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I let out a happy little sigh as Madden continues kissing up my shoulder, then my neck. “Did you sleep okay?” I giggle.

“I’ve never slept better,” he replies huskily.

Rolling over so we’re face to face, I take a minute to study his features. I’m not used to seeing him first thing in the morning before he showers and shaves, but I love how he looks right now with his hooded, sleepy eyes, stubbled chin, and mussed hair. I have a feeling that he doesn’t allow many people to see him looking so unkempt, and that makes this moment feel extra special.

“What’s going on in there?” He gently taps my temple. “You look deep in thought.”

I run a hand through his hair, loving the way his thick waves feel on my fingertips. “I was just thinking how handsome you are first thing in the morning.”

He smirks. “Maybe you should see me first thing every morning, then.”

“Does that mean you’re willing to give this a chance? For real?” I bite my bottom lip nervously.

Madden pulls me closer. “I think so. Let’s see where this goes, okay?”

“Okay.” I bring my lips to his.

Madden cancels all his appointments for the day.

Chapter 22

Madden

I’ve slept next to my wife for the last two weeks, and going to bed has quickly become my favorite part of each day. Our communication has grown, and she seems happy.

I want to enjoy this as blissfully as she clearly is, but something deep down keeps inching its way to the surface, nagging me.

Fear of failure, maybe.

The closer I feel to Odette, the more I slack off in my campaign. I canceled an appearance at the county library just to spend a day in bed with her, and instead of spending hours networking with constituents after events, I left each one as early as possible, anxious to come home to her.

What if being in a real relationship with Odette makes me a terrible congressman?

I scrub my hands down my face and sigh. It’s only been two weeks. Hopefully, this pit in my stomach will fade with time. Because Odette makes me happier than I’ve felt in a really long time.

With my hectic campaign schedule–and our recent fascination with each other–we’ve hardly spent any time with our families. We decided to change that today. Odette spent the day with her parents while I wrote some speeches, and I’m on my way now to pick them up for dinner and a game night at my parents’ house.

After picking up Odette and her parents, I drive across town to my parent’s house. I park in the driveway and, after helping Mr. Hastings out of the vehicle, I watch him walk steadily to the front door, using just his cane. I smile at my wife, who’s looking at her dad with pure joy.

Mrs. Hastings links her arm through Odette’s as we walk up the path to the front door. From behind me, I faintly hear Mrs. Hasting whisper to Odette, “Your father and I adore seeing you so in love, sweetheart. Nothing could make us happier.”

I nearly trip over the front steps. Love? I know we have feelings for each other, but surely she’s not in love?

Mom meets us at the door and shuffles us into the dining room, looking pinched and irritated.

“Okay, everyone’s here now. Let’s eat.” She takes a seat at the head of the table.

I glance at my brothers around the dining table. “Where’s Dad?”

Mom's eyes don’t leave the chicken on her plate as she delicately slices into it. “He’s at the hospital. He agreed to do a last-minute surgery.”

Odette looks over at me with a grimace and shrugs.

Thankfully, Brooks breaks the awkward silence. “Speaking of surgeries, have you heard the story about when Madden stuck a pencil up his nose and the eraser broke off and got stuck?”

Odette and her parents laugh, and I can’t decide whether to be grateful or to throttle him for telling that story. But I let him continue entertaining the Hastings at my expense. It’s just nice to see everyone enjoying themselves.

I wasn’t sure how my wife would behave around me in front of our families, but she seems totally at ease and affectionate. I keep my arm around her for most of the evening, ignoring the quizzical looks my family keeps shooting at us. I’m not sure I could keep my hands off of her, even if I wanted to.