She tightened her hand around the bottom of my shirt, staying quiet, listening.
“I’m sorry for not being smarter. For being a jackass. For making a scene at that restaurant. For not calling you back.” I ran my fingers through her hair. “And I’m also sorry for not believing you when you said you wouldn’t leave us.”
“Don’t be sorry.” She propped her chin on my shoulder and rubbed her knuckles over my cheek.
The smell of wine and vanilla meshed in the air, making my stomach go tight with need. Every delicious inch of this woman was mine, and I’d never mess that up. Ever.
“And don’t you dare stop being you either. Whether you realize it or not, I love your crazy need to be in control. I love your grumpy moods sometimes too. What I really, really love is being the one to test your control and pull you out of those moods.” She moved her leg over both of mine until she was straddling my waist. Chest to chest, she looked down at me in a way I’d never get tired of.
Like she wanted me.
Like she needed me as much as I needed her.
Other than grabbing her hips, I held still as she kissed my chin, then my cheek, finishing up with the tip of my nose.
“But…could you possibly fill me in on why you had to come all the way to Maine to tell me this when you could’ve told me before I left or even waited until I got home?” She bit down on her bottom lip, her hair shadowing our faces. “Not that I’m complaining or anything, because I am very happy you’re here.”
I scowled. “Lia made me do it.”
Her eyebrows shot up, and a laugh popped out of her mouth. “For real?”
“Yep. But I’m not sure if losing my shoes in a snowdrift was part of the plan.”
A hiss pushed through Addie’s lips. “I’m sure she had good intentions if she told you to do what she did. My guess is she had no idea what you were getting yourself into. Plus, had I known you were coming, I would’ve come and gotten you at the airport.”
“And ruin the romance?” I faked a gasp. “Never.”
“The box!” Addie shot up onto her feet, almost like she could read my thoughts. She dug through the robe on the floor beside us, her smile shy as she straddled my thighs again.
My hands went straight to her ass, pulling her closer, which earned me a scowl—a sexy-as-hell scowl, but a scowl all the same. There were some things I’d never stop doing, and one of them was making her know she was mine.
“Want me to open it now?” she asked, messing with the red ribbon I’d wrapped around the box.
I nodded and sat up straighter, bringing her with me.
Like she couldn’t wait anymore, she ripped the ribbon off of the box, lip pulled between her teeth the whole time. Couldn’t take my gaze away from her long enough to think about what she’d say when she saw it, just concentrated on the happiness on her face.
She’d never looked more beautiful.
“Here, you do it.” She bounced and grinned, pushing the box into my hands.
“Ain’t what you think it is.” I bit down on my cheek, nervous. Knew she wasn’t ready for a ring; knew she wasn’t the type to jump in with both feet like I was either. Guaranteed, though—just like I’d told Alexander and Suzie—within a year, she’d have my last name.
And if I had it my way, a son growing inside her too.
But baby steps—I had to learn to take them. “Okay.” She rubbed her hands together like a kid on Christmas morning. Ironically, I’d planned on giving this to her on Christmas before the key chain idea hit me.
I opened the box and held it out in between our chests.
She gasped and pressed her hands over her mouth. “Is that…”
“I don’t do commitment lightly, Addie. And this, right here, is like me giving you the last part of my soul I’ve got left to give.”
I lifted the two silver dog-tag chains and lowered them around her neck. They settled against her heart, the sight nearly making my eyes burn.
“They’re beautiful.” She rubbed her hand over the engraved letters.
“They’re dirty.” I frowned.
“No.” She moved closer and rubbed her nose against mine. “They’re beautiful.”
Deciding to pick and choose my battles, I let it go. “Told you I loved you, Addison Booker. You were mine from the moment I saw you that night in the bar. Took my head a bit to catch up with the heart, but this is me, telling you now, I am one hundred percent committed and in love with you.”
Her lip quivered. “I don’t know what to say.”
“That’s easy,” I whispered. “Tell me you forgive me for being a douche bag. Tell me you won’t ever take these off. And then tell me you love me too.”
