“So relaxing,” I say as I fight the urge to sink back down into the tub, and maybe pull Maddox in with me. “How was poker?”
“Really fun,” he says. “We…I made some money.”
“There you go,” I say as I start pushing myself up. It’s either get out now or I’ll be here for the night. “Help me up?”
His smile turns wicked. “Gladly.”
I give Maddox my hand as I brace myself on the edge, not wanting to lose my balance or slip. As I step out, Maddox reaches over for the towel that I placed on the counter, and beginsthoroughlydrying me off. He pays special attention to my chest—that’s not a surprise—but he also makes sure to travel down my body, having me lift a leg so he can dry off each. But then, just as I think he’s done, he takes the towel and dries my growing stomach.
Sigh…
“Were you good tonight Tiny Tot?” His lips hover over my stomach, and he places a lingering kiss just above my navel. “If you weren't, you're grounded. If you were, I’ll give you ten dollars.”
“Tiny Tot was perfect,” I say with a laugh, already picturing a conversation like this when our son or daughter arrives. “No upset stomachs, no weird cravings, all and all, a peaceful night.”
“That’s good.” He stands up, kissing me gently but deeply once he’s at his full height, and wraps the towel around my body. “I’m glad I went to poker, but now I’m jealous that I didn’t get to enjoy this bath with you.”
“There will be plenty of chances for that. I’m glad you’ve joined Beau’s poker game. You know, the one I didn’t know he even had.”
“Me too,” Maddox says, and maybe it’s from the lingering steam in the bathroom, but I swear his cheeks are turning a little red. “They’re good guys.”
“I’m biased on my brother,” I say as I bring my hair up into a towel. “I can’t wait to meet Asher and Theo.”
“I’m sure you will at some point,” he says, sneaking in for another kiss. “How about this? You finish in here, and when you’re ready, I’ll be in bed waiting for you with a surprise.”
I quirk an eyebrow. “Is the surprise your dick? Because that’s not a surprise at this point.”
He takes my hand and rubs it against his already hard length. “That’s not the surprise. That’s just the bonus.”
I laugh as he kisses me one more time before leaving me alone in his expansive bathroom. Between the double shower, the separate bathtub that can hold me and him easily, and the double vanity, it’s hard to go back to my apartment on Sundays. We’ve fallen into a groove of staying at my place during the week—simply for logistics as it’s easier for me to get to the bakery in the early hours. Which means most weekends we spend here. I knew tonight was poker night, but I asked if I could come early and take advantage of the bathtub while he was gone. I know he wasn’t opposed, but asking while I was giving him a blow job didn’t hurt.
I hurry and brush my teeth, moisturize in all the right spots, and take my hair out of the towel before slipping on the clothes I laid out. When I walk into the connecting bedroom, Maddox is laying on the bed, head propped up with his fist, and something conspicuously not baby or sex related in front of him on the bed.
“Is that a bag of white cheddar popcorn?”
He nods and holds out his hand like he’s a spokesmodel showing off a product. “Not justabag. Six bags.”
I laugh as I walk to the bed, and yup, all right in a row, six bags of white cheddar popcorn. Why six bags? Because I mentioned once last night that they sounded good, and the rest is because he’s Maddox Gallagher.
“I don’t know if you needed to bring them all to bed,” I say, putting five of them on his dresser but keeping one bag for me. Because they do sound really good.
“I thought it added to the effect,” he says as he opens the bag and grabs some for himself. “Then again, I also pictured throwing every bag off the bed when you walked in here naked.”
That makes me laugh. “Sorry to disappoint you. It felt like a T-shirt and sweats kind of night.”
Of course not just any T-shirt and sweats. Maddox’s Fury gear. Also known as the set from Vegas that I now consider mine. And my favorite thing to wear.
“Not disappointed. You know I think you’re sexy as hell in my clothes.”
“Good to know a football T-shirt and sweatpants do it for you,” I say as I crawl into bed with him.
“Everything about you does it for me.”
And just like that, all thoughts of popcorn, and my clothes being on, are out the door. I mean, I should’ve known. I did know. I’ve spent the night with Maddox enough times to know that when he’s walking around in his fuck-me sweats—yes, that’s their new name—or I’m within touching distance of him, more often than not we’re going to have sex.
Not that I’m complaining. I never will. The man makes me feel things I didn’t know were possible.
Like the way I always feel seen and heard. I didn’t realize your heart can literally expand just from having a partner who not only listens to you, but values your opinion. And thosetingles that go through my body every time he touches me? And I do mean every time. Plus, what he just did in the bathroom? Taking care of me like I’m a precious gem? I almost cry every time he does it.
