Anderson fell into our lives. I may not know what the future holds for us, but I have a feeling it’s going to be more than we could have ever imagined.
We finally reach my building and I park in my designated spot before putting the truck in park and switching the ignition off. Closing the door behind me, I move around to the back door and open it for Maddox, all the while trying to be as quiet as possible so as not to wake Oakley. She’s still secure in Maddox’s arms, but it makes it difficult for him to ease himself out of the truck, so I take her in my arms and wait.
She doesn’t wake as we make our way inside, and while Maddox locks up, I carry our sleeping beauty straight to the bedroom.
Crossing the threshold to my bedroom with a woman in my arms is something I never expected to experience. I’ve enjoyed the pleasure of countless women in my life—more than several have been shared with Maddox. But I was never under the guise that when I finally settled down, it would be with a woman. I never knew if it was just because I was so in love with Maddox, or because I hadn’t met the right woman to make me forget him. But now, in this moment, I realize it’s because none of them were her.
Lost in my thoughts, I don’t notice Maddox until he slips past me and moves to his side of the bed. With practiced ease, he strips his shirt off, leaving his jeans in place before he slips beneath the covers. Once he’s settled, he pulls the blanket back, his arms open, waiting for me to lay Oakley against him.
I balance a knee on the bed and carefully place her back in his arms. Oakley turns as if it’s the most natural thing in the world and melts into his hold. Her nose nuzzles deeper until it fits flush in the crook of his neck.
I slip out of my shoes before I strip my own shirt off. Once it’s joined Maddox’s clothes on the floor, I carefully remove Oakley’s shoes, discarding them amongst ours.
I slip into bed and Maddox hands me the edge of the blanket so I can pull it across me and Oakley. Leaving her nose where it is, tucked up against Maddox, her body scoots back, seeking my warmth. I settle my arm around her, and it brushes against Maddox’s. It’s several minutes before either of us speaks.
“What are we doing?” Madd’s whispered question breaks the silence. Needing to see him, I use the arm not holding Oakley to lift my head, giving me a clear view. But his eyes aren’t on me, they’re on Oakley. My own eyes drift there too, and I can’t help the way my hold on her tightens.
“I don’t know,” I answer honestly.
Silence stretches again and Maddox releases a shaky breath. There’s a hint of panic in his tone. “Whatever this is… please tell me you feel it too.”
“Do you really need to ask me that?” I say.
Angel finally turns to face me. His eyes drift over Oakley. The way I hold her is the same way I’ve held him a thousand times before.
“No, I guess I don’t,” Angel admits, still gazing at her sleeping so perfectly between us. “She fits here, Jax.” The wistful expression on his face, and the tone of his voice gives away his emotions. He’s hopeful and excited, but there’s fear in his eyes too. “I didn’t mean for this to happen.”
“Maddox,” I start, but he cuts me off, his whisper gaining a hard edge. “No Jax, I need you to know—you’ve always been enough for me. And yeah, there are years of actions that prove otherwise, but right here, right now, before we take these next steps, I want you to know that you were always enough.”
My nose burns as his words hit their mark. Like balm to my still mending heart, they wrap around the jagged edges and soothe the years of hurt. I never knew how much I needed those words until this moment.
Damn, Maddox. “You can’t say shit like that to me when I can’t kiss the fuck out of you.” I attempt to lighten the heavy mood but despite my intentions my words are growled and tinged with lust.
Maddox laughs under his breath and his arm, wrapped around Oakley, moves until he reaches my hand and links our fingers. Together, we