Page 218 of Wrecked
“She already is, Philip,” Hawk said. “And she always will be.” He extended his hand and Z shook it. “I will spend the rest of my life showing her how much I adore her. You have my word.”
They ate dinner on the balcony, then moved their party inside for cake and coffee.
After he and Z sang happy birthday to her, Addison blew out the candles, then smiled at them. “My wish did come true. I have the best dad and the best fiancé. Thank you both for making my thirtieth birthday so special.”
When the party ended, they walked Z outside and waved goodbye as he backed his ALPHA SUV out of the driveway and drove away. Back in the kitchen, Addison started cleaning up, but Hawk pulled her into his arms.
“Your dad said everything else can wait.” He brushed his lips against hers. “Happy birthday to the love of my life.”
Pushing on her toes, she kissed him. “Thank you for the party, the earrings, the cake, and for going out of your way to make my birthday very special.”
“I’m sorry the cake wasn’t homemade, but I don’t bake either.” He shot her a smile. “But there is something Iwilldo that you’ll enjoy a lot more.”
A moan escaped her throat. “What would that be?”
He broke away to pull a hidden present from the credenza in the dining room.
Inside the wrapped gift box were two police officer costumes. One for him and one for her. “Oooieee, I love these!”
“As the birthday girl, how do you want to play this? Am I the arresting cop or are you?”
“Hmm.” She gave him the once-over. “You arrest me.”
“For what?”
She palmed his ass. “I’m a high-end escort and you raided the bachelor party I was working.”
“Baby, I love your wild imagination.” Pulling her close, he wrapped her in his arms. “I love you, Addison.”
“I love you, too, Nicholas.”
“Every day for the rest of our lives,” he murmured before brushing his lips to hers.
“Every single day,” she replied with a smile.
EPILOGUE
One month later, end of September
Hawk leaned on the balcony of their Alexandria townhome, staring out at the sparkling river, while Addison finished getting ready.
Their Bali getaway had been picture-perfect. They’d soaked up the sun, explored the beautiful island, and gotten pampered at the resort. Not surprising, he’d fallen more in love with her, and he couldn’t wait to make their engagement official.
Addison joined him on the balcony. “Hey, babe.”
He turned and was hit by a familiar shot of adrenaline. Her beauty never got old. Truth was, he could skip the work event and hang with her at home. That’s how much he loved being around her.
“You look gorgeous.” He dropped a doting kiss on her soft lips, made darker by the deep red lipstick.
She’d worn a black cocktail dress that hugged her curves, and pulled her hair into a ponytail. “I wore the dangling heart earrings.”
His gaze floated over her face. “You make the earrings look even better.”
On a laugh, she stepped back to check him out. “Love you all dressed up. Gonna love it more when I strip those clothes off you.”
He’d worn a sport jacket, black shirt, and black pants.
She turned toward the water. “I’m trying to hang on to the calm we found on vacation, but reality is starting to kick back in.”
