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“It came in with the mail, ma’am.”
“Does it say who it came from?” I wrap my hand around the base of my throat. “A return address? Anything?”
He strides over to the table and picks up the gift. “There’s a card. Should I check it for you?”
“N-no,” I practically shout at him, as I hurry to take the box before he can investigate. If this is from Nicole it’s best I handle it.
“Are you sure?” His expression rarely gives away his thoughts, but he probably can tell my reaction isn’t normal.
“Let me look at the card first.” I hurry over and slide the white envelope from under the silver ribbon. My hands shake as I use my thumb to unseal the flap and tug the card free.
My heart starts beating again, and I let out a long held breath as I scan the contents of the card.
You love them, so I’m buying them for you. They don’t have your size though, so I’m special ordering them. Hopefully, by the time they come in you’ll have already forgiven me for not being able to take my eyes off you after everything that’s happened.
Not that I need an excuse. I never could stop thinking about you. Looking for you. Staring at you. Not from the moment we met. Can’t wait to see you in them.
Rogue xx
“It’s from Rogue,” I tell the bodyguard as a smile takes over my face. I carefully slide the card back inside the envelope and place it back on the box.
“Is there anything I should know?” Jackson narrows his gaze on me. He’s too perceptive. No doubt it comes with the job.
“Everything is fine.” I pluck at one end of the ribbon. “Great, actually.”
Jackson nods. “If there’s anything I can do…”
“About what?” I stifle the awkward laugh that threatens to bubble up my throat. He’d see it for what it truly is. “Seriously, I’m fine. And I’m going to text Rogue and tell him I received his gift.”
“Okay.” Jackson resumes his position on the chaise. He picks up a book from the cushion next to him. He spends a lot of time reading while he’s babysitting me.
This one is a romance novel. I can tell by the flowers on the cover. Does he actually read the books he picks? Or is it simply a matter of blending into the background to put me at ease?
I leave him to read—or stare at—his book as I take my present to the bedroom since I have no idea what Rogue bought me. The box is too thick and wide to be lingerie. The ribbon comes loose when I tug on one end, and I slip it free from the box before starting on the paper. When that’s folded and moved to the side I run my fingers over the embossed LuLu Blue label on the shoebox.
I press my lips together and blink rapidly to clear my vision as I flip open the lid. It’s the boots that I’d fallen in love with the day we went shopping with Adira. Thigh high in a navy suede and covered in crystals.
I didn’t even try them on because I was so scared he was trying to buy me somehow, but he bought them anyway. Ordered them, probably with a little help from my bestie, who knows my size. Without a thought to whether they would come at a time where we were fighting or out-of-sorts. The card was written weeks ago with the confidence of a man who has no intention of ever giving up on us.
It's the first time in a long time that a gift hasn’t immediately made me consider the cost for being cared for. Or maybe it isn’t, but it’s the first time that I remember not being afraid of the price I’d be expected to pay. Rogue cares about me because he loves me. This gift is because he wants me to be happy.
I cover my mouth with my hand as that sinks in. He wants me to be happy. And I am when I’m with him.
Jumping from the bed, I shed my baggy sweats and pull on the boots. They feel soft and luxurious on my legs and they fit perfectly. I pick up my phone to call Rogue and tell him how much I love…the boots.
“Hot damn.” Rogue whistles as he fills the doorway to our bedroom. He grabs at his chest over his heart.
“You’re home.” I throw myself into his arms. He had press interviews for his movie most of the day.
Even with the bad press my family has caused, he still has obligations to the studio. A week ago that would have been a relief. Now, spending time with him has become something I’ve come to crave.
He catches me in his strong embrace. Gives me that smile that’s only for me. “I might have to spend more time working if you’re going to greet me like this when I come home.”
I wrap my legs around him and draw him in for a soul searing kiss. “I love y-er, them so much. I love them so much.”
“You do, huh?” His smile grows stronger along with the warmth in his gaze. He nuzzles my shoulder and presses a hot kiss to my throat. He doesn’t acknowledge my slip up.
Those three little words that I didn’t even realize I was going to say until they were almost all out there.
