Page 28

Chapter

Twenty-Seven

SWEET AS TRES LECHES

Madden

“This Christmas, my heart finally found its home.” —W

T he night air is warm, a gentle breeze carrying the sweet scent of tropical flowers and sea salt. I hold Willow’s hand tightly loving the feel of her on my skin, as I guide her along the lighted path.

She’s buzzing with excitement and genuine joy— the kind that is contagious and even has me feeling less like a moody fuck.

“Are we there yet?” She whispers, her voice husky in a way that drives me nuts. The woman’s voice makes my heart beat wild.

“Almost there,” I say, as I lead her through the garden, her eyes covered by a silky blindfold.

“Where are we going?” she asks, a hint of laughter in her voice.

“Patience,” I reply, a grin spreading wider. “Just a little further.”

The soft crunch of gravel beneath our feet and the distant sound of waves crashing sets the mood for this night that I intend to make as magical as I possibly can for her. White lanterns like the ones we wrote our wish for each other, dangle from the palm trees, casting a warm glow that dances and flickers across the leaves above us.

I stop for a moment, feeling her bubbly energy—curious and eager. This night has to be perfect— a night that she’ll remember forever.

“And we’re here,” I say, positioning her carefully in front of our picnic spot, the delicate fabric of her blue summer dress brushing against my ring as I take a step back. I lower her blindfold, letting her eyes adjust to the soft glow of the lanterns and twinkling lights.

Willow blinks a few times then I watch her expression shift from confusion to wonder, her beautiful eyes widening as she takes it all in.

I must admit that my staff went above and beyond decorating the garden as per my request.

On a normal day the garden is a beautiful sight but tonight it looks like a fairy’s dream.

Just for her.

The garden.

Fairy lights and lanterns hang from every palm tree in the vicinity. Bright red and green ribbons weave through the branches, while clusters of colorful ornaments hang like fruit.

Before us is a spread of fruits, cheeses, and a bottle of wine. Willow’s favorite flower, the daisy covers the entire picnic while Bougainvillea spills over trellises, their deep magenta petals contrasting beautifully against the soft white lights.

“Oh, Madden,” she breathes, her voice full of awe. “This feels like a dream,” she turns and looks up at me. “Is this a dream?”

“No, baby. This is real.”

As I guide Willow closer to our picnic spot, I can’t help but steal a glance at her as she looks at the picnic with bright and wide eyes.

Fuck, she’s a dream come true. My dream came true.

She is wearing a skin-tight aqua dress, and it clings to her curves in a way that makes my heart skip a beat and rush blood to my groin. Her curly brown hair is pulled up in a messy bun, tendrils escaping and framing her face. She’s wearing little to no makeup. Her natural beauty shines through, radiant and effortless.

In this moment, she’s like the eighth wonder of the world—an enchanting vision against the backdrop of twinkling lights and so much green. Her natural look only enhances her beauty, and I find myself captivated by the way the moonlight dances across her golden skin.

She’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid my eyes on whether she’s dressed like every man’s wet dream or she’s wearing a quirky mushroom shirt.

She glances back at me, a playful smile tugging at her lips, as she catches me staring at her like a love-sick fool. Warmth rises in my cheeks.

I blush. I fucking blush.

But who can blame me? When the garden, the picnic, the magic of Christmas—it all pales in comparison to her.

“Madden,” she says, sounding playful. “What are you thinking about?”

I could lie to her and save myself the embarrassment of looking whipped for her but I don’t.

Instead, I smile down at her. “Just how fucking lucky I am,” I reply, my heart beating slow and steady for her.

Willow blushes prettily looking all shy all of a sudden. “I’m the lucky one, Madden.”

“No, fairy. You’re not.”

I am.

I don’t know what I did to have someone as good and pure as her look at me as if I’m deserving— as if I’m more than what the media thinks of me. Willow sees right through me. She doesn’t see the anger, the hatred or the pain I carried with me for so long. She doesn’t see the fame, the money or the titles.

She sees the man.

Thud.

Thud.

Thud.

I touch my chest and tap it three times just like she does. Willow’s eyes widen as she looks at my hand and then up at me. “Does it hurt?”

“No,” I say softly. “Not when you’re near.”

Her pretty blue eyes soften and her smile appears.

Good. I want all her smiles.

Grabbing her hand, I help her down into the blanket and then I sit too. Willow immediately dives into a flurry of excitement, her eyes sparkling as she talks about the lights, the decorations, and the flowers. Her laughter not only fills the air but my heart too, and I can’t help but hang to every word out of her pretty mouth.

But then, I notice her excitement begin to die down as she catches herself mid-sentence. “Oh, I’m sorry…” she exclaims, a hint of embarrassment creeping into her voice.

