Chapter Thirty-Four #2
I open my eyes, wondering what time it is because I feel as if I just drifted off.
Slightly turning my head, I see Maddie sleeping so peacefully next to me, and I can’t help but drink her in.
I’ll never take this woman for granted, not the way her soft skin feels pressed against mine or how her hair smells like a mixture of honey and flowers.
The way she laughs brings joy to my core but so do her smart-ass remarks.
I can’t get enough of her, and I don’t ever want to.
Ever since we’ve been home, I’ve lived in the moment, enjoying every second I get to spend with her. I’ve basically moved into her room since Tyler is sleeping in mine, but it took zero convincing on my part. I would’ve been in her bed every night anyway.
The sun has barely risen, and a warm glow splashes through her bedroom window.
I suck in a deep breath and let out a relieved one.
I could die a happy man right now being with her like this.
Maddie snuggles closer to me, letting out a small moan, and it causes me to smile.
She’s looped her leg over mine, and we’re tangled together like a pretzel.
That is, until she moves a little too swiftly and knees me in the junk.
A loud groan escapes me, and she pops up in bed like a groundhog. “What is it?”
“My…dick,” I hiss, holding my groin and hoping the pain passes quickly. “Good morning,” I somehow force out, my voice a whole octave higher.
“Oh my gosh.” Maddie leans over and kisses my face as she runs her fingers through my hair. “I’m so sorry, babe. I didn’t mean to.”
“I know.” I close my eyes and try to think of something else but take advantage of all the kisses. Once I’m able to breathe again, I wrap my arms around her.
“Okay, I think I’m good now. You’re adorable in the morning—when you keep your knees to yourself that is.” I laugh at her typical Maddie eye roll. “I don’t want to go to work today.”
“And I’ve kinda gotten used to staying home with you all day.” She smirks. “But I’ve missed too much school and have to go.”
“Good point. Guess I won’t be a bad influence and beg you to stay.” I frown. “Though it’s really tempting when you’re lying next to me, looking cute as hell.”
She giggles. “Don’t worry, you already are.”
Just as her lips paint across mine, her alarm buzzes at a level-ten volume. She reaches for it, but it falls off the side table onto the floor, blaring through the room.
“Dammit.” Maddie crawls over me, making sure to roll her hips as she straddles me before trying to escape.
I groan, and she laughs before sliding away and turning it off.
It was almost as if I didn’t hear the annoying buzzing when her legs were wrapped around my waist. She has the ability to make everything around me disappear.
After setting her phone down, Maddie returns to her position on top of me, then dips down and slides her tongue between my lips.
Moaning against her, I run my fingers through her long brown hair.
“Don’t tease me,” I warn when she plucks my bottom lip into her mouth and sucks. I’m hard as a fucking rock, needing her more than I need air.
“Tease you? I only please you, Liam.” Slowly, she removes the tiny shirt she was sleeping in, putting her perfect tits on full display.
The nipple rings glint in the early morning sunlight, and I desperately want to place them both in my mouth, then worship her body all damn day.
It doesn’t take long before I’m inside her, and we’re making love.
It’s more than sex. Always has been with Maddie.
Though we both have to leave soon, neither of us rush, taking our time, not wasting a single second of being together.
Maddie rides me, flipped her messy morning hair over her shoulder, and before she comes, she dips her head down and kisses the fuck out of me.
Before long, I’m losing myself inside her, and the only noise that fills the room is our satisfied pants.
“I’m calling in sick,” I taunt after we clean up. Being a bounty hunter means I make my own hours, but I have weeks to make up for my loss of income. “You should too.”
“I wish.” She slaps my chest. “If I want to pass my classes, I have to go.”
I’m aware of how much stress she’s been under for missing a few weeks of school. It pisses me off that Victoria involved Maddie to the extent she did, but we’re trying to move on with our lives and put this all behind us. We’re slipping into our old habits but without all the hiding and secrets.
Placing my hands behind my head, I watch her with a smirk as she gets dressed. “Plus side is I only have three classes today.”
She shimmies into a pair of pants that look like they’re painted on and grins as she puts on a T-shirt. “I should make you breakfast. I have a few minutes.”
“It’s my turn!” I say, hurrying to slip on some jogging pants.
We’ve been eating breakfast together each morning before going our separate ways.
She follows me to the kitchen, giggling, and as she makes the coffee, I grab the egg carton and bacon from the fridge.
While I scramble eggs, Maddie makes herself a cup of tea, allowing me to steal a few kisses before filling my mug full of coffee.
“Get a room,” Sophie says from behind.
“We’ve got one.” Maddie shoots her a wink before giving me a sexy grin. “You need coffee, Miss Grumpy?” Maddie pours some for Sophie and slides it to her.
Sophie lets out a yawn. “We’re practicing for our Christmas performances, and I’m already over it. We’re barely into October.”
I laugh. “Oh, so you’re just being a Scrooge.”
“Basically.” Then she leans over, watching me cook. “Hey, I hope you made enough for me.”
“And me,” Mason enters and gives Sophie a kiss on the cheek before sitting.
“I didn’t realize I was cooking for the whole family,” I murmur, giving Sophie and Mason the food I cooked for us, then put more in the skillet.
I honestly don’t mind and am okay with it, considering we’ve had our rough patches the past few months.
