Page 86 of Unveiled

“But you’re missing the important part, Jaxon. I didn’t go through it alone. You were there—the whole time, you were there supporting me when I couldn’t do it myself.”

This time, he couldn’t tamp down the urge. He grasped her hips and pulled her against him with a gentle tug. Her hands unfurled from his shirt and slipped around his lower back, holding him tight. Needing her even closer, he looped one arm around her back. The other went to her temple, careful to avoid her injury, and he pressed her head to his chest. “I never want to let you go, Addy. I did it once… I don’t think I can do it again.”

“Then don’t.” Her words rumbled against his heart, and he slid his fingers into her hair, using a gentle pressure to ease her head back.

He stared down into those gorgeous gray eyes. “What does that mean?”

“It means I want you to stay. I resisted initially because…” She trailed off and bit her lip. “I resisted it because I knew no one else would ever compare to you.”

Her confession brought a smile to his lips. “Are you telling me you love me, Adalyn?”

Her cheeks flamed bright red, and she dipped her head, but he wasn’t letting her hide anymore. Sliding his left hand beneath her chin, he lifted her face to his. He waited a beat to make sure she was looking at him—really looking at him—before speaking.

“I hope that’s what you’re saying. Because I love you. I’ve been crazy about you since the moment we met, and being with you these past few weeks has only made me love you more.”

Joy lit her face as a smile spread over her mouth. “I love you, too.”

Not wasting another second, he bent and pressed his lips to hers. It was hard and fierce, him claiming her mouth so she’d never want anyone else.

Her gaze darted back to the counter, and worry flickered in her eyes. “So, what do we do about…”

He set her away from him and grabbed the papers off the table. Why had he ever tried to walk away from this woman? He held them up to her. “Last chance, beautiful. Say the word and you’re mine forever.”

She bit her lip, looking unsure. “I just want you.”

As she watched, he ripped the papers down the middle and tossed them in the trash. He turned back to her and pulled her into his arms. “Now you’ve got me.”

She snuggled into his chest, her arms a tight band around his waist. “Forever.”

A smile lifted the corners of his mouth at her possessive tone. “Yeah, babe. Forever.”

CHAPTER

FORTY-EIGHT

Adalyn's mother’s friends milled around the impeccably manicured lawn behind her home, the heels of their hideously expensive shoes sinking into the thick grass. A smattering of applause broke out, followed by a few happy cries. Adalyn assumed her mother had Jaclyn entertaining people again, because she had left her with Jaxon and Evelyn several minutes ago before coming into the kitchen to get the cake.

Glancing out the window, Adalyn gave a little shake of her head. She didn’t know a single one of these people, yet Evelyn had insisted they be there to celebrate Jaclyn’s first birthday with them. She pushed away her irritation. She should be glad that Evelyn at least wanted to do something for Jaclyn, but deep down she knew most of it was still for show.

Jaxon came up behind her just as she put the single candle in place. Adalyn admired the intricately decorated cake for a moment. No homemade cakes for Evelyn. In her usual fashion, she’d gone over the top and ordered a three-tiered cake from one of the city’s most prestigious bakeries. It was beautiful, but Adalyn was terrified to know what it had cost.

She shivered as Jaxon dropped a kiss on the side of her neck. He spoke quietly next to her ear. “Do you want the good news first or the bad news?”

Adalyn's heart sank as she turned to face him. Jaclyn was cuddled high up on his chest, her head nestled in the crook of his shoulder. As long as Jaclyn was safe, Adalyn didn’t really care about anything else. Still, today wasn’t a day for bad news. “Give me the good news.”

He tipped his head toward the backyard. “The caterer said everything was going well, and she’s packing up for the day. Everyone loved the food and sends their thanks.”

At least that had gone well. “And the bad news?”

“Your mother’s boyfriend showed up.”

Adalyn's eyebrows drew together in confusion. “Um… Okay?”

“Well…” He drew out the word, a tiny smirk lifting the corners of his mouth. “He may or may not have just proposed to her in front of everyone.”

Adalyn blinked up at him. “He proposed to her? Here?” She couldn’t keep the disbelief out of her voice. “At our daughter’s birthday party?”

She knew she sounded like an idiot, but she couldn’t help it. Who did that?