Chapter 14
Maddox busied himselfwith straightening up the kitchen while Ciara took her nieces and nephews through their nightly bedtime routine. There was a story to be told, and he tried to steady himself for it.
But, if he hadn’t already been on his way to falling head-over-heels for Ciara. This would have sealed the deal.
“Maddox?”
He looked over her shoulder at the sound of her voice before putting the plate that he’d be drying aside.
“You ready to talk?” he asked.
She nodded. “Would you like something to drink?”
“My leftover water from dinner is fine.”
“Okay. Let’s go outside. The kids are in bed, but I don’t want them to mistakenly overhear anything.”
“I understand,” he said, gesturing for her to lead the way.
Once they were settled, he waited as patiently as she could for her to start.
“First, I’m sorry for the way I left. I was beyond frantic when my mom called and told me that Benny had been hurt.”
“Is he okay? Maddox asked. “I saw the scrapes and his arm.”
“Yes. He decided that he wanted to be a daredevil on his bike. Took twenty years off my life and ten off my mom’s.” She shook her head as she exhaled shakily. “The only other time I’d been as scared as I was to tell you about this was when I found out my brother and sister-in-law requested that I be made guardian of the kids in their will.”
“What happened to them?” he asked.
“Fatal car accident,” Ciara replied as she looked off in the distance. “I’d just returned home from Nosy Be when the police showed up at my front door.”
His heart clenched in his chest. “Damn, Ciara.”
“Yeah. I was still flying high from meeting you, and in seconds everything changed. But I accepted the challenge and jumped in with both hands.”
“Which proves you are a hell of a woman,” he said.
One corner of her mouth curved upward. “I also know what it is to sacrifice. To wake up and find out that parents who have always put you above everything else are no longer alive. Those kids have been through hell. There have been countless counseling sessions, nightmares, and temper tantrums, and through it all, I’ve sworn that I will never leave their sides. No matter how rough it gets.”
Maddox frowned. “Why would you think any of this would be a turnoff to me?”
Ciara’s eyes widened. “We met because you ended a relationship with a woman who wanted kids when you didn’t. But more than that, you didn’t want kids because as the oldest of six, you always had to take care of your siblings.”
Understanding dawned on him.
“You thought that this situation was the same,” he finished.
Ciara’s mouth dropped open in a cute fashion. “Of course. A relationship with me means that you would be walking into a ready-made family. Those kids upstairs are my life. I love them with every fiber of my being. As hard as it has been, I don’t know what I would do without them in my life.”
Maddox studied her as he let her words bounce around in his brain. “Ciara, I understand why you felt like this would be a deal-breaker. I didn’t necessarily paint myself in the best light when we met. But you know the irony of the situation?”
“What?” she whispered.
“The idea of having a family with my ex-fiancé almost made me break out in hives, while the thought of that with you makes me do the exact opposite.”
Her eyes widened. “What?”
He chuckled. “Not now. I’m simply saying that I want that but not just with anyone. With you.” He took her hand in his and brought it to his mouth. “You thought that telling me about your nieces and nephew would make me run off when it makes me want to do the opposite. This tells me that your heart isn’t as big as I thought it was...it’s bigger. You stepped into a role that many would have run from. You took the challenge straight on. I can tell that those kids love you just as much as you love them.” He leaned forward and pressed his forehead to hers. “I hope you don’t mind me being selfish in asking you to let me be a part of your world. Let me prove that I meant what I said when I see a future with you.”
Ciara squeezed her eyes shut and released a shuddering breath. “I’m afraid, Maddox. It’s been a long time since I’ve allowed myself to be vulnerable.”
“Then let’s do it together,” he whispered.
Her eyes jerked open as his words sunk in. Recognition slowly dawned in her eyes. It was as if she realized that he would be just as exposed to the situation as he would be.
“How are we going to do this?” she whispered. “I like you, but I’m not sure I can do long distance.”
He chuckled. “The distance isn’t so great. I’m in Columbus, Ohio.”
Her eyes widened then she laughed. “Well, that definitely changes things.”
“Does it?” he asked.
She nodded. “I think it’s time we make some new rules.”
“I like the sound of that,” he said before pressing his mouth to hers.