Chapter 10
Chapter 10
Maddox
Ihalted in my tracks and stared at Ariel in confusion. “Excuse me?”
She cocked her head to the side, and her eyes darted away nervously before coming back to my face. “Why do you want me? We’re opposite in every way. I guess I just don’t understand what you see in me that makes you think I’m the right woman for you.”
My eyes narrowed, and I glared at her as anger bubbled to the surface. I quickly closed the remaining distance between us. She watched me warily but didn’t step back when I reached for her. I wrapped my big hands around her biceps and brought her so close that the tips of our toes were touching. I was so much taller than her that she had to drop her head back to look up at me.
It was a power move. I wanted her to understand that I meant what I said and to recognize that while I would always give her anything she desired; I was the one in control. “First of all, Ariel. I don’t think you’re mine, I know it. You’ve been mine since the moment you walked into my shop.” I slid my hands from her arms, up her neck, to cup her face. “As for why I want you. That list is never-ending. But I’ll hit the high points. Your brand of sunshine is addictive. It calls to me because you fill every dark corner of my life with light. You are everything I’m not, and that makes us perfect for each other.” I grinned and winked. “You’re also sexy as fuck.”
Ariel giggled, and her crystal blue eyes brightened. The smile dropped from my face, and I closed my eyes as I leaned my forehead on hers. I inhaled deeply and let it out slowly. Then I lifted my head and locked my gaze with hers. “Even if those other reasons didn’t exist, there is still one that trumps them all. The reason I know you’re meant to be mine. That we are perfect for each other. That you are everything I have or ever will want.”
Ariel’s eyes had become wide and round as she waited. I wasn’t sure she was even breathing.
“The heart doesn’t lie, baby. And, I love you so damn much it feels as though it’s going to burst out of me every second of the day.” I whispered a soft kiss over her mouth. “You’re my forever, baby. Moving in, getting married, having a family, they are all part of our future. So, why wait?”
Tears had welled in her eyes and they spilled over, streaking down her cheeks. However, the joy brimming in them and the beautiful smile on her lips assured me that they were happy tears.
“I love you too,” she breathed.
“I know, baby,” I sighed as I released her face and stepped—only a few inches—away. “I was trying to come up with a perfect, romantic way to do this. You deserve all the cheesy shit, but I’m an inpatient motherfucker and I need to see you wearing this.” I dug into the right pocket of my jeans and pulled out the little box I’d shown Knox earlier in the day. I held it between us and flipped up the lid to show her the ring nestled inside.
Ariel stared at it as though it were the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. “Maddox, it’s—wow, it’s perfect.” She looked at me through her lashes and smiled sweetly. “It’s fast but…Yes!” she shrieked as she threw herself into my arms. I stumbled backwards with a laugh, holding her tightly to me.
“I don’t recall asking, baby,” I teased before swooping down and covering her mouth with my own. Our tongues tangled, and she moaned as she leaned into me, deepening the kiss. I tore my lips away to grab her hand and slip the ring onto her finger. Then I palmed her ass, yanking her body into mine, taking her lips in another passionate kiss. Ariel’s arms wound around my neck, and I boosted her up so that she could wrap her legs around my middle.
Suddenly, we jerked apart as a high-pitched beeping filled the air. “Shit!” Keeping my hold on Ariel, I dashed into the kitchen. I set her on a counter on the opposite side of the smoking stove and commanded, “Stay,” before grabbing oven mitts and shutting off the oven. I lowered the door and waved away some of the thick grey cloud. After donning oven mitts, I carefully removed the baking dish that was now covered in charred, shell-shaped briquettes.
“Fucking hell,” I mumbled in annoyance and tossed the sheet of ruined cakes onto the stovetop. Ariel was giggling uncontrollably as she twisted on the counter and opened the window behind her. I waved a couple of pot holders in front of the smoke alarm and tried not to be disappointed that my gesture was ruined.
“Are—are those supposed to”—she asked as she laughed even harder—"supposed to be Madeleines?”
The alarm had finally stopped blaring, but I nodded silently as I turned away. To my absolute fucking mortification, my cheeks had grown hot. I threw the pot holders onto the counter near the sink and put my hands on my hips, glaring at the mess.
Slender arms wrapped around me and I felt Ariel press her cheek into my back. “Maddox?”
“Yeah, baby?” I grunted.
She tugged on my hips, encouraging me to pivot and face her. The warmth had cleared from my face, so I did as she’d asked. Ariel was looking up at me with a knowing smile, her blue eyes twinkling merrily. “Have you ever baked anything before?”
I sighed and shook my head. “Not a damn thing.”
Ariel’s smile widened, and she glanced at the baking dish. “And you thought you’d start out by attempting to make delicate French cakes?”
Son of a bitch. I felt the blush return to my cheeks, and I lifted my eyes to the ceiling. “Like you,” I muttered.
“Pardon?” I could tell from her tone that she was fighting laughter again.
“They reminded me of you. Sweet and delicate. I wanted to make something special for you.”
