Page 102 of Sweet Poison

If she wants me to ride fuck yeah, I’ll ride.

With one last glance at her, I shift my focus back to the track. I press down on the accelerator, and the car lurches forward, the engine roaring to life. I love the sound it pumps blood to my body but not more than what her moans and her laugh do to me.

I’ve always loved the rush and right now I can feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins as we fly down the straightaway.

Willow’s laughter fills the cockpit, a sweet sound that blends perfectly with the purr of the engine. My two favorite sounds in the world.

Looking away from the track, I glance over at her, her hair whipping back in the wind because of the windows down, the oversized jacket flaring out like a banner. She’s absolutely radiant, eyes sparkling with pure joy. “This is everything!” She laughs some more. I can see Willow leaning forward, her excitement palpable as she takes in the scenery flashing by.

“Faster!” she yells, her voice filled with exhilaration. I take a moment to soak in the sight of her, then I give her what she wants.

I go fast as fuck with my precious cargo by my side.

In that moment I realized something I feared once, there’s nothing I wouldn't give this woman if she asked.

Even my once angry and barely beating heart.

A while later,we slow to a stop, the engine humming to a soft purr. My pulse is still thrumming with adrenaline, but it’s nothing compared to the rush of hearing Willow’s perfect laugh.

I turn off the ignition, but before I can even open my door, Willow is out of her seat like a burst of sunshine, radiatingsunshine. I quickly hop out of the car as she races toward me, her laughter ringing out like my favorite melody. Before I can even blink, she’s jumping into my arms.

I catch her effortlessly, her arms wrapping around my neck as she squeals, “That was… just… wow! I’ve always wondered what it felt like to ride in one of these cars!” Her eyes sparkle with happiness, making my heart pump faster.

I hold her tight, feeling her warmth against me, her laughter infectious as my heart beats fast as fuck and not because of the adrenaline but because of the feel of her in my arms. “I’m glad you liked it, baby,” I murmur, my voice low and a little gruff as I look into her eyes. “You’re one hot as fuck co-pilot.”

She tilts her head, all those curls falling around her face like a halo and smiles. “Stop.” She blushes and my heart pounds like a drum.

“It’s true. You’re hot as fuck.”

She playfully rolls her eyes. “Let’s do it again!” she grins. “But maybe I can drive this time?”

I smirk. “Next time, I promise,” I tease, leaning a little closer to her mouth. “But first? I’d love to see you on top of my hood.”

Willow raises an eyebrow, her smile turning into a full-blown flirty grin. “Madden,” she breathes, the way she says my name making me shiver. I love when she whispers my name when she’s all hot and bothered.

I take that as a yes. In one swift move, I set her down gently on the hood of the car, and she lets out a giggle as she settles on the smooth surface like a queen on her throne.

I stand there for a second, just watching her—her face glowing with happiness. How is someone this perfect, even real? I’ve never believed in God, happily ever after, or even luck, but the day Willow appeared in my life, everything began to slowly shift until we ended here.

Until she made me believe in things I swore were complete bullshit.

She looks up, catches me staring, and her cheeks flush a pretty shade of pink that makes my chest tighten. “What?” she asks, her voice soft.

I grin. “You’re just…so fucking beautiful,” I say, because it’s true. No other way to put it.

“You keep saying that,” she ducks her head, looking all shy.

I reach out, gently touching her chin, tilting her face up so she meets my gaze. “And I’ll keep saying it,” I murmur, my voice softer this time, a little more serious. “You don’t even know how beautiful you are, Willow. You’re perfect. “I’ve seen the most amazing places, met a lot of people—but none of them come close to you.”

Her eyes turn softens, the blush deepens, and her bottom lip trembles a little. It’s like she doesn’t know what to say, and the sight of it makes my heart swell. For a moment, we just stand there, everything around us fading away as the connection between us deepens.

I want her to know. She should know. She should know how beautiful she is. How brave, how strong, how everything.

She should know the queen she is.

And as the sun casts a golden light over us, I realize—this is it. I want to keep her this close forever. I want to wake up to her smile every day, and kiss her lips goodnight every night.

Shit, I think to myself. I want this woman. Every. Single. Day.

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