Maddox’s heavy exhale was loud in the small space. “I need you to look at me when I say this, Bristol.”
Swallowing, I turned to face him.
“I never knew I could love another person as deeply as I love you. I gladly take on the responsibility of caring for your physical and mental well-being. Your fights are my fights, no questions asked. And I will take it as a personal challenge to make you feel so secure in my love that you never have to wonder if I’m going to choose you day in and day out—because, in my mind, there’s no question about it; loving you is theonlyoption.”
A tear rolled down my cheek, and I swiped it away quickly, muttering, “I’m gonna look like a hot mess,” as more flowed freely.
With a tender smile curving on his lips and pure love shining in his stunning green eyes, Maddox declared, “You’ve never looked more beautiful.”
That statement was a testament to his love, and it set me over the top as a muffled sob sounded from my lips where I’d pressed a hand against them.
Maddox took action, unclipping my seatbelt and hauling me over the console and onto his lap. It was a tight squeeze, my hip jostling against the steering wheel, but I didn’t care. He tucked my head into his shoulder andheld me while I let the overwhelming force of his love wash over me, truly sinking in for the first time.
Sniffling into his coat, which I was surely ruining with my snot, I asked, “Can we go somewhere for a little while? I can’t go in there like this.”
“Of course. Whatever you need.”
“Thank you,” I whispered.
He stroked my hair. “You never need to thank me for taking care of you.”
I crawled back to my side of the car, buckled, and we pulled away from my childhood home.
As we drove, I stared in wonder at the man filling out the driver’s seat, his eyes darting to mine every few seconds to check on me.
Out of nowhere, it struck me.
What I felt for Nix was infatuation.
With Maddox, I was finally learning what true love was.
Chapter 28
Maddox
After an hour spentwalking around the Christmas market set up in downtown Hartford, where we’d purchased a few handcrafted gifts for Bristol’s parents, we returned to the home she’d grown up in north of the city.
Parking out front, she breathed out, “Let’s try this again.”
“Stay here,” I instructed, stepping outside.
Rounding the hood of our rental, I pulled her door open, offering my hand to help her down the step that lowered from the side of the vehicle.
She immediately curled into my side, fitting perfectly, like she’d always belonged there. Deciding to come back later for our bags, I kept her close as we approached the front door.
When Bristol reached for the doorknob without knocking, I asked, “You sure that’s a good idea? They aren’t expecting us yet. What if they think it’s an intruder?”
With a roll of her eyes, she pushed inside, throwing back, “Then I guess it’s a good thing my daddy doesn’t own a gun.”
“Little smartass,” I grumbled under my breath.
A feminine voice called out from deep within the house at the sound of the front door opening. “Bristol, honey? Is that you?”
“I’m home!” Bristol shouted in response.
Rushed footsteps sounded, and a woman in her mid-forties with red hair, just like Bristol’s, rounded the corner of the short hallway visible from the entryway. “Oh!” She picked up speed until she had the girl I loved wrapped in her arms.
Chuckling, Bristol peeled herself away from her mom. “It’s good to see you too.”
