Always Yours

by Kennedy Fox

  I put it all out there—the marriage arrangement, her being pregnant before this all started, the threats to obey, and learning Victoria was sleeping with the enemy. By the time I’m done, it feels as if a million pounds are lifted from my shoulders. They’re all in shock, and their jaws are on the floor.

  “I don’t even know what to say. I want to be pissed at you, but I understand why you did what you did,” Sophie offers. “None of it seems real.”

  “Right? It’s like a messed-up gangster movie,” Maddie tells her, and they all nod in agreement.

  I smile. “As long as there’s a happy ending with you in it, I don’t care.”

  “There will be, baby,” Maddie says, then giddily explains when we started our relationship and why we had to hide it. She’s not a bit shy when it comes to us or anything sexual, and I have to stop her from giving too many details when the guys start to openly cringe.

  “Spare Hunter and Mason, please,” I interrupt with a laugh.

  “And me too,” Tyler interjects with a grunt. “I heard enough in Oregon.”

  “Thank you!” Hunter grins. “I don’t wanna hear about my friend’s dick.”

  Mason nods. “What he said.”

  “Why not? It’s a very nice one.” Maddie grins, knowing it’ll make them uncomfortable.

  “You hurt my sister, and you’ll think Victoria was nice compared to me,” Lennon warns, effortlessly changing the topic off my cock.

  “Shit.” Hunter chuckles. “You’re scary, sweetheart.”

  Sophie clears her throat and grins. “It’s okay. Let's plan a spa day, and you can tell us all the details then.” And of course, Sophie would bring it back.

  Maddie claps her hands in excitement. “Sign me up.”

  “Should I be okay with this?” I ask, narrowing my eyes. “Why do chicks talk so much?”

  “When you date one Corrigan, you volunteer to have your penis talked about.” Maddie pats my leg. “I know all about Hunter’s and Mason’s. Well done, boys.”

  We all burst into laughter, and it feels great to have them accept our relationship. My friends are my family, and they love me unconditionally even through this. Says a lot about their character and who they are. I wouldn’t want anyone else on my side. After we clean up and have a few drinks, we say our goodbyes to Lennon, Hunter, and the kids.

  “I’m glad you’re both okay,” Sophie says before heading upstairs.

  “Me too,” Mason says. “And glad you’re finally together too. It’s good for both of you.”

  “Thank you,” I offer before leaning over and placing my lips softly on Maddie’s. She sighs against my mouth.

  “Guess there will be a lot of that.” Sophie giggles.

  “If you hear any moans in the kitchen, don’t enter,” Maddie warns with a wink.

  “Oh God,” Sophie playfully groans. “We’re supposed to be the soon-to-be newlyweds who can’t get enough of each other.” She smirks at Mason.

  “Trust me, we witnessed plenty of your make-out sessions,” I tease.

  Sophie smirks. “Good night, you two.”

  “Night!” Maddie calls out.

  I look at her. “Let’s go to bed, baby.”

  She yawns. “Yeah, I’m tired.”

  Loving that I can easily carry her, I pick her up in my arms and walk us to her room. I place her on the bed, and she grins.

  “You should just carry me around everywhere from now on.” She stands and removes her clothes, changing into something more comfortable. I strip down to my boxers and crawl into bed, then she snuggles up against me, and it’s never felt more natural to have Maddie in my arms.

  “Love you, Liam,” she says in a sleepy tone.

  “Love you too. Good night.” I kiss her forehead, and we fall asleep within minutes.

  I open my eyes, wondering what time it is because I feel as if I just drifted off. Slightly turning my head, I see Maddie sleeping so peacefully next to me, and I can’t help but drink her in. I’ll never take this woman for granted, not the way her soft skin feels pressed against mine or how her hair smells like a mixture of honey and flowers. The way she laughs brings joy to my core but so do her smart-ass remarks. I can’t get enough of her, and I don’t ever want to. Ever since we’ve been home, I’ve lived in the moment, enjoying every second I get to spend with her. I’ve basically moved into her room since Tyler is sleeping in mine, but it took zero convincing on my part. I would’ve been in her bed every night anyway.

