“I won’t regret anything because I can still compete, but on my terms. I can pick and choose the rodeos I want to participate in. I won’t be ruled by my career anymore.” Maggie reached out and grasped Flux’s hands. “I already grabbed the brass ring tonight. Winning in the Nationals was something I worked for since I was a kid, and everything that comes after it now is just the icing on the cake. Even though I’m a competitor, I never wanted that to be my whole life. I’ve always dreamed of falling in love with the right man and living a happy life with him. So, why the fuck would I walk away fromyou?”
A rush of adrenaline shot through Flux followed by a warmth he hadn’t experienced in a long time. There was no fucking way he wanted Maggie out of his life, yet nothing else mattered but her happiness. Hearing Maggie say that she wanted to be with him made the high he was feeling so much better than any premium weed he’d ever had. Maggie soothed his flames to a steady heat, calming the consuming inferno that had raged within him for years. Being in love with her quelled the anger, the guilt, and the pain. She was his lover, his addiction, his woman, and now she wanted to share her life with him.Fuck.
Flux inhaled sharply then yanked Maggie to him, cocooning her in his arms while breathing in the citrusy scent of her hair. “You fuckin’ make me happy, woman. We’ll build our life together. Maybe have a couple of kids.” Emily’s sweet smile flitted across his mind and his heart squeezed.
As if sensing his pain, Maggie tilted her head back and kissed the base of his throat. “I’d love to have a family with you. You’re one special man, Flux. Being in love with you beats out any adrenaline rush I’ve ever had in the ring. You’re all I want and need, and I love that we’ll be building a new life together.”
“Me too, Duchess.” Flux bent his head down and crushed his mouth on hers and they stood on the balcony fused together, kissing, as the warm desert breeze caressed them. After several minutes, he broke away and stroked her cheek with his fingers. “No matter what, I’ll always have your back. When you go on the road to compete, my ass is with you. There’s no fuckin’ way I’m letting you go without me.”
Maggie swept her lips across his. “I wouldn’t have it any other way, big guy.”
Peace settled over his shoulders, and an abrupt and warm sensation in the pit of his stomach made him reel for a second then he pressed her tighter against his chest. Maggie looked up at him through her long lashes and a burning desire rushed through him. He lowered his mouth and kissed her as if he was trying to push his soul and his promise of forever into her body.