Love, Laughter, and Happily Ever Afters Collection (Eight Fun, Romantic Novels by Eight Bestselling Authors)
Page 45
Maddieâs jaw dropped and a wave of emotion swept over her, a wave so big and sudden and fierce it was hard to tell exactly what she was feeling, only that she was feeling so much of it the backs of her eyes began to sting.
âThatâs right, I said the âLâ word,â Jamison pushed on with a hard swallow. âAnd I meant it, and I donât regret saying it because I thoughtâ¦â
âYou thought what?â Maddie asked, forcing the words out past the tightness gripping her throat.
Jamison shrugged. âI thought you were feeling it, too.â
âI am feeling it, too,â Maddie said in a rush, the words releasing the hard knot that had been forming in the center of her chest.
Suddenly, Maddie realized she hadnât been afraid of Jamison falling in love with her as much as sheâd been afraid of how hard and fast she was falling for him. He meant so much to her already. The moments she shared with Jamison had quickly become her favorite moments of the day. The thought of letting him go in two or three weeks, or even two or three months, was unthinkable. In only a week, she felt more addicted to the way Jamison made her feelâin bed and out of itâthan she had felt after years with Serge.
It was a soberingâand completely terrifyingârealization, one that left her feeling tied up in knots.
âBut Iâm scared,â she confessed, tears rising in her eyes when Jamison reached out to cup her cheek in his hand.
âWhy?â he asked with a pained expression, as if the sight of her upset was enough to make him hurt, too.
âBecause I know you so well in some ways, but in others I donât know you at all.â She pulled in a deep breath, blinking hard enough to send a tear rushing down her cheek. âAnd I want to trust that youâre falling for me and everything is as great as it seems to be, but the last time I did that the man I loved lied and deceived me for years and then left me for someone else.â
âThat was his mistake, Maddie,â Jamison said, tenderly rubbing the tear into her skin. âHe was obviously a very confused man, but that had nothing to do with you.â
âIâm not so sure.â Maddie shrugged, shame and embarrassment making her drop her eyes to Jamisonâs chest. âMaybe he picked me on purpose, because he could tell I was too stupid to know what real love felt like. Or real passion, anyway.â
Jamison brought his other hand to her face, urging her chin up until she lifted her eyes to his. âYou are not stupid, and youâre the most passionate woman Iâve ever met. You are smart and sweet and beautiful and funny, Mad, and I canât think of anywhere Iâd rather be than with you.â
Maddie swallowed, fear and hope coursing through her veins, making her feel as hopped up as she did after a triple espresso. âI want to believe you.â
âThen believe me, Maddie,â he said. âIâve loved you since I was a little kid. Sure, it was a different kind of love then, but I think a part of me always knew you were special.â
âIs that why you put a slug down my dress instead of Naomiâs when you played Evil Lord Underpants?â Maddie asked, her sniff becoming a laugh when Jamison blushed.
âI canât believe you remember that.â
âI canât believe youâre blushing,â she said, chuckling. âOr that you used to run around with tighty whities on your head.â
âOkay,â he said, rolling his eyes.
Maddie giggled. âAnd now youâre blushing harder. Your cheeks are bright red.â
âIâm sorry about the slug,â Jamison said, holding up his hands at his sides. âGuess thatâs the only way I knew how to express my affection.â
Maddie lifted a wry brow. âMy mom always did say that the boys who pull your pigtails are the ones who have the biggest crushes.â
âSounds pretty dead-on.â Jamisonâs hands drifted to her shoulders, skimming down her arms until her hands were engulfed in his much larger ones. âSo can we start this day over? Go back to having fun again?â
Maddie shook her head. âI donât want to start this day over. Iâm glad we talked.â
âMe too,â Jamison said, squeezing her hands lightly.
âSo letâs start from right here,â she said. âWeâll keep being honest with each other, and Iâll do my best to stop being scared. I donât want to ruin this.â
âYouâre not going to ruin it,â Jamison said. âI wonât let you. Iâll keep hanging out, leaving whiskey shots on your landing until you come around.â
Maddie grinned. âI can think of something I like better than whiskey shots.â She stepped closer to him and lifted her chin, bringing her lips within inches of Jamisonâs, pulling the intoxicating scent of him deep into her lungs, finally daring to hope it was a smell it was okay to get attached to.
âLike what?â Jamison asked, his lips hovering above hers, close enough that she could feel his warm breath on her skin.
âLike you and me in my bed.â Maddie pushed on tiptoe to press her lips to his, only to have Jamison pull just out of reach.
âI like that better than whiskey shots, too.â A smile curved his lips. âBut just because we want a bed instead of whiskey doesnât mean we have to skip the second part of my surprise.â
Maddieâs eyes widened as she realized what he meant. âThe blindfold?â
âThe blindfold,â Jamison confirmed, lids dropping to half-mast in a look so sexy it made Maddie shiver. âI had some plans for you and that blindfold.â
âOh, yeah?â Maddieâs tongue slipped out to dampen her lips as Jamisonâs arm snaked around her waist, pulling her closer, making her breath rush out when she felt him growing harder against her hip. âWhat kind of plans?â
âThe kind of plans that involve a remote piece of property my aunt owns outside of town,â he said, palms smoothing down to cup her bottom. âAnd a tent, and a sleeping bag, and a few toys I packed that we didnât have along on our last camping trip.â
At the word âtoysâ Maddieâs eyes grew even wider. She and Jamison had been uninhibited in bed together, but so far theyâd kept things fairly vanillaâwhich had been fine with Maddie.
