Page 36 of Tropical Inferno

“I-I love you, Garrett,” she managed to whisper, collapsing against him, as emotionally exposed as anyone he’d ever been intimate with.

“I love you too, baby.” He kept his arms around her, holding her tight, watching myriad emotions flit across her sweet features. He recognized passion, excitement and a twinge of apprehension as well. She’d had five whole days to fall in love with him and become completely immersed in his crazy life, but this was only the second time he’d made love to her, connected to her more than just mentally. She was undoubtedly having a few second thoughts and maybe a lot of insecurity, but he wasn’t going to let her do that to herself—or to them. She’d put her faith in him and he wasn’t going to risk losing it now that she was truly his.

“I’ve got you, Maddie.” He stroked her hair and whispered soft endearments in her ear, until he felt the nervous tension begin to fade. “I feel you pulling away, but I’m not going anywhere.”

“Why am I so scared?” she whispered, burying her face in his shoulder.

“Because you just entrusted your soul to someone else.”

“Then why aren’t you scared?” She raised her head to look at him. “Didn’t you do the same thing?”

He nodded slowly. “Honey, I gave you my soul the night you told me I was yours. I was terrified—why do you think I ran away from you the next morning?”

Her mouth formed an “O” as understanding pricked at her consciousness and everything appeared to click into place.

“But you’re not going anywhere, Mrs. Hawkins. You’re going to sit right here in my arms until you’re not afraid anymore.”

She closed her eyes and snuggled closer. “Promise?”

“Promise.”

20

Maddie woke up completely wrapped up in her husband. Sun was peeking through the shades and she saw the sheets and blankets in a tangled mess at the foot of the bed, one of the lamps overturned on the nightstand, three empty wine bottles on the dresser and one of Garrett’s ties still wrapped around the headboard. Her cheeks grew warm as she thought about everything they’d done last night—how many times he’d made love to her, in positions she’d never even imagined, again and again until she no longer remembered to be afraid, to second-guess the leap of faith she’d taken, or to doubt the momentous decision they’d made just eighteen hours ago.

She’d just unwound her legs from his and was sliding to the ground when firm fingers grasped her ankle. “I told you yesterday, you’re not going anywhere,” he growled sleepily.

She leaned over to kiss his lips and run her fingers through his hair. “I need to use the bathroom and find food—I never got any dinner last night.”

He opened one eye as he pulled her astride him, his hands gripping her waist. “I thought I fed you pretty well last night.”

She giggled. “Different kind of satisfaction.”

“Were you satisfied?”

She rolled her eyes playfully. “Yes, Hawk, I was very satisfied.”

His eyes narrowed. “I don’t think I like you calling me Hawk.”

“You liked it last night…” She wiggled her eyebrows.

“We might have to talk about that.”

She laughed. “Fine, but I really have to go to the bathroom.”

He released her and she disappeared into the next room. When she came out, he was in the small kitchen making coffee and opening a basket she didn’t remember seeing last night.

“Where did that come from?” she asked, moving up behind him to see what was in it.

“Someone delivered it early this morning.”

“They came in while we were…” Her voice squeaked a little as it faded.

“They came in while we were sleeping,” he chuckled, kissing the tip of her nose. “It’s almost eleven, sweetheart.”

“Oh my god! We’re going to miss our flight!” She started heading towards the bedroom but Garrett reached out to haul her back against him.

“Honey, we’re not going anywhere today. This is our honeymoon, and it’s going to be a short one because no matter what happens, I have to be at practice in Ottawa on Tuesday.”

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