. “Even if those other reasons didn’t exist, there is still one that trumps them all. The reason I know you’re meant to be mine. That we are perfect for each other. That you are everything I have or ever will want.”
Ariel’s eyes had become wide and round as she waited. I wasn’t sure she was even breathing.
“The heart doesn’t lie, baby. And, I love you so damn much it feels as though it’s going to burst out of me every second of the day.” I whispered a soft kiss over her mouth. “You’re my forever, baby. Moving in, getting married, having a family, they are all part of our future. So, why wait?”
Tears had welled in her eyes and they spilled over, streaking down her cheeks. However, the joy brimming in them and the beautiful smile on her lips assured me that they were happy tears.
“I love you too,” she breathed.
“I know, baby,” I sighed as I released her face and stepped—only a few inches—away. “I was trying to come up with a perfect, romantic way to do this. You deserve all the cheesy shit, but I’m an inpatient motherfucker and I need to see you wearing this.” I dug into the right pocket of my jeans and pulled out the little box I’d shown Knox earlier in the day. I held it between us and flipped up the lid to show her the ring nestled inside.
Ariel stared at it as though it were the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. “Maddox, it’s—wow, it’s perfect.” She looked at me through her lashes and smiled sweetly. “It’s fast but…Yes!” she shrieked as she threw herself into my arms. I stumbled backwards with a laugh, holding her tightly to me.
“I don’t recall asking, baby,” I teased before swooping down and covering her mouth with my own. Our tongues tangled, and she moaned as she leaned into me, deepening the kiss. I tore my lips away to grab her hand and slip the ring onto her finger. Then I palmed her ass, yanking her body into mine, taking her lips in another passionate kiss. Ariel’s arms wound around my neck, and I boosted her up so that she could wrap her legs around my middle.
Suddenly, we jerked apart as a high-pitched beeping filled the air. “Shit!” Keeping my hold on Ariel, I dashed into the kitchen. I set her on a counter on the opposite side of the smoking stove and commanded, “Stay,” before grabbing oven mitts and shutting off the oven. I lowered the door and waved away some of the thick grey cloud. After donning oven mitts, I carefully removed the baking dish that was now covered in charred, shell-shaped briquettes.
“Fucking hell,” I mumbled in annoyance and tossed the sheet of ruined cakes onto the stovetop. Ariel was giggling uncontrollably as she twisted on the counter and opened the window behind her. I waved a couple of pot holders in front of the smoke alarm and tried not to be disappointed that my gesture was ruined.
“Are—are those supposed to”—she asked as she laughed even harder—"supposed to be Madeleines?”
The alarm had finally stopped blaring, but I nodded silently as I turned away. To my absolute fucking mortification, my cheeks had grown hot. I threw the pot holders onto the counter near the sink and put my hands on my hips, glaring at the mess.
Slender arms wrapped around me and I felt Ariel press her cheek into my back. “Maddox?”
“Yeah, baby?” I grunted.
She tugged on my hips, encouraging me to pivot and face her. The warmth had cleared from my face, so I did as she’d asked. Ariel was looking up at me with a knowing smile, her blue eyes twinkling merrily. “Have you ever baked anything before?”
I sighed and shook my head. “Not a damn thing.”
Ariel’s smile widened, and she glanced at the baking dish. “And you thought you’d start out by attempting to make delicate French cakes?”
Son of a bitch. I felt the blush return to my cheeks, and I lifted my eyes to the ceiling. “Like you,” I muttered.
“Pardon?” I could tell from her tone that she was fighting laughter again.
“They reminded me of you. Sweet and delicate. I wanted to make something special for you.”
Ariel placed her small hands on my cheeks, and she nudged my head down so our eyes met. Her face was soft and radiated with love, sending a different kind of warmth flooding through my body. “You’re amazing, Maddox. I’ll admit, the image of a big, tattooed badass like you baking Madeleines is pretty funny.” I frowned but she gave me a quick kiss, obviously meant to soothe. “It’s also incredibly sweet, and I love you even more for it. I hope you’ll let me teach you how to master them. Then one day, you can bake them with our daughter.”
Then she peered up at me through her lashes again, this time with a coy smile. “It’s also a huge turn on.”
My hands fisted in the fabric of her shirt at her lower back, and I brought our bodies into contact again. “Is that so?”
Ariel nodded quickly, and her cheeks flamed adorably. “Since I don’t have any Madeleines to eat…maybe you should give me something equally as mouthwatering to devour.”
“Fucking hell,” I groaned. “Yup. Sexy as fuck,” I muttered as I swept her up into my arms, then threw her over my shoulder, fireman style. I felt a sharp slap on my ass, and I growled in warning. “Keep that up, baby, and you won’t have a chance to suck me off before I shove my cock in your hot little pussy and fill you with my come.” I didn’t intend to come anywhere but inside her until I knew she was knocked the fuck up.
Ariel squirmed, then she grabbed my ass with both hands and squeezed. We’d only made it as far as the stairs, but she’d pushed me too far. I grabbed her hips and dragged her down the front of my body, making sure she felt every inch, until her feet were on the ground.
I spun us around and dropped down so that I was sitting on one of the steps. Leaning back, I unfastened my pants and released my cock. Ariel’s eyes were glued to my swollen, angry red dick as it stood straight up. Pre-come beaded on the tip, and she licked her lips. I shook my head. “Gonna have to wait, baby. Maybe after a good spanking.” I added the last part just to see the sweet blush that bloomed on her cheeks. Then I leaned forward and unsnapped her jeans before shoving them to the ground.
I grasped her hips and picked her up, positioning her over my cock. “You just can’t resist putting me places, can you?” she quipped in a breathy tone.
I grinned. “Nope. That way, you’re always right whe
re I want you.” Then I dropped her down and thrust up into her waiting heat.
We both cried out at the rush of pleasure from the snug fit. My hips began to buck up as she bounced wildly on my dick. “Fuck, yeah,” I groaned.
“Maddox…” Ariel moaned. “Yes…”
Her shirt was still on, and that just wasn’t working for me, so I ripped it over her head. Then I shoved the cups of her bra down so her tits spilled over. When I wrapped my lips around one stiff peak, her inner muscles spasmed.
It was a quick, hard fuck. Within minutes, Ariel was screaming my name while I shouted as I poured come into her womb.
Eventually, I felt empty, though I knew it wouldn’t last long. We sat there, panting and trying to regain some strength. When I was confident that I wouldn’t drop her, I wrapped her legs around my waist and pushed to my feet. Holding her tight against me so I didn’t slip out, I climbed the stairs to our bedroom. Each step rocked my cock into her pussy and by the time we reached our bed, Ariel was writhing in need.
I gave her the spanking she’d been begging for, then we came together in another frenzied session of sweat-slicked skin slapping together and screams of pleasure bringing down the walls.
Then, I took her slow and savored every moment. Especially the sight of her hand on my body while the ring that told everyone she was mine sparkled on her finger.
After I had my fill, I finally let her wrap her pretty lips around my dick, but I still pulled out of her mouth and came inside her. Didn’t want to waste a single drop.
“I love you, Ariel,” I moaned as I exploded, spurting jets of hot seed into her.
“I love you too, Maddox,” she sighed.
I gathered her into my arms, and we snuggled in an easy silence, just enjoying being together.
At some point, she began to draw circles on my chest, a tell-tale sign that she was nervous about something. “Um, I should probably warn you about my siblings,” she mumbled.
Vegas, Baby: Complete Series Page 25