Page 25

Chapter

Twenty-Four

WRAPPED IN LOVE

Willow

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

T he 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.

“Oh, please, uncle!” I laugh, trying to act unbothered, but the heat in my cheeks gives me away.

I was not planning my future with the gorgeous grinch. I’m not even sure of what is happening between us or if there’s even a future.

“Right, right.” He leans closer, still scanning the pages. “So, is he worthy of all this hopeless devotion? Or are you just falling for his sunshine personality?” Sarcasm drips from his tone.

I roll my eyes and smirk. “He’s sweet, and?—”

“And?” He presses.

I look my uncle in the eye and say softly, “He makes me happy. I feel happy every single second I’m with him…” My voice trails off, a little embarrassed.

My uncle’s face shifts from playful to serious. “I know.”

“You know?” I ask, confused.

He nods, his smile softer now. “There’s this glow about you lately, baby girl. It’s the same glow your mother had when she and your father first got together. That’s love.” He visibly shudders as if the idea of love made him ill.

Love.

I know it’s love.

I’ve known it since we were kids. Time hasn’t changed that.

Uncle claps his hands, snapping me from my thoughts. “I can already picture your dad's reaction when he finds out his only daughter is in love.” He grins. “I have an idea.”

Un-oh.

Uncle’s spontaneous ideas usually end in disaster— or with dad threatening to dismember him.

“What idea?” I ask, almost afraid to hear the answer.

“We have to send him a Christmas card,” he says with his usual dramatic flair. “A picture of you two at sunset, looking all cuddled up under those tropical mistletoes.”

I laugh at his antics. “I think I’ll pass,” I laugh when he feigns hurt.

As our laughter fades, a moment of silence settles in. Uncle Cianne leans back, his expression softening. “You know,” he begins, “I’m not surprised.”

I look up, confused. “You’re not?”

He nods thoughtfully, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “I always knew that kid would go places. He was a smartass, angry little punk, but he had fire inside of him. That kind of fire can make or break a person, and it looks like it made a champion.”

I blink, surprised by his words. “You always knew?”

He nods again, more slowly this time, as if remembering something from the past. “Even your father saw it. He pretended he didn’t, of course, but we all saw it. Hell, the fucker used to sneak food and knives into that kid’s backpack.”

“Daddy did that?” I ask him, feeling a little shocked. I saw the way dad looked at Madden whenever we played together. He looked at him as if he weren’t worthy of his daughter—as if he didn’t like him.

Uncle nods. “Your father is a good man. A fucking territorial psycho, but a good man. So trust me, he’ll always be on your side, and he’ll accept whoever you choose to love.”

I didn’t even realize how much I needed to hear that until now. I hadn’t thought too much about what all this with Madden means, but hearing my uncle say those words about my father makes my heart feel lighter.

Just then, there’s a knock at the door, that pulls me from my thoughts. I get up, curious, and open it to find a stunning bouquet of wildflowers resting on the hall’s carpet. Their vibrant colors stand out against the neutral tones of the hallway, and I can’t help but smile.

Attached is a small note, and my heart skips as I read it:

Meet me in the garden. —Madden

I turn, flowers and note in hand, and find my uncle grinning from ear to ear. “Go meet your dark Romeo,” he teases. “I’ll be close by, keeping watch.”

“I’m safe with him,” I blurt out before I even think.

Uncle’s grin widens. “I know you are, Willow. But I’m still your uncle, and he’s still got a dick.” He winks and heads off to get dressed.

He’s always given me more space than my other uncles— or even dad—ever would, but I know he’s always been closed by, watching over me without me even realizing it. That’s just how my uncle is, and I appreciate it more than he knows.

With a smile on my face, I turn and head off in search of my sweet, dark Romeo.

I wander through the resort’s garden, looking at all the tropical Christmas decorations. Strings of twinkling lights drape like stars caught in the palms, and oversized ornaments sway gently in the ocean breeze.

I’m still in awe that this paradise belongs to Madden. Pride swells in my chest for all he’s accomplished, for everything he’s built.

I scan the garden, searching for him, but I don’t see him—only a few other guests, lost in their own holiday activities.

As I walk deeper into the garden, the sounds of laughter and soft holiday music fill the air, mingling with the scent of fresh blooms.

I pause for a moment, hoping to catch sight of him, but there’s still no sign. A small twinge of disappointment tugs at my heart as I move deeper into the garden, where the laughter of the guests fades, and the world becomes quiet.

Then, as I round a corner, I find it—a secluded nook, glowing softly with fairy lights.

Suddenly, without warning, a cascade of bubbles bursts from hidden machines nearby, filling the air with shimmering orbs that dance and float around me. I burst into laughter, completely surprised by the magic of it all. The bubbles catch the lights, sparkling like round stars, and I spin in delight, reaching out to pop a few as my laughter rings through the quiet garden.

As I twirl among the bubbles, a sense of wonder fills me. What is going on? Who did this? Did he…? I pause, breathless, and look around. That’s when I see him. Madden stands a few paces away, leaning casually against a palm tree, his black eyes locked on me and a soft smile on his lips.

My heart gallops in my chest as I take him in. He’s so handsome that at times it hurts to look at him.

He’s standing there, looking like every woman’s fantasy and my wildest dream. His tailored black shirt and gray slacks fit him just right. He’s honestly the sexiest man alive but what makes him more charming to me is the way he’s looking at me as if he’s never seen a more beautiful sight.

I can feel the warmth and tender gaze wash over me.

“Are you happy?” he asks, his voice steady and soft. Butterflies stir in my stomach, fluttering wildly as I search for words. The garden, the music, everything else seems to disappear, leaving just the two of us, suspended in this single, perfect and magical moment.

I manage a soft whisper, “Yes.”

The word feels small, but it holds everything— everything I feel down in my soul for this man. A flicker of relief crosses his face, and he smiles.

“Good,” he says, and before I can fully grasp what’s happening, he pulls me into his strong arms and kisses me senseless.

I kiss him back with the same intensity wanting him to know just how much I really want him—want this.

Us.

He swallows my moans as I melt into the kiss, feeling like I don’t ever want to find out the taste of someone else’s lips. Only ever his.

The butterflies take over my stomach as his kiss turns wild while everything else stays in the background of this moment and it’s just us.

Willow and Madden like it was always supposed to be.

When pulls back, his breath feels warm against my skin, and my heart still races. He reaches behind him and, with a cocky smile, reveals a flower crown made of wildflowers. It’s beautiful and…perfect. My heart goes crazy as if wanting to escape my body and fall at his feet as he gently places the flower crown on my head.

I swallow nervously as I look up at him, overwhelmed with emotions. “Are you happy, Madden?”

He looks thoughtful for a moment, his brow furrowing slightly, and my breath catches in my throat. But then, his black eyes meet my blue ones, and I know the answer without him having to tell me.

But he still does.

“With you, I am.” he replies, his gaze locking onto mine. “With you, I’m always fucking happy, fairy.”

“Magic…” I whisper, almost to myself.

“What?”

I beam up at him, my heart soaring. “You’re magic, Madden Hunt. The best kind. The kind that makes everything better.”

His nostrils flare, and something that looks a whole lot like love flashes through his eyes. Then, before I can catch my breath, he leans down and kisses me again— this time, stealing the very air from my lungs.

This kiss feels different. This kiss feels like the beginning of something— the beginning of forever.

And as the sun shines down on us and bubbles float around us, we’re wrapped in our own little world. In this moment, I know with every part of me that I never want to leave this man’s arms.

Never.