Page 6 of What About Now

We definitely need to talk. This isn’t real.We’renot real. I ignore the flutter in my chest. I don’t deserve happily ever after. Not after what I let happen to my sister. I’m so happy she and the girls have found Forrest. She was always meant for great love.Me, on the other hand? I messed up, and I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to make it up to her.

Maddox deserves better.

CHAPTER

TWO

Maddox

I can’t stop touching her.

My wife.

Fuck me, I love the sound of that. I don’t remember much about last night. I do remember being thrilled to get time with her. I vaguely remember Maggie not feeling well and having a silent conversation with Lachlan, which is how he was the chosen one to take her back to the room.

After that, things get foggy. Really fucking foggy. But everything since the moment I woke up to realize my night ended in marrying Brogan is clear as a bright blue sky.

“Meet in the lobby in an hour?” Roman suggests. We’ve finished breakfast, and it’s time to gather our things and head to the airport.

“We’ll be there,” I tell him. With a wave to our group, I place my hand on the small of Brogan’s back and lead her toward the elevators. She’s quiet as she stands next to me, watching as the numbers climb to our floor.

It’s not until we’re in our room, well, her room that became ours because she’s now my wife, that she speaks.

“Maddox—” she starts, but when I reach for her, pulling her into my arms, she snaps her mouth shut. Those big green eyes stare up at me, and her hands rest on my chest.

“Yes, wife?” I ask with a tender smile. Damn, I thought Roman and Legend were crazy with all the “my wife” business they toss around. Forrest has joined them since Briar agreed to marry him. I didn’t understand it, but now, I get it. I really fucking do. It’s a rush like nothing I’ve ever felt before to know that this woman, this beautiful, smart, incredible woman is my wife.

Mine.

Damn, I love the sound of that.

“It’s not real, Maddox.” There is something in her tone of voice that tells me she’s not exactly happy that her words are true. Well, it’s real. She’s my wife. Sure, we can’t remember how it happened, and maybe that’s what I’m hearing, but I’m going to choose to think she’s sad when she says, “it’s not real.”

I raise my hand and wiggle my ring finger. “This and that paper sitting on the table say otherwise.” I lift her left hand from my chest and kiss her white gold diamond band. I make a mental note to get her an engagement ring. Sure, we missed that step, but she still deserves one. “This too.”

“We don’t even remember it,” she argues.

“So, we renew our vows.” I’m already formulating a plan in my mind. It’s genius really.

“Maddox. Can you be serious for five damn seconds so we can talk about this?” She huffs out an irritated breath.

Stepping away from her, I take her hand in mine and lead her to the bed. I sit and pull her onto my lap. I can’t stop touching her, and I hope that it helps my cause, because now that she’s mine in the eyes of the law, I want it to stay that way. I’ve wanted her for months and refused to do anything about it.

“I’m being serious,” I assure her as I tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. She gives me a look that tells me she thinks I’m blowing smoke up her ass. I’m going to have to bare my soul to her.

I’m all-in and willing to fight for this. For her. For us. She’s sitting sideways on my lap, but I need to look directly into her eyes for this. Lifting her from my lap, she squeaks in surprise as I set her back on the bed and drop to my knees. She automatically widens her legs, making room for me.

Resting my palms on her cheeks, I give her another tender smile. “Months. Since the first day I laid eyes on you, I’ve wanted you.”

“W-What?” she whispers.

I nod. “At first, it was just that you were beautiful. You were this fun-loving aunt and sister, and as I got to know you, I knew you were someone I could see myself with.”

“You never said anything.”

“I didn’t want you to know.”

“Why?” She tilts her head to the side as she processes what I’m telling her.

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