“Is that all?” She laughed, but tears were running down her cheeks.
I leaned forward, kissing the drops away and tasting her warm skin at the same time. “I’ve got a long list of stuff I’d like to do right now, including getting you naked and having you ride my cock, but I figured you needed to be romanced a bit before—”
She jumped at me, wrapping her long legs around my waist this time, all before kissing me like I was her last breath. I grinned against her lips, pulling back to see a giant smile on her face too.
“I don’t need romance. I’m no warm-and-fuzzy girl who has to be wooed. I like hard sex and I like it with you, so if all you wanted was my forgiveness, I have no problem giving that to you.”
“You really love me.” I’d never tire of hearing those three words.
“I do.” She sat up, still on my lap, as she reached around to grab something from her pocket. “And this right here…” Something silver flashed in between our bodies. Diamond initials—A. B.—there in my line of sight on the surface, and a house key dangling from the end. “…was the easiest decision I’ve had to make in a long time.”
Grinning, heart damn near exploding in my chest, I said, “If it was so easy, then why’d you make me wait so long to hear it?”
She looked away, her cheeks going pink. “Let me clarify that for you. What I meant to say was, after I got my head out of my butt and realized my reasoning for not living with you was bullshit, then I decided the answer was simple.”
My smile fell and I sat up, holding her ass and pulling her closer. Her legs wrapped around my back, hugging my waist this time. The way she arched against my cock wasn’t lost on me either—the two of us loved to fuck.
“Not bullshit. Smart.” I reached up and held her face between my hands. “You don’t jump into things like me. Gotta think it over, be sure you wanna take the plunge.” I shrugged, wishing I’d thought this myself a week ago. “You’re my opposite, my other half, and the rights to all my wrongs.”
She sniffed and buried her face against my neck. “There you go, being all poetic on me.” She tugged on the back of my hair.
“Can’t help myself. I love you.”
With a sigh, she said, “Say that again.”
I kissed her neck. “I.” I kissed her ear. “Love.” I kissed her cheek. “You.” Then I kissed nose and trailed my hands up and under her shirt. She moaned, rocking against me, lips inches from mine. Tracing my fingers along the skin at the small of her back, I waited for her words, knowing I’d do anything she wanted just to hear them come out of her mouth.
Eyes heated, searing into me, she pulled back—not to say I love you too, but to yank her shirt off and press her beautiful, naked tits against my chest.
“Jesus, Add—” Before I could say her name, she had her mouth on mine. A kiss that said I need you, a tongue battling with mine that said I need you now. Gasping, she pulled back, hovering over my lips when she finally said, “And I am wholeheartedly in love with you too.” Another kiss on my lips, then she said, “I just didn’t know it right away either.”
I squeezed her against me. Holding her tight. Never ever wanting to let her go a
gain.
“Collin?” I kissed a trail down her neck, loving how sweet she tasted.
“Yeah, sweetheart?”
“Do you think we could try another game? We’re pretty good at those.”
I tucked my nose into her hair and inhaled. “You name it.”
She licked her lips and lowered her chin, a conniving smile forming on her mouth. “First one to moan is the loser?”
Not wasting a minute, I leaned forward and said, “Hell yeah,” before I pulled her lower lip between my teeth. She wanted to play, and I liked to fight dirty.
Breath hot against my mouth, Addie said what every guy in my shoes would wanna hear but never get to:
“Game on, Number Six. Game. On.”
Epilogue
Max
One month later
The table was a disaster. Cake was smashed across the surface, and ice cream had settled into the cracks. The restaurant floor under Beaner’s high chair looked like someone had emptied a pile of garbage all over it, yet none of us could stop laughing as she shoveled more food into her little mouth.
It was Chloe’s first birthday—January thirtieth. And damn if it hadn’t been a good night to celebrate.
“Think we shoulda taken out an insurance policy on this place.” Colly leaned back against his chair, arm wrapped around Addie’s shoulder and playing with her hair. “My daughter eats like Maxwell.”
