Page 283 of Ignite

He chuckles, and his hand settles warm and heavy on my thigh.

“Five minutes and you’ll see. We have a pit stop first. Actually, it’s two surprises.”

I pout, trying to get something out of him.

He just grips my chin lightly.

“That pretty little face won’t work on me, trouble. Behave.”

I slump back in my seat and hide my grin.

We leave town and head into the outskirts. The fancy part of the city, as my dad used to call it.

But we pass all the huge houses and keep going.

Finally, Conan turns onto a gravel track and stops in front of a massive set of iron gates.

He enters a code, and I hold my breath as they swing open.

It’s like something out of a fairy tale. A sprawling country estate, flower beds blooming in every color, hedges cut into perfect shapes.

But there’s still no house.

He takes a sharp turn, and then?—

“Jesus,” I whisper. “This is a monster of a house. Who the hell lives here?”

It’s gorgeous. Purple flowers arch over the door. White shutters frame every window.

Fit for a princess.

“We do.”

My head snaps around so fast I nearly give myself whiplash.

He’s holding up a set of keys, smiling like he’s been dying to say it.

“No,” I breathe, my hands flying to cover my mouth.

My eyes dart between Conan and the house and back again.

“Yes, trouble.” He leans across the console and grips my chin, pulling me closer.

“The house isn’t even the best bit.” He brushes his lips over mine.

“Are we moving your whole family in here?” I tease, trying to keep it light because my heart feels like it might actually burst.

“No,” he murmurs. “Just lots of babies and puppies, darlin’.”

A warm, fizzy ache blooms in my chest.

“And we’ll keep your dad’s house. Because it means a lot to you. Okay?”

I burst into tears.

“Conan. This is…so much.”

He wipes my tears with his thumbs, pressing kisses over my cheeks.

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