“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 counter 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 he
r 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 where 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.
“Already talked to Knox, baby.”
Her head flew up and her eyes quickly scanned me from head to toe, then she wiggled, her pussy clenching around my slightly soft cock. Not that it stayed that way with all her squirming. “I don’t see any injuries, and you still have your…um…cock”—her blush was so fucking cute—"are you sure it was Knox you spoke to?”
I threw back my head and laughed, cuddling her close and kissing her head as soon as I could breathe again. “Yeah, baby. Let’s just say we came to an understanding.”
“Two down,” Ariel sighed.
I put a finger under her chin and lifted her head so she could see my face. “Make that three down, baby.” She quirked an eyebrow and looked at me questioningly. “I talked to Aurora before you got home.”
Ariel bolted upright and stared at me incredulously. “You talked to Aurora? And she didn’t come over to kill you?”
I chuckled and pushed some of her long red hair behind her ear. “Who do you think told me how to make the Madeleines? It was your recipe.”
Ariel smiled brightly, and I muttered an “Oof!” when she flopped down on my chest and hugged me.
Instantly, I flipped us over so that I was covering her body and rocked into her, drawing a groan from deep in her chest. “She specifically requested nieces and nephews,” I told her as I began a lazy pace. “I wouldn’t want to piss off your family, so I think we should get back to work on that.”
Epilogue
Ariel
Three months later...
“I’m not sure about this blindfold thing,” I grumbled, gripping Maddox’s hand tightly as he helped me out of his car. I trusted him to be my anchor in the darkness, but taking a drive to an unknown destination wasn’t what I thought he’d had in mind for tonight when he pulled out the black silk eye mask about half an hour ago. “It isn’t nearly as much fun when we’re fully dressed and out in public as it was when you used it during our honeymoon.”
My head jerked up when I heard “What the fuck?” growled in a masculine tone that wasn’t my husband’s. It sounded an awful lot like my brother, which was confirmed when Knox snarled, “How about you don’t talk about your sex life when I’m around, Ariel? I’d like to continue to live in denial that all of my baby sisters don’t do that kind of thing.”
I pointed at the material covering my eyes and snapped, “It’s not like I knew you were there.”
“Then maybe you should skip talking about sex when you don’t know who’s around, too,” Knox retorted.
Maddox wrapped his arm around me, and I felt his body shaking with quiet laughter. Poking my elbow in his side, I complained, “Hey! This isn’t funny, big guy.”
“Sorry, baby, but the expression on your brother’s face is fucking hilarious,” he chuckled, pulling me closer. “I think you’ve scarred him for life.”
My lips curved up in a smug grin. “Really? You’re right. That’s awesome.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake. Can’t you cut me any slack?” Knox groaned.
“Maybe.” Tilting my head to the side like I was considering his request, I tapped my finger against my chin before teasing, “But only if you can come up with a really good reason.”
“I’m the one who gave you away at your dream wedding only two weeks ago,” he reminded me. I was just about to agree that it was a good enough argument to agree to never bring up my sex life around him—which I didn’t want to do anyway—when he screwed it up by adding, “And if you keep fucking with me, I’m going to be sorely tempted to take it back.”
Maddox’s body tensed, and I twined my arm through his so he couldn’t kick my brother’s butt without having to shake me off first. I figured he wouldn’t do that because he was being extra careful with me lately. His free hand dropped to co
ver the slight swell of my lower belly as he bit out, “You’re welcome to try, but then I’d have to kill you for trying to take what’s mine.”
“Fuck, I worded that badly. I didn’t mean I was going to take her back, man. Just—” Knox trailed off as he must’ve realized there wasn’t any explanation in the world that Maddox was going to accept. “Never mind. I don’t even know what I was trying to say.”
“Okay, guys. Now that we’re all playing nice together, how about you show me the surprise? I’m getting kind of tired of standing here—”
I didn’t get the chance to finish my sentence before Maddox swept me off my feet. “Shit, baby. Why didn’t you tell me you were tired?”
He stalked forward, cradling me against his broad chest. Knox must’ve opened a door for him because I heard a bell jingle and then we were in an air-conditioned space. “I’m not tired tired. Just done with wearing a blindfold.”
Setting me on my feet, Maddox offered, “Go ahead and take it off.”
I slipped the material up and over my head, my eyes blinking a few times to adjust to the bright light after being in complete darkness. Then they widened in shock as I realized what I was seeing—a commercial bakery designed almost identical to mine, except with a few improvements I’d been dying to do but hadn’t gotten around to yet. The ovens were top-of-the-line, the walk-in fridge was about twice the size of mine, and I spotted a tasting room off to the side that was huge.
“What? Where? How?” I spun around in a circle, unable to form a full sentence.
“Surprise!” Aurora, Belle, and Griffith popped up from behind the long counter in the middle of the kitchen. Griffith had Cyra strapped to his chest in a black carrier that looked more like something a SWAT officer would wear than a rock-star daddy. Her little, chubby legs kicked in the air, her fists waving around in excitement.
Vegas, Baby: Volume 2 Page 6