Page 122 of Ten Hammers

“We didn’t have a chance to bring the mattress up, and I wanted to let you choose the bedding. The roof is obviously waterproof.”

I look at him in amazement, shaking my head. “This is…”

I don’t have words. I spin around, seeing the handwriting on one of the walls.

“We’re going to paint that one with black chalkboard paint,” he says.

I step forward and read his letter.

Winnie,

I need you to know that signing on for “Who Wants To Marry A Hammer Brother?” was never about finding a woman I could fall in love with, and definitely not about finding a wife or even a fiance. You know Mason and I loved reality TV and wanted to continue on with it. When the offer was extended, I jumped on it because I thought dating twenty-something women at once would be the distraction I’d need after having my heart thoroughly shattered when you chose one of my brothers over me. It was a real jackass thing to do. But I could date a million women, princess, and I’d never ever find one I’d love even half as much as I love you. There’s no woman they could cast who would win my heart, Winnie, because that belongs to you and only you. It’s okay with me if you can’t say the same to me, that your heart belongs to me and only me. Because you have the biggest heart of anyone I know. And as long as I know you love me, I promise you, nothing else matters. That fact alone will make me the happiest man alive.

I turn to face him. Then I go to him and hug him again.

“Are you really going to be okay with all of this?” I ask him. “Because I need to know this time, Max. Without a doubt.”

“Yeah,” he says, pulling away a bit so we can gaze up into each other’s eyes, while still have our arms around each other’s waists. His fingers stroke my back. “Win, you told me you would call the whole thing off for me, remember?”

“And you told me you didn’t want me to! But obviously part of you must have because–”

He moves a hand up to my face and tucks a curl behind my ear. “Like I told you then, it was petty jealousy. Deep down, I never had an issue with you dating all of us, Win. I just couldn’t handle the thought of you ending up with someone that wasn’t me. Especially not one of my brothers. But now… I just want you, Win. And as long as you want me back…” he drops his voice to a whisper and scrunches up his nose so cutely and says, “Let’s make it work, princess.”

“Let’s make it work, Max.”

I stare into his eyes.

“Isn’t this the part where you say you choose me?” he stage-whispers.

“No, Maxwell Hammer. This is the part where I say I love you.”

He grins the biggest grin ever at me. “I love you, too, Win. So damn much and it feels so damn good to be able to say it.”

He lowers his mouth to mine and when he kisses me, I kiss him back with all my heart. Not 1/10th of it. Because he’s right. I’m a big girl–and I’m okay with that now–with a big ass heart to match.

“Does this mean you’ll take me out on a date now?” I tease, when we break apart.

“Well, um, I haven’t actually planned anything but–”

“Good,” I beam up at him. “I’ll plan it.”

I have no idea what we’re going to do, but it’s going to be public as hell. Let the internet trolls talk. I want Max Hammer to take me out on the town.

“Okaaaaay…” he says, then he pauses then he adds, “Should I be scared? Does it involve the sex dungeon Gunnar wanted to build in the basement that this house thankfully doesn’t have?”

“No, no dungeon. It may or may not involve the S-E-X part, though.”

“Okay, I’m listening. And when do you want to go on this date that has potential for S-E-X, Miss Wainwright?”

“Tonight?” I ask.

“Can’t wait,” he says.

After we kiss again… and again… and again, he asks, “Do you want me to get the guys to help me bring the mattress up for the bed now?”

All the light bulbs go off in my head.

Fate, is that you?

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