I uncross my arms and let them hang at my sides.“That’s easier said than done, brother.I’m not going to get into it with you, but Amelia has a lot of reservations when it comes to me.I got a lot of walls to break through before I can properly claim her.That’s why I’m asking you to check in with her and make sure that motherfucker is not causing any more harm.”
He sits with those words for a moment.“I’ll have a talk with her.See if Russell is giving her trouble.If he is, I’ll handle it.”
I don’t want to rely on Shadow.If Amelia is having problems with Russell, then I want to be the guy who fixes things for her.But before I do that, I gotta convince her that she’s mine.
Mine to hold and care for.
To honor and respect.
To love and to fuck.
Mine to protect.
I bring the mug to my lips and take a long sip of coffee as I watch the passenger door to Amelia’s car fly open before she can properly shift it into park.Dylan jumps out and slams the door behind him.The kid is bursting with energy, trying his hardest to mask it as he shoves his hands into his pockets.
I don’t blame him.
I’ve been counting down the minutes too.
“Morning,” I call out to him.
He lifts his head, and a crooked smile flashes across his face.“Hey, Maddox.”
Amelia emerges from the driver’s side, all tight jeans and worried eyes.It’s cute as fuck and makes me want to kiss that worried look right off her pretty little face.
I set my mug down on the step and stand to my full height, my gaze zeroing in on Dylan.“Have you had breakfast yet?”
“Yes,” Amelia answers.“He blew through a box of Pop-Tarts and two bowls of cereal.”
Dylan shrugs a shoulder.“I was hungry.”He glances back at me.“Can I see the horses now?”
“In a minute,” Amelia cuts in before I can answer.She puts her hand on Dylan’s shoulder.“First, we need to go over some things.”She turns to me.“He has no allergies, but he sunburns easily.I packed sunscreen in his bag.And you need to remind him to drink water.He prefers soda, but in this heat it’s important that he stays hydrated.”
“Mom,” Dylan groans, mortified.“I’m not five.”
“Maybe not, but you’re not grown either.”She glances back at me.“I got him boots yesterday, but I couldn’t find a helmet.”
Keeping my eyes pinned to his mother, I regard Dylan.“Buddy, why don’t you go to the paddock and meet Bluebell while I talk to your mom.She’s been waiting for you.”
Dylan doesn’t need to be told twice.The kid runs for the paddock like his ass is on fire.
Once he’s out of earshot, I turn back to Amelia and lift my hands to cradle her face.Her eyes flicker with annoyance, but they quickly soften as my thumb caresses her soft skin.
God, I’ve missed her.
“You’re way too tense.I can help you with that.”
“I bet you can.”She blows out a ragged breath.“You didn’t answer me.”
“I don’t recall you asking a question.”
An exasperated sigh escapes her throat, and I lean close, my lips near her ear.“You know if your son wasn’t standing twenty feet away, I’d take you to the barn and fuck the tension out of you.”
“Jesus, Maddox.Focus.He needs a helmet.”
“Relax,” I murmur.“I have everything he needs.”
“You do?”