  The sun has barely risen, and a warm glow splashes through her bedroom window. I suck in a deep breath and let out a relieved one. I could die a happy man right now being with her like this. Maddie snuggles closer to me, letting out a small moan, and it causes me to smile. She’s looped her leg over mine, and we’re tangled together like a pretzel. That is, until she moves a little too swiftly and knees me in the junk.

  A loud groan escapes me, and she pops up in bed like a groundhog. “What is it?”

  “My…dick,” I hiss, holding my groin and hoping the pain passes quickly. “Good morning,” I somehow force out, my voice a whole octave higher.

  “Oh my gosh.” Maddie leans over and kisses my face as she runs her fingers through my hair. “I’m so sorry, babe. I didn’t mean to.” The sincerity in her tone has my heart swelling.

  “I know.” I close my eyes and try to think of something else but totally take advantage of all the kisses. Once I’m able to breathe again, I wrap my arms around her. “Okay, I think I’m good now. You’re adorable in the morning—when you keep your knees to yourself that is.” I laugh at her typical Maddie eye roll. “I don’t want to go to work today.”

  “And I’ve kinda gotten used to staying home with you all day.” She smirks. “But I’ve missed too much school and have to go.”

  “Good point. Guess I won’t be a bad influence and beg you to stay,” I say. “Though it’s really tempting when you’re lying next to me, looking cute as hell.”

  She giggles. “Don’t worry, you already are.”

  Just as her lips paint across mine, her alarm buzzes at a level-ten volume. She reaches for it, but it falls off the side table onto the floor, blaring through the room.

  “Dammit.” Maddie crawls over me, making sure to roll her hips as she straddles me before trying to escape. I groan, and she laughs before sliding away and turning it off. It was almost as if I didn’t hear the annoying buzzing when her legs were wrapped around my waist. She has the ability to make everything around me disappear. After setting her phone down, Maddie returns to her position on top of me, then dips down and slides her tongue between my lips. Moaning against her, I run my fingers through her long brown hair.

  “Don’t tease me,” I warn when she plucks my bottom lip into her mouth and sucks. I’m hard as a fucking rock, needing her more than I need air.

  “Tease you? I only please you, Liam.” Slowly, she removes the tiny shirt she was sleeping in, putting her perfect tits on full display. The nipple rings glint in the early morning sunlight, and I desperately want to place them both in my mouth, then worship her body all damn day. It doesn’t take long before I’m inside her, and we’re making love. It’s more than just sex. Always has been with Maddie.

  Though we both have to leave soon, neither of us rush, taking our time, not wasting a single second of being together. Maddie rides me, flipped her messy morning hair over her shoulder, and before she comes, she dips her head down and kisses the fuck out of me. Before long, I’m losing myself inside her, and the only noise that fills the room is our satisfied pants.

  “I’m calling in sick,” I taunt after we clean up. Being a bounty hunter means I make my own hours, but I have weeks to make up for my loss of income. “You should too.”

  “I wish.” She slaps my chest. “If I want to pass my classes, I have to go.”

  I’m aware of how much stress she’s been under for missing a few weeks of school. It pisses me off that Victoria involved Maddie to the extent she did, but we’re trying to mov
e on with our lives and put this all behind us. We’re slipping into our old habits but without all the hiding and secrets.

  Placing my hands behind my head, I watch her with a smirk as she gets dressed. “Plus side is I only have three classes today.”

  She shimmies into a pair of pants that look like they’re painted on and grins as she puts on a T-shirt. “I should make you breakfast. I have a few minutes, I think.”

  “It’s my turn!” I say, hurrying to slip on some jogging pants. We’ve been eating breakfast together each morning before going our separate ways. She follows me to the kitchen, giggling, and as she makes the coffee, I grab the egg carton and bacon from the fridge. While I scramble eggs, Maddie makes herself a cup of tea, allowing me to steal a few kisses before filling my mug full of coffee.

  “Get a room,” I hear Sophie say from behind.

