“You did this? For me?” I nodded. My tongue felt too big for my mouth. I cleared my throat.

“I wanted you to know you’re special to me.”Special?Jesus, I sounded so damn old.

“Special?” Her head tilted as her wavy hair swung over her shoulder.

“Important,” I corrected.

“I’m special and important to you?” I nodded. “Lucas…” She licked her lips, and the sight of her pretty, pink tongue swiping her mouth, leaving the plump pink flesh shiny, was too much for me.

I moved in closer, but she didn’t step away. She simply stood in front of me. Brave and bold. Her eyes met mine head on. I didn’t overthink. I simply picked her up, and she smiled.

“What are you doing?” She laughed as her arms wrapped around my shoulders.

“Showing you something.” I carried her out of the loft area and into the master bedroom. It was presumptuous of me to think she would share the space with me. If she wasn’t ready for that, I’d deal and sleep in the extra room.

But my girl would be staying in the master regardless.

It was why I’d made sure the room was set up just for her.

“Is this…”

“Your room,” I mumbled, kicking the door open, never letting my eyes move from her face. I soaked in every emotion that played out while she soaked in the space.

“Lucas,” she whispered as she looked around. “Are those…”

“Clothes?” I guessed. “Yes. Anything you might need. Boots and shoes, too.” I set her down and watched her move closer to the walk-in closet that held everything. “The dresser has a couple of other things, if you would like to change into something more comfortable.” She peeked at me from over her shoulder.

“Are you asking me to change into lingerie?” Fuck. My face heated up, and I knew I was blushing when she giggled at my expense.

“There is lingerie, but I meant clothes to lounge in,” I clarified and knew I’d surprised her.

“How did you do this? How did you know my sizes and…” she peppered me with questions. Coco licked those pretty lips again, and I had to bite away a groan.

I wanted to lick her lips, her neck.

Fuck, I wanted her to let daddy lick her from head to toe and everything in between.

“That doesn’t matter.” I ran my fingers through my hair. “I’ll leave you to rest and get lunch set up.”

“You’re not staying in here? I mean, with me. I mean—" Now she was blushing. It was fucking adorable.

“I will if you want me to. But I want you to know I am okay staying in the bedroom across the hall if you’re better with that as well.” I shook my head and stomped toward her, picking her up once again only to sit on the edge of the mattress, her sweet tiny body straddling mine. Her eyes widened the moment I set her right on top of me, and I knew why.

The fucker between my legs wasn’t settling, and I had a feeling he wasn’t going to until he got what he wanted.

“You’re hard,” Coco wasn’t shy to point out.

“I want you,” I confessed.

“Lucas—” I shot her a look, and she quieted.

“I’ve wanted you for so long.”

“So, why be… like you were an—”

“Ogre, I think is what you called me once.” She blushed, and I had a really hard time not smiling at her. “I’m not good at this, Coco. You’re so much younger than me and work for me.” I exhaled roughly as my head dipped down and rested against hers. “This last year has been the best and the hardest of my life. Do you have any idea how hard it was on me having the girl of my dreams, the girl who drove me insane, so damn close to me, yet have to keep my hands to myself?

“Lucas.” I saw the worry in her eyes. Then she shocked the hell out of me. “I’m not good at this stuff either. I had a bad relationship once and…” She opened and shut her mouth. “I’m different,” she shared so damn softly I almost thought I’d imagined it.