As a chef, she knew sometimes you didnât need a bunch of fancy sauces or syrups or sugary icing. Sometimes, a real quality dessert was best standing on its own. She believed in keeping pound cake plain, her cheesecake un-topped, and her flourless chocolate cake free of fudge or exotic balsamic drizzles.
Until this point in her life, however, sheâd never really considered whether she felt the same way about her sexâ¦
âYou up for a little adventure?â Jamison asked.
Maddie pressed her lips together, trying to discern whether the racing of her heart was a sign of dread or excitement. âI donât know,â she finally said. âI mean, I know I was teasing you about blindfolds and bondage at the beach, but Iâve never really⦠This would be the first time Iâve done anything even a little kinky.â
Jamisonâs grin grew wicked around the edges. âAre you asking me to be gentle?â
Maddie narrowed her eyes at him, fighting a grin. âThis isnât funny. And yes, I would want you to be gentle.â She shifted closer, letting her hand slide down to cup the strong muscles of his ass through his jeans before she continued in a husky voice. âUntil I say I donât want you to be gentle anymore.â
Jamisonâs breath rushed out with a curse. âYou drive me crazy, you know that?â
Maddie bit her lip. She was already tingling all over and she and Jamison hadnât even kissed yet. âAnd you make me want to play with toys.â
Jamisonâs eyes darkened. âIâm clear to grab the blindfold?â�
�
Maddie nodded. âAs long as you promise these toys arenât going to hurt, or leave scars, or go anywhere near the forbidden escape hatch of doom.â
Jamison cocked his head. âThe forbiddenâ¦â Understanding dawned and Jamison threw back his head and laughed before scooping her up in his arms and spinning her around until she giggled.
He planted a rough kiss on her cheek.
âWhat was that for?â she asked, still laughing as he set her back on her feet.
âFor being you,â he said, eyes twinkling. âAnd for being the only person I know who could make anal sex sound cute.â
Maddieâs face scrunched like sheâd bitten into a lemon. âOh god, donât even say it. Itâs so gross I canât handle it Jamison, seriously.â
He chuckled. âDonât worry. I donât have any designs on your forbidden escape hatch.â He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. âAt least not tonight.â
Maddie shot him a narrow look. âOr any other night.â
Jamison shrugged, dimple popping as he fought a smile. âWeâll take things slow, but thereâs fun to be had with the escape hatch.â
Maddie made a gagging sound.
âLike butt plugs,â Jamison said, grinning when Maddie stuck her tongue out and did a full body shudder. âOr light anal play.â
âStop! Iâm getting ready to be so grossed out I will never recover my frisky feelings,â Maddie threatened. âTread carefully, Mr. Hansen.â
Jamison nodded, obviously trying to look contrite though his eyes were still sparkling. âMy apologies, Ms. Whitehouse. I promise not to offend your delicate sensibilities again tonight.â
âThatâs better,â Maddie said, smiling as he pulled her into his arms and kissed her slowly and sweetly, but with enough passion to send her frisky feelings surging back with a vengeance.
âThough someday Iâm going to lay my claim on that beautiful ass,â he whispered against her mouth in a voice so sexy Maddie could only sigh and shake her head.
âYouâre impossible,â she said.
âI try.â He grinned until their teeth bumped together through their lips as he kissed her again. They kissed until Maddieâs head spun and her heart raced and every cell in her body felt like the lit end of a sparkler.
And then Jamison ran inside to grab the blindfold, Maddie locked up the bakery, and Jamison drove her out into the country with all the windows down. As the wind rushed through her hair and the sweet smell of impending summer swept through her head, leaving her breathless with excitement, Maddie decided a night like this was worth fighting through her fear.
What was fear compared to kisses that made your bones melt and a man who turned your insides to mush with one long, lingering look.
CHAPTER TEN
One Week Later
A WOLF WHISTLE GREETED Jamison as he stepped out of his car in front of Summerville Catholic Church on the evening of the christening, making him spin to find the source of the sound, half-hoping it was Maddie, though he knew it wouldnât be. She still wanted to keep their relationship a secret until after the weddingâdespite the fact that they had both fallen so hard it made an avalanche look tame by comparison.
But Jamison wasnât worried that they were moving too fast.
He wasnât worried about a damned thing. He was happier than heâd been in years. He finally understood why Jake had that goofy, half-wasted look on his face all the time. Love packed a punch like a fifth of Jack Daniels, except betterâpure intoxication, without the hangover. It was Jamisonâs new drug of choice, and he didnât plan on getting on the wagon any time soon.
