gift.”
“That’s not necessary. And you’ve already bought so many things that we’ll need a truck to transport them.”
“I want something just for you.” He pushed my hair to one side. I felt his breath on the exposed skin behind my ear.
“Choose something, Heather. Or I’ll choose for you.”
By the way his voice had taken on a rougher edge and his fingers pressed on my belly, he’d choose something dangerous. I wasn’t sure in what way, but I wanted to find out. I just wanted to be surprised, and that was saying something, because I usually liked to be on top of everything.
“You choose,” I said.
He laughed softly, moving his fingers in the shape of a small eight on my belly. I sucked in a breath, hoping to steel myself against the contact. Somehow, it had the exact opposite effect. Goose bumps broke out on my skin. How on earth could that touch affect me like this?
“Fine. A few rules.”
“There are rules to getting a gift?”
“Yes. You’re not allowed to refuse it, or to return it.”
I whirled around, looking him straight in the eyes.
“Will I regret this?”
His mouth curled in a devastating smile. “Probably.”
“Give me a hint. So I can brace myself.”
“That wouldn’t be a surprise now, would it?”
I pouted, holding up my thumb and forefinger. “Just a tiny little hint?”
“You belong to me, Heather. Every part of you. I want everyone to know that. Our families, friends, strangers.”
Oh, wow. I didn’t even know what to say.
“Am I scaring you?” he asked.
“A little,” I admitted.
“You trust me?” he asked.
“Y-yes.”
“That was a stutter. Not very encouraging.”
That devastating smile was back.
“Should I give you tips?”
He laughed, looking at me incredulously. “No. It’s a surprise. Turn around. Go down to Avery. I’ll come get you later.”
He placed his hands on my shoulders, actually turning me around, then walking me in the general direction of the escalator. I was so giddy with anticipation. Couldn’t I just watch him buy it? Come to think about it, that would probably take away half the fun. But what if he bought me something outrageous? Or just something that didn’t fit me at all?
“I can’t believe you’re bossing me into accepting a gift,” I teased.
“This isn’t bossing, Heather. This is me being on my very best behavior. Wait until we’re home and I have you naked in my bed.”
“Ryker! You can’t say those things when we’re out in the open.”
“Yes, I can. You’re mine, Heather.”
I licked my lips. My body was already humming with anticipation... and not about my gift.
Ryker only let me go when I stepped on the escalator. I looked at him over my shoulder, intending to tease him, but the sheer intensity he was emanating was magnified by a factor of ten when I made eye contact.
I waited at the edge of the playground, glancing toward the escalator every few minutes. Avery was too busy playing to pay any attention to me. Ryker finally joined us half an hour later.
“Ready,” he announced.
“So, where’s my gift?”
“Hidden in one of the shopping bags waiting for us at the entrance. I’ll give it to you at home, when we’re alone.”
I groaned. “I knew it. You bought me something totally inappropriate.”
“You want something inappropriate? I’ll make another trip upstairs. I’ll be real quick.”
“That’s not what I mean.”
“Isn’t it?” His eyes raked over me playfully. I averted my gaze, because who knew what I’d say if I kept eye contact for too long.
Avery barreled toward us right away.
“Let’s go, young lady,” Ryker said.
We walked out of the store with what felt like a million bags. The Uber we ordered gave us the side eye when he picked us up, but I couldn’t care less. Ryker was happy, my little girl was happy, and so was I.
Avery was wedged between the two of us on the ride home. The excitement of the past few hours had been too much for her. She fell asleep in a few short minutes. My heart flipped when I noticed she was holding my jacket with one hand, Ryker’s with the other. A small knot formed in my throat. When I felt Ryker’s fingers nudge my shoulder, I realized he’d been watching me. He gave me a smile that made the knot instantly loosen.
Avery woke up the second we arrived. She always did that, almost like she had an internal clock.
As soon as Avery entered the apartment, she announced, “I want all the toys in my room. Ryker, can you help me?”
She darted toward her room before