Where the Heart Is by Patricia Keelyn

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Jon sat sideways in the front of the police car, unable to take his eyes off his dad and Maddie in the back seat. His dad had managed to get Maddie out of her rain slicker and he sat with one arm wrapped around her shoulders, while pressing the other hand against her stomach.

“It’s okay,” he said to Maddie. “We’ve got plenty of time.”

“Easy for you to say,” Maddie replied with a grin just before another contraction hit.

Jon bit back his own moan. Even though she didn’t make a sound, he could tell when the pains came. It tore him apart.

“Just relax and go with it. Remember to breathe deep.”

Maddie’s hands gripped the seat while her eyes never left his dad’s face. She took several deep breaths.

“That’s right. A little slower, Maddie. Good.”

Jon swore he’d never have kids. No way was he ever going to put someone he loved through this.

“We’re almost there,” Sheriff Banks said. “Another five minutes. Can you hold on five more minutes, Maddie?”

“Yeah, we’re doing fine back here.”

Jon had to agree with Maddie’s earlier statement. It was easy for his dad to say—he wasn’t the one being tortured back there.

They pulled up to the emergency entrance and things happened so fast Jon could hardly follow. A nurse brought a wheelchair out to the car and helped his dad get Maddie into it.

“Has Dr. Eagen showed up?” he asked the nurse.

“No, sir. Not yet.”

“Okay. Take Maddie into labor room four and stay with her. I’ll scrub up and be with you in a minute.” Then he squatted down next to Maddie and took her hand. “I’ll be with you in just a few minutes, Mads.”

Maddie nodded, and the nurse pushed her inside with his dad close behind.

Jon started to follow, but his dad stopped him. “Jon, go with Sheriff Banks. He’ll take you home.”

“I want to stay.” For a moment, they locked gazes, and Jon thought his dad was going to make him leave. “Please,” he said. “She’s my friend, too.”

Just then, the emergency doors slid open behind them and Mrs. Banks rushed in. “Where is she?”

“There’s no rush, Tammy. It’s going to be a long night. She’s in labor room four. Go get cleaned up and I’ll meet you there.”

“Anything I can do?” Greg asked, nodding at Jon.

Jon turned to his father, willing him to understand how much he wanted to stay. “Dad.” He put all his feelings into that one word.

“Okay, see if one of the nurses can find you some dry clothes.”

Jon smiled his thanks, but his dad had already turned back to the sheriff. “Find out what you can about Ted. Maybe Bette knows something.”

“Sure thing.”

Everyone rushed off, Sheriff Banks out into the stormy night, and his dad and Mrs. Banks down the same hallway where Maddie had been taken moments earlier.

Jon found his way to a hard plastic chair in the waiting room, feeling more than a little stunned. Maddie’s baby wasn’t due for three weeks yet, but here she was in labor—right after coming out in the middle of a storm to look for him. If anything happened to either her or the baby, Jon didn’t know if he could ever forgive himself.

Suddenly, Maddie’s mother rushed through the emergency doors with a gust of wind, pulling Jon from his thoughts. After a moment’s discussion with the nurse on duty, she descended on Jon.

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

“I was with Maddie when she went into labor.”

“Why are you all wet? Come on, we’ll find you something dry to wear.”

Taking Jon under her wing, Mrs. Aims headed back to the nurses’ station. Within a few minutes, Jon was dressed in a pair of green scrubs one of the nurses had found for him, and they both settled down to wait.

Time stretched forever.

Jon had never known waiting could be this difficult. Of course, he could never remember having to wait like this before, either. Maddie’s mom paced more than she sat, going up to the nurses’ station every ten minutes or so to ask if there was any news. The nurses were patient, but Jon figured they had to be ready to tear their hair. But maybe they were used to people bugging them.

He just sat. There was a TV in the room, but he couldn’t seem to concentrate on any of the programs. For a while, he flipped through some magazines, but even that seemed too much trouble. One of the nurses offered to bring them something to drink, and Mrs. Aims paid for it. That took a whole five minutes out of the waiting process.

Suddenly, his dad stepped into the waiting room, and they both jumped to their feet in unison.

Mrs. Aims, who’d been sitting closest to the door, got to him first. “Dr. Ryan?”

His dad took her hands. “You have a beautiful healthy granddaughter, Mrs. Aims.”

