She narrowed her gaze. “You know that’s not possible.”
“Then…what is it you have to give me?” Glancing at the bed, I cursed the heavy ache between my legs. “Can’t it wait until morning?”
She backed away nervously, shaking her head. “No. I asked Selix to buy it for me. We’ve been away a week and then we found Spot and he’s distracted me and now you’re trying to distract me and I know if I don’t give it to you now, I’ll worry I did the right thing. I’m already worrying I did the right thing.”
Nerves flickered like fireflies in her eyes. “I’ve been dying to show you, El. I want to do it now…before we go to bed. Before anything else distracts me.”
My heart squeezed at how much this meant to her. I’d never seen her flustered before and, fuck, it made me want to do terrible things to her.
Christ, I love her.
As much as her skittishness appealed to the possessive part of my brain, I missed the carefree girl from before. She needed to find that light-hearted place. I needed to see her giggle again.
Stalking forward, I pretended sternness and towered over her in dominion. “Hold up. Spot?”
She barked a laughed. “I say all that and all you focus on is what the dog is called?” Her worry spiralled away as quickly as it’d cloaked her.
I crossed my arms, ignoring how my heart beat faster whenever she was happy. “I thought we agreed no stupid names for the dog.”
“Your fault for picking one that suits his spotty coat.”
“Who cares about his spots? He looks like he has a bad case of measles.”
“We can call him Measles, if you’d prefer?” She bit the inside of her cheek. “Measles has a cute ring to it.”
I groaned. “If you want something literal for him, how about Slobber or Fleabag?”
Her face glittered with happiness. “Slobber could work.”
It was my turn to laugh. “We’re not calling the damn dog Slobber.”
“Fine, you name him.”
“Me?”
Looking at the happily munching puppy, she nodded. “He’s a little jumpy right now, but his curiosity makes him brave. Spot suits him, but if you want to call him Nemo or Neptune or something to do with the ocean, then by all means.” She spun toward the doors, giving me a look over her shoulder. Her delicious glossy hair caught the starlight. “Meanwhile, I’ll focus on getting your gift.”
Marching toward her, I ran my fingers through the chocolate strands while wrapping my arm around her. “You complain of distraction but you’re the one who’s a master at it.”
Pressing my lips to hers, I murmured into her mouth. “However, I can be just as good.” Deepening the kiss, I groaned as her tongue feathered mine. “Come to bed, little mouse. Let me show you my gift before you show me yours.”
She melted into my embrace, shuddering as I pulled her hair, arching her neck back to kiss her harder. My cock thickened. I lost rational thought. All I wanted was her in my bed.
Backing toward the mattress, I pulled her with me. Breathless, she kissed me back. I might not have won on naming the damn dog Spot, but I had won in making her forget about giving me something.
I didn’t know why but accepting a gift from her made me awkward and full of guilt. She had no need to buy me things.
She’d given me herself.
There was nothing else I’d ever need.
The bed hit the back of my legs. I sat heavily, dragging her between my thighs while keeping her mouth on mine. I grabbed her hips, intending to ease her on top of me, but she resisted, somehow slipping from my hold and blinking with bright, desire-filled eyes. “You almost made me forget again.”
Wiping red-kissed lips, she pouted. “I want to show you, El. Please…let me.”
Sighing heavily and rearranging my throbbing erection, I stopped being an asshole. “Okay. You win. What is it?”
Her cheeks flushed pink, a blush filled with worry. “I-I hope I’ve done the right thing.”
I could already tell her she hadn’t.
She was about to give me more than I deserved.
Before I could speak, she dashed to the sliding doors to the deck and vanished outside. A loud clunking noise filtered in, followed by a feminine curse.
“What the hell?”
The puppy lost interest in his chicken and chased after her. Following them, I slammed to a stop as Pim tried to navigate a box almost as big as her.
My heart pounded.
The box wasn’t an ordinary box.
It was a shaped case I knew well.
Fuck.
How?
“What did you do, Pim?” Striding forward, I grabbed the neck of the cello container, taking the weight before it crushed her.
She ducked her eyes shyly. “I wanted to give you something after you’ve given me…everything.”
“Where did you even get this?” I forced myself not to run my fingers over the satin case or crack open the latches to see what was inside.