I blinked at him. “Was that… a penis reference?”
And then, just like all the other times when discussion tumbled into the gutter, my brave and mighty captain barked out a laugh. He had the humor of a twelve-year-old boy.
Peter grabbed a small stack of cookies before saying goodbye and leaving with Alice. They’d be returning in the morning. If the café continued to do well, I’d be able to hire them full-time. Probably hire another person too. A thrilling thought.
This is really happening.
“I’m so proud of you.” Briar smoothed aside my bangs, and they flopped right back into my face. That made him smile. “You worked hard today. Let’s get you upstairs and ready for bed.”
“Not sleepy,” I said just as I yawned. “I need to wash dishes.”
“The dishes can wait until tomorrow.” Maddox then did what he did best; picked me up and threw me over his shoulder.
“Put me down!” I wiggled.
He swatted my ass. “Shh.”
I laughed as he left the kitchen and went upstairs. Briar followed behind us, a small smile curving his lips. Reaching my room, Maddox set me on the bed, but I hopped right back up.
“Oh, does the mighty muffin lord want a duel?” Maddox asked.
“Only if I can fight with cuteness. Pointy things and I don’t mix well.”
“This is my shocked face,” Maddox said in a deadpan tone.
I bumped my closed fist against his chest. “Smart-ass. Another ‘s’word to add to your list of attributes.”
Maddox grabbed my hand as I withdrew it and lifted it to his mouth, kissing my middle knuckle. He loved kissing me there for some reason, just like Briar loved kissing my temple.
Memories flooded me, then. I had only been with them for a few months, but so much had happened. So manygreatthings I never thought would be possible.
“Remember when we first met?” I asked him. “You were so mean to me that day. Grumpy and rude. A block of ice was warmer than you.”
Maddox’s humor transitioned to something softer. “Most of it was an act. From the first time I saw you, asleep in the grass beneath that tree, my heart thumped harder. I knew if I allowed myself even a moment to dwell on those feelings and what they could mean, I’d never come back from it.” He lightly grazed his knuckles along my jaw. “And I was right.”
My heart turned to mush. Just a big puddle of gooey, swoony, sweetness. “Good. Because I don’t want you to come back from it.” I nuzzled Briar. “You either, Doc.”
“I’m not going anywhere, love.”
“I love when you call me that.” I breathed him in and smiled as his scent mixed with Maddox’s. Seriously. How could life possibly get any better than this?
A yawn came out of nowhere, making my eyes water. I stood between them in our familiar way; them making an Evan sandwich and me basking in the feel of them around me.
“Time for you to sleep,” Maddox murmured, lowering his face to my neck where he placed the gentlest of kisses. He gently picked me up and carried me over to the bed. I didn’t fight him this time.
I was too damn exhausted.
“Can you stay?” My voice sounded sluggish. “Never mind. I’m being selfish. Y’all have already done so much for me. You can go home if you want to.”
The bed dipped beside me before I was surrounded by the scent of fresh air and magnolia. “My home is wherever you are,” Briar said.
“Sap,” Maddox muttered before laying on my other side. “He needs to create a list ofwords for you too. That one can be at the top.”
“Oh, come off it,” Briar countered. “You were thinking the same as me.”
“Prove it.”
“You being here is proof enough.”