Ariel placed her small hands on my cheeks, and she nudged my head down so our eyes met. Her face was soft and radiated with love, sending a different kind of warmth flooding through my body. “You’re amazing, Maddox. I’ll admit, the image of a big, tattooed badass like you baking Madeleines is pretty funny.” I frowned but she gave me a quick kiss, obviously meant to soothe. “It’s also incredibly sweet, and I love you even more for it. I hope you’ll let me teach you how to master them. Then one day, you can bake them with our daughter.”
Then she peered up at me through her lashes again, this time with a coy smile. “It’s also a huge turn on.”
My hands fisted in the fabric of her shirt at her lower back, and I brought our bodies into contact again. “Is that so?”
Ariel nodded quickly, and her cheeks flamed adorably. “Since I don’t have any Madeleines to eat…maybe you should give me something equally as mouthwatering to devour.”
“Fucking hell,” I groaned. “Yup. Sexy as fuck,” I muttered as I swept her up into my arms, then threw her over my shoulder, fireman style. I felt a sharp slap on my ass, and I growled in warning. “Keep that up, baby, and you won’t have a chance to suck me off before I shove my cock in your hot little pussy and fill you with my come.” I didn’t intend to come anywhere but inside her until I knew she was knocked the fuck up.
Ariel squirmed, then she grabbed my ass with both hands and squeezed. We’d only made it as far as the stairs, but she’d pushed me too far. I grabbed her hips and dragged her down the front of my body, making sure she felt every inch, until her feet were on the ground.
I spun us around and dropped down so that I was sitting on one of the steps. Leaning back, I unfastened my pants and released my cock. Ariel’s eyes were glued to my swollen, angry red dick as it stood straight up. Pre-come beaded on the tip, and she licked her lips. I shook my head. “Gonna have to wait, baby. Maybe after a good spanking.” I added the last part just to see the sweet blush that bloomed on her cheeks. Then I leaned forward and unsnapped her jeans before shoving them to the ground.
I grasped her hips and picked her up, positioning her over my cock. “You just can’t resist putting me places, can you?” she quipped in a breathy tone.
I grinned. “Nope. That way, you’re always right where I want you.” Then I dropped her down and thrust up into her waiting heat.
We both cried out at the rush of pleasure from the snug fit. My hips began to buck up as she bounced wildly on my dick. “Fuck, yeah,” I groaned.
“Maddox…” Ariel moaned. “Yes…”
Her shirt was still on, and that just wasn’t working for me, so I ripped it over her head. Then I shoved the cups of her bra down so her tits spilled over. When I wrapped my lips around one stiff peak, her inner muscles spasmed.
It was a quick, hard fuck. Within minutes, Ariel was screaming my name while I shouted as I poured come into her womb.
Eventually, I felt empty, though I knew it wouldn’t last long. We sat there, panting and trying to regain some strength. When I was confident that I wouldn’t drop her, I wrapped her legs around my waist and pushed to my feet. Holding her tight against me so I didn’t slip out, I climbed the stairs to our bedroom. Each step rocked my cock into her pussy and by the time we reached our bed, Ariel was writhing in need.
I gave her the spanking she’d been begging for, then we came together in another frenzied session of sweat-slicked skin slapping together and screams of pleasure bringing down the walls.
Then, I took her slow and savored every moment. Especially the sight of her hand on my body while the ring that told everyone she was mine sparkled on her finger.
After I had my fill, I finally let her wrap her pretty lips around my dick, but I still pulled out of her mouth and came inside her. Didn’t want to waste a single drop.
“I love you, Ariel,” I moaned as I exploded, spurting jets of hot seed into her.
“I love you too, Maddox,” she sighed.
I gathered her into my arms, and we snuggled in an easy silence, just enjoying being together.
At some point, she began to draw circles on my chest, a tell-tale sign that she was nervous about something. “Um, I should probably warn you about my siblings,” she mumbled.
“Already talked to Knox, baby.”
Her head flew up and her eyes quickly scanned me from head to toe, then she wiggled, her pussy clenching around my slightly soft cock. Not that it stayed that way with all her squirming. “I don’t see any injuries, and you still have your…um…cock”—her blush was so fucking cute—"are you sure it was Knox you spoke to?”
I threw back my head and laughed, cuddling her close and kissing her head as soon as I could breathe again. “Yeah, baby. Let’s just say we came to an understanding.”
“Two down,” Ariel sighed.
I put a finger under her chin and lifted her head so she could see my face. “Make that three down, baby.” She quirked an eyebrow and looked at me questioningly. “I talked to Aurora before you got home.”
Ariel bolted upright and stared at me incredulously. “You talked to Aurora? And she didn’t come over to kill you?”
I chuckled and pushed some of her long red hair behind her ear. “Who do you think told me how to make the Madeleines? It was your recipe.”
Ariel smiled brightly, and I muttered an “Oof!” when she flopped down on my chest and hugged me.
Instantly, I flipped us over so that I was covering her body and rocked into her, drawing a groan from deep in her chest. “She specifically requested nieces and nephews,” I told her as I began a lazy pace. “I wouldn’t want to piss off your family, so I think we should get back to work on that.”