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Chapter thirty-nine

Maddox

I ’m lounging in Colt’s bed, his hand resting on my thigh, eyes sparkling with delight as he watches me shovel crispy, buttery blueberry waffles into my mouth.

“This is amazing. Where did you learn to cook like this?” I ask.

He smiles mischievously. “I didn’t. I cheated.”

I gulp down the coffee between bites. “You didn’t need to buy me breakfast.”

He takes a leisurely sip of coffee from his own cup. “I didn’t have to, but I wanted to.”

Swoon. Why is he so fucking perfect? What will Callie and Sam say when I recap my evening for them later? I don’t know what to say to them. He’s so… nice. It’s refreshing and strange all at the same time. For some kind of hardened criminal mafia man, Colt sure doesn’t play the part around me.

He clears his throat, searching my soul with those dark, pooling eyes that make my knees weak and my body melt into a puddle of goo for him.

“Maddox, can I ask you something crazy?”

“Sure,” I reply, cautiously.

He gives me a reassuring squeeze on my thigh. “Don’t worry if it’s too soon, or too weird, or if you just don’t want to answer me. You can say no.”

“Oof. You’re making me nervous. What is it?” My curiosity always gets the best of me.

“Do you have a passport?”

“Actually, I do. We went on a girls’ trip last year over spring break, and I had to get one.”

“Good.”

“Why?” I prompt.

“Because my brother is getting married in Mexico soon, and I was wondering if you’d like to come with me as my date,” he mutters nervously.

I’m tempted to tease him about it, but it’s cute he’s nervous to ask me, so I let it slide this time. “I would love to be your date for your brother’s wedding.”

“Really?” he asks.

“Don’t seem so surprised. I spent the last six months stalking you and planning our future together. I didn’t wake up this morning and say, ‘No, Colt. I don’t want anything else to do with you.’”

He chuckles, that deep, gravely sound I’m obsessed with. “True, and also a little creepy. Remind me never to make you angry.” He shivers.

I slap his shoulder playfully. “Colt!”

“What?” He feigns innocence.

I roll my eyes. “You’re lucky I want to see you all dressed up in a full tux.”

“Ohhhh, sorry to disappoint you, darling. It’s more of an informal beach theme. You know, Hawaiian button-up shirts, tossed open by the warm beach breeze so everyone in attendance can admire my abs that stretch on and on for days.” He’s grinning from ear to ear when I stop shoveling bites of waffle in my mouth to poke him in the abs.

“Fuck.” I curse, “Why are they so sexy?”

“Do you still want to go, or are you going to be jealous of my abs? I’ll let you name them if that helps.” He tries to keep a straight face.

I cackle. “I’m definitely naming them, and I still want to go, so long as you promise to fuck me on the beach.”

With his eyebrow quirked, he seems puzzled.. “Sand… everywhere. Why, Maddox?”

“It’s kind of a bucket list thing. Just say yes.”

“Fine, but I will hear zero complaints afterward about sand being anywhere but the beach.”

“Are you kink-shaming me?” I tease.

“I wouldn’t dream of it. I’ll pencil you in for one session of beach sex. One means one, though, Maddox. Don’t even think about begging me for more.”

“Deal.” I agree.