Sophie and Mason have somewhat forgiven me, but Sophie has warned me several times that if I break her sister’s heart, she’ll still chop off my balls and feed them to me.
At one point, she threatened me with a butcher knife in her hand if I ever hurt Maddie.
Sophie’s scary at times, but passionate about her sister’s well-being. I get it. I am too.
There’s something to be jealous of when it comes to the Corrigan sisters and their undying love for one another.
Makes me sad that I don’t have siblings of my own, but at the end of the day, I suppose it’s better.
Fewer people for my mother to ruin with her abandonment.
After the second helping of eggs and bacon is nearly finished, Maddie pops some bread in the toaster, then spreads avocado over it.
By this time, Tyler is entering the kitchen.
“Well fuck,” I say, laughing. “Sorry dude, you’re gonna have to cook for yourself.”
He grins and flips me his middle finger, but then goes straight for the caffeine as Maddie and I eat.
We have about thirty minutes before we both have to leave, but it’s hard not to want to stay in the house all day and hang out with everyone.
Before they really knew what was going on, I felt so alone and desperate for them to learn the truth, but not wanting anything to happen.
Now that the curtain has been removed, I at least sleep better at night.
Once my plate is cleared, I snag a piece of bacon from Maddie’s, and she glares at me, making me laugh. Sophie and Mason thank us for breakfast, and Tyler announces he’s going to the gym. “Mason, you got time for a few rounds?”
Mason cracks his knuckles. “I’ve been a little rusty lately. I’d love to but gotta be an adult and go to work. Can I take a rain check? Maybe tonight? It’d be nice to get back in the ring.”
“You’re just trying to avoid getting your ass kicked, aren’t ya?” Tyler taunts.
“Ass kicked?” Mason scoffs, putting up his arms and punching Tyler’s shoulder. “I recall kicking the shit out of you several times.”
“If you did, it’s because I felt sorry for ya and allowed it.” Tyler blocks his second hit, then swings and smacks Mason.
Getting out as much aggression as possible helped Mason in those early days he was grieving his girlfriend who passed away years earlier. It’s one of the reasons I’ve always respected Tyler. He helped my best friend when he was depressed, and here he is, helping me too.
I finish my coffee as Maddie walks through their fake boxing match toward me, and I think about my life and where everything is.
Sucking in a deep breath, I can’t help but be grateful.
We’re not in the clear yet, but I can see a glimmer of light shining through the darkness.
It’s something I wasn’t sure I’d ever see again.
“You should get dressed,” she tells me, then wraps her arms around my stomach, pressing her tits against my back before feathering kisses along my skin. I turn around, not wanting to waste her lips being against mine.
“I thought I’d go like this,” I taunt.
Looking me up and down, she raises her eyebrows. “Must be following a woman then, because no guy is gonna want a Hulk of a man showing up looking like this. Shirtless and…” She glances down at my cock, which is steadily growing hard for her.
I give her a boyish grin. “You never know.”
Playfully, she slaps me. “If you don’t put on some clothes, I’m going to be late for school unless I need to find a different ride.” She pretends to pout, sticking out her bottom lip. I bend down and pluck it between my teeth before smacking a quick kiss on her mouth.
“No, no. Give me five minutes.” I rush to the bedroom, put on some jeans and a black T-shirt, grab my utility belt, and meet her back in the kitchen. She takes my hand and I lead us to my truck, but we both glance around before climbing in.
I don’t know how long it’s going to take for us to stop looking over our shoulders, but at this point, after everything we’ve been through, I may never.
Victoria has ruined me more than tracking fugitives ever could.
I’ve always been cautious, but this is a whole different level of paranoia, and rightfully so.
Once I see the street is clear of black Suburbans, I let out a sigh of relief and so does Maddie.
As I pull out of the driveway, I glance at the G-Wagon that’s still here and make a mental note to tell Victoria to come pick it up.
I don’t want her handouts. I don’t want anything from her, but to be left alone.
On the way to the university, Maddie talks about her classes, how long she’ll be in rehearsal, and when we pull in front of the dance hall, she asks if I’ll be picking her up afterward.
“Of course, why wouldn’t I?”
“Well, if you get caught up today with work. I just want to make sure.”
I lift her chin, forcing her to look at me. She’s been worried about me ever since we returned home, and it breaks my heart. The only time either of us is okay is when we’re together. Too much can happen when we’re apart.
“I’ll keep you updated on where I am. The job I’m doing today is local. I’m not leaving the city. I’ll be here. I’m gonna be okay, sweetheart,” I say as she searches my face with concern.
“I just…”
“Worry, I know. We have to be careful, but we can’t keep living in fear.
I’m always a text away. I don’t care what I’m doing, I’ll text you back as soon as I can if you ever feel anxious or concerned about me, okay?
I promise. But that means I’m going to be blowing up your phone while you’re in class because it goes both ways. ”
“Annie already told me if my phone goes off one more time, she’s locking it in her office until after practice.” She snickers. “You’re gonna get me in trouble.”
“Apparently, I’m good at that.” I wink.
She leans over and presses her mouth to mine, and I fist her hair in my fingers.
Reluctantly, I pull away before things get too heated. “Have a good day. I love you.”
“I love you more,” she insists, and before I can tell her how wrong she is, Maddie hops out of the truck, blows me a kiss, then walks away. Of course I watch how her hips sway when she walks and it causes a smile to fill my face as she shakes her ass.
She’s mine and always will be.