Page 103 of A Heart So Savage

Epilogue

Say yes.

Always say yes.

Say you’re mine

Always mine.

Say you love me

Always love me.

Much later that night,exhausted and satisfied but unable to fall asleep, Kingston and Ava lay on the couch in the penthouse living room. A movie on the television played softly in the background. It was something about Christmas in a small town, with a billionaire inadvertently falling in love with the disillusioned owner of the bed and breakfast where he hid from his many responsibilities.

“More hot chocolate?” Kingston asked as Ava snuggled beneath the blanket covering their bodies.

“Mmm. No. I think I’m hot chocolate-d out.” She smiled up at him before turning her attention back to the movie. “It’s not even Thanksgiving, and all the Christmas movies are playing,” Ava said, sounding vaguely disappointed by that fact.

“I know. It’s crazy.”

“What’s crazy is you putting up a Christmas tree. But what a wonderful surprise to see when we came in tonight.” Running her hand through his hair, she ruffled it before giving him a kiss on the cheek.

“You know, this is the first time I’ve ever put up a tree because I wanted one,” Kingston admitted. “There was never a reason before. I think I like it. It looks nice in here. Happier. Warmer.”

Ava smiled softly. “We should put one up in every room, I think. Even at The Den.”

“My men will think I’ve lost my mind, but if my queen wants Christmas trees everywhere, then that’s what she shall have.” Carefully avoiding Ava’s fresh tattoo, he tickled under her arms, eliciting shrieks of delight. “And anything else she desires.”

She giggled, grabbing his hands so he could not continue the delightful torment. “A king to kiss me whenever I want. That’s all I need, honest.”

“In that case, you are really going to enjoy Christmas. I plan on shamelessly spoiling you.” Kingston promised softly. “I’m going to hide presents all over the place and watch you search for them. Each time you find one, I’ll give you a kiss.”

Ava pulled the blanket up closer to her chin and burrowed closer to the furnace-like heat of Kingston’s body. “I can’t think of any better gift than that.”

“I’ll start by hiding presents around here.”

“But it’s not Christmas yet,” Ava pointed out.

“That won’t stop me. You know how stubborn I can be when I want something.”

Ava laughed. “Yes, that’s one thing I’m very much aware of. But still, it’s not Christmas. No presents until then, and I mean it. You’ve given me too much already.”

“Well, what should I do with this one?” From the pocket of his sleeping pants, Kingston withdrew a square, powder-blue box wrapped with a black velvet ribbon.

With a sharp intake of breath, Ava scrambled up onto her knees and faced him. The blanket slipped away from her shoulders. “Whatis that?” She looked stunned. Hopeful. Worried.

“Something for you. Did you think that’s all there was to the surprises? What we did tonight at LIST? And your tattoo?” Kingston tipped Ava’s chin up. “There’s so much more I want to give you, Ava.”

“I don’t expect…” Ava protested with sudden fierceness.

“Nobody makes me do anything I don’t want to do. You know that. Now, open this before we get into further arguments about when Christmas should officially begin.”

“Christmas begins the Friday after Thanksgiving, of course. Only psychos celebrate before that,” she responded absently while taking the blue box from his hand. With a deep breath, she pulled on the ribbon decorating the box and popped it open.

The three-carat diamond engagement ring twinkled, catching the lights of the Christmas tree and sparkling like a new star in the sky. Ava stared at it, apparently so shocked she couldn’t say anything.

Kingston held his breath. What would she say?

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