by Kate Stacy
I give him a little shrug. “It can’t be worse than being shot.”
His eyes widen and I almost want to laugh. His eyes drift from my shoulder, down to my abdomen.
“Christ, girl. I thought those looked like scars from a bullet, but I figured I was imagining shit.” He shakes his head and turns on his machine. “Damn. You ready for this?”
“Ready as I’ll ever be.”
It’s an odd sensation, the tattoo needle in my skin. It hurts, but it’s nothing I can’t handle. I rest my head on my arm and relax as much as possible. I feel strangely comfortable with Adam, so I decide to engage with him while he works.
“You’re definitely not from around here if you don’t know what happened to me. This town loves to gossip,” I say.
“Nah, I haven’t been here long.” His eyes flicker up to mine for a second before going back to his work. “What’s your story?”
“You sure you wanna know? It’s not pretty.”
“The best ones never are.”
So, while Adam inks words permanently onto my body, I tell him everything that’s happened. He doesn’t get the nitty, gritty details, but enough to get the full story. He listens intently, asking an occasional question. The only other interruptions are when he mutters expletives under his breath during the really bad parts. By the time I’m finished, so is my tattoo, and I’m pretty sure I’ve left Adam speechless.
“Jesus, fuck.” Or maybe not.
“You’re a badass, Madalyn.”
That makes me laugh, but he’s not wrong.
“I’m serious. The tattoo makes perfect sense now.”
Adam helps me sit up and walks me in front of the mirror.
I may be a badass, but I’m not immune to tears. A wave of emotion passes over me when I see the words etched permanently under the curve of my breast.
through every dark night
there is a brighter day
It’s exactly what I wanted and it’s absolutely perfect. This is exactly what I needed, a reminder that there’s always happiness on the other side of struggle.
“Thank you,” I tell him through my tears. “You have no idea what this means to me.”
“Pretty sure I have some idea.”
Once he applies some ointment over the ink and wraps it up, I slip my shirt back on. He explains aftercare while we walk back up to the front to take care of payment. Once everything is squared away, I head for the door.
“Hey, Madalyn?” he says as I open the door to leave.
“What’s up?” I ask, looking back.
“If you ever wanna cover those scars...don’t hesitate to look me up. I’ll come to you and turn them into something beautiful for you. No charge.”
Stunned, I don’t respond with words. Instead, I let the door close and I walk back over to Adam. I may have just met this man today, but I don’t hesitate to wrap my arms around him—taking care not to hit my new ink—and give him a hug.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
I pull away and exit the building, leaving him with a smile and a few tears on his plain black tee.
Standing on the stone steps in front of the courthouse, I wait impatiently for my bride to arrive. There’s no nerves, no second thoughts. Only an eagerness to make Madalyn my wife.
I wanted us to come to the courthouse together but Mads went off by herself yesterday and insisted on spending last night in her own room. I wanted her with me, but I respected her need to have some time to herself. I had a shift at the bar last night, so I haven’t laid eyes on her in over twenty-four hours. That’s too damn long to go without seeing my girl.
No one knows we’re here today.
Her family is probably going to be pissed, but this is what Madalyn wants.
Once I slid that ring onto her finger, I told her I didn’t care how we got married as long as we didn’t wait long. We fell in love when we were just kids, so our marriage has been years in the making. I made it clear she could have whatever she wanted whether it be a big fancy wedding, small intimate ceremony with only family and friends, a destination wedding...or something completely outrageous—whatever her heart desired.
She chose this. A civil ceremony, just the two of us. A special moment for us to commit to one another forever without an audience. A moment that’s only ours.
So much of Madalyn’s life lately has been put out there for the whole world to see. You can’t go through what she did in a small town like Blackwood and expect it to remain private.
