Beautiful Sacrifice (Maddox Brothers #3)(105)

“Everything that’s happened since we met has led to this moment. There is only one woman I’ve loved before you, and there will never be another after you.”

“Unless it’s a girl,” I said.

Taylor blanched and then stood. “You think it could be a girl?”

“There is a fifty percent chance.”

He rubbed the back of his neck, walked away from me, and came back. “I can’t have a daughter. I’ll kill someone.”

I chuckled. “You’re right. You do need me—at the very least, for an alibi.”

“I’d feel a lot better about it if we made it official.”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

His face twisted. “You’ve said that before.”

I blew out a breath, feeling like the truth had just punched me in the chest. “I guess neither one of us keeps our promises.”

“There is one promise I know I’ll keep,” he said.

I leaned over, tenderly cupping his face in my hands. “Ask me again.”

He blinked. “What?”

“Ask me again.”

His eyes glossed over, and he took my hand in both of his. “Will you marry me?”

“Yes.”

“Yeah?” he said, beaming.

He crashed into me, kissing every inch of my face. Then his lips landed on my mouth, moving slowly. When he finally released me, he shook his head in disbelief. “You’re serious? You’re gonna marry me?”

I nodded.

He rubbed the back of his neck. “The worst day of my life has turned into the best day of my life.”

“So far,” I said.

He kissed me again. This time, he lifted me into his arms and then carried me to the bedroom before closing the door.

We spent the rest of the day in bed, either making love or making plans. I waited to feel panic or regret, but neither came. I had been without him, and then I thought I’d lost him forever. Loss had a way of making everything very clear, and all the things I’d been so worried about seemed insignificant now.

Just before dinner, Taylor’s cell phone buzzed, and he climbed out of bed to check it. “Damn it. I got called in.”

I sulked. “So soon after what happened?”

He shrugged. “It’s the job, baby.” He fetched the trash bag in the hall and put on the smoky clothes. “Come with me.”

“To wait at the hotel?”

“Ellie will be there. You can hang with her. Tyler’s crew was called out, too. I want you there when I get back.”

I walked over to the closet and slipped on a T-shirt and jeans, and then I slid my feet into a pair of sandals.

Taylor seemed happy as he watched me wrap my hair into a bun.

“Just let me …” I said, hurrying into the bathroom to grab a toothbrush.

We rushed downstairs, and I waved to Phaedra before following Taylor out to his truck.

He drove a little too fast to the hotel. At the entrance, he handed me the key card. “Your phone is in the zipper part of my suitcase. Room two-oh-one.”

“The same room you were in when we met.”

He leaned over to peck my lips, and then I scooted out.

“Be safe,” I said before closing the passenger door. “I mean it.”

Tyler jogged out, his pack in his hand. He kissed Ellison’s cheek, and then he climbed into the shotgun seat.

Taylor punched his arm. “I’m gettin’ married, f*cker!”

Tyler looked at me, shocked, and then a huge smile broke out across his face.

I nodded to confirm, and Ellison hugged me.

“Let’s put out this fire then. Don’t want to keep your fiancée waiting,” Tyler said, socking his fist straight into Taylor’s shoulder.

They waved, and then Taylor pulled away, squealing the tires.

“Oh, those Maddox boys,” Ellison said, shaking her head. She put her arm around me. “You really said yes, huh?”

“Am I crazy?” I asked.

“Absolutely,” she said. “Why do you think they fell in love with us?”

I looked down the road even though the twins were long gone.

“That’s why I know it will work,” I said. “You can’t really be in love without being a little crazy.”





The edges of the napkin tore easily between my fingers as I waited at the bar for Phaedra to bring me a slice of her famous cheesecake.