“No, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked, knowing how much the topic upsets you.” When I gave a slight nod to acknowledge his apology, his remorse slipped away, and a corner of his lips turned up. “I only mentioned it because I thought about how many times I’ve passed over this exact spot multiple times a year for the past decade and a half, never knowing the girl who would light up my world was right here.”
Gripping his wrist, I turned my face to kiss the center of his palm. “That’s the funny thing about people. Everyone’s a stranger until the day your paths cross.”
Maddox leaned across the center console, his hand sliding to the back of my neck to haul me in for a kiss. I opened for him instantly, clutching the collar of his wool coat to try and bring him closer. In the back of my mind, I wondered if we could sneak away to a hotel for a few hours since my parents wouldn’t be expecting us for a while.
He broke away first, pressing his forehead to mine as our ragged breathing mingled. “I thank God every day that our paths crossed.”
I would be in big trouble if he kept talking to me like that. After years of mistreatment by men, I was an absolute sucker for the romantic words freely falling from Maddox’s lips. I swear, some days, he put the heroes Dakota wrote to shame.
“We should probably head inside and see your folks.”
Letting out a whine, I pouted, “Do we have to?”
Pulling back, he tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear before cupping my cheek. “Aw, come on. They miss their baby girl,” he teased with a smile.
“Ugh.” I groaned. “They should’ve had more kids. How did that become my problem?”
“They got it perfect the first time. Why tempt fate?”
I shoved at his face, turning it to the side. “That was probably the cheesiest thing you’ve ever said. Please go back to the sexy Maddox I love before we go inside.”
“Say it again,” he growled, green eyes darkening.
“That was cheesy?” I knew what he wanted me to repeat, but I enjoyed messing with him.
“Nuh-uh. The other part,” he commanded.
“You’re sexy?” I bit my lip hard, fighting back a smile.
“Getting warmer . . .”
“Oh!” I exclaimed dramatically, like a lightbulb had gone off. “I love you?”
“That’s the one.” Maddox’s husky voice had my thighs clenching.
“Have I not said it before? I’m almost certain I have.” I tapped my index over my lips in mock thought.
“If we weren’t sitting outside your parents’ house right now, I’d put you over my knee.” There was a note of warning in his tone, and I knew he meant every word.
“That wouldn’t stop Sexy Maddox.” I winked.
A rumble worked its way up his chest. “Bristol . . .”
He was adorable when he was worked up, but since I’d had my fun, I decided to put him out of his misery.
Slipping from teasing to serious, I reached out to grasp his hand, saying softly, “I love you, Maddox.”
“Fuck.” His eyes slid closed, and his head dropped onto the headrest of his seat. “Do you know how long I’ve waited to hear you say those words?”
“Can’t have been more than a couple of months. Unless you’ve been stalking me, big guy.”
Maddox cracked an eye open to glare at me. “Why do you have to go and ruin it?”
I sighed, letting the vulnerability leak through my words. “Because it scares me, okay? The last time I told a guy I loved him, he cast me aside.”
His jaw tightened. “I’m not him.”
“I know you’re not.” My gaze slid out the passenger side window, ashamed that my past was tainting our budding relationship.