Madalyn already had the big, fancy wedding with over a hundred guests. It wasn’t something she was interested in doing again. I’m inclined to agree, since “fancy” isn’t really my style. I think what she chose is perfect. Honestly, big weddings are more for family and friends than anything else. The actual ceremony is the only part of the whole thing that’s one hundred percent for the bride and groom.
Do I like keeping this a secret from her family? Hell no. But today isn’t about anyone but the two of us. We’ll tell them and deal with the backlash later.
Madalyn comes from the opposite direction from where I thought she would, only the click of heels against the stone alerting me to her presence behind me. I don’t turn around just yet. I want her to come to me. I need to know she’s with me completely.
She comes right to me, wrapping her arms around my waist and pressing her cheek against my back.
“Hey, beautiful,” I rasp.
“How do you know I look beautiful? I could be wearing a trash bag for all you know,” she teases.
We both agreed not to get all dressed up today, but I have a feeling I’m in for a surprise. Taking hold of her hands, I lift them from my abs and release one so I can turn around to see her.
“Doesn’t matter what you wear, baby. You’re always beautiful,” I say, intertwining her fingers with mine, I brush my thumb across her engagement ring as I slowly turn around.
Damn. I’m one lucky sonofabitch.
Madalyn looks incredibly gorgeous, as I knew she would.
In a simple white lace dress, she takes my breath away.
I gently tug her toward me, so we’re toe to toe.
My eyes roam her face, in complete awe of her beauty.
“You cut off your hair.”
Mads gives me a little shrug. “I needed a change.”
“Yeah?” I say, taking a curl between my fingers. I give it a playful tug and smile. “I like it.”
The happiness shining in her eyes does me in.
“You ready to marry me, Jaxson?” she asks, tilting her head to the side in that cute little way of hers.
“Been ready my whole damn life.”
Her hand still in mine, we walk up the rest of the steps and into the courthouse.
Eyes closed, head tilted back, Madalyn leans back on her arms, soaking up the afternoon sun.
“Mrs. Blackwood,” I whisper.
“Mmm. I love the way that sounds on your lips.”
Rolling her head to the side, her gorgeous green eyes open and she smiles.
I’ll never get tired of that smile.
“You know what else would sound good on my lips?” I tease.
“Once wasn’t enough?” Her eyes widen playfully. “How many times are you going to ravish me today, husband?”
Fuck. Hearing her call me her husband does things to me.
A deep groan rumbles out as I lean in, nipping at the column of her throat as I maneuver myself on top of her.
I’ve already had her once. We made it as far as my truck in the parking garage near the courthouse before I slipped her panties down her legs, pulled her onto my lap and slid inside her. The moment the judge pronounced us husband and wife, I was desperate for her. Now, we’re parked in the field behind our house, and after a picnic lunch in the bed of my truck, I want her again. I’ll never get enough of my wife’s body.
“Jax,” she whines. “We’re supposed to be going to my parents’ house so we can tell my family.”
Licking
a path to her collar bone, I nip at her tender flesh, biting and sucking hard enough to leave a mark. I lick the spot to take away the sting, pressing a kiss to her shoulder before pulling my mouth away.
Teasing her, I brush my thumb across her nipple as I ask, “Are you sure that’s what you want? You want me to stop so we can go talk to your family?”
She groans, mumbling incoherently when I lean down, licking her hardening nipple through the fabric of her dress. I tease the other with my fingers, loving the way her body responds to my touch.
“What was that, baby? I couldn’t hear you.” I ask with a knowing smile.
“Tomorrow,” she says, grabbing a handful of my hair, using it to push my head back toward her breast. “We’ll tell them tomorrow.”
Chuckling, I shift so I can slide the straps of her dress down her shoulders. I need more access to her soft, supple breasts. I lick, nibble, suck, and tease until she’s whimpering and begging for more.
“This tattoo.” I run my tongue along the skin below the tattoo. I can’t wait until it heals so I can taste the words marking her flesh. “So fucking sexy. You need more ink, baby.”
“I need more of you, Jaxson.”
