My muscles were coiled tight and shaking as I heard Dakota turn the deadbolt and open the door. I squeezed my eyes shut, preparing to hear her screams. But they never came.
“Well, I have good news and bad news,” her cheery voice called out.
I was paralyzed, unable to move from my crouching position, so I asked, “What’s the good news?” I knew most usually asked for the bad first, but I needed a boost.
“It’s not a serial killer come to murder us,” Dakota chirped.
Why the hell was she so happy? The bad news must not be all that bad.
“And the bad news?”
“It was for you.”
“Me? Who would come here this late at night for me?”
“Why don’t you stop hiding and find out?” she prompted.
I counted to three in my head, taking deep breaths, unsure of what awaited me when I stood. Gripping the soft leather of the recliner, I hauled my body upright. At the sight of the tall man beside Dakota, the breath seized in my lungs.
Maddox had come for me.
He looked about as ragged as I’d felt this past week. His dark hair was sticking up like he’d run his hands through it a few too many times. Dark circles were present under his eyes, and he hadn’t shaved, sporting a scraggly beard.
Even though my heart begged me to run to him, I held my ground.
Throwing both hands on my hips, I forced out, “Took you long enough.”
“Hold that thought.” His husky voice rolled over me like honey as he strode forward, pulling me into his arms.
Warm lips crashed over mine, and I gasped. Maddox took that opening, using his tongue to claim my mouth, reminding me of how well we fit together, how he was the only man I wanted to kiss for the rest of my days.
A whimper worked its way up my throat when his hands cradled my face, and he pulled back. “Tell me I’m not too late.” When all I could do wasstare up at him in disbelief that he was really here and I wasn’t dreaming, he begged, “Please, Bristol.”
I swallowed, at a loss for words.
Thankfully, Maddox had enough for both of us.
Taking my hands in his, he stated. “We have no business being together. I’m too old for you and we’re going to keep butting heads at work, creating all kinds of drama. But you know what? I’m selfish when it comes to you, and I don’t care. I already lost everything that ever mattered to me in an instant, and then you waltzed into my life with your sexy smile and atrocious singing, and I felt something again. I was dead inside for so long, but you made me come alive. I don’t want to live without you, Bristol. Please tell me I’m not too late to make things right between us.”
“You still want me?” I hated that I sounded so needy, but the past week had planted a seed of doubt in my brain, and it had taken root.
“Of course I still want you,” Maddox breathed out, reaching a hand up to caress my cheek. “Iloveyou. You are my heart. Even if you tell me to walk back out that door, that will never change. There’s no one else for me. Only you.”
Blinking furiously, I was unable to stop the first tear that slipped down my cheeks.
A pained expression crossed Maddox’s devastatingly beautiful face. “Baby, please don’t cry. I’m so sorry I hurt you.”
Sniffling, I pulled his head down so his forehead was pressed to mine. “I love you, Maddox. Take me home.”
His arms pulled me tight, and I clung to him, my face pressed to his chest, comforted by the sound of his steady heartbeat—a heart I knew beat only for me.
“Nowthatwas book-worthy. Bravo, Maddox.” Dakota’s voice cut through our little bubble of love.
Turning my head to the other side, I saw that Braxton had made it home, his arms looped around Dakota’s waist from behind as they witnessed our reconnection.
Maddox’s chest vibrated as he chuckled, his hands running up and down my back. “Not sure which one of you I’m expected to thank for meddling in our lives.”
Braxton squeezed Dakota, pressing a kiss against her temple. “That would be my brilliant matchmaker wife. She’s got an eye for these things.”