“All right!” Jon said.

Mrs. Aims burst into tears. “When can I see her?”

“Right now. In fact, Maddie’s been asking for you.” His dad slipped an arm around her shoulders. “But it’s been a long night, and she’s tired. So, let’s keep it short.”

His dad started to lead Mrs. Aims down the hall, then stopped and turned. “You, too,” he said, motioning for Jon to follow. “Come on.”

“All right!” Jon said again, and followed his dad.

As Maddie looked down at her brand-new daughter sleeping in her arms, she knew it had all been worth it. Nothing that had gone before mattered now. Not all those months of awkwardness and swollen feet. Not the pain of the delivery. Not even Roger.

“She’s beautiful, isn’t she?”

Tammy brushed a strand of hair away from Maddie’s forehead. “Yes, she is.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a prettier baby.” Maddie touched the tiny, tightly curled fingers. “So perfect.”

“Thank you, Maddie.”

Maddie looked up at her friend and saw moisture in her eyes. “For what?”

“For letting me be here.”

Maddie took Tammy’s hand. “I wouldn’t have had anyone else.”

Just then, Nick pushed open the door and stood aside. “I brought company.”

“Madeleine.”

Tears sprang to Maddie’s eyes as her mother crossed the room to the bed and dropped a kiss on her forehead. Then Adelia caught sight of Lily. “Oh, my, look at her. She’s beautiful.”

Maddie smiled through her tears. “Isn’t she?”

“Just like an angel.” Adelia stroked the baby’s cheek, cooing like only a grandmother could.

Maddie’s heart leapt. Lily would be good for them. For both of them. Maddie and her mother. And for the new relationship they were struggling to form. Then she spotted Jon hovering near the door. “Come over here,” she said to the boy. “Come meet Lily.”

Jon moved toward the bed.

“You look a little drier than the last time I saw you,” she teased.

“You, too.”

Maddie laughed, and Jon moved closer to peer down at the sleeping infant. His gaze immediately snapped back to Maddie. “She’s so little.”

Maddie nodded. “Yeah.”

“Can I touch her?”

“Sure.”

Jon reached down and traced the baby’s fingers with his own. Lily gave a tiny sigh of contentment.

“See,” Maddie said. “She already likes your touch.”

Jon beamed. Lily had just made her first male conquest.

Fifteen minutes later, Nick ushered the group out of the room and closed the door behind them. With a warm smile, he crossed to sit on the edge of her bed. “You did good, Mads.”

“You didn’t do too bad yourself, Doc.”

Nick grinned and took her free hand. “Yeah, but I had the easy part.”

“No doubt about it.”

Nick’s gaze shifted to Lily, his expression turning suddenly wistful. Maddie’s heart melted. This man already loved her daughter, a child who wasn’t even his.

“Nick, I’ve decided to stay in Felton a while longer.”

His gaze slid back to her and his hold on her hand tightened a fraction, but he didn’t say anything.

“I called my boss in Miami last week and told him I wasn’t coming back.”

Still, Nick remained silent.

“He wouldn’t let me quit. Instead, he extended my leave for another twelve months.”

Finally Nick asked, “And Lily’s father?”

“That’s over.”

“Where does that leave us?”

“I’m not sure.” Maddie looked down at her daughter. “But I don’t want to miss this time with Lily. And …” she brought her gaze back to Nick “… I think you and I need some time, as well.”

Nick leaned over and brushed her lips with his. “That’s all I ask, Maddie. For now.”

Maddie sighed and melted into his kiss.

“Excuse me.” Nick pulled away slowly at the sound of the woman’s voice at the door. “Maddie, Dr. Ryan, I need to take the baby now.” The nurse moved into the room, and Maddie reluctantly handed Lily over.

“Oh, by the way,” the nurse said, stopping at the door before leaving. “Dr. Eagen just called. He said to tell you he got stuck out at his cabin. You know, with the storm and all. And he hopes you two managed without him.”

After the nurse left, Nick shook his head and laughed lightly. “The old coot. He probably got stuck out there on purpose.”

Maddie squeezed his hand and stifled a yawn.

“Get some rest.” Nick kissed her on the cheek. “I imagine the whole gang will be back tomorrow.”

Maddie smiled and let the fatigue she’d been fighting take over. She fell asleep feeling confident everything was going to work out.