Refusing to deny her anything she wants, I sit back on my knees and pull her dress over her head. My wife lying naked and flushed in the bed of my truck is one of the sexiest fucking things I’ve ever seen.
I didn’t think I could get any harder, but the tightness in my jeans only serves to prove me wrong. As tempting as it is to free my cock and slide inside her tight body, there’s something I want even more.
Reaching behind me, I grip the collar of my shirt and tug it over my head. Madalyn’s eyes darken with hunger as they roam down my torso. I smirk, pulling her up against me before quickly flipping us over.
Her thick thighs straddle my chest. When she tries to move backward, I stop her. I love when she rides me, but that’s not exactly what I have in mind.
“Wrong way, baby.” I chuckle.
I wrap my hands around her thighs, grasp her ass tightly, and pull her toward my head.
“Get up here and ride my face.”
Madalyn doesn’t hesitate. Placing one knee on each side of my head, she positions her pussy above my mouth and leans forward, holding the roof of the truck for balance. With my arms around her ass, I draw her to my mouth and swipe my tongue through her folds, groaning when her tart, tangy flavor touches my taste buds.
There’s no slow, teasing buildup. The time for teasing has passed.
I want her to come, hard and fast, screaming my name for the whole world to hear.
Flattening my tongue, I lick and lap at her clit until she’s a writhing mess on top of me, grinding her pussy down against my mouth. Fuck, she’s so goddamn hot riding my face like this.
Reaching around, I slip two fingers inside and revel in the way she cries out when they hit that perfect little spot.
When her movements grow erratic, I know she’s getting close. Thrusting my fingers into her soaking wet pussy one more time, I slide them out and slowly move them toward her tight little asshole. She gasps, looking down at me, eyes half-lidded and unfocused.
Sinking the tip of one finger past the tight ring of muscle is all it takes.
Madalyn’s thighs clamp around my head like a vise as she comes all over my face.
She screams out as her body shakes and trembles, overwhelmed with the force of her climax.
When she starts coming down, I waste no time in flipping us over.
Giving her a minute to relax, I remove the rest of my clothes and kneel between her thighs. Wrapping my fist around my cock, I give it a long, hard stroke as I look down at my blissed-out wife.
So goddamn sexy.
Pressing the head of my dick at her slick entrance, I grin when she wraps her legs around my waist and rotates her hips, urging me on.
We both groan as I slide inside. She’s so warm, wet, and tight.
Holding onto her legs, I pull out of her, then slowly slip all the way back inside. Repeating the motion, over and over again, fucking her with precise, lazy strokes.
I want to take my time, drag this out. Make her come over and over again until she begs me to stop, but I’m wound too fucking tight.
Swiveling my hips, I release one leg and lean forward, planting my hand beside her head. Still sensitive from her orgasm, the new angle is all it takes to make her pussy flutter around me and send her spiraling. Madalyn’s entire body spasms. Her eyes glaze over as her pussy tightens around my cock. Her fingernails dig into my ass, surely leaving little crescent-shaped marks on my skin.
Lowering my head, I tug at her lower lip with my teeth, growling as I take her lips with mine. Tongue tangled with hers, we kiss until we’re both breathless. Pulling back, I look down at her. Those sparkling green eyes are wide and focused on me.
“Fuck,” I groan as I feel tingling start at the base of my spine. My balls tighten and I can hear the thrum of my blood as it pumps through my veins.
I pull out of her, thrusting back in hard. Repeating the motion again, then again as Madalyn throws her head back, crying out. It’s the look in her eyes that does me in. There’s nothing fucking sexier than my wife, lost in the throes of her pleasure.
Burying my face in her neck, I groan as I sink my dick inside her one last time, filling her with every drop of my release.
Wrapping my arms around her, I draw her close to me and roll us over. She tucks her head in the crook of my neck, pressing a kiss against my Adam’s apple, and I smile.
