“Why don’t you mind your own damn business? Seeing as she’s my wife, after all, and not yours! You tend to keep forgetting that, Zeus.”
The memory was poignant as Brett remembered Hunt’s poor treatment, and poor defense, of Madi. He realized, once again, how wrong Hunter had been for her.
A throat cleared bringing Brett from his reverie, and he looked back to Lang who was entertained by the baby now in Linc’s arms.
They all stood there, quietly sipping their beers, Pax his Kefir, before Quil calmly said, “You know what, Brett? I personally commend you. I think it takes a strong man to be able to hold—”
“Fuck you, Quil.”
“Yup. So, about practice tomorrow…”
Everyone laughed then, even Brett, who playfully shoved at Quil. Travis patted his shoulder in apology, and all was right as rain again. That’s how dudes were, fighting one minute, joking the next. He loved these assholes and couldn’t wait to play ball with them.
Madison grinned over at Brett, taking his hand in hers as they waited for the fireworks to begin. Lofton and Lennox looked up from their blanket at the ones they could see in the distance, and their little baby blabber tickled Madi’s heart. They were so precious, and she wished she had one of her own. One day she would. With the man who held her heart in his massive hands.
He leaned in to kiss her, and she reveled in the feel of his masculine presence. They’d not made love yet and, as eager as she was, there was also a side of her that was relieved they hadn’t gone all the way. She hadn’t planned to move on so soon after Hunter had died, but life was funny that way; it still didn’t take away the slight hesitations she had though, even if it were Brett she was falling in love with.
Madi leaned into him and he wrapped an arm around her, pulling her closer into his embrace. He smelled like sunshine, sweat, chlorine, and a scent that was all him, both sweet and manly; she couldn’t get enough of him. His nose moved along her jawbone, and she shivered as his mouth settled on her throat. He made her feel safe and loved. These past few weeks with him had been amazing.
He seemed to get the answers he’d sought that day at the gravesite when he’d brought the tortoise home; whatever he’d been seeking, he’d found, despite that Madi didn’t understand where a turtle came to play in all of it. She simply let him have his symbolism and reaped the benefits.
The fireworks went up and the babies clapped even as Travis whistled from the opposite side and tackled a squealing Skyla to the blanket. Jeez, those two. Skyla would be the next having a baby and, as wonderful as that was, it also made Madi extremely jealous. She couldn’t get over her issue with the whole lack of a child, and she wondered if it was because her biological clock had started to tick. She tried not to overanalyze it as Brett kissed her passionately and grabbed at her breast. She grunted and swatted his hand away—albeit playfully—interlacing her hand through his as she looked up at the explosions of red, blue, and shimmering white lights blasting through the onyx night sky. It was beautiful and made her feel happy, despite that this was their last night in this house.
It would make a fine home for the family coming in, but it didn’t feel like home anymore to her. She was glad to be shutting this door in her life. She’d loved Hunter, but it was time to finally say goodbye; this house was the endgame of that closure.
Brett was kissing her again, drawing her desire out as his tongue stroked across hers. His hand moved from hers to her breast again, and she began to scold him only to stop as his hand descended her body, coming to rest on her thigh. He nudged her legs open and moved his hand into her bikini bottoms, dipping a finger in between her folds. She stifled a moan, watching the brilliance of lights dance over his handsome face. He thrust his finger inside her slowly, then removed it and brought it slowly to his lips, sucking it into his mouth, savoring it and making her lust for him increase tenfold. He then leaned in to kiss her again and rubbed the essence of her across her taste buds. He loved to bait her, and she wondered how long he would hold out before he finally put out.
They made out for a time, touching each other subtly and erotically while the fireworks lit up the summer sky, but soon they were over and everyone was talking again.
Madi’s pulse quickened when she heard Skyla squeal in delight and turned to see Travis on one knee, proposing.
“Holy shit, he’s actually doing it,” Brett whispered before closing his mouth abruptly as Madi’s finger went to his lips. Tears came to her eyes as she watched Travis, more emotional than she’d ever seen him.
“Skyla Lynette Larson, I love you. Eight months ago, I went into a cabin in the woods a broken man and I came out whole thanks to you.” Travis wiped a tear running down his cheek but grinned back at the redhead covering her mouth. “I didn’t know how lost I truly was until you found me, Fireball. I love what you do to me, how you make me feel, how amazing life with you every day is. I want that to go on forever. Say you’ll be mine. Say you’ll marry me. Say you’ll make me a husband and
