Page 46 of Hot Route
“I didn’t what?” I reply, confused.
“You didn’t say it first.”
I stare at him, truly bewildered because I feel like I’d know if he told me he loved me.
He continues, “That first night. After we finished, I went to the bathroom to get you a washcloth and a glass of water. When I looked in the mirror, I saw a man staring back at me that I’d never seen before. He was happy. Complete. He was…he was in love. I couldn’t wait to get back in bed to tell you, but you were asleep. So, I said it anyway.”
My eyes sting with tears as I bury my face into his chest and sob. This whole night has been so overwhelming, but I know I’m safe here in the arms of the man I am head over heels for.
“Look at me, Baby Doll,” he says, lifting my chin again, our eyes meeting. “I love you. So fucking much.”
My heart feels so full as he covers my mouth with his one more time before smiling against my lips. “Now get this fine ass up and let’s go celebrate the best day of my life.”
THIRTY-FIVE
BLAZE
I adjustmy bow tie for the fiftieth time as I pace the living room. Tonight is the Children’s Hospital fundraiser and I somehow managed to talk Mads into being my date. She’s still hesitant to go public as a couple because she doesn’t want anyone thinking she’s using me to secure the position at Tailgate. I understand where she’s coming from, but I don’t know how much longer I can hide how I feel about her from the world.
Checking my watch, I see that we have about ten minutes before our car arrives. It’s a weeknight, so Mads blew through the door about an hour ago, stripping from her work clothes as she hustled up the stairs to shower. She told me to stay my ass downstairs so I didn’t distract her while she got ready. That was probably a good idea because there’s no way I’d be able to keep my hands off her if I saw her fresh from the shower.
I look out the window, noticing how dark it is already. I’ll never understand how setting the clock back an hour robs us of so much daylight, but whatever.
Just as I see the car pulling up the driveway, I hear light footsteps on the stairs behind me. I turn, all the breath leaving my lungs as Mads comes into view.
Mine.
She’s stunning in a long silver gown that’s tight on top, but flares out right above her knees. Her gorgeous tits are pushed up high. She wears strappy black heels on her feet. My cock twitches behind my zipper as goosebumps rise all over my skin. “Fuck, baby. You look edible,” I say, taking her hand and pulling her into my arms. I take a moment to bury my nose into her slender neck, inhaling her scent. I can’t stop myself from gently moving my lips along her skin. She sighs contentedly as my hands skate down her body, wrapping around her and grabbing her ass.
She swats at my shoulder, pulling away. “Stop it! I’m getting wet and I’m not wearing underwear.”
I groan. “Baby, if you think saying that is going to make me leave you alone, you’re fucking wrong. Now I just want to spread you out right here on this floor and clean up the mess you’re making with my tongue.” The thought has me considering abandoning the event altogether and mailing them a fat check instead.
She giggles. “Come on, you pervert. It’s only a couple hours. Then we can come back here and I’ll let you do whatever you want to me.”
I pretend to mull over her offer. “Okay. Two hours. Then I’m throwing you over my shoulder like a caveman and bringing you home.”
“Deal,” she replies. “Is the car here?”
“Yep. Let’s get this shit over with,” I say on an annoyed exhale. I do want to go. I know events like this are important. And I plan on making a good-sized donation to the hospital. I’m so fortunate to have the means to do so, and it feels good to knowI’m making a difference. But still, I’d rather be here worshipping every inch of her body.
I lead Mads from the house, opening the car door so she can slide in before I follow. We make out like teenagers in the back seat the entire ride to the event center, but when I try to take things further, she stops me. I know she doesn’t want me messing up her dress, but you can’t blame a guy for trying. I just feel like I can never get enough of her. I’ve spent every night since the birthday party inside my girl and I always want more. Thankfully, the feeling is mutual because she’s just as insatiable as I am.
The drive is short, and before we know it, the car door is being opened for us to step onto the red carpet. I grab Mads’ hand before I start to slide out, but she pulls me back toward her. “What’s wrong?” I ask.
She looks like a deer in headlights. “I— should we be holding hands? I don’t know what to do?”
She’s panicking but I’m as calm as can be as I sink back into the seat, closing the car door behind me. The red carpet can wait. I’m not going out there until Mads and I are on the same page. “Baby, I understand your concerns about us going public as a couple. And we don’t have to tell them anything. But I want your hand in mine out there. I want to be able to pull you close while we’re dancing. I don’t want to hide this.”
She considers for a moment before blowing out a breath. “I don’t either.”
“Yeah?” I say, relieved. “If anyone asks, we’ll dodge the question. Just until you get hired on at Tailgate. After that, I’m tattooing your name on my forehead so the whole world knows who I belong to.”
“Face tattoos are so hot,” she jokes.
I lean in and kiss her, pulling away a lot sooner than I’d like, but the red carpet awaits. “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” she says softly as I grab the door handle and step out with her hand in mine. Cameras flash from every direction as we make our way to the doors. Mads has her game face on, smiling and waving to the crowd as we move past. She’s a natural in front of the cameras and I can’t help but feel the pride swelling in my chest at the woman I’ve fallen head over heels for. The fact that she’s choosing to love me makes me feel like the luckiest son of a bitch in the world. I will never be good enough for her, but I’ll spend the rest of my life showing her how happy she makes me.