âLooking good, J,â Faith said with another whistle as she crossed the parking lot toward him, shaking her head as if she couldnât quite believe her eyes. âWhat did you do to yourself?â
Jamison glanced down at his new suit a little selfconsciously. âNew suit? Shave?â
Faith narrowed her eyes. âNo. Itâs something more than that. You look different.â
Jamison shrugged. âMaybe youâre finally realizing how damned sexy I am.â
Faith snorted. âGross. Youâre like my brother. Iâd rather kiss a goat.â
âIâd rather be kissed by a goat.â Jamison grinned as he slung an arm around Faithâs shoulders and gave her a good, hard hug. âHow was work?â
âGood, but that weird guy called for you again and still wouldnât leave his name. Did you ever figure out who he might be?â
Jamison shook his head. âGuess it could be one of Dadâs old buddies from the department. Sometimes they call looking for me or Jake.â
âOr maybe whatever hoochie youâre dating has an angry ex,â Faith said, making Jamison laugh at the thought of Maddieâs gay ex-husband suddenly developing a jealous streak.
âNot a chance,â he said. âAnd sheâs not a hoochie.â
Faith perked up, blonde brows lifting. âOh, yeah? Well who is she? When are we going to meet this mystery woman who makes your voice sound all smooshy?â
âSoon,â Jamison said vaguely, grinning despite himself. âWhereâs your better half?â
âMickâs already inside,â Faith said, falling in beside him as he started toward the front of the church. âHe came early to help Naomi hang ribbons or something while Maddie closed up the bakery.â
Just the mention of Maddieâs name made Jamisonâs chest warmer and his smile take up more real estate on his face.
âSo what did you get them?â Faith asked, starting up the stairs leading to the massive wooden doors. âI got bedding to go with the crib Mick made, but now Iâm worried thatâs lame.â
Jamison pulled a face. âItâs not lame. Besides, Jake and Naomi donât care about the gifts. They already have everything they ever wanted.â
Faith shot him a strange look.
âWhat?â he asked, holding the door open for her.
âNothing, you just sound so happy for them.â
âI am happy for them. And for you,â Jamison said, punching her lightly on the arm as they entered the dim front hall of the church, a place that always smelled like a mix between a library and his auntâs moldy drawing room, but in a comforting kind of way. âIâm glad you found someone who loves you so much.â
Faith grinned a smile that definitely had a hint of goofy, love-buzz in it, though she was better at hiding it than Jake. âYeah. Heâs so great. I love the shit out of him.â
Jamison laughed. âCursing in church. Nice.â
Faith shrugged as they made their way past a group of older women clustered around the entrance and into the left side of the nave. âItâs a Catholic Church. All you have to do is confess your sins if youâre Catholic, right? And then everything is all good?â
âSomething like that,â Jamison said, pausing to dip his fingertips into the font of holy water near the door and cross himself. âBut I havenât been to confession much since my aunt stopped forcing me and Jake to come to mass every Saturday night in high school.â
Faith clucked her tongue as they moved deeper into the church, past stained glass windows that painted the wood floor in rainbow colors as the sun streamed through them. âThatâs a shame. Seems like a pretty sweet deal to me.â
âThen maybe you should convert,â Jamison said, lowering his voice as they moved toward the front of the church where most of the family was already gathered in the small pews near the ceremonial baptismal font.
Jamison scanned the assembled company, but Maddie wasnât there. He would have spotted her instantly. She stood out in a crowd. When Maddie was in a room, he couldnât seem to look anywhere but
directly at her.
âI am converting,â Faith said, surprising him. âI mean, I was raised Assembly of God, but it wasnât really my jam, and Mickâs Catholic soâ¦â
âSo, what?â He glanced down at her profile, wondering why she sounded so cagey all of a sudden.
She rolled her eyes. âNothing. I donât want to talk about it. Itâs going to be a surprise for, you knowâ¦later.â
âHow much later?â he asked.
âAfter the wedding later,â Faith said. âSo keep your lips zipped.â
âI donât know anything, so how can Iââ
âExactly.â She nudged him in the side with an elbow before hurrying ahead of him to slide into the second pew back from the font, beside Mick, who immediately turned and put his arm around her, drawing her close.
Jamison smiled. Apparently he and Maddie werenât the only ones keeping secrets until after Jake and Naomiâs wedding. He had an idea what Faith and Mickâs surprise might beâthere were only so many things in life that dictated a change of religious affiliationâand an engagement would certainly help take the heat off of him and Maddie. The announcement that they were dating would pale in comparison to the twenty-somethings deciding to get married after dating for a mere five months.
Pleasantly uplifted by the thought of sliding in under the radar, Jamison circled around to the front pew. Jake stood up to give him a quick hug, while Naomi smiled up at him from where she sat with Noelle sleeping in her arms next to the aging Father Seamus, who looked perilously close to sleep himself.
The baby was wearing an antique christening gown that hung far past her curled toes and a tiny crocheted cap, her blue eyes closed and her tiny fists thrown up on either side of her head as she slept. With her brown curls and wide, cupid-bow mouth, Noelle was already a beauty, and looked like she could be Naomiâs biological daughter.
Or Maddieâs.