Page 109 of What About Us

“It’s better than nice.”

He narrows his eyes and leans in to whisper in my ear. “I’m going to edge the fuck out of you later.”

My thighs clench, and he smirks.

“It’s a date.” I wink at him.

He shakes his head and opens the door, then gestures for me to go first, and when I walk over the threshold, I stop cold.

Holy shit.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

XANDER

Ifucking love how playful she is. But I fucking hate it when the smile falls from her gorgeous face as she gazes around the room.

“I had Ava do this while we were gone,” I say quietly, shoving my hands in my pockets and leaning back against the wall so I’m out of the way. “If there are supplies that she didn’t think of that you need, we’ll get them for you. I like the lighting in this room, so I thought it would be the right space for you to paint.”

She’s not saying a damn thing. She just wanders over to where a drafting desk sits by the window and runs her fingers over colored pencils and papers. Then she turns to an easel that already has a canvas on it, as if it’s waiting for her to work her magic.

“It’s too much,” she whispers and takes a deep breath.

“I will give you the world, Ivy. Simply because I can. You deserve all of this.”

I know that no one has ever thought of her needs, has never put her first. And it’s going to take some getting used to on her part.

So, I hang back, letting her take the lead here.

“I probably really don’t deserve it,” she whispers. “Don’t get me wrong, I love it. I love all of it. Our time in Denver, that you’ve taken the lead on my house and I don’t have to worry about it. But this . . . Xander, this is next level.”

She shakes her head, still not facing me, and I’m starting to get nervous. I’m doing my best not to be hurt by this reaction. She’s not trying to hurt me. But fuck, seeing her uncertainty is almost my undoing.

“Baby, I love you. You enjoy art. So yeah, I had a studio built for you, for whenever you want it. It’s no big deal.”

“It’s a huge deal.” She turns to face me. “It’s a huge deal, Xander. In a great way. You’ve made me feel so special⁠—”

“You are special.”

“—and loved⁠—”

“I’m crazy about you.”

“—but it’s a lot of money, and I don’t want you to spend your money on me. I don’t need it. That’s not why I’m here.”

“And that’s exactly why I’m doing it,” I reply and brush her hair behind her ear. “I like spoiling you. It’s my new favorite hobby.”

Her eyes fill, and I tug her into my arms and press my lips to her head.

“No tears. This is fun. Besides, I’m gonna put you to work because I need you to replicate that huge painting I wanted for my wall.”

She laughs and then sniffles. “She didn’t ruin that one.”

I frown down at her. “What?”

“I’d already taken it to be framed. In fact, come here.”

She takes my hand and leads me out of the studio and to the living room, then points above the fireplace, and all I can do is stare while my heart feels like it’s growing six sizes.