Page 89 of Slow Burn
She lowered her face and smacked a kiss to the top of Sheldon's head before guiding him down to her lap.
Then her beautiful gaze was back on me.
My eyes followed the movement of my hands brushing a few wayward strands from her forehead. "I don't even want to think where I'd be if you hadn't come into my life when you did."
With a feather-light touch, Maddie trailed her fingers over my scarred neck. Peering up at me from beneath those impossibly thick lashes, the corners of her mouth lifted into a mischievous grin. "You'd probably be scowling at the world."
I threw my head back and laughed. "You're right. I had a hell of a chip on my shoulders."
Her face turned serious within the space of a breath. "You know I wouldn't change a thing about you, right?" Maddie smoothed her hand over the left side of my chest. "Your broken parts were made to fit mine."
"I know."
Slipping my fingers beneath her chin, I pressed my lips to hers. My heart so impossibly full because it didn't matter how broken I was, the universe still gave me her.
My person.
My Maddie.
And I was going to spend the rest of my life being the man she deserved.
EPILOGUE
MADDIE
My heart fluttered as the first notes of the wedding march filled the small church and wrapped around me like a big, happy hug. With my grin stretching wider, I slowly pushed to my feet. But instead of watching the bride walking down the aisle, my gaze traveled to the man standing next to the groom.
The one who looked way too damn sexy for his own good. And who apparently found me more interesting than the vision floating toward them. You'd think after being on the receiving end of that dark intense stare for over a year, I'd be used it.
I wasn't.
Not even close.
Honestly, I couldn't imagine a day where one look from Adam wouldn't have heat rushing through my veins or the butterflies in my stomach taking flight. And I was completely okay with that.
Like it had done a million times before we'd arrived at the church, his gaze leisurely swept up and down the length of my body before he subtly patted his pants'pocket. The one he'd stuffed my panties into after not-so-delicately removing them before we left the hotel room.
His lips twitched before curving upward in one of those I-can't-hide-how-happy-I-am smiles. He'd been doing a lot of that lately. Especially after he took a position at Clearwater Bay Fire Department. I loved seeing him like this. Loved how comfortable he'd gotten in his own skin.
I just loved him.
I was still getting lost in Adam's eyes when the beautiful bride reached her destination and we were prompted to sit down. As wonderful as the ceremony was, it was always the best man who stole my attention.
And when Mr. and Mrs. Gallagher finally said their I do's and rushed toward the exit,Ihurried toward Adam.
"Hi." His strong arms wrapped around me, tugging me closer.
I tilted my head back to look into his eyes. "Hi, yourself."
The way he smiled down at me filled me with so much happiness, I thought I might burst from sheer pressure of it. Adam's dark head stooped to run his nose along mine. "Wanna take a walk with me?"
"Aren't you supposed to be taking photos with the wedding party."
"Mmm mmm." His lips touched the corner of my mouth sending a delicious shiver down my spine. "We took a ton before the ceremony. I'm all photoed out." He pulled back and pinned me with a stare that had my bloodturning to lava. "Besides I want to steal a few moments alone with you."
My brow arched. "To return my underwear?"
"Oh no. The only thing covering that part of you will be my mouth." Before I even had time to say anything to that, he grabbed my hand and started walking toward the side exit.
