Page 35 of Wizard

“Good girl,” I praised quietly, smiling when her cheeks turned pink and she shivered.

Then I engulfed her hand in my much bigger one and led her through the front door.

“Got one stop to make, then we’ll go to our room and talk,” I promised her.

Lucky for me, Blaze was in his office when we stopped by.

“That package arrive?” I asked in lieu of a greeting.

Blaze nodded and pointed at a box sitting on the conference table.

“Appreciate it,” I muttered gratefully as I picked the package up and stuck it under my arm.

Thea looked at me expectantly, and I smiled, shaking my head. “Patience, baby.”

She huffed and glared at me as I towed her to the stairs and up to our room.

Once inside, I ushered her to the little sitting area and gently pushed her down onto the couch before sitting on the coffee table right in front of her. It was a sturdy piece of furniture, and I knew it wouldn’t break under my weight.

“That was a shit move,” I told her softly. “Saying I loved you in the middle of the chaos like that.”

Her head dropped forward, and she whispered, “It wasn’t true?”

Scowling, I cupped her chin and forced her head up. “Didn’t I promise never to lie to you?”

Thea chewed on her bottom lip, then conceded, “Yes.”

“I love the fuck outta you, woman. Just meant that the timing was bullshit.”

“Oh.” Her lips lifted at the corners of her mouth, and her green eyes brightened. “You really love me?”

“Didn’t I just say that?” I growled.

Her smile grew, and she beamed at me.

“Probably shoulda told you sooner,” I admitted. “But with all the shit happening around us, it never seemed to be the right time.”

“That makes sense,” she agreed softly.

I waited a little bit, then raised an eyebrow and gave her chin a squeeze. “Got something to say to me, baby?”

Thea’s cheeks turned pink, and she tried to duck her head but couldn’t because I was still holding her chin.

“I thought maybe…um”—her eyes darted to the box sitting beside me on the coffee table—“I guess I was hoping you, um, had more to say?”

Laughing, I leaned in and gave her a quick kiss. “Patience, baby.”

Her face screwed up in annoyance, making me chuckle again. “Tell me what I want to hear, and I’ll give you your presents.”

“Presents?” she repeated, perking right up. I’d quickly learned that even though Thea didn’t like to be snuck up on, she loved surprises. And presents.

“Tell me, baby,” I insisted, making my tone extra gritty because I knew it turned her on.

“I love you,” she said with a sweet smile and a dreamy sigh.

“Good girl.” I released her chin, but not before taking another fast kiss.

She put out her hands and made a “gimmie” motion with her fingers.

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