That damn word again.

I frown, tilting my head. “Why are you sorry?”

She bites her lip, a shy smile forming on her face. “Sometimes I talk too much and forget that not everyone is interested in what I have to say. I don’t want to overwhelm you.”

Overwhelm me?

I lean closer, my breath brushing against her cheek. “You’ve always been the most interesting person in any room to me and you always will be.” My voice is low, and I watch in fascination as a pretty blush spreads across her cheeks.

Her eyes widen for a moment, surprise mingling with delight, and before I can process it, she leans in and steals a quick kiss. It’s soft and fleeting, but it sends a shock of electricity through me.

So. Damn. Sweet.

I lick my lips, savoring the taste of her.

“You know,” Willow beams, “you’ve always been the most interesting creature to me, Madden. Always”

Her words make my heart race. I can’t help but smile. “Really?” I raise a brow teasing her. “Even when I act like a grinch?”

She chuckles softly, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Especially when you act all grinchy. Besides, I think I have a thing for the grinch act.” She laughs as she holds my gaze and in this moment p, everything fades and it’s just us wrapped in the magic of the night.

In her eyes I see the truth of her words. She truly means it. She’s always accepted me for me.

“Then I guess I’ll have to keep being a grinch,” I reply, my tone playful but genuine. “Can’t let you down, Martha May.”

“Oh, no. You did not just say that.” She laughs at my stupid joke and I feel her laughter all the way down to my bones, grounding me.

“It made you laugh didn’t it?” And before she can respond, I grab her by her neck and kiss the fuck out of her all the while thinking that this moment right here with her in my arms under a thousand stars might just be the best of my life.

I slip my hand into my pocket, my fingers brush against something smooth and cool— something that took me over three fucking hours to make. I pull it out— careful not to break it.

A mistletoe—fuck, not the typical kind. I made this one from shells and leaves— a blend of her two favorite places. The land and the sea.

I raise it above her head, a grin tugging at the corner of my mouth.

Willow pauses, looking up at the mistletoe, then at me. Her blue eyes widen, a soft and melodic laugh bubbling up from her chest. “W-what…?” she breaths, the surprise in her voice melting my heart.

“I thought you would appreciate something different,” I say, voice low. “You know, Christmas tradition with an earthy twist.”

She leans closer, her perfect smile stretching wide, a spark in her eyes that matches the mischief in mine. Then, without a warning, she grabs the collar of my shirt, pulling me toward her. From this close, I can smell her intoxicating scent that drives me crazy. Fuck, everything about her drives me insane.

Willow presses a quick, soft kiss to my lips. It’s fleeting but it still sets my body on fire with the need to claim this woman.

To make her mine.

Mine, body, and soul.

When she pulls away, her cheeks turn a soft pink, and her smile is a little crooked—just enough to show she knows the effect she has on me. The little tease. “Madden…” she breathes, suddenly shy.

“Yes, baby?” I ask, my voice low and husky, as I set the mistletoe down beside her glass of wine.

“Can I ask you for something?”

“What do you want, Wild One? Whatever it is, it's yours.”

She gives me a flirty smile. “You.”

I frown, momentarily lost. “Me?” I echo, confusion clouding my thoughts, until the realization hits me, making my pulse spike and blood rush to my cock.

Fuck.

I mean closer and closing the distance between us, and tucking a curl behind her ear. “You want to be mine, Willow?”

Her eyes flicker with something that looks a hell of a lot like need, and before she can mask it, she turns her face away. But I don’t let her hide from me. Gently, I lift her chin with my fingers, making her meet my gaze.

“I warn you though, beautiful,” I murmur, my voice a dark promise, “if you give yourself to me, I’m not letting you go.”

Her breath catches, but she holds my gaze. And then, in a voice that’s both sweet and seductive, she says, “Good. Because nothing sounds better than being yours, Madden Hunt.”

“Fuck, baby. You undo me.”

“Likewise, sweet grinch,” she grins, teasing me with that smile of hers that does strange things to my heart.

As I look at her looking back at me with innocent eyes and that gorgeous smile, I can’t stop the thought from slipping out. “Have you ever?—”

Before I can finish, her eyes go wide, and she cuts me off. “N-no.”

The raging, jealous psycho in me settles, relieved and possessive at the thought she’s been with another man. I’ll be her first.

And with that sweet confession, I pull her even closer, my hand grabbing the back of her neck as I guide her gently down onto the soft blanket and claim her— completely. Body, mind, and soul.

Willow O’ Sullivan — the only light I’ve ever known is mine and I’m never letting her go.

After I claim her body under a million stars, I take her back to my suite and show her one more time how fucking good it feels to be mine.