  “We’ve got one.” Maddie shoots her a wink before giving me a sexy grin. “You need coffee, Miss Grumpy?” Maddie pours some for Sophie and slides it to her.

  Sophie lets out a yawn. “We’re practicing for our Christmas performances, and I’m already over it. We’re barely into October.”

  I laugh. “Oh, so you’re just being a Scrooge.”

  “Basically.” Then she leans over and watches me cook. “Hey, I hope you made enough for me,” she says.

  “And me,” Mason enters and gives Sophie a kiss on the cheek before sitting.

  “I didn’t realize I was cooking for the whole family,” I murmur, giving Sophie and Mason the food I cooked for us, and put more in the skillet. I honestly don’t mind and am okay with it, considering we’ve had our rough patches the past few months. Sophie and Mason have somewhat forgiven me, but Sophie has warned me several times that if I break her sister’s heart, she’ll still chop off my balls and feed them to me. At one point, she threatened me with a butcher knife in her hand if I ever hurt Maddie. Sophie’s scary at times, but passionate about her sister’s well-being. I get it. I am too.

  There’s something to be jealous of when it comes to the Corrigan sisters and their undying love for one another. Makes me sad that I don’t have siblings of my own, but at the end of the day, I suppose it’s better. Fewer people for my mother to ruin with her abandonment. After the second helping of eggs and bacon is nearly finished, Maddie pops some bread in the toaster, then spreads avocado over it. By this time, Tyler is entering the kitchen.

  “Well fuck,” I say, laughing. “Sorry dude, you’re gonna have to cook for yourself.”

  He gives me a big grin and a middle finger, but then goes straight for the caffeine as Maddie and I try to quickly eat. We have about thirty minutes before we both have to leave, but it’s hard not to want to stay in the house all day and hang out with everyone. Before they really knew what was going on, I felt so alone and desperate for them to learn the truth, but not wanting anything to happen. Now that the curtain has been removed, I at least sleep better at night.

  Once my plate is cleared, I snag a piece of bacon from Maddie’s, and she glares at me, making me laugh. Sophie and Mason thank us for breakfast, and Tyler announces he’s going to the gym. “Mason, you got time for a few rounds?”

  Mason cracks his knuckles. “I’ve been a little rusty lately. I’d love to but gotta be an adult and go to work. Can I take a rain check? Maybe tonight? It’d be nice to get back in the ring.”

  “You’re just trying to avoid getting your ass kicked, aren’t ya?” Tyler taunts.

  “Ass kicked?” Mason scoffs, putting up his arms and punching Tyler’s shoulder. “I recall kicking the shit out of you several times.”

  “If you did, it’s because I felt sorry for ya and allowed it.” Tyler blocks his second hit, then swings and smacks Mason. Getting out as much aggression as possible helped Mason in those early days he was grieving his girlfriend who passed away years earlier. It’s one of the reasons I’ve always respected Tyler. He helped my best friend when he was depressed, and here he is, helping me too.

  I finish my coffee as Maddie walks through their fake boxing match toward me, and I think about my life and where everything is. Sucking in a deep breath, I can’t help but be grateful. I know we’re not in the clear yet, but I can see a glimmer of light shining through the darkness. It’s something I wasn’t sure I’d ever see again.

  “You should get dressed,” she tells me, then wraps her arms around my stomach, pressing her tits against my back before feathering kisses along my skin. I turn around, not wanting to waste her lips being against mine.

  “I thought I’d go like this,” I beam, giving her shit.

  Looking me up and down, she raises her eyebrows. “Must be following a woman then, because no guy is going to want a Hulk of a man showing up looking like this. Shirtless and…” She glances down at my cock, which is steadily growing hard for her.

  I give her a boyish grin and a shrug. “You never know.”

  Playfully, she slaps me. “If you don’t put on some clothes, I’m going to be late for school unless I need to find a different ride.” She pretends to pout, sticking out her bottom lip. I bend down and pluck it between my teeth before smacking a quick kiss on her mouth.

