Chapter Twenty-Seven
Maddie ran hard and fast, her only mission to get as far away from Gramps as possible. No. Not Gramps. Gramps was a term of endearment used for a beloved grandparent. George would never be that to her. Not ever again.
Her vision blurred as she raced down the narrow passage. She couldn’t get away fast enough.
Arms clamped around her, held her tight.
“What’s wrong, sweetheart? Is it George?”
Wyatt’s baritone rumble soothed her battered soul. Lifting her head, Maddie stared into his loving, compassionate gaze.
“I can’t…do this anymore. Can’t be in there with him.” She couldn’t stand the sight of him, knowing what he’d done. How he kept the truth secret. Let someone else take the blame for his actions. Too much pain and suffering at his hands.
He stroked her back. His long soothing caresses eased her agitation and slowed her racing heart. “It’s okay, sweetheart. Everything is okay.”
Maddie wrapped her arms around him and held on. “No. No, it’s not.” How could it be? Memories flooded her mind. Grams sobbing as she told Maddie her mommy and daddy were gone. Maddie hadn’t understood where’d they’d gone, and why they’d never come back. Dear God, the agony her mother must have suffered as she’d lingered before dying. It was a blessing her father and Johnny had died instantly. How could her grandfather live with himself knowing he’d caused his child such pain? And Wyatt. Maddie shuddered. She couldn’t even imagine what Wyatt had gone through, was still going through. His physical wounds had healed, but he’d endure the emotional scars for the rest of his life.
“I’ll go with you.” He gazed into her eyes. “I love you, Maddie.”
Wyatt loved her. She should be overjoyed. Heaven help her, she loved him, too. She’d tried not to. He’d ripped her heart in two when he left her and Maddie couldn’t go through that again. But, the man standing in front of her wasn’t the same guy from two years ago.
This Wyatt wanted more than some fun and great sex. He’d stuck around. Supported her when she’d needed him most. This Wyatt was kind and sweet, and he’d burrowed under all her defenses and captured her heart again.
Tugging her closer, Wyatt held her tight. “More than I dreamed possible. You mean the world to me.”
She’d longed to hear him say those words, but would he feel the same way when he learned the truth? Would he still love her? She wasn’t sure.
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Wyatt’s heart raced faster than a marathon runner moving at top speed. God, why didn’t she say anything? And why was she staring at him as if he he’d turned into an alien? Maybe one had just possessed his body? Shit. What was he thinking, blurting it out the way he did? This wasn’t the time or the place. Her grandfather was on his deathbed. He should have waited until she was in a better frame of mind. But it was something he’d needed to say for a while. These past few days had proved once again that life could change in the blink of an eye. Yeah, his timing was lousy. Dismal even. But what if he never told her? What if he never took the chance?
“You love me?”
He nodded, not trusting himself to speak.
“I love you, too. So, so much.”
Maddie loved him. His heart soared. Hallelujah!
“I love you with all my heart. Always remember that. No matter what.”
Of course he’d remember. How could he not? It’s what he’d wanted. Wyatt cupped her face with his palms. Tears trickled down her cheeks. “What’s wrong, honey?”
She shook her head. “Nothing.” Lifting up on her tiptoes, she wrapped her arms around his neck. Her lips brushed over his, and the sweet tenderness filled his chest to bursting point.
“I love you.” Kiss, kiss. “Love you.” Nibble, nibble.
Desperate need exploded in him as her tongue stroked, caressed. Only this woman could fire such hunger, such longing inside him. He’d never get enough of her.
“I want you inside me, Wyatt.”
Her words made him hot and hard and all he could think about was burying himself deep inside her and pleasuring her until she screamed his name again and again. He scooped her up. “Yes. Now. Please.”
Maddie yanked his shirt from his waistband as he strode to her bedroom. She tore it apart when her fingers fumbled with the buttons, then her hands were on his bare chest, and oh God, the scrape of her nails, and the feel of her lips on his skin… He let loose a deep groan.
“I can’t stop touching you. It’s like I’m addicted.” Her hands roamed over his shoulders, across his pecs, and down his abs.
“Then don’t.” He chuckled, threw open the door, and lowered her to the floor. His laugh ended on a shaky gasp as she cupped his cock through the fabric of his jeans. “Don’t ever stop touching me.”
“Never.”
Her mouth found the hollow where his pulse hammered and she laved at the throbbing beat. Every nip, every stroke over his heated skin heightened the intense pleasure coursing through him.
“Maddie, sweetheart. Please. I need to touch you, too.” Hands shaking, he whipped off her clothes, his gaze lingering on her bare breasts. He cupped one in each hand, brushing his thumbs over the tiny buds.
Head flung back in wild abandon, she clung to him. “Yes, Wyatt. Yes.”
Wyatt drew one nipple into his mouth, swirling his tongue around and around. He loved her tiny cry, knowing he’d given her such pleasure.
Maddie unbuckled his belt and tugged down his boxers and pants with one quick move. He tried to step out of the fabric pooling at his feet, but Maddie pushed him, and he fell back onto the bed. She tossed his clothes, then her mouth was on him, lips caressing his engorged shaft.
A shudder ripped through him, his breaths short, sharp pants. “Maddie… Honey, I… Oh God.” With a deep, guttural groan, he yanked her up. “I want to come inside you.” Wyatt set her on top of him. “Please.” Maddie straddled his legs and slid down on him in one slick stroke. He groaned as her tight, wet heat engulfed him.
“Need you so much.”
“I’m here, sweetheart. Always. Take everything.”
She rode him, slowly at first, and he savored the sweet pleasure, then faster until they were both desperate, shaking. With a frantic cry, her core tightened around his length. Her muscles gripped and squeezed, driving him to the edge of sanity.
“So damned good together.”
“Perfect.” His orgasm bore down on him like a freight train, and he poured into her giving everything he had. His body. His heart. His soul. “Love you, Maddie. Always.”
“Forever.”
Yes. His Maddie. His life.