Fury of Desire

bed. “Where we going?”

Wick didn’t answer. He grabbed her hand instead and, lacing their fingers together, led her down the corridor. Away from her sister and the kitchen. Past the bedroom J.?J. now shared with him. The thump of his boots sounding loud in the quiet, she followed without question. Where to… where to? The question heightened her anticipation until she couldn’t stand it.

She wanted to know. Right now.

All part of his plan, she knew.

Sneak that he was, Wick had played her to perfection, letting her know something was up without giving the game away. He’d even shut her down in the mental sphere, refusing to allow her to read him via the bond they shared. Which, naturally, sent her need to know into orbit. Grinning like an idiot, she wrapped both of her hands around his and hopped like an excited five year old. She couldn’t help it. Whatever he had planned must be big. Huger than huge, ’cause…

He stopped in front of a set of double doors. Eyes alight with anticipation, he met her gaze. “Ready?”

So eager her voice vanished, she squeezed his hand and nodded.

“Close your eyes.”

Taking a deep breath, J.?J. obeyed. He shifted beside her. The doorknob clicked, the soft snick echoing inside her head. With a gentle tug, Wick drew her forward, guiding her over the threshold, walking her deep into the room. It felt large, open concept, high ceilinged, more like a living area than a bedroom. The smell of fresh paint hung in the air too, along with a hint of sawdust. But the floor felt smooth, like hardwood and… oh, wait. Soft fringe touched her bare toes. She’d just stepped onto an area rug, a big one judging by the distance she traveled before Wick stopped walking.

Untangling their fingers, he released her hand.

J.?J. squirmed, curling her toes into plush carpet. “Now?”

“Yes,” he murmured, his mouth brushing the side of her throat. A shiver erupted, raising goose bumps on her skin as he nipped the shell of her ear. “Now. Open your eyes, Jamison.”

She did and…

Holy God. J.?J. blinked. A baby grand piano. A freaking baby grand piano sat across the room. Glossy black paint shining. Ivory-white keys glowing. Padded bench seat calling her name. And beside it, standing proud in a guitar stand, a brand new Bedell… honey-colored wood gleaming in the low light. Disbelief warred with overwhelming emotion. Without mercy, it punched through to grab her heart, squeezing so hard she struggled to breathe. Her hands started to shake. Tears pooled in her eyes, blurring her vision, making her throat close, kicking shock up a notch.

She opened her mouth, then closed it again. It was too much. Way too much. The most beautiful thing she’d ever seen. Beyond anything she could’ve imagined for herself.

“Oh, Wick,” she whispered, so overwhelmed she didn’t know what to do. Sit down and cry like a baby. Or hug Wick so hard she’d crack his ribs. “Oh my God. You… I… it’s…”

“How’d I do?”

“I can’t… I don’t even know how to…” A rasp in her voice, J.?J. struggled to answer. She shook her head, knowing she needed to give Wick his due, but… God. His gift stunned her into stupidity. A music room. Beautiful, crazy man. He’d built her a music room. A place for her to compose. A spot designed for play. A space all her own. Gratitude collided with appreciation, looping around her heart, combining with her love for him. A sob lodged in her throat, J.?J. dragged her gaze away from the Bedell and turned toward him. He stood a few feet away, golden eyes intent, watching, waiting… no doubt wondering if she liked his gift. “It’s phenomenal. Beyond gorgeous. I love it. You’re just… crazy incredible.”

Pleasure sparked in his eyes a second before his mouth curved.

More tears fell, and unable to stay away a second longer, J.?J. reached for him. Bridging the distance, he moved in tight and hugged her close, making her feel precious. Amazing… in every sense of the word. No one had ever made her feel important—cherished, needed, worthy of this kind of attention. No one except Wick, and as she pressed her cheek to his chest and listened to his heartbeat, she understood, for the first time, what true love meant.

“Thank you,” she said, her tears soaking through his T-shirt. “The words will never be enough, but… thank you, Wick. Thank you so very much.”

With a hum, he kissed the top of her head. “I have another gift.”

“Oh jeez,” she said with a sniffle. “Are you trying to kill me?”

He laughed, flashing straight white teeth, and pivoted with her in his arms. Slow dancing with her, he twirled her in lazy circles across the room and into a seating area. One she hadn’t noticed until now. Totally understandable. She’d been too busy staring at the piano and her new guitar to notice anything else, but as Wick sat her on the couch, her power of observation came back on line. A present—a big one with a floppy red bow— sat on the coffee table. Wick slid onto the sofa next to her, his hard-bodied, long-limbed frame depressing the seat cushions.

Over the initial shock of the baby grand, curiosity got the better of her. Her gaze cut to his. She raised a brow.

Arms flung along the back of the sofa, Wick settled in to watch her. He tipped his chin. “Open it.”

“You’re spoiling me.”

“A mate’s prerogative.”

Pleasure shivered through her. Mate. Oh, how she liked the sound of that, and as she broke eye contact and slid to the edge of her seat, she wanted to forget about the gift. Postpone it until later and make love to him instead. Glancing over her shoulder, she treated him to a saucy look. Heat sparked in his gaze. She licked over her bottom lip. Wick shook his head and pointed to the present.

“Okay, okay.” Grabbing the gift, J.?J. dragged the tall box across the tabletop. “Better get ready, though, ’cause afterward, you’re gonna pay for making me wait.”

“Deal.”

Undoing the bow, J.?J. flipped the top off and, peering over the edge, peeked inside. She froze. Good lord. It couldn’t be. No way would he—

Her present moved.

J.?J.’s mouth fell open. Shock expanded. All thought vanished. Complete and utter adoration replaced it.

“Oh my goodness, Wick… you didn’t,” she whispered, disbelieving even as she reached inside and lifted her gift from the box. White with gray markings, the puppy stared at her, dark-brown eyes solemn, black button nose inches from her own. Speechless, J.?J. stared back. Good heavens, a dog… and not just any breed either, but a perfect, pudgy-nosed baby bulldog. “You just didn’t.”

“Seems I did.” Focus absolute, he took in every nuance of her expression. “Do you like her?”

“Do I… holy moly, no. Like doesn’t even come close. I love her.” Another round of tears rolled over her lashes. A music room and a puppy. All on the same day. Totally surreal. So completely unexpected, J.?J. couldn’t wrap her brain around it. But as she hugged her new dog and looked at Wick, the truth finally hit home. This was her life now. He was her life. She belonged to the most incredible, generous, gorgeous man in the world, and he to her. “Have I told you how much I love you today?”

“Words, vanzala,” he said, a growl in his voice. The dark tone hinted of amatory afternoons and untold naughtiness. Desire spiraled on an incendiary swirl, making her toes curl. “Show me instead.”

With a “hell, yeah,” J.?J. rose to the challenge and set the puppy down beside the couch. Nose to the floor, the little darling went exploring, and she didn’t hesitate. She slipped into Wick’s embrace, buried her hands in his hair, and kissed him deep, knowing she would never get enough of him. So lucky. Despite her mistakes. Despite a rocky past and rough start. Despite all the guilt and heartache. Fate smiled down on her, granting her the one thing she hadn’t known she couldn’t do without…

The best kind of forever with the man in her arms.