  “No, no. Give me five minutes.” I rush to the bedroom, put on some jeans and a black T-shirt, grab my utility belt, and meet her back in the kitchen. She takes my hand and I lead us to my truck, but we both glance around before climbing in. I don’t know how long it’s going to take for us to stop looking over our shoulders, but at this point, after everything we’ve been through, I may never. Victoria has ruined me more than tracking fugitives ever could. I’ve always been cautious, but this is a whole different level of paranoia, and rightfully so.

  Once I see the street is clear of black Suburbans, I let out a sigh of relief and so does Maddie. As I pull out of the driveway, I glance at the G-Wagon that’s still here and make a mental note to tell Victoria to come pick it up. I don’t want her handouts. I don’t want anything from her, but to be left alone.

  On the way to the university, Maddie talks about her classes, how long she’ll be in rehearsal, and when we pull in front of the dance hall, she asks if I’ll be picking her up afterward.

  “Of course, why wouldn’t I?”

  “Well, if you get caught up today with work. I just want to make sure.”

  I lift her chin, forcing her to look at me. She’s been worried about me ever since we returned home, and it breaks my heart. The only time either of us is okay is when we’re together. Too much can happen when we’re apart.

  “I’ll keep you updated on where I am. The job I’m doing today is local. I’m not even leaving the city. I’ll be here. I’m gonna be okay, sweetheart,” I say as she searches my face with concern.

  “I just…”

  “Worry, I know. We have to be careful, but we can’t keep living in fear. I’m always a text away. I don’t care what I’m doing, I’ll text you back as soon as I can if you ever feel anxious or concerned about me, okay? I promise. But that means I’m going to be blowing up your phone while you’re in class because it goes both ways.”

  “Annie already told me if my phone goes off one more time, she’s locking it in her office until after practice.” She snickers. “You’re gonna get me in trouble.”

  “Apparently, I’m good at that,” I say, giving her a wink.

  She leans over and presses her mouth to mine, and I fist her hair in my fingers.

  Reluctantly, I pull away before things get too heated. “Have a good day. I love you.”

  “I love you more,” she insists, and before I can tell her how wrong she is, Maddie hops out of the truck, blows me a kiss, then walks away. Of course I watch how her hips sway when she walks and it causes a smile to fill my face as she shakes her ass.

  She’s mine and always will be.

  Chapter Thirteen

  MADDIE

  When I was stuck in the middle of nowhere, I dreamed about my monotonous life of going to school every day. I’m thankful to somewhat have my old life
back and don’t have much to complain about these days. In my regular classes, it seems like no one noticed I was gone for over three weeks other than my professors, but that all changed as soon as I went to dance. I’m bombarded with questions regarding where I’ve been and what happened. Thankfully Joel walks up, wraps his arms around me, and shoos everyone away. We’ve got ten minutes before we start, so I take the opportunity to stretch.

  “Thanks for saving me,” I finally tell him, dropping to the floor and reaching for my toes.

  Joel lowers his voice. “You’re not getting out of it that easy.” He gives me a boyish grin and continues, “I was worried. You ever gonna tell me where you were? I spoke to your sister, remember. I know something’s up.”

  I give him a small smile, hating that I’m still lying to people I care about because of Victoria. They say the more you lie, the easier it gets, but I call bullshit. Each time I do it, I die a little inside, but I can’t tell him the truth. Most people wouldn’t believe me anyway.

  I dodged the question as soon as I came back, but it’s now the third time he’s asked so I can’t keep putting it off. “There was a family emergency so I flew home to Utah.”

  His face contorts, full of worry, and it seems like he’s going to push me on the issue. I know Sophie called him and asked him if he’d seen me, which kinda puts a hole in my story, but I’m going to roll with it. Before he can continue with more questions, I add wanting to talk about anything else, “Everything’s okay now.”

  The day after we returned home, I went and got a new phone and called my parents. I had to confess I missed the first three weeks of class, and yet again, I had to lie. I made up a story about needing space because I wasn’t sure that this was the right career path for me, and after some deep soul searching, I decided to keep pursuing it and returned to school. I’m not sure if they’ve been calling or not, but my mother sounded panicked, so I’m guessing Sophie and Lennon were hearing the wrath of her worrying as well.