Page 265 of Bossy Hero

With our bodies still intertwined, I join in, laughing with her like we’re kids.

“I love you too,” she says when the moment sobers.

It’d be impossible for me to love anything or anyone the way I love Maddie. And I never want to go another day without her by my side.

Unable to hold in the words, they tumble past my lips. “This week was agony. Not because of what happened. It’s because you weren’t by my side. I love you so damn much. Ineedyou in my life. Forever. I don’t want to live without you. I don’t care if we get married or not, but I need you. With me.Always.”

I pause for a deep inhale, trying to figure out why I’m so compelled to say all these things. No clue. I just need to get this out.

“Maddie, I can’t stand the thought of losing you again.”

She curls a few strands of my hair around her fingertip, loving me through her tender touch. “Again? When did you lose me before?”

“From the moment I first met you, every day that you weren’t mine was like losing you. Each day without you wrapped in my arms. Every night you weren’t in my bed. Every minute that I knew your heart wasn’t beating alongside mine. All those times, I lost you. Again and again. Every second of every fucking day. For years. I won’t survive it again.”

Her hand falls from my temple, cradling my cheek. “Oh, Alan. I hate that I hurt you for so long. If I could change it all, I would. All I can do now is promise those days are long gone. I don’t want to be without you either. And I’m so sorry for the pain I’ve caused you. So sorry.”

“Don’t apologize, baby. I know how scary this is for you. I’ve always known earning your love wasn’t going to be easy. But I’ve never doubted your love was worth the effort.Youare worth the effort. I love every beautiful part of you.”

The edges of her mouth quiver as she fights a grin. “Let me guess. You knew all this because you brain probed me?”

I chuckle, shaking my head at her. “Take a fucking compliment, woman. Don’t turn it into a damn joke.”

“Well, my daughter says deflective humor is the best way to handle all situations that push me the slightest bit out of my comfort zone. And things are working out pretty good for her.”

Still grinning, she lifts her head off the pillow just enough to touch noses with me.Fuck that.I claim her lips instead.

After all, I have nearly a week of kisses to make up for. And all the years before that.

Epilogue

It’s finally “someday”

Maddie

There’s nothing better than waking up wrapped in Alan’s arms.

Unfortunately, this morning’s euphoria is tarnished because the voices of my children and their partners are on the other side of the bedroom door. And I have no doubt that some of them heard me getting railed to within an inch of my life last night.

My only hope is that they’ll act like adults about it.

Please hold your laughter.

Time to gather the courage, open the door, and see if Sammy blabbed about it to all the others. If their faces are traumatized, I’ll have my answer.

Then I’ll die in shame. Not the way I wanted my story to end. But what can you do?

Time to embrace the horror of my own making. I swore I would no longer hide from things that scare me. I won’t double back on my vow so quickly.

Exhaling a steadying breath, I hold the door handle and count to three before stepping into the hallway. Smells like someone cooked breakfast.Oops. I should be doing that. Sammy and Sawyer are probably exhausted.

Unfortunately, it took some time to climb out of the Maddie-shaped divot that Alan drilled into the mattress.

I dash across the hallway into the bathroom to get cleaned up. My tender bits are extra tender this morning, thanks to the thorough attention Alan paid them.

When I exit, he’s waiting with his back against the wall. Devastatingly handsome, as always.

He winks at me, making me melt. “Hey, gorgeous.”

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