AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Cinder greets me once the door closes, winding her way between my legs and swishing her white-tipped tail behind her. The light of the TV is the only thing illuminating the first floor of the darkened house. “Is Maddie awake?”
Something unreadable flashes across Dixon’s face. I don’t know him well enough to know if it’s anger or hurt. But something is bothering him. “I don’t know. She’s not talking to me.”
“Oh shit. I’ve got sisters. I know what that’s like.” Scarlet can hold a grudge longer than any of my siblings, but Lenny’s not too far behind.
“Yeah well, I don’t. Maddie’s never been mad at me before.” He sits down on the couch and rests his elbows on his knees, not looking at me. “I didn’t do anything differently, but this time, she lost her mind. She’s furious. And that’s not like my sister.”
This should be weird, right? Maddie’s brother talking to me, her new man, about her.
Wait... I don’t like that. I’m not hernew manbecause there wasn’t anold man.
I’m heronlyfucking man.
Damn, this woman brings out every overprotective, asshole alpha instinct I have.
“Listen, you know Maddie in a way I never will, so take this with a grain of salt, if you want. But I think you might need to keep in mind that you’ve helped your sister become this incredible, strong, confident woman. She’s put me in my place with ease and a smile more than once over the years. You might need to give her a little room to breathe.” Okay. That wasn’t too bad.
Dixon drags his hand down his face, then grabs a beer from the side table. “Want one?” he asks, and I shake my head no. “I swear to God, I’m never having kids. I thought this would be easier once Maddie was grown. But it’s not. It just keeps getting harder, and I have no clue what the hell I’m doing. I can’t deal with this shit.”
I guess I shouldn’t tell him the thought of his sister pregnant with my baby doesn’t even remotely scare me. Instead, a rush of need surges through me with that thought. But I should probably tell her that, not him. And that conversation isn’t happening tonight.
After an awkward moment, I point toward the stairs. “I’m just gonna... yeah.” I take two steps before Dixon interrupts me.
“Don’t fuck this up, Kingston. I never thought I’d like anybody who’s interested in Maddie. You’re still not good enough for her, but she could do worse.”
“Thanks, man.” Maybe if I didn’t have sisters, I’d think this guy was an asshole. But I know what it’s like to just want them to be protected, even though I know they can take care of themselves.
I turn back and make my way up the stairs.
Maddie’s door is already cracked open when I brush my knuckles against it gently.
Well, shit.
I hadn’t thought about what I’d do if she didn’t answer.
No turning back now.
Quietly, I open her door and let myself in her room, then stand there, staring at my sunshine. Her golden hair is spread out on her pillow like a halo framing her gorgeous face. The moonlight streaming in through the windows illuminates long black lashes lying against her cheeks. And her hands are tucked up under her head while the rest of her is buried under a mountain of blankets.
She’s an angel, and I’m the lucky son of a bitch she’s trusted with her heart.
At least, I hope she does.
I kick off my sneakers, pull my shirt over my head, and climb into bed.
As if sensing me, she scoots back, and I wrap my arms around her, dragging her against my chest. She wiggles into me, adjusting herself to be my little spoon, then wraps both of her arms around mine.
That’s it. That’s all it takes for this woman to be safe in my arms. No hesitation. No resistance. She’s so damn welcoming when she’s sleeping, and I finally relax.
“Mmm... Hudson?” her sleepy voice murmurs.
I press my lips to the top of her head. “Yeah, baby. It’s me. Go back to sleep.”
“What are you doing here?” Maddie rolls over to face me, then kisses my chest before she molds herself to me.
“Couldn’t sleep without you.” Might as well lay it out there.
“Couldn’t or wouldn’t?” She yawns, her eyes still closed.