The sun was no more than a whisper of gray on the horizon when Nick pulled into the driveway in front of his house. Shutting off the engine, he looked over at Jon, who’d fallen asleep on the way home from the hospital. Nick hated waking him. The boy had had one hell of a night. They’d all had a hell of a night.

“Jon.” Nick reached over and gently shook his son. “Wake up. We’re home.”

Jon stirred and rubbed his eyes. “Man, so soon?”

Nick chuckled and climbed out of the truck. “Your bed’s within walking distance.”

Once inside, Jon headed upstairs, but Nick was too wired to sleep. He needed to think. Grabbing a beer from the refrigerator, he went outside onto the deck and collapsed into a chair.

He’d delivered hundreds of babies. And only once before had he looked into eyes that were only a few minutes old and lost his heart. Lily had captured him as surely as his own son had, as surely as her mother had.

“Dad.”

Nick looked around to see Jon standing in the doorway behind him. Funny, he hadn’t even heard the door open. He must be more tired than he thought. “Come on out, Jon. We’ve got some talking to do.”

He heard the door close, and Jon crossed the deck to sit in the chair next to him. “Awesome morning.”

For the first time Nick noticed the glorious reds and pinks edging over the horizon. “Yeah,” he agreed. “Awesome.”

They sat in silence for a while, neither one of them eager to break the spell of the sunrise.

“Maybe we should save this discussion until after we’ve both had some sleep,” Nick suggested.

“I don’t think I can.”

Nick glanced at his son.

“Sleep, that is,” Jon clarified. “I tried. But I’ve just never seen anything like it.”

Nick knew exactly what the boy meant. “Yeah, newborn babies are pretty … awesome.”

Jon chuckled and Nick smiled. Again, silence fell between them.

“Dad,” Jon said after a few minutes, “was it my fault?”

Confused, Nick swiveled in his chair to face Jon. “Your fault?”

“You know.” Jon glanced away nervously. “The baby coming early.”

Nick sighed and reached over to take Jon’s hand. The boy stiffened, but Nick held on. “Look at me, Jon. You’ve got a lot of things to account for last night. But that baby isn’t one of them.”

“But—”

“No buts.” Nick raised a hand to silence him. “Maddie had been in labor all day long. Back labor. It feels just like a backache, and if they don’t expect it, a lot of first-time mothers miss it.”

“No kidding?”

“Ask her yourself.” Nick let go of Jon’s hand. “Besides, Lily’s birth weight was within normal range. I’m not so sure she was all that early.”

After a few minutes, Nick said, “Now, maybe you can explain a few other things to me— like fighting with this joker Roc and then disappearing.”

“Roc’s been pushing me around all year.”

“Why didn’t you ask for help?”

Jon just looked at his father, as if he’d just asked the dumbest question in the world.

Nick realized the boy had a point. He knew damn well why Jon hadn’t asked for help. “Okay, you needed to settle it yourself. I understand that. But you could have been seriously hurt.”

“But I wasn’t.”

Nick started to protest but stopped himself. Still, as a parent, he couldn’t help worrying. “So, is this thing with Roc over now?”

Jon shrugged. “I messed up his face pretty good.”

Nick reached over and tilted Jon’s head back to get a better look at the cut on his lip and the bruised cheekbone. “Looks like he did a little damage himself.”

“It’s not so bad.”

“Okay. I understand about the fight. I don’t like it. And next time, I want you to come to me. But that doesn’t explain why you went off on your own in the middle of a storm.”

“It wasn’t raining when I headed out there.”

“Jon.”

“You’re right. I should have let someone know. It’s just …” Jon hesitated, “I had to go.”

“Why last night?”

“Mom died two years ago yesterday.”

Regret tightened in Nick’s stomach. “I’m sorry. I didn’t … realize.”

“It’s okay, Dad. Maddie told me there comes a time when you have to let go. It doesn’t mean you stop loving or missing the person you’ve lost, but you have to get on with your own life.” Jon paused a moment. “I said goodbye to Mom last night.”

Nick looked at his son, love and pride welling in him. Jon was growing up, facing the difficult things in life and coming out ahead. “Jon, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately. What do you say about you and I moving back to Atlanta?”

Jon fell silent.

“Well?”

“Gee, Dad. I don’t know.”

