by Mazzy King
Tears sting my eyes as I reach up to cup his cheek. “What a coincidence, Maddox, because I love you too. So much.”
He sets the bottle on the nightstand and pulls me into his arms. He’s quiet for a long time, then he says, “Thank you.”
“For what? I should be thanking you.”
“For saving me,” he says softly. “I was lost. I’ve been lost, since I came home. Until I found you and Lexi. What you’ve brought to my life…changed my life. In a way it couldn’t possibly have changed without you. I have a purpose now—making you both happy as long as you want me around.”
I push up on my elbow so I can gaze into his eyes. “Then I hope you’re up for the task. Because we want you around forever.”
“Roger that, ma’am,” he murmurs, and captures my lips with his.
Epilogue
Maddox
Five months later
My sister Blair sticks her head inside the kitchen. “We need more spoons for the ice cream,” she announces.
Roxie pulls open a drawer and takes out a handful, handing them over. “Is Lexi a mess yet?”
Blair winks, taking the spoons. “I made sure to tuck a napkin on her, so the damage to that pretty pink lace dress is minimal.”
Roxie sighs and smiles. “Thanks, Blair. You’re a lifesaver.”
Blair’s already ducking out of the kitchen. “No prob!”
My sister and Roxie hit it off like old friends, and I love to see it. Blair couldn’t be more delighted for us, and Axel told me in no uncertain terms how glad he is I found someone who changed my outlook on life. Roxie and I aren’t getting married until next year, but Lexi’s already crazy about her Aunt Blair and Uncle Axel.
We found a little two-story with a big backyard in the suburbs and moved in early fall. Now, a couple weeks before Thanksgiving, we’re celebrating Lexi’s sixth birthday with our family and friends in our new place for the first time. The weather’s holding out nicely, but the chill is in the air, and we squeezed in the outdoor party just in the nick of time.
Our lanky golden retriever puppy, Bilbo, gallops around the backyard as small children from preschool, including Major’s son Hendrix, chase him between bites of cake and ice cream. A peek out the back window at the birthday girl herself tells me that her new pink lace birthday dress is a lost cause.
“Oh, boy,” Roxie says, following my gaze. “Well, it was pretty while it lasted.”
“It’s still pretty,” I say defensively. “It can be cleaned. Probably.”
She grins at me. “You’re such a good dad.”
I never get tired of hearing that.
Seline Belle, Roxie’s ex-roommate and my buddy Rocco’s fiancée, comes to the back door next, swiping a hand across her brow then holding it out. “Hard seltzer me, please.”
Chuckling, Roxie reaches into the fridge to retrieve a can. “Things going well, Auntie Sel?”
Seline cracks open the can and holds up a finger while she takes a long slug, then looks at both of us plaintively. “Why do they have so much energy?” she asks, bewildered, then returns to the fray as from somewhere in the depths of the yard, Lexi screams, “Auntee Sel! Come on!”
Roxie and I exchange a glance, then bust out laughing.
A few minutes later, Major bursts into the kitchen from the yard. “Welp. My son just managed to feed Bilbo an entire piece of birthday cake. Sorry in advance.”
I cringe. “At least the cake isn’t chocolate.”
He nods. “Small favors. Whew, I’m exhausted. That’s a lot of energy out in that backyard right now.”
“So we’ve heard,” Roxie says.
“I hear you, brother,” I say wearily at the same time.
Roxie laughs. “I thought you two were supposed to be Army strong.”
“We are,” Major insists. “But kid energy can topple even the strongest.”
“Aw, poor Majie.” Roxie pats him on the shoulder. “Seriously. Are you all right? If you ever need us to babysit Hendrix for you, you know all you have to do is ask.”
“We’d love to have him,” I add. “That’s my little buddy right there.”
Major is a great dad, too. He cares for Hendrix full-time since his ex-wife decided to pursue a Hollywood events planning gig in Los Angeles. She flies in occasionally to see Hendrix, but Major holds down the fort ninety-nine percent of the time. It was part of the reason he left the Rangers for the reserves. He can’t properly care for Hendrix being deployed all the time. I know the lack of a mom-dad dynamic really bothers him, since he had that growing up, but more than that, the way Hendrix always asks him why his mommy doesn’t see him more tears him up.
But, with all his old bravado, he flashes Roxie that trademark movie-star smile. “Hey, don’t worry about me. I’m always all right.” With a groan, he stands. “Back to the hellions.” With a wave, he heads back out to the backyard, joining the chase along with Axel and Rocco.
“I worry about him,” Roxie says, sliding her arms around my waist. “He’s got a lot on his plate. And he talks a good game, but I don’t think he’s as all right as he wants us to think.”
“You’re right about that,” I tell her, kissing her temple. “He needs the love of a good woman. It does wonders for a broken man.”
“You were never broken,” she murmurs, squeezing me. “You’re a strong, loving, incredible man. I was the one who was broken.”
“Not even a little bit,” I say with a scoff.
“Well, then, can we just agree that we were two very hurt people who managed to heal each other?”
“Hmm.” I smile down at her, brushing a lock of hair out of her beautiful face. “You might be onto something with that one.”
“I love you, Maddox,” she says, looking deep into my eyes.
“I love you, baby.”
We steal a little moment together alone in the kitchen, and then we head outside to join our friends and family.
Back to our sweet little life.
About the Author
Mazzy King is the author of short, sexy, romantic suspense. She loves writing about the good bad boys and the women who can’t help but fall in love with them. If you love a sexy, tattooed bad boy with a heart of gold, badass and brilliant ladies, no cheating, and happily-ever-afters with a dose of thrill, you’ve come to the right place. Enjoy reading Mazzy’s stories with your latte or, better yet, a couple glasses of your favorite vino in the bathtub!
Visit Mazzy’s Amazon Author Page for her full list of work. To stay up-to-date on new releases, subscribe to her newsletter at MazzyKing.com/Newsletter!
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Coming Soon
AIDAN: Ridge City Recruits Book 1
Alpha Blue-Collar Cop Steamy Romance
Preorder here!
Read a special, free Ridge City Recruits story, TOMMY, here!
A brand-new series from Mazzy King spins off of the delectable officers of BADGE BUNNIES!
In seedy Ridge City, crime is everywhere. There are a lot of places officers and detectives can’t get into.
That’s why they developed The Program.
Handpicking a few rough-around-the-edges young men, these recruits will infiltrate the darkest and most dangerous parts of Ridge City’s dark underbelly.
It’s impossible to balance working for The Program, maintaining their day jobs, and finding love, but sometimes, love finds them first.
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