I flipped off my best friend and settled my arm along the back of the seat next to me.
Gavin elbowed me in the ribs. “Hands,” he grunted.
“Aww, sorry, big boy. Didn’t mean to lead you on.” I leaned over and smacked a big, wet, sloppy kiss on his cheek.
“Christ, Max, knock it off.” He elbowed me in the ribs again, and this time I did drop my arm. Guy had one hell of a jab.
“Can you two please get along for one night?” Addie pointed at us from across the table, her lips twitching like she was fighting a smile.
“Yes, Mom.” I winked and her cheeks flared red even as she rolled her eyes.
“Don’t be smart, Max.” Colly leaned over and kissed his woman’s head. Guy was pussy whipped. And damn if it didn’t make my chest all warm and fuzzy. I reached a hand up and rubbed the spot over my heart with my knuckles, not liking the sensation.
The two of them had settled into a routine over the past few months, a family of three in the most messed-up way. What started out as a nanny situation had fast turned into a fucking situation, which then led them into the complicated situation that came after the fucking part—a situation I was never gonna find myself in.
I’d been on the sidelines the entire time, watching the whole thing go down. Still, I wasn’t too surprised they’d wound up at this point—living under the same roof, playing house, and falling in love. It was all part of a normal couple’s life plan.
I was happy for them. Really. They deserved each other, and Chloe deserved a lady who’d love her like a mom. And it also meant—now that Addie was living with us—I’d never have to wash or fold my own underwear again. I was the real winner here.
“I should probably start putting the rest of the cake away.” Addie sighed as she moved closer to Chloe, her face swallowed in disappointment. “Maybe see if they have any rags and whatnot so I can start cleaning up the mess.”
I cleared my throat, knowing what was bringing her down. It was my job to push her back up—though I’m sure Colly had his own ways of doing that too. “Don’t worry about the extra cleanup, Short Stuff.” I grinned as our brunette waitress made her way across the room, her eyes sparkling at me every chance she got. “I’ve got an in with the waitstaff, and I’m pretty sure she’ll be okay with the extra tip I plan on giving her later tonight.”
I watched as she moved—all long legs, long hair, curvy hips, and a pair of tits to die for. Had I known one of my regulars worked here, I would’ve gotten us a better table.
“You are a disgusting man, Maxwell Martinez.” Gavin smirked at me and grabbed his coat as he stood.
“Love you too, snuggle bear.” I blew him a kiss as he went to hug Addie, which earned me more middle fingers from three of my five favorite people. I say three because Chloe was one and wouldn’t likely be flashing it at me anytime soon, and my fifth favorite person hadn’t bothered to show tonight.
Thinking I could will her here with my mind, I glanced at the door, hoping Lia would surprise us all by popping through there at the last minute. What the hell was more important than her niece’s first birthday party anyway? Collin’s little sister had been making herself scarce for the past month. He thought it was because of that new asshat she’d been dating, but I knew her better than anyone.
Lia wasn’t avoiding the group. She was avoiding me. I just wished I knew why.
Addie reached for the cake box, organizing the pieces that had been cut but not eaten, just as Gavin waved good-bye and left. He had to get to work, and according to the clock on the wall, he was already late.
“Lemme help you with that, sweetheart.” Collin grabbed Addie’s wrist and stood, sweeping in for a back-bending kiss. I watched, smiling, shaking my head, and wondering what that feeling was they had inside to make them wanna kiss all the time. It wasn’t annoying. But it was unnerving, especially since I kept getting those warm fuzzies every time I saw it happen.
“Cover your eyes, Beaner. They’re gonna make you a baby brother right here in the restaurant at this rate.” I leaned over and poked the little thing in the sides, not giving a shit that she was completely plastered from head to toe with cake and ice cream and God-only-knows what else.
She giggled at me and pointed a finger my way. I ate the cake off the end, and she belly laughed when I popped my lips.
Collin pulled away from Addie, grinning. “I’d be okay with that.”
