Chapter 20
20
M addie woke up completely wrapped up in her husband. Sun was peeking through the shades and she saw the sheets and blankets in a tangled mess at the foot of the bed, one of the lamps overturned on the nightstand, three empty wine bottles on the dresser and one of Garrett’s ties still wrapped around the headboard. Her cheeks grew warm as she thought about everything they’d done last night—how many times he’d made love to her, in positions she’d never even imagined, again and again until she no longer remembered to be afraid, to second-guess the leap of faith she’d taken, or to doubt the momentous decision they’d made just eighteen hours ago .
She’d just unwound her legs from his and was sliding to the ground when firm fingers grasped her ankle. “I told you yesterday, you’re not going anywhere,” he growled sleepily .
She leaned over to kiss his lips and run her fingers through his hair. “I need to use the bathroom and find food—I never got any dinner last night .”
He opened one eye as he pulled her astride him, his hands gripping her waist. “I thought I fed you pretty well last night .”
She giggled. “Different kind of satisfaction .”
“ Were you satisfied ?”
She rolled her eyes playfully. “Yes, Hawk, I was very satisfied .”
His eyes narrowed. “I don’t think I like you calling me Hawk .”
“You liked it last night…” She wiggled her eyebrows .
“We might have to talk about that .”
She laughed. “Fine, but I really have to go to the bathroom .”
He released her and she disappeared into the next room. When she came out, he was in the small kitchen making coffee and opening a basket she didn’t remember seeing last night .
“Where did that come from?” she asked, moving up behind him to see what was in it .
“Someone delivered it early this morning .”
“They came in while we were…” Her voice squeaked a little as it faded .
“They came in while we were sleeping,” he chuckled, kissing the tip of her nose. “It’s almost eleven, sweetheart .”
“Oh my god! We’re going to miss our flight!” She started heading towards the bedroom but Garrett reached out to haul her back against him .
“Honey, we’re not going anywhere today. This is our honeymoon, and it’s going to be a short one because no matter what happens, I have to be at practice in Ottawa on Tuesday .”
Her face paled a little and she blinked up at him. “But, I mean, what about me? Where will I be ?”
He’d been hoping he’d loved the indecision out of her last night, but apparently a few remnants still remained. That was partially his fault, because they’d done everything so quickly and still didn’t have a detailed plan, but he’d take care of that today .
“Relax.” He pulled her closer to him. She reached up to wrap her arms around his neck and he pressed light kisses along her collarbone. “I thought you weren’t scared anymore ?”
“I wasn’t, but maybe I still am… a little .”
“How about we have some breakfast and talk? We can make all the decisions we absolutely have to make and make notes about the ones coming up or things we need to think about. As far as where you’ll be on Tuesday, that’s entirely up to you .”
“What do you mean ?”
“Well, you’re supposed to go back to work on Monday, but as far as I’m concerned, you should quit and come to Ottawa with me. I want you with me now, tomorrow, next week… forever .”
“I, um, I can’t just not go back to my job,” she said slowly. “We’re in the middle of two really big cases and I’d need to get someone up to speed. And I can’t walk out on Monique… She can’t pay the rent on her own. We have to give thirty days’ notice to the leasing company and — ”
He put two fingers over her lips. “Coffee first .”
She smiled, kissing his fingers. “ Deal .”
T hey ate breakfast, enjoying the variety of muffins, breads and Danish pastries that came in the basket sent by the Roarkes—there had been a note at the bottom—followed by a shower that turned into another round of passionate, sexy lovemaking. Then they planned to spend the rest of the afternoon on the couch, talking about everything that needed to be settled sooner rather than later .
“Oh, no!” she cried, suddenly sitting up .
“What’s wrong?” He looked at her in confusion .
“I have to tell my family .”
“I guess we could drive out to Kingston on the way to Ottawa,” he said. “I’d like to be with you when you tell them.” They’d already decided she would take a few more days off so she could go to Ottawa with him on Monday when they arrived, and be there for his first day back on the ice. She’d drive back to Toronto on Wednesday and work the rest of the week. He’d be leaving on a road trip on Friday morning anyway, so she wouldn’t see him until he returned the following weekend .
