Maddie

If I didn't have Izzy perched on my hip and a carry-on bag slung across my shoulder, I would have run to the gate. Finally, after an entire year, I'm going to officially be able to create a life with Cameron—a life we always dreamed of.

My time in Germany is one I'll cherish forever. It rounded me into becoming a better doctor. I've gained knowledge that I'll carry with me for the rest of my career, and it's all because of Cameron influencing me to go and giving me the reassurance I needed to make the jump. He's always believed in me and in us. Every single moment spent away from each other, he's proven that time and time again.

I'm itching to see my man.

The gate seems endless. We're rounding different corners of the airport until finally, I see the exit. My smile diminishes when I see the crowd formed around my husband, begging and pleading for a photo opportunity.

I can tell he tried his best to be as discreet as possible, wearing a ball cap to cover his curls and shades over his eyes, but when you're six-three and jacked, it's kind of obvious you play some sort of sport.

Still, even with a crowd surrounding him, my heart flutters all the same. Tears are pricking the backs of my eyes because this time? There won't be a goodbye. This time, I won't worry myself crazy counting down the seconds we have left. Sure, he'll have away games to travel to, but it'll be nothing compared to spending months apart like we've been enduring.

"Daddy!" Izzy shrieks, squirming beneath my grasp. I'm reluctant to let her go when there's a large crowd of people, but Cameron's head snaps up at her voice, and instantly, he's racing towards us.

Maybe the people snapping pictures on their phones would have bothered me more if I actually paid attention to them, but all I'm focused on is my husband when he wraps his arms around us both, squeezing the life out of us.

"How's my baby girl?" He coos, taking her in his arms. She wraps her little hands around his neck, squealing with delight when he tickles underneath her chin. "Are you happy to be home, Izzy bug?"

When she nods enthusiastically, he chuckles and moves his gaze to mine. People are still recording and snapping away behind us, but he doesn't seem to care when he bends down to kiss the hell out of me. His tongue darts across my lips, and I part my mouth, allowing him access to kiss him even deeper.

But then the sound of another photo being taken fills my ears, and I grimace, pulling away. Truthfully, I haven't been in the limelight with Cameron since he became famous. When we were trying to work things out between us, we kept things under wraps for the most part. Now that we're together back in the States? I'm petrified to be thrown into it head-first.

"You were right," I admit. "Maybe we should have flown private." When he suggested he rent us a private jet, I almost cussed him out on the phone. I thought he was losing it, but now? With the crowd of people gathered around us? I wish we had the moment we got off the plane to ourselves. I won't be surprised if our reunion makes it to the front page of a trashy magazine next week.

Speaking of trashy magazines, Katie and Cameron's cover was released a few days ago, and a woman waiting by the gate for someone has the issue clutched tightly in her hands, a brow raised towards us. Of course, she'd believe a magazine cover over what she's witnessing in real life. It shouldn't bother me, but it makes me want to rip that damn scrap of paper out of her hands and throw it in the nearest trash can.

Cameron follows my stare, letting out a sigh. "Let's get out of here, yeah?" Reaching over to take the carry-on bag, he carries both that and Izzy with ease, leading the way to the baggage claim. "Next time, I'm definitely flying you both private."

Usually, I'd tell him what a waste of money it is, but this time, I keep my mouth shut mainly because I don't necessarily disagree with him now.

"How was the flight?"

"It was okay. Izzy was grumpy for a good portion of the trip, but she did well for a two-year-old." Now, Izzy's head rests on Cameron's shoulder, and her eyes are already fluttering shut. "I'm exhausted, if I'm being honest."

Cam sends me a smile that sends a flood of warmth to pool in my belly. "That's why you're here now, baby. It's not going to be all on your shoulders anymore."

***

As soon as we got back to Cameron's apartment, he kept true to his word when he ushered me away to take a shower and relax while he took care of putting Izzy to bed and ordering us dinner.

I'm resting my forehead against the tiles of his enormous shower as I contemplate the new tasks I have to focus on now. My previous boss in Phoenix said she would hook me up with a paid internship here while I continued my online schooling to finish my doctorate program, but I have to call her and figure out just where those places are.

Plus, there's the added stress of the Katie situation. So far, no one has been able to come up with any solutions. Cameron even went as far as to hire a private investigator, but he only started last week. I don't feel comfortable knowing my life hangs in the balance until we figure out how to end her. I also hate that Cameron is being used as her disposable toy whenever she sees fit.

Letting out a sigh, the glass doors to the shower open, and I feel Cameron's arms snake around my waist, pulling me against his chest. He kisses my shoulder, running his hand across my stomach, and just the presence of him has me relaxing almost instantly. "Our daughter is fast asleep, and pizza is on the way," he says.

"You have no idea how good pizza sounds," I reply.

"Figured. I know how much you love it." He lathers soap into his hands and begins to massage it into my shoulders, easing the tension gathered there.

"Germany had their version of pizza, but it tasted nothing like it does here. Ugh, I can almost taste the greasy goodness on my tongue." I tilt my head to the side, sighing when he works deeper into my muscles. Jesus, how strong is he? I know playing football means he's good with his hands, but this? I'm in heaven.

"Well, I plan to taste you on my tongue as soon as dinner is finished," he hums.

"It's almost midnight, Cam. You have practice in the morning, right?"

"Every lost second of sleep will be one hundred percent worth it, baby." He drifts his hand lower, dragging his middle finger along my slit. "I'm not surprised you're already ready for me."

It's not that I don't feel like doing this right now. Clearly, I'm ready, but I'm stressed the hell out about everything I have to do tomorrow and the unsureness of my future. If Katie releases the video she has on me, I'm done for. This year Cam and I spent away from each other will have been all for nothing.

"Relax," he whispers, sinking that finger into me. I cry out, throwing my head back against his shoulder. "Let me be your distraction, Mads."

"I-I know, there's just the thing with Katie and my job, and—"

"All things we can focus on tomorrow. Let me distract you."

With a breathless nod, I let him. I allow those worries and fears to sink into a locked compartment in my mind, and when he pushes a second finger inside, I can hardly remember my own name.

He curls them just right, knowing my weakest spot, and he uses his free hand to brush against my clit. It's been almost two months since he touched me, since that incredible night in Germany when he used my toy and gave me the best orgasm I've ever had.

As soon as he hears my whimpers, knowing I'm close, he speeds his fingers on my clit, keeping the curled ones inside of me nice and slow. "That's right. Come for me, baby. Give me all that stress."

The tension releases like a tidal wave crashing against the shore. Cam has to hold me up as I come undone, my legs shaking and my moans echoing from the high ceilings of the bathroom.

When I'm finally able to get my bearings again, I turn to face him, and holy hell. The steam from the shower has dampened the curls around his face, little droplets of water cascading down his chest. My brain is utter mush when he brings the two fingers that were inside of me and sticks them into his mouth, keeping eye contact the entire time.

I promise there isn't a sexier man. Especially when he adds, "Better than pizza."