Page 109 of Sweet Redemption

Hello . . . And yes, please.

He kisses me like it’s not the first thing in the morning.

As if we haven’t spent the entire night worshipping each other in the most decadently delicious ways.

And most importantly, like his sister isn’t downstairs attacking his front fucking door. “Hendrix, go answer your door.” I nip at his lip, then run my tongue over it. “I’ll jump in the shower and be down in a few minutes.”

“Fine,” he groans and kisses me again before he climbs off the bed gloriously naked. “There’re clean clothes in the closet.” His grin grows, and my heart melts. “Pretty sure one or two of my shirts have Sinclair on the back.”

I throw a pillow at his head. “I doubt I’ll be walking without trouble when I get up, Sinclair. Maybe plan on giving me a breather.”

The cocky ass puffs up his chest like a proud peacock. “I’ll give you breakfast and then I’ll give you until Bodhi goes down for a nap. How’s that sound?”

I’m not sure when it happened, but that sounds fan-fucking-tastic.

HENDRIX

A strong relationship isn’t made up of two people who have never had to fight their way through a storm. It’s two people who’ve faced it together, fought it together, and figured it the fuck out together. A strong relationship is two people who decided drowning isn’t an option.

—Declan Sinclair’s advice to his sons

Walking away from a very naked, incredibly sexy Serena takes more will power than the two and a half hours a hockey game lasts. Not that I don’t want to see Bodhi. I hate when he’s not with me, especially for away games, but I really didn’t want to leave her in bed. I throw my glasses and a pair of sweats on as I hear the shower turn on and make my way down the stairs, expecting to see Gracie and Bodhi on the other side of the door. Not Melissa.

“Mel . . . What are you doing here?”

Britt’s mom stands on the other side of the door, two suitcases at her sides and a bag on her shoulder. Her short white hair held back by sunglasses and a look on her face that I’ve seen on Bodhi a time or two when he doesn’t get his way. “I thought I’d surprise my boys.” She looks around me and grabs both suitcases. “Where’s Bodhi? Is he awake?”

“Uh . . . He’s still at my sister’s. I got in late last night.” This is so going to bite me in the ass. “Come in. Let me grab your bags for you.”

She kisses my cheek and steps around me. “When’s he coming home? I can’t wait to see him.”

“Mel, I thought you weren’t coming until next week.” I drag both suitcases inside and drop them off at the bottom of the steps.

Her lips pinch as she drops her bag to the floor. “That’s the point of a surprise, silly.”

“Hendrix—”

Oh fuck.

“Who’s that?” Mel asks, her voice tight as she looks up the stairs. “I thought you said your sister had Bodhi.”

Serena pops out of my bedroom, one of my old T-shirts dwarfing her frame. “The hot water isn’t working . . .” She trails off, catching her first glimpse of Melissa. “Oh, I’m so sorry.”

“No dear, don’t be sorry,” Mel tells her, a forced smile on her lips. This isn’t good. “And who are you?”

Serena looks to me for guidance, and I know no matter what I do in the moment, I’m fucking screwed. “Serena, meet Mel.” I look up at my beautiful girl. “My mother-in-law.”

Her face pales, and I catch a shake in her hands before she straightens her shoulders and grabs the banister to make her way down the stairs. She’s silent as she comes to the base of the stairs, careful not to touch me as she brushes by and offers Mel her hand. “It’s so nice to meet you, Mel. I didn’t know Britt well, but she was always so kind and so sweet. I’m so sorry for your loss.”

Mel drags her eyes dramatically over the woman standing in front of her in nothing but my shirt, and I have the urge to hide her. To block her from Mel’s prying eyes. “Thank you. She was definitely taken from us too soon. Forgive me, dear, but I’m not sure I know who you are.” She turns her head my way, and anger is reflecting back in her green eyes. “Care to fill me in, Hendrix?”

“Really,” Serena murmurs, her voice low and shaky as tears pool in her eyes. “There’s no need. I was just going.” She turns, making it up two stairs before Mel opens her mouth.

“Were you going to do that before or after you stole my daughter’s family?”

Serena gasps and my blood boils.

Fucking hell. “Melissa,” I growl. “Stop. You have no right⁠—”