“Slow your roll, buckaroo.” Addie pinched his cheek, then turned just as the waitress approached.
Hottie leaned over to grab something off the floor, the top of her shirt unbuttoned and ready for a feasting. I licked my lips.
“We still good for after I get off?” she asked me, batting her lashes as she stood back up.
“Sure thing, pretty girl. Can’t wait.”
She held my stare, giggling as she twirled a lock of her hair around one of her fingers. I watched the movement, mesmerized, until a blast of pink flashed out of the corner of my eye.
“Lia!” Addie screeched so loudly that half the restaurant looked our way.
Like I’d been shot in the gut by a stun gun, I turned, finding Lee-Lee’s eyes narrowed at the waitress, then narrowing even more at me. Then my two favorite women hugged it out, breaking Lia’s gaze from mine.
I swallowed, trying to focus on the hottie, but that weird-as-fuck fuzzy thing started working its way into my belly at the sight of Lia.
After a few seconds, I cleared my throat, winked at my waitress as she walked away, then turned to Lia. “You actually made it.” I patted the chair next to mine. When I glanced at her brother, he looked somewhere between pissed and worried as he studied her.
Lia shoved my hand out of the way and sat. “Sorry. Not all of us can get fired from our jobs yet expect the world to magically provide for us.” She winked. I knew she was going for playful, but it came across as bitchy—not Lia.
“I didn’t get fired.” My jaw clenched. Not my usual go-to response when I looked at this woman. “I quit.”
She started to respond when Addie reopened the box of cake and all but shouted, “Chocolate okay? We ran out of vanilla.”
Not wanting to ruin the almost-perfect night, I didn’t latch on to Lia’s bait anymore after that—just watched as she smiled and accepted the plate from Addie. I had no idea what her issues were with me right now, but tonight was about Chloe.
“Let’s toast,” I finally said, raising the last of my beer in the air. “To
Beaner, the only girl I’ll kiss who has a mouth full of food and poop in her diaper.”
Weird with me or not, Lia snort-laughed under her breath. It was short, but it made my heart skip a beat. I loved being the man she could laugh at—and with.
Mindlessly, I rubbed my free hand over my chest again, pushing the fuzzy shit away. I was getting far too soft. “And may all her birthdays be as kick-ass as this one,” I finished, raising my glass higher.
“Language,” Collin grunted, but then moved to grab his bottle, grinning at his daughter as he spoke. “To my baby girl. Love you more than anything else in this world.”
Addie grabbed her soda next, raising it to clink with ours. Her eyes were wet as she smiled back and forth between my best friend and Chloe. Unlike us, she didn’t speak, but the wordless stare and smile were enough.
Lia grabbed the full glass of red wine I’d ordered earlier for Addie. She’d refused, saying someone had to be the DD. Now Lee-Lee lifted it, not even asking who it belonged to. “To Chloe Bean, the best one-year-old ever.”
“Hear, hear.” I nodded, then downed the last of my beer, the cool bubbles making their way to my stomach. I looked around the table, breathing in the happiness that came from my friends. It was a combination of vanilla and cake and flowers and warm beer—the perfect scent of a family.
We weren’t blood, but everything about these people was my life. And no matter what happened in our futures, I’d never once regret knowing and loving them all.
Acknowledgments
First and foremost, I need to thank my husband, Chris, for being there through every aspect of my writing career. From my tears when nothing was working out right to my celebrations of the littlest to biggest things. It’s been a seven-year journey for me, babe, and without your culinary skills in the kitchen, our kids would not have eaten anything but pizza and the occasional box of mac and cheese. Without your encouragement, I would have given up a long time ago. Without your ability to be the financial backbone of our family while I stayed home with the girls and my stories, I would not be where I am today. There’s not a day that goes by that I regret that night in Off Limits when you first flashed me your fifteen-year-old dimples. And through all of our ups and downs, I can officially say you are my happily ever after.
Reckless Hearts Series, Book 1 Page 29