That was as far as they’d gotten when someone knocked on the door. Garrett got up to answer it and was surprised to see Jim standing there holding a garment bag .
“What’s this?” Garrett asked, frowning .
“It’s a gift from my wife and I,” he responded. “You guys got married yesterday and we never saw you, so we planned a special private dinner celebration for you tonight on the beach. She figured Maddie wouldn’t have anything special to wear so she picked this up for her, as well as something for you. We think you’ll like them, but if they don’t work, just let us know .”
“Hey, thanks.” Garrett shook his hand .
“I’ll send someone with a golf cart at 6:00 so Maddie doesn’t have to walk in heels .”
Garrett shut the door and turned to his wife with a grin. “Looks like we’re having a romantic post-wedding dinner .”
“I have to wear clothes?” she pouted .
He chuckled. “Just for a little while. I’ll have you naked again before you know it. Hell, you can get naked again now…” He reached for the belt of her robe .
P romptly at six a golf cart pulled up to the house and Garrett and Maddie walked out hand in hand. She wore a sleeveless white sundress that showed off her shapely shoulders and had a swirling asymmetrical skirt that showed off her long, tan legs. High-heeled white sandals adorned her feet and she’d tucked one of the white roses he’d brought her yesterday behind her left ear, securing it with a small clip .
Garrett looked a little more casual in beige linen pants and a short-sleeved white button-down shirt that was untucked. He had boat shoes on his feet with no socks and she’d talked him into leaving his hair natural, so instead of slicked back into his normal mohawk it fell to one side over his right eyebrow. He looked like a modern-day pirate and she giggled at the thought as they rode toward the resort’s private beach. He nudged her, squeezing her hand as they pulled to a stop just before the beach. The sun was already low in the sky, almost gone, and they could see a tent set up with twinkling white lights .
“Hey, guys.” Wendy approached them with a smile. “We have a little surprise for you… This was actually set up by your—” Her voice was drowned out by Maddie’s shriek of delight .
“Jamie!” She kicked off her heels and ran across the little bridge leading to the sand, throwing herself in his arms .
“Hi, honey.” Her older brother hugged her tightly, lifting her off the ground and spinning her around .
“What are you doing here ?!”
“Hawk and I talked night before last. Are you okay? Are you happy ?”
“Yes.” Her eyes danced as she glanced back at her husband .
“You can’t get married without a party, so I called up here yesterday and planned a little something for the two of you. I hope you don’t mind ?”
She shook her head, feeling a swell of emotion. “Thank you. I’m so happy you’re here. Did Viggo come ?”
“Of course.” He turned and whistled, his burly red-headed husband coming out of the tent and joining them .
“Hi!” Maddie ran to hug him and he scooped her up and spun her around as well .
“Hello, love.” He bent to kiss her cheek .
“What’s with all the spinning of my wife?” Garrett approached Viggo, holding out his hand. “Garrett Hawkins. I don’t think we’ve crossed paths off the ice .”
Viggo shook his hand. “I don’t think so either .”
“Honey, this is my brother-in-law, Viggo, and you know Jamie already.” Maddie took her husband’s arm .
“Welcome to the family.” Jamie met Garrett’s eyes meaningfully .
“Can I come out now?” Dwight called out .
“ Dwight?! ” Maddie shrieked again, running back into the sand to greet her other brother .
“You’ve made her day,” Garrett smiled, watching her .
“Wait till she sees everyone else,” Jamie chuckled .
A moment later more laughter came from the tent as Maddie was reunited with her family .
“So…what did you and Maddie decide?” Jamie asked Hawk carefully, hands in his pockets as he faced his ex- teammate .
Hawk sighed but didn’t look away. “She wants me to come clean .”
Jamie nodded. “How do you feel about that ?”
“No one in the NHL will want me in their locker room,” he said finally, looking away. “But she’s worth it. She knows the money could dry up at the end of the season if I do this and she doesn’t care .”
“Maddie’s not a gold- digger .”
“I know .”
“Sometimes things have a way of working out,” Viggo said, smiling as he and Jamie headed back toward the tent .