Nick wasn’t sure he’d heard right. “You don’t know? You’ve been giving me hell about this place for the past three years, and now you don’t know?”

Jon grinned and shrugged. “I guess I’ve gotten used to it here.”

Nick was unable to believe his ears. Of course, he wanted to stay in Felton. But who could possibly understand the capricious moods of teenagers?

“Besides,” Jon added, “Maddie and Lily are here now. We can’t just leave them.”

Nick looked into his son’s eyes and saw his own feelings reflected there. Maddie and Lily had caught Jon’s heart just as they’d captured his own. The realization scared him. With Jon’s heart on the line, the stakes just got a whole lot higher.

“Get some sleep, Jon. We’ll go over to the hospital again this afternoon.”

Jon rose from his chair and headed toward the house, but stopped and turned just before going inside. “Dad?”

“Yes?”

“I know it wasn’t your fault.”

Nick turned to look at him.

“I mean, Mom was drinking pretty heavy that night.” Jon shifted his gaze to the floorboards. “Anyway, I know it wasn’t your fault.”

For several long moments, Nick couldn’t speak. All the pain and guilt he’d felt over the last two years lodged somewhere in his chest. Then suddenly, it vanished, like a gigantic burden lifted from his shoulders. “Thank you, Son.”

Jon shrugged and disappeared into the house.

Nick leaned back in his chair. Jon’s words had released him, and now Nick believed he could forgive himself for Diana’s death.

The weeks passed quickly once Maddie brought Lily home. Between her mother, Nick, and Jon, the house always seemed full of people. Maddie loved it. Of course, other well-wishers stopped in at first, neighbors, friends of her mother’s. Those visits slacked off after the first week. But Nick and Jon did everything but sleep there.

Adelia, too, became adept at stopping in.

“Just dropped by to check on my angel,” she’d say as she breezed in and scooped Lily into her arms.

Maddie had never known her mother to be so unconcerned about herself. She always seemed to have endless time to cuddle her granddaughter. It didn’t matter where she was headed or what she wore, being late or the baby’s drooling on her collar didn’t seem to bother her. It was a different side of Adelia. One Maddie was growing to like.

Lily had been home about seven weeks when Adelia showed up early one evening.

“Mother,” Maddie said, as she opened the door. “It’s a little late for you, isn’t it?”

“Nonsense, Madeleine. It’s not late at all.” Adelia swooped into the foyer and plucked Lily from Maddie’s arms. “Come here, Angel. Come to Grandma.” Maddie rolled her eyes and headed for the parlor. “Oh, no, you don’t, Madeleine.”

Maddie stopped midstride. “Excuse me?”

“You need to go upstairs and get ready.”

“For what?”

“Did I forget to tell you?”

“Mother.” Maddie rested her hands on her hips, waiting for Adelia to explain.

“Oh, I guess I did forget to tell you. Nick and I have decided you need a night out of the house.”

“You and Nick decided?”

“Jon and I will take care of Lily.”

“I appreciate the offer, Mother.” Maddie shook her head and crossed her arms. “But I don’t want to leave Lily.”

Adelia pinned Maddie with an icy stare. “You don’t trust me to watch my own granddaughter?”

“Of course. It’s not that—”

“Then go get cleaned up.” When Maddie still didn’t move, Adelia gave her daughter a gentle push toward the stairs. “Go on, Madeleine. Nick and Jon will be here any minute.”

Maddie inched toward the stairs, not quite sure what to make of this. Adelia and Nick conspiring to get her out of the house.

What were they up to?

But she finally went upstairs and took a quick shower. Afterward, she stood staring at her closet, wondering what to wear. She really didn’t have anything that fit since she’d had the baby. The past seven weeks she’d been living in stretch leggings and sweats. Pulling out a pair of navy linen slacks, she wondered if she dared try them on. What the heck, she told herself, and stepped into the slacks.

To her surprise, they slipped on easily and zipped without a hitch. She couldn’t believe it. Turning sideways, she studied her belly. It was gone. Well, almost gone—there was still a slight swell that the pants easily hid. Maddie started laughing and dug in her closet for her favorite gray silk blouse. Okay, maybe getting out of the house wasn’t such a bad idea, after all.

A few minutes later, she walked down the stairs feeling like a new woman.

“Whoa! Hey, Dad, get a load of Maddie.”

