Page 83 of Riding the Edge

“And knowing still don’t change anything for me,” I assure her. “I’m not going anywhere, Maria. You’re fucking stuck with me throughout the duration of this. You get a clean bill of health and decide I’m not good enough, we’ll revisit this conversation and even then, I’m not sure I’ll let you go. I’m selfish when it comes to getting what I want and all I want is you.”

“Al, they’re removing my breasts.”

“Small part of a great package.”

“Stop saying all the right things.”

Taking both her hands, I press my lips to each before touching my forehead to hers.

“We’ll figure it out, Lady, but, you gotta be here for us to do that. I’m not going to pretend I know what you’re feeling but, I can tell you wholeheartedly, I’m more of an ass man than a tit man.”

Then, right there in the middle of misery, something beautiful happens.

Maria throws her head back and lets out a laugh.

An honest to God, genuine laugh and the sound soothes all that’s wrong.

It’s a sound full of hope.

Of strength.

And of courage.

Bringing her eyes back to me, she wraps her arms around my neck and smiles through the sadness, through the fear and the heartbreak. Lifting both hands to her cheeks, my thumbs caress the outline of her jaw and I inhale a sharp breath.

“We’re riding on the edge,” I rasp, staring into those beautiful soulful eyes of hers.

“On the edge of what?”

“Something beautiful,” I reply.

I’ve learned nothing in this life comes easy and to find the beautiful we first must ride through the misery and sorrow. It’s what makes us humble at the end of our journey.

“You’re going to make me fall in love with you, aren’t you?”

“Fast and hard, Lady,” I swear, inching closer to her.

Bringing my mouth to hers, I seal the deal giving her a glimpse of the beautiful we’ll create together. Holding me tight, she returns the kiss and for a single moment, it’s just us.

Me and her against the fucking world.

The doorbell rings, killing the sliver of serenity and forcing us apart. Giving her a moment to compose herself, I rise to my feet. The bell is accompanied by an impatient knock, making it clear Anthony is on the other side of the door.

“You good?” I question.

“This is as good as it gets.”

With a nod, I pull the door open and stare into a pair of cold blue eyes.

“Give me one reason why I shouldn’t knock you out?”

“Jesus, Anthony, stop it would you?” Lauren says, pushing him out of the way.

“I saw what he benches, Wolf, I’d fucking run if I was you,” Riggs says from behind him.

“His bark is bigger than his bite,” Adrianna argues.

“That’s enough,” Maria says, coming to stand beside me.

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