“I think I’m going to take a shower before she wakes up. I haven’t taken one since Sunday, and I feel completely gross.”
“You’ve never looked more beautiful,” Maddox states. I have no idea how to respond to that. So I just give him a little smile and go gather up the bag that Jake brought up here yesterday.
I feel like a completely new person after a hot shower in the tiny bathroom in Brooklyn’s room. Well, that and a full night’s sleep. When I exit the bathroom, Brooklyn is back in her bed, sleeping peacefully. Maddox is looking out the window, shirt raised up and showing off his toned lower back as he stretches.
“I almost feel human again,” I say as I comb through my wet hair. He spins around and looks me over, touching every part of my body with his eyes. “Thank you for bringing me clothes and stuff yesterday. I really appreciate it.”
He walks towards me and stops in front of me. He’s close enough that I could reach out and touch him for the first time in weeks. “You’re welcome.” His eyes search my face, looking for what, I don’t know. There’s so much I want to tell him. I’m sorry. I miss him. I love him.
He clears his throat. “I was wondering, when you guys get sprung from this place and get settled at home, do you think you might want to have dinner with me?” He looks deeply into my eyes with so much hope.
“You mean, like a date?”
“Yeah, like a date. But, I should warn you that we won’t be alone. I already made plans with someone else for that night.” I stand straight up, looking at him curiously, panic starting to rise. “See, I’ve already made the date with a beautiful little blond first. She made me promise that I’d take her for pizza as soon as she was feeling better. And if there’s one thing I can’t break, it’s a promise to my girl.” He smiles the most beautiful smile.
I can’t control the wide smile that spreads across my face. Without even one more thought, I leap into his arms and slam my lips against his. I melt against his hard body, my hands diving into his hair. God, how I’ve missed this man. He deepens the kiss, plunging his tongue inside of my mouth, all while holding me up in the air against him. Being with him, in his arms, is my heaven. There’s no other place I want to be.
He breaks the kiss before it gets too carried away. I can already feel his need for me hard against my core. “You will never, ever share me, Avery, with anyone else. Ever. I am yours in every possible way.”
“And I am yours. I love you so much, Maddox.”
He closes his eyes as if savoring those words that just came from my lips. “I love you, too, baby. You and Brooklyn. You two are the most important people in my life. Nothing is going to get in the way of us again.” The tears are streaming down my face. He uses the pad of his thumbs to gently wipe them away before he bends down to kiss me again. “Say it again,” he says with a smile against my lips.
“I love you.”
“That’s the best damn thing ever, hearing that come from your lips.”
There’s a knock at the door and a nurse enters. “Sorry to interrupt. It’s almost shift change,” she says with a pointed look to Maddox as she walks in to take Brooklyn’s vitals.
He bends down and kisses my lips one more time. It’s soft and sweet and full of promise. “I gotta go.”
“Wait. Where are you going?” I can’t help the panic that is rising in my chest. We just found our way back to each other again. How could he be leaving?
“I’m just going to the waiting room. I’m not supposed to be in here, remember?” he says with a sly grin.
“That’s right. You’re not family,” I say.
“Nope.” He bends down kisses Brooklyn on the forehead and runs his hand along her hairline. Then he stands up and walks back over to me. “Not yet. I’ll have to do something about that, won’t I?” He bends and kisses me again on the lips and walks out the door.
*****
Brooklyn is discharged two days later on Thanksgiving Day. My dad is coming to get us while Mom is at home getting ready for tonight’s big meal. All of my brothers were able to work out their schedules to be there tonight. Maddox and Jake are working now, but will be off in just enough time for dinner at six.
As we head back towards Rivers Edge, it feels like I haven’t been home in forever. It’s been four nights since I slept in my own bed and showered in my own tub. Brooklyn was a trooper, though. Maddox was with us all day Tuesday, sneaking in and out of the room whenever he could after charming the nurses into ignoring his presence. Wednesday he had to return to work, but that just allowed me to focus on Brooklyn and helping her get well enough to go home. He sent texts and called me all day long yesterday, though, and even came back after he got off work last night.