Maddie face heated as Nick stepped out of the parlor and stopped at the bottom of the stairs. His eyes slid over her, inspecting her from head to toe.

“I don’t think I know this woman.”

“Me, neither.”

Maddie took the last few steps in a hurry. “Come on, guys. Give me a break.” Though in truth, Maddie loved their reaction.

“So what’s this about you and my mother forcing me out of the house tonight?” she asked, feigning displeasure.

Nick grinned. “Doctor’s orders.”

“You’re not my doctor.”

Nick snapped his fingers. “I forgot. Maybe we should give Ted a call.”

“Never mind.” Turning to Jon, she said, “Are you sure you and Adelia will be okay?”

Jon rolled his eyes and didn’t bother to answer as he disappeared into the parlor.

Maddie followed and found her mother tickling Lily on a blanket on the floor. “We’ll be fine, Madeleine.” Adelia didn’t even look up. “Won’t we, Angel?”

Maddie looked at Nick, who had nothing to offer but a smile.

“Okay, Ted’s number is by the phone. And if you need me …” She turned to Nick. “Where are we going?”

“We’ll call when we get there.”

“Is that okay, Mother?”

“That’s fine, Madeleine. Now, have a good time.”

Maddie knelt down on the floor to give Lily a kiss goodbye. When she didn’t get up right away, Nick took her arm and pulled her to her feet.

“Come on, Maddie. Your mother is perfectly capable of looking after Lily for a few hours.”

Maddie nodded and reluctantly let Nick lead her to the door. A few minutes later, they were in Nick’s truck, heading away from town.

“First off,” he said, “stop worrying. Lily will be fine.”

Maddie smiled a little guiltily. “How did you know what I was thinking?”

“Because you’re a new mom. I figure they must teach you all how to worry in new-mom school or something.”

Maddie laughed and leaned back against the seat. Nick was right. Lily would be just fine with Jon and Adelia. “Where are we going?”

“Well, you have a couple of choices. We could see a movie, or there’s a nice little lounge on the edge of town. Music. Dancing. A couple of drinks.”

“I don’t know if I’m up to drinking and dancing.”

“Then how about a little time alone with an old friend?”

Maddie turned her head to look at him. “I think I can handle that.”

“Good. Because I know just the place.”

Maddie knew where they were heading. And she couldn’t think of anywhere else she’d rather be.

“You know,” he said as they pulled into the clearing at the top of the hill, “we really should give this spot a name.”

“Did you have something in mind?”

Nick grinned and climbed out of the cab. “I’m working on it.” Reaching into the back of the truck, he pulled out a blanket.

“You came prepared.”

“I always wanted to be a Boy Scout.” Nick held out his hand. “Come on.”

They walked to the edge of the steep hill. Nick spread the blanket. Then, with a flourish and a bow, he motioned for her to sit. Maddie giggled, feeling like a schoolgirl.

“I’ll be right back,” he said.

She watched as he returned to the truck, wondering what he was up to. He returned a few minutes later carrying a basket and a small cooler.

“What if I’d wanted to go dancing?” she asked, trying to decide what amazed her more, his absolute self-confidence or how well he knew her.

“But you didn’t.”

Nick sat down next to her and opened the cooler. He pulled out a bottle of champagne and held it for her inspection. “As I recall, I owe you this.”

She was puzzled for a moment, and then she remembered. “It was missing from my breakfast basket.”

“I saved it.”

He removed the cork, then took a towel from the basket, wrapped it around the bottle, and handed it her. “Hold this a minute.” Then he retrieved two more napkin-wrapped objects from the basket.

Crystal champagne flutes.

“You’re an incurable romantic, Nick Ryan.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Nick smiled at her, tempting her with his dark blue gaze. Suddenly, Maddie couldn’t breathe. It was as if the fire in his eyes had used up all the available oxygen.

“Hold steady.” He reached up with his free hand and wrapped it around hers to hold her glass as he filled it with champagne. Then he released her hand, and she felt the absence of his warmth like a chilling breeze.

“Shall we make a toast?” Nick asked.

Maddie raised her glass, her hand trembling.

“To Lily,” he whispered, and touched her glass with his. He took a sip, never taking his eyes off her, and Maddie followed his lead, letting the first taste of champagne slip past her lips.

“Your turn,” he said.

“To Jon.”

They clicked their glasses together again and took another drink.

