Page 60 of Marry Me Forever

However, she nodded. “Okay. Although if it’s to bring me into a sex dungeon, I’m not sure I’m ready for that. I’m not saying I’m against it entirely, but a girl needs some time to prepare.”

I snorted. “No sex dungeon today, I promise.” I raised the blindfold again. “Now, let’s get this on you.”

She leaned forward, and I tied the fabric around her eyes, my touch lingering in her hair. Then I ran a finger down her soft, warm cheek, and Katie shivered. I imagined her blindfolded in my bed, as I teased her with a feather.

Calm the fuck down, Nolan. Right. Her present. “Wait here until I open your door.” I raced around to the other side, pulled the door open, and took her hand. “Come on. I’ll lead you inside.”

Once Katie was on her feet, I put an arm around her shoulders and gripped her hand closest to me. The biggest independent bookstore in the city was in front of us. Even though the door sign said, “Closed,” I knocked, and the owner opened it.

She smiled, stepped aside, and I guided Katie toward the middle of the large space.

I whispered, “Surprise. Have a look.”

She tore down the blindfold and blinked. “A bookstore.”

“Yes. And let me explain—you can get as many books as you want. Both the mystery and romance sections are some of the best, I’ve been told. Although you don’t have to limit your choices to those two. Pick out whatever you want, with no limit.”

She turned toward me and blinked her eyes rapidly, almost as if she was about to cry.

“What’s wrong, baby? Did you want something else?”

Shaking her head, Katie replied, “No, it’s perfect. But a few books will be good enough.”

I placed a finger under her chin and stroked her soft skin. “Don’t hold back. Let me give you this, Katie. Please.”

She searched my gaze as I held my breath. To most, it wouldn’t seem like a big deal—either she accepted, or she didn’t. But to me? A man who had trouble spoiling or helping those he cared about? Her answer meant the fucking world to me.

Finally, she nodded. “Okay. But can I get some new bookcases as part of the deal? Because the ones at home are pretty full already.”

I kissed her briefly. “Yes. As many as you need.” I gestured around. “And I’ll be your book carrying mule today, too. The store is empty of customers, except for us. So take your time and don’t feel rushed. The owner has agreed to keep it open as late as we need.”

She surveyed the space. “Is it truly empty?”

“Yes. That’s why I couldn’t easily reschedule it—it would’ve been unfair to the owner.”

And it’d cost me a fortune twice over. But that was the lesser of my concerns. I didn’t want the store to get a reputation for not being reliably open.

Katie threw herself against me and hugged me. I wrapped my arms around her and laid my cheek atop her head. “Merry Christmas, baby.”

“Thank you, Nolan. This is probably the best present in my life. No, scratch that—it is the best present ever.”

“Good.” I kissed the top of her head. “Now, let’s get started. I’m curious to see what you pick out.”

Katie looked up at me. “Just don’t be judge-y.”

“I won’t. Maybe I’ll have to read some of them myself.”

She grinned. “Then I’ll make sure to pick out some scorching romances. Ones that make you all hot and bothered.”

“Okay, color me intrigued.”

She laughed, stepped back, and turned toward the romance section. “Come on, then.”

I followed her, amused, as she ran her finger down the titles. She plucked one out. “This one I’ve seen around. He needs to marry in order to claim his inheritance. So he asks his executive assistant to be his fake wife for a year.”

“Out of all the women in the world, he asks the one person who will probably disrupt his life the most?”

“Of course. That’s the point. She hates him, he thinks she’s a quiet mouse, and what do you know? Once married and stuck together, they let down their walls, have some hot sex they can’t seem to avoid, and eventually fall in love.” Katie sighed. “He even has a pet name for her.”

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