Joker (Hell's Ankhor #8) - Aiden Bates Page 0,78

with Brennan.

Wanted to share everything with him.

The day at the hospital had been amazing—better than I ever could’ve hoped. Not only was the club thrilled about the charity, they were already thinking about a Christmas toy drive. And it never would’ve happened if Brennan hadn’t suggested it.

I leaned down and kissed him. Brennan slid his hands over my hips and lower back fondly.

“Thank you,” I murmured. “For today. It was really incredible.”

“I didn’t do anything,” Brennan said with a laugh. “It was all you, and your brothers.”

“It was your idea, though,” I argued as I sat back up. “Wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t suggested it.”

“All right, fine, we both played a role,” Brennan said with a laugh. Then the smile smoothed away, replaced by a slightly more serious, thoughtful expression. “It really did turn out amazingly, though. You’re amazing.”

I felt my cheeks heat. “What? Don’t say stuff like that.”

“It’s true,” Brennan said. He slid his hands up my thighs and back down, soothingly, and I ducked my chin. “Every time I think I’ve got you figured out, you whip out some new talent. You’re so creative, and generous. The club is seriously lucky to have you.” He softened. “And I am, too.”

Even with heat crawling across my cheeks and up into my ears, I didn’t want to argue. I didn’t think that Brennan was lying, or bullshitting, or just trying to get something from me.

I believed him.

The praise flooded me with warmth, and a sense of security.

“You think so?” I asked.

“I know so.” Brennan smiled up at me.

“Craziest thing,” I said as I leaned down to kiss him. Then I murmured against his lips, “I believe you.”

“Finally,” Brennan said with a warm laugh. “Proud of you.”

My heart somersaulted in my chest as I deepened the kiss. He knew it was a big deal—but he didn’t condescend, or make me feel defective, or different. He just accepted me, exactly the way I was. Like he always did.

Brennan hummed and slid his hands up and down my back. Before I got too lost in his touch, though, I pulled away. I sat up and bit my lower lip.

“What is it?” Brennan asked.

And—I was nervous to admit this because it wasn’t really my style. But I hadn’t known how else to show him how grateful I was. How much I appreciated what he’d done for me—and how I paid attention, too, even if sometimes I got a little wrapped up in my insecurities.

“I got you a gift,” I said.

“What?” Brennan’s smile widened. “What for?”

“Just because,” I said. I climbed off him and padded over to my closet. “They’re not wrapped, but, you know, it’s the thought that counts, right?”

“A gift with no occasion is more than enough.” Brennan sat up in the bed, watching me eagerly.

I pulled the first gift out of the closet and smoothed my hand over it. Moment of truth. No going back now. But I’d bared my soul to Brennan over and over, and he’d never rejected me. Finally, I was learning not to be afraid.

I turned around and handed it to him.

It was a carving, about the size of my saddlebag, made from the same tree we’d felled for the sign. It was a simple piece, carved in relief of a hammer, nails, and a saw. I’d done it in Brennan’s workshop, on days I knew he was busy with the renovations. It wasn’t anything fancy.

“I thought you could hang it outside your shop,” I said. “Or inside it. I don’t know. If you wanted to.”

Brennan stared at the carving, eyes wide.

“It’s from the same tree as the sign,” I said, a little awkwardly. “I carved it. Uh. If that wasn’t obvious.”

Finally, Brennan looked up, and his eyes were wide, a little disbelieving. “You did this for me?”

“Yeah,” I said. “Just wanted to say thank you, I guess. The sign never would’ve happened without you.”

“Come here,” Brennan said.

I stepped forward. He set the sign aside and tugged me down for a kiss.

“I love it,” he said, softly. “I love it so much. I know exactly where I’m going to hang it—right when you step into the workshop. First thing I’ll see every time I go in there to work.”

I smiled, warmth flooding me as Brennan reached for me to deepen the kiss. “Wait, there’s another,” I said.

“Jeez, I’m spoiled,” Brennan said, and released me with some hesitation. “You know you don’t have to do this. Just having you is more than enough.”

Jeez, my cheeks heated again. “Shut