“Now it’s my turn,” Nick said. Dipping a finger into his flute, he brought it up to Maddie’s mouth, gently teasing the curve of her lips. “To us.”

Maddie froze, unable to move. His eyes held her and his finger stroked her mouth until she closed her lips around it, gently tasting the last of the champagne.

“Your turn,” Nick said, his voice a husky whisper.

Without speaking, Maddie imitated Nick’s actions, dipping her finger into the champagne, bringing it to his mouth, tracing his lips.

Nick groaned and took both their glasses and set them down on top of the cooler. Then he gently stroked her cheek with his fingers before sliding his hand to the back of her head, drawing her forward until their lips touched.

Maddie sighed, aware she’d been waiting sixteen years for this. “You planned this,” she whispered.

“Yes.” He kissed her again, harder, deeper, and she felt her response in the deepest part of her. She opened to him, winding her fingers into his hair, drawing him closer until kisses were no longer enough for either of them.

Nick pulled away slightly, searching her face for the passion he’d felt in her kiss. He saw it, warm and glittering like a million diamonds sparkling in the silver of her eyes.

“I brought you out here to make you mine,” he said as he gently lowered her to the blanket.

Maddie wrapped her arms around his neck, drawing him down on top of her. “I’ve always been yours.”

He sought her kiss like a starving man seeks food—the sweet honey of her lips, the warm dusky taste of her mouth, and the soft scent of roses on her skin. She was sweetness and passion, and the essence of love, all rolled into one. He’d wanted her before he’d known other women existed. And he still wanted her.

Raising himself on one arm, he locked his gaze with hers as he sought the buttons of her blouse and slowly unfastened them, one by one. Then he opened first one side, then the other, to reveal the creamy mounds of her breasts, barely covered by a bra of frothy gray lace. With the back of his knuckles he caressed the soft flesh, hardening her nipples beneath the fine fabric.

“Beautiful,” he whispered, as he dipped one finger beneath the lace. With a twist of his fingers, he unfastened the front closure and moved the fabric out of his way.

Slowly, he lowered himself to one breast and kissed her lightly, then moved to the other, barely touching her with his lips. She moaned, and longing surged through him, nearly drowning him in its intensity.

Maddie thought she might shatter in a million pieces as Nick caressed her. Her body answered his, deep in the pit of her stomach, at the core of her femininity, tightening, yearning, aching for more.

“Nick,” she moaned, winding her fingers into his hair, pulling him up to cover her.

He moved easily, his mouth seeking hers. She grabbed his shirt, dragging it from the waistband of his jeans until her fingers could touch the warm skin of his back and trace the muscles rippling across his shoulders.

God, how she wanted this man.

He rose up on one elbow and helped her yank his shirt over his head. And then he was above her again, flesh to flesh, heart to heart, the soft hair of his chest teasing the tender skin of her nipples.

His mouth found the sensitive skin of her neck and the shell of her ear. He slipped a leg between hers, and she arched into him, seeking to relieve the pressure between her thighs. She wanted to feel him, all of him, without the layers of clothing between them. Running her fingers down his back, she tried to show him how much she wanted him. How much she needed him.

Barely able to breathe, Nick shifted away from her just enough to slip a hand between them to unfasten the button and zipper of her slacks. Then he slid his hand inside, seeking the warm, wet heat of her, both of them moaning as he found her throbbing center.

She was perfect. Hot and ready. Wanting him. He could take her all the way now, stroking her until she exploded in his arms. And he was tempted. But he wanted more. He wanted to see her, to feel her sheathed around him again.

Maddie grappled with his jeans, and he rolled away to rid himself of the heavy denim. He turned back to her, and she, too, had shed her remaining clothing. Then he stopped, stunned at the sight of her lying beside him. She’d been reed thin as a teenager, all angles and bones. Now she was a woman, soft and rounded.

“God, Maddie, you’re beautiful.”

Blushing, she reached for him, and he moved over her, loving the feel of her soft skin beneath him.

“Maddie,” he said as he moved between her thighs, “you may be a little tender. I’ll try not to hurt you.”

She wrapped her hands around his neck and arched against him. “Love me, Nick. Just love me.”

He lowered himself slowly, gently seeking her soft opening. “I do love you, Maddie,” he said, as he sank slowly into her. “I’ve always loved you.”