Page 59 of Masked Darling

“One last stop,” he whispered as he carried her to the plush chaise lounge in the corner.

Kade sat down first, settling into the chaise before adjusting her onto his lap, cradling her against his chest as she pulled the blanket around both of them.

Madison let out a deep, contented sigh as she burrowed into the warmth of both him and the blanket.

“Perfect,” she mumbled.

Kade smiled, running his fingers through her flaming hair. “That’s all I ever want for you.”

The silence stretched between them, comfortable and unhurried.

Madison broke it first, her voice a little more playful this time. “So… we still have a few more hours to use the room,” she said, raising an eyebrow as she leaned back to look at him. “What else do you have in mind?”

Kade’s eyes glinted in the red lights with amusement, and he gave her a slow, teasing grin. “Well, considering howthatwent,” he started, tapping his finger lightly on the back of her hand, “there are definitely a few more things I’d like to try before we’re done here tonight.”

Madison’s smile matched his, but there was something more confident in it now. “I’d like that.”

Kade nodded, his gaze softening. “Me, too.”

And just like that, that heavy feeling Madison had lodged in her chest dissipated. She didn’t need to hold back anymore. With Kade, she could explore what she wanted, and she could set the pace. There was no rush. No fear. Just the two of them, figuring it out and communicating their needs.

She leaned in, brushing her lips gently against his. “I think I’m going to need one of these rooms in Arizona,” she murmured against his mouth, a grin tugging at her lips.

Kade laughed, his hands resting at the small of her back, pulling her closer. “Relax, princess, let me build you a castle first,” he said, but his voice was serious this time. “Then I’ll see about getting you a dungeon.”

They kissed again, slowly, lingering, letting the moment stretch out as long as it could. Eventually, they would leave this place—the bar, this room, their friends and family—but for now, they were still here. For tonight, they had this small, perfect world all to themselves.

Kade held her close, his heart steady and he laced their hands together. “Whatever comes next,” he murmured. “We are going to get through it. Together.”

Madison nodded, a soft sigh escaping her lips. “Yeah. Together.”

And that didn’t mean they would forget everything they went through because it was part of their story–part of what had brought them here, to this moment.

And in this moment, Kade and Madison knew they were exactly where they needed to be.