Page 80 of Sweet Poison

But curiosity bubbles up inside me. I pull back slightly, leaning closer, my heart fluttering. “So…what did you wish for?”

He hesitates, his eyes darken with mischief. “One day, I’ll tell you,” he murmurs, his voice low and teasing.

I pout, unable to hide my disappointment that flashes across my face. “No fair. I told you mine!”

His smile widens. “One day, Willow.”

One day…

Thud.

How…sweet.

I tap his chest—right where his heart is—three times. “One day, Madden.”

He surprises me by leaning down and in one swift motion, he leans down and presses his lips against mine, in a soft, soul consuming kiss.

The world around us blurs, and for a long moment, it feels like no one else exists but him until our breath, our hearts become one.

Madden steals not only my breath but my heart as he kisses me tenderly. The kiss is gentle, but it lingers, and when he pulls back, the light in his eyes makes me fall harder for the man. “I think I might keep you, fairy,” he says, a beautiful smirk tugging at his lips.

I blink up at him, heart racing, still caught in the spell of his kiss. “Okay,” I whisper breathlessly.

“Okay,” he whispers back, his smile taking over his face.

And as we stand there, the glow of the lanterns reflecting in both of our eyes, I realize that whatever his wish is, it feels like it’s already starting to come true.

I also realized something then, something I hadn’t before. Madden Hunt has stolen my heart—again. But as I thought about it more, the truth settled in. My heart hasn’t been mine in a long time because Madden has been the owner of my heart and all its wishes since I was six years old.

Life brought him back to me during this jolly holiday and now it’s up to me to make him stay… forever.

Chapter

Twenty-Four

WRAPPED IN LOVE

Willow

“I’ve waited for you like the night waits for the day.” —M

The soft hum of holiday music blasts from my computer as I sit cross-legged on the plush rug in my suite, my obsessions notebook and markers spread out before me. I’ve been doodling for the past hour, and right now, the letters of Madden’s name are adorned with little green hearts and yellow stars.Childish?Perhaps. But it makes me happy.

He makes me happy.

I find myself replaying every moment we’ve shared, and butterflies take flight in my stomach. I think about the stolen kisses, how they almost went too far.

Warm fills my cheek as I remember the way it felt to be wrapped in Madden’s embrace. Nothing has ever felt as right as being with him— as feeling the best of his heart.

Nothing.

Just as I’m adding the last heart to Madden’s name, the bathroom door swings open, and Uncle Cianne steps out, a cloud of steam following him. He’s wrapped in a white towel, water droplets glistening on his tanned skin, his hair a wild mess in every direction.

“What’s this?” he asks, leaning over my shoulder with a mischievous grin. “Is that a love letter to a certain owner of this resort?”

I snap the notebook shut, my cheeks flushing in embarrassment. “It’s just… doodles.”

“Just doodles, huh?” He raises an eyebrow, still grinning like a cat that’s just caught a mouse. “Looks like you’re planning your life with him.” He wiggles his brows like an idiot.

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