Page 57 of Cherished Union

Her brows furrow together as she looks at me. “What?”

“You and Jade. What was that about?” I ask once again.

But before Addie can answer, my brother, sister, and their spouses join us in the limo. I grit my teeth. I’m not done. I’ll find out what was said, especially as Addie is acting suspicious, not looking at me and wringing her hands together.

“It’ll be okay, Ade,” Annemarie says, reaching for my wife’s hand. “You look stunning, and no one is going to say anything.”

Fuck, I’m an ass. She’s not acting suspicious; she’s worried about what people are going to say.

“She’s not wrong,” Hayes says. “I love my wife, but I’m not blind. You look gorgeous.”

“Keep your fucking eyes to yourself,” I snap at him, and the fucker just laughs. I reach for Ade and keep her by my side. It doesn’t take her long until she sinks into me. “You are by far the most beautiful woman in the world.”

She looks up at me, her emerald eyes so bright with happiness. “You're so getting laid tonight.”

I chuckle. I can’t help it, she’s fucking hilarious. “That’s a given, my dove, but don’t worry, tonight, I’ll eat you until you’re shaking, then I’ll fuck you until you pass out.”

She shivers as she squirms on the seat. “God, now my panties are soaked.”

She’s sent to test me, that much I have gathered.

“We’re here,” Rocco growls, and I turn to him. The fucker’s watching us like a hawk, his eyes narrowed in on me and his sister. “Wanna let her breathe?”

“Leave them,” Annemarie hisses at him, her hand resting on her bump. “She’s happy and he makes her so. Leave them alone.” With that, she gets out of the limo, Hayes laughing his ass off behind her. Jade tries to stifle her smile.

“No one is going to make you feel uncomfortable,” I promise her as I help her out of the vehicle.

“I know,” she replies softly. “They can’t. Don’t you know, Hayden? With you by my side, no one can hurt me.”

“Dove,” I reply huskily. Every instinct in me tells me to find an empty room and fuck her, letting her know how much her words mean.

“Let’s go. The sooner we make an appearance, the sooner we can go home.”

I’ve created a monster, but damn, she’s fucking perfect.

CHAPTER22

ADELINA

Last week at Matty’s party was without a doubt one of the better nights I’ve had in a while. Being with Hayden makes me feel stronger. Not because he’s the boss and he’d kill for me—something I’d never want him to do—but because he makes me feel as though I’m the only woman in the world for him.

Going into the party, I thought I’d be stared at like I was a circus freak, but I wasn’t. Everyone was so sweet and welcoming. Although Hayden growled at a few of the men who were staring at my legs a little too long. Hayden was pissed. His words were,‘That dress is getting burned when we get home if I have to see another man stare at your legs or breasts.’I laughed, telling him it’s not my fault, nor was it the dress’s fault that his men didn’t know how to behave properly. Thankfully, the dress didn’t get burned. In fact, he fucked me in it against the wall the moment we got home.

“Ready?” Annemarie questions as she walks into the kitchen, where I’m currently having a slice of toast and a glass of orange juice.

“Ready for what?” Hayden questions, and I hide my smile. He’s very abrasive where his sister-in-law is concerned. I understand why. Annemarie has been very open and honest about the struggles she faced when she and Hayes got married. But she’s trying to make amends, and for me, she’s been a real shoulder to lean on. She’s been very pleasant, and we speak daily. I actually really like her and feel comfortable around her.

“I have my doctor’s appointment today, remember?” I say to him. I may have lied about what my appointment was about, but I did tell him I had to go.

His jaw clenches. “Fuck, is that today?”

I nod. “I know, you have a meeting. It’s fine. It’s why Annemarie is with me. She’s going to come with me and keep me company. We’re bringing both Matty and Emile with us and then we’re going to have some lunch.”

He looks at me, and I can tell he wants to say something. Annemarie must sense it too. “I’m going to check on Hayes and ensure he’s dropped the kids off at your ma’s.” She gives me a reassuring smile and backs out of the room, her cell to her ear. We can hear her talking when Hayes answers.

Hayden closes the gap between us. “I’m sorry,” he says, and I can see that he’s warring with himself over whether he should come with me or not.

I rest my hand on his chest, reach up on my tiptoes, and press a kiss against his lips. “It’s fine. You go to your meeting, and I’ll go for the check-up, have lunch, and maybe even do some shopping. Then tonight, it’s just us.”

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