We opted for a second breakfast, but not before Maddox grabbed a blanket and pulled it to the floor to cover us. He sat with his back against the nightstand and I was cuddled up tight to his chest. My body was shivering and my muscles felt so achy and tired that I just wanted to sleep for days.

I had never felt that kind of connection before. Not that sex with Maddox before wasn’t good…but this…now that we were fully exposed…I couldn’t wait to do it again. Just like that. Nothing to hold back from. Nothing to hide from.

Maddox touched my head. “I figure a tall stack of pancakes to start. You’re supposed to eat carbs after a heavy cardio workout, right?”

I laughed. “How would I know? You’re the fit one.”

“Fit? Nah.”

I kissed his defined chest. “Trust me, whatever you’re doing, it’s working.”

“I’m not sure the fitness world is ready to accept my routine of whiskey, anger, and wild sex.”

I looked up at Maddox. “I’d buy that workout program.”

Maddox grinned. “Sugar, you’re helping me write it.”

He always knew how to make me blush.

I kissed his chest again and playfully nipped at him.

A few seconds passed.

Then I whispered, “Am I in trouble?”

“For what?”

“For what I did…”

“Hazel…”

“No. I’ve held that for years. I killed someone, Maddox. I did that. I grabbed the wheel…”

He touched my head. “I know, sugar. I know. The guilt is eating you alive?”

“Yes,” I admitted. “It always has. I mean, I know what I did saved myself. And saved other people, I’m sure. But I didn’t save everyone.”

I looked at Maddox again.

I saw the pain in his eyes.

It was a little weird feeling bad about him losing Ava while I was naked and my body still tingled with what he had done to me. Because if Ava hadn’t…you know…then he and I wouldn’t have been able to be together.

“There was more than just what Night did to her,” Maddox whispered. “Not that I’m making excuses. I should have done more, but I was young and stupid. So fucking stupid. I should have helped her get help. I knew she was sad. I just didn’t get how bad it was. I never showed anyone the letter she wrote. In my stupidity and anger, I kept it. I stole something from her parents that I can never apologize for. Because of you, Hazel, I’m sending her parents that letter. Maybe it’ll help them understand or find closure. I never had closure until I met you. I know that’s a lot to put on your shoulders, sugar, but it’s the truth. You give me closure because you give me a sense of future.”

I touched Maddox’s face. “You’re my future. You saved me. I was on that ledge too, Maddox. And you pulled me back. And you showed me a different way. She would be proud of you. And I love you for it.”

Maddox drew me forward, making me straddle him. I pulled the blanket over my shoulders. We were still naked, which meant body parts were already lining up.

His hands touched my waist, and that’s all it took to bring me back to life. My inner thighs quivered with new heat.

“What I can do,” he whispered, “is talk to the police here in town. I know them, Hazel. So, if you want to get that guilt off your back, then do it. Tell them what happened. And let the pieces fall as they may. I will be with you one hundred percent of the way.”

I swallowed hard.

Fear rippled through me.

What if they put me in jail? What if they charged me with murder? What if…

I put my mouth to Maddox’s. I chased my own thoughts away. I slowly began to move my hips.

I felt him, all of him.

And it was perfect.

Really perfect.

It was a moment I would never forget.

If that moment was heaven, then hell was waiting for me just hours later…

* * *

“I have to meet with Tate and get my camera,” I said.

“I thought Prick took it,” Maddox said.

“He did. He left it at the shop. I need to get that and I need to talk to Tate.”

“Okay,” Maddox said. He kissed my forehead. “I’m going to grab a shower and then go for a ride. I think I’m going to take a ride to the ridge, Hazel. I think I want to get my closure now.”

I nodded. “You should.”

“I’m going to drop that letter off at her parents’ house. I’ll look them up and make sure they live there still.”

“I’m proud of you, Maddox.”

“Shit, sugar, there’s nothing to be proud of here. It’s facing the truth. Facing life. I’m just glad I can face it with you.”

I grabbed his hand and kissed it. Those beautiful hands of his. Hands that not only explored every inch of my body, hands that brought me pleasure, hands that touched my face at the times when I needed it the most…they were the hands that brought art to life. They brought images to life on people’s skin. Something so precious. Helping people expose themselves like he had done to me.

And yet I had been the one who helped Maddox expose himself to me. That was something crazy to think about.

“You better get going,” he whispered. “You stay another five seconds, and I’m taking you into the shower with me.”

“That isn’t the worst thing that could happen to me,” I teased.

The worst thing would happen in a little while.

“One,” Maddox said. “Two…three…”

“I love you, Maddox,” I said. I pushed myself up on my toes and kissed his cheek.

“Four…”

I turned.

Maddox grabbed me and spun me back around. “I love you. Hazel with the green eyes.”

“You’re past five now,” I said.

“That I am.”

We stared at each other for a few more seconds.

My toes curled in my shoes.

“Want to know the best part about a shower?” he asked.

“What?”

“You could take more than one a day,” Maddox said. He winked at me. “I’ll see you later, sugar.”

We kissed.

I walked away.

I was smiling.

I couldn't stop smiling.

My life was out of control.

And it was about to start spiraling…