All I've Ever Wanted - Adrianne Byrd [76]
A medical team arrived to check on everyone. Afterward, Hagan’s men asked a series of questions.
Max never left Kennedy’s side. “Are you sure you don’t want to go to the hospital?”
She shook her head and clung to the warmth and the security of his body. “No. I just want you to hold me.”
He obliged. “I think I can handle that,” he said. As he held her, he couldn’t help but wonder where they would go from here. He couldn’t imagine not being involved in this courageous woman’s life. He just hoped that she felt the same way.
Chapter 34
Four months later
Valentine’s Day
Kennedy took one last glance in the mirror. Max was due to arrive at any moment and she planned to knock his socks off. She had borrowed and saved for the last two months to buy the sexy Versace knock-off, and was pleased with the results.
The plunging neckline was perhaps more daring than what she was used to but, what the heck, Max was worth it.
The doorbell rang.
Kennedy took a deep breath and closed her eyes. “Lord, please help me not make a fool of myself,” she prayed.
“Ms. St. James?” Eve poked her head around the bedroom door. “Mr. Collier is here for you.”
“Thank you.” Kennedy took another look in the mirror and worried about her upswept curls. “How do I look?”
Eve’s face brightened with a wide smile. “You look beautiful.”
“Thanks.” Kennedy walked over to the teenager and squeezed her hand. “Wish me luck.”
“You won’t need it.”
Together, the women moved from the bedroom toward the living room.
The sight that greeted Kennedy there warmed her heart.
Max knelt beside Tommy. They seemed engrossed in a man-to-man talk. She couldn’t hear what they were saying, but her son wore a smile as wide as Texas and continued to nod enthusiastically as Max whispered in his ear.
Seeing the two men in her life share such an intimate moment nearly brought tears to her eyes.
Eve cleared her throat and Max looked up.
A look of astonished pleasure instantly washed over his features.
Kennedy held her breath, sure that once she breathed her spell would be broken.
“You look stunning,” Max finally managed to say.
“Thank you.” Her heart drummed wildly in response to his intense gaze. “You look pretty good yourself.” And it was more than true. She was more accustomed to seeing him in jeans or casual wear. The polished gentleman who stood before her deserved cover-model status across every magazine in America.
“You look like a Barbie doll, Momma,” Tommy said in a voice filled with wonder.
“Why, thank you, sweetie.”
“You’re welcome. Guess what. Max brought a surprise for you.”
Kennedy’s gaze returned to Max. “Did he now?”
“Uh-huh. He said that I could give it to you. Do you want it?”
Her curiosity heightened. “I would love it.”
Tommy rushed to the kitchen.
“Here, let me help you,” Eve said, following the eager little boy.
Max laughed. “You have a wonderful son,” he said, moving toward her.
Kennedy smiled. “Thanks. I think he likes you.”
“I hope so.”
The number of butterflies in her stomach increased the moment he slid his arm around her waist. “I don’t know how long I’m going to be able to keep my hands off you,” he said.
“That was the general idea.”
“Should we ditch dinner and head straight to the Ritz-Carlton?”
She slapped his shoulder playfully. “I don’t think so. I plan to show this dress off to everyone in Atlanta.”
“That’s an awful lot of men I’ll have to fight off.”
“Aren’t I worth it?”
He laughed and stole what was meant to be a quick kiss, but the moment their lips met it turned into a long passionate interlude.
The sound of giggles interrupted them and Kennedy turned, blushing with embarrassment…and pleasure. When she saw what her son was holding, with Eve’s help, a small gasp escaped her open mouth.
It was the most exquisite arrangement of roses, irises and baby’s breath she had ever seen.
“For me?” Kennedy asked, incredulous. Her misty gaze swung to the man beside her.
“I can’t think of a woman more deserving.