This is exactly where she was meant to be, and she was always meant to be mine.
(Two years later)
“Jaxson!”
I hear Madalyn holler from somewhere inside, but something in her tone sets me on edge.
Dropping the bottles I was stocking in the outdoor bar—not caring if they break—I run inside to find her. I check the kitchen first, since that’s where she was when I last saw her, but she’s nowhere in sight.
“Where are you baby? What’s wrong?” I call out, heading toward our bedroom.
She doesn’t respond, so I move faster. Something isn’t right.
I don’t see her in the bedroom, so I turn around to check the rest of the house, but a noise from the bathroom catches my attention. Hurrying across the room, I say her name as I push open the door, “Madalyn?”
There she is...sitting on the bathroom floor, back against the wall. I notice her position first. Head resting on her knees, which are curled up to her chest, arms wrapped around them tightly. Then I notice the tears streaming down her face.
She’s fucking crying. What the hell?
“Mads, baby. What’s wrong? Are you hurt?” I ask, voice laced with fear.
I move to take a step toward her when something crunches under my foot. Taking my attention away from my obviously upset wife, I look down and that’s when I see them.
Pregnancy tests.
At least a dozen of them scattered across the floor.
All used, from the looks of them.
“Madalyn. Talk to me, baby. Are you…” I trail off, not able to say the word without hope.
She lifts her head slightly, just enough to nod.
Holy fucking hell!
“Y-you’re pregnant?” I ask, needing verbal confirmation. I need to hear her fucking say it.
“Yes,” she answers quietly.
I close the distance between us and wrap her in my arms, just as she chokes out a sob. I know my wife. These aren’t tears of joy.
“Aren’t you happy, baby?” I ask, genuinely confused.
“I am. So happy. But I’m terrified, Jax. What if we lose this baby, too?”
She looks up at me and the fear is there—plain as day across every inch of her face. I’m weak when it comes to my wife and I cannot stand to see her tortured expression. She’s struggling right now and I fucking hate it.
This should be a happy moment for both of us, but faced with the reality of the situat
ion, even my excitement is muted.
Madalyn and I have never actively tried to have a baby, but we’ve never done anything to prevent pregnancy, either. We knew the chances of her getting pregnant were practically nonexistent, and after two years I think we’d both pretty much given up hope. We didn’t think it would ever really happen. That’s why this news comes as such a surprise.
I’m scared, too. But I refuse to let our fear overpower the happiness we should be feeling.
Seeing my wife look so utterly broken at the news of our child growing inside her doesn’t sit right.
Tipping her chin up with my knuckle, I give her a calm smile.
“I understand your fear, baby, because I’m afraid too. But we can’t let the fear win, we can’t give it that power over us. So be happy. You’re going to have my baby. A beautiful girl who looks just like her gorgeous mama.”
A wistful expression crosses her face before her mouth widens to a radiant smile.
It’s a beautiful sight.
“We’ll take things day by day, one step at a time. And until we have a reason not to be—we’ll be happy.”
“Okay, Jax.”
I stand, holding my hand out for her to take. When she places her hand in mine, I help her up from the floor. Hands on her hips, I lean in and kiss her soft lips.
“Now, I’m gonna clean this up for you, while you go grab your phone and schedule an appointment with your doctor. I have no clue how this is supposed to go, but I want you to see her as soon as possible.”
“Thank you, honey,” she says, pressing a quick kiss to my cheek before leaving me alone in the bathroom.
Once I’m sure she’s gone, I close the bathroom door and gather the tests in a plastic bag. Planting my hands at the edge of the counter, I close my eyes and hang my head.
I take a minute to breathe, knowing that I won’t be able to do so easily for the next several months. Not until our baby is born and tucked safely in my arms.
Two days later, Mads and I hold each other’s hands tightly as we wait for her name to be called.
Given her history with pregnancies, her doctor was eager to get her in right away. I was thankful we seem to be on the same page in that aspect.