I practically glowed. I wanted to kiss him all over again, but I didn’t want to crash the SUV.
When we got home, he carried me straight upstairs. Didn’t ask. Just did it. I loved the way he took over, always knowing what I needed before I did.
He sat me on the bed. “You want to nap or shower first?”
“Nap,” I said instantly. “Only if you stay with me.”
He made a noise, then stripped me down to my socks which he definitely had a kinky thing about and tucked me under the covers. His hands were so gentle. The sheets were cool, and he wrapped me up, then climbed in behind.
His arms locked around me. The weight of him was perfect. I felt so small, so safe.
I drifted, somewhere between sleep and not, letting the sound of his breathing lull me.
When I woke up, it was to the sound of soft voices. I recognized Maddox and Dion right away and sat up.
Walker came in and grinned, helping me out of bed and taking me to the bathroom, then dressing me in some really cute pink pajamas he’d shown me yesterday. He kissed me nearly into a puddle but then stopped, much to my disappointment, and crooked a finger. “Come see.”
We left the bedroom to see Maddox and Dion at the end of the corridor standing outside the spare room Walker used for storage.
Maddox grinned, holding the door open. “You’re gonna love this, sweetheart. Promise.”
Walker didn’t wait. He scooped me up, ignoring the way I squeaked and clung to his neck. I felt ridiculous, but he just pressed his lips to my cheek and carried me out like I weighed nothing.
Down the hall. Past the pictures. I expected an empty room, but Walker opened the door and—
I stared. I didn’t even breathe.
It was like every wish I’d never spoken out loud had just…appeared. The walls were pale pink, with faint sparkles in the paint. Not glitter, just a shimmer, like fairy dust. There were shelves everywhere, each one stacked with plushies, coloring books, and jars of pastel markers. A miniature table and chairs, the kind you saw in picture books. A white wooden play kitchen. Soft rugs underfoot, thick as clouds.
On the far wall, there was an actual tent—a princess castle, with flags and everything. Inside, a mountain of blankets and pillows, all in cotton-candy colors, and a giant bunny peeking out from the doorway.
Walker set me down, but I couldn’t move. My hands shook. I reached for him, not even sure why, but he caught my hand and held tight.
Dion’s voice was soft. “Walker wanted it finished before you got home, but we didn’t quite manage it, so we were lucky when you wanted a nap. We all pitched in.”
Maddox chuckled. “We finished the paint while you were at work.”
Walker’s body was tense against mine. I could tell he was nervous too, even if it didn’t show on his face. “You like it, princess?”
I couldn’t talk. Couldn’t even try. My knees folded and I dropped straight to the rug, landing on my butt, just staring at everything. The colors, the stuffies, the play kitchen. There were cubbies with art sets, sticker books, even a row of fuzzy blankets folded, perfect and neat.
I’d never seen anything like it. Not just for Littles, but for me. This was mine. I could feel it in my chest, sharp and hot and perfect. I tried to find the words, but nothing would come out.
Walker knelt beside me, his arms around my waist, pulling me into his lap. “Breathe, princess. It’s yours. All for you.”
I melted. Couldn’t help it. The tears started up, but he didn’t laugh or tease. Just pressed his face into my neck and whispered, “That’s my girl. You deserve all of it.”
Dion cleared his throat. “The tent’s the best part. You can hide in there with your friends.”
I stared at Dion, then at Walker, then at the tent. All those soft colors. The mountain of blankets. A castle, just for me. I’d never had anything close to this. Never even let myself dream about it.
Walker stroked my arm, quiet, letting me process. I burrowed back against his chest, needing the anchor. “It’s mine?” My voice came out tiny.
He squeezed me, rough and warm. “All yours, princess. Every inch.”
Maddox nudged a coloring book forward, gentle. “We stocked the art corner. Dion even found the sticker books you liked at the party.”
I blinked, throat so tight I thought I’d choke on it. I reached for it and my fingers actually shook. The cover was shimmery kittens, pink and cream, with raised hearts. Underneath, there was a whole rainbow tray of markers.
