Page 145 of False Start

“It’s not easy,” Kyle said, and I knew he understood. “But… I wish my mom would have had the strength you do. I wish she would have saved me from…”

His voice drifted, and I sat up, my brows inching together.

God.

I hadn’t even thought of this piece of it.

Of course, it would hit close to home for Kyle. Of course, he would see himself in Sebastian, see the possible future of what Bas could have faced had I not stepped in, had we not fought for him.

“Kyle,” I breathed, reaching out for his hand.

He slid his palm over mine, squeezing once and lifting my knuckles to his mouth for a kiss before he dropped my hand and went back to massaging me.

“I know it wasn’t easy, and I know there will be many other battles we have to fight. Who knows what will happen in a year or two. We may have a time where Marshall has partial custody again, or at the very least, visitation. The stepparent adoption may not go through.” Kyle shrugged. “But one thing I do know is that you are the most incredible woman I have ever met in my life, Madelyn.” His blue eyes held mine steady. “What you did today, what you do for this familyeveryday…” He shook his head. “You’re amazing. And I love you. And I’m so thankful for you, I want to write a fucking poem or something.”

I laughed at that. “Oh, God, please don’t. I remember your notes from high school. You couldn’t even spell restaurant.”

“Hey, to be fair, that’s a really fucking hard word to spell.”

We both smiled, a comfortable silence slipping between us.

“How are you feeling?” he asked, nodding toward my swollen belly.

“Okay, actually,” I said. “A little tired. My back hurts. But otherwise, I’m okay.”

“Hungry?”

“Always.”

He smirked, helping me stand and pulling me into the kitchen. He sat me at the island and poured a tall glass of myfavorite sparkling grape juice, and then proceeded to make me the best grilled cheese of my life.

I was halfway through it when he leaned over the island with a mischievous grin. “So, energy has been feeling decent lately?”

“If you’re asking if I want to ride you, good sir, the answer isabsofuckinglutely,” I said around a mouthful of cheese. “But first, I’m going to finish every bite of this and lick the plate clean.”

Kyle chuckled. “Not what I was getting at, but very happy to know where this evening is headed.” His eyes were shining in the low light of the kitchen. “I asked because I have a surprise.”

“A surprise?” I asked, again, around a mouthful of food. Apparently, I didn’t have it in me to put this sandwich down.

“Your parents are staying for another ten days.”

I blinked. “Uh… they are?”

“They are. And I have a suitcase half-packed for you in our bedroom, but you’ll need to go through it and add anything you might want that I’ve forgotten. I’m phenomenal at many things,” he added with a salacious grin. “But packing, admittedly, is not one of them.”

I chewed on the last bite of my sandwich for a long time, washing it down with a gulp of grape juice before I arched a brow at him. “Okay, and what exactly am I packing for?”

“A baby moon.”

“Awhat?”

Kyle rounded the island, sliding his hands over my belly before they trailed up to frame my face.God, I loved when he held me like that, when his hands cradled my neck, and his thumbs tilted my chin up, when his eyes stared deep into mine.

“I want to spoil you, Madelyn,” he said. “I have a pretty good hunch your first pregnancy wasn’t exactly rainbows and roses. And so far, this one hasn’t been much better. I had the season.We had the court case. We moved to a new house, moved Sebastian to a new school… it’s been one thing after another.”

He kissed my forehead, holding his lips there a long time before his gaze found mine again.

“And I want a vacation with you. You, and me. Just the two of us. I want to buy you the most expensive massages I can afford, and see your beautiful body relaxing in an infinity pool overlooking the ocean, and make love to you in a bed meant for kings and queens.”