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He grunted. “Happy birthday, girl.” He scrubbed Hayden’s head. “Don’t do anything stupid.”

“We won’t,” Nico said while Caden headed to his car.

"You did all this for me?" Again, the disbelief in her voice tugged at Nico.

“Sure did,” he replied. “Come on, everyone is waiting for you.”

Bell, Ella, and Zoe were waiting for Hayden when she stepped inside. Once she joined them, they gathered her into a group hug and squealed. Finally, his little wolf giggled and laughed.

“I can’t believe you did this for me.” Hayden stared at the clubhouse taking in everything. “This is amazing.”

“There’s so much more,” Bodhi said. “Come on, let’s have some fun.”

After they had their cake, which was so good, Nico pulled Hayden outside. He needed a moment with her. Of the three presents he bought her, one was the most important to him. He knew the significance of giving it to her, but everything he’d been doing was for the both of them.

“What’s wrong?” Hayden eyed him. “Aren’t you having fun in there?”

A grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. “I’m having fun wherever you are.” He wrapped his arm around her. “But I have something for you, it’s pretty special, and I wanted to give it to you away from everyone.”

“Oh,” she replied, following him over to the bench where they’d left their clothes so they could run. “What is it?”

“It’s a surprise,” he teased. “Close your eyes and hold out your hand, little wolf.”

“Okay.” She stared at him for a moment then slowly did as he asked. Her little body trembled as she sat there waiting.

Nico pulled the key out of his pocket with the little “H” initial written on the front of it. The identical one was on his keychain and had a matching “N” engraved on the charm. He placed the gift in her hand then said, “Open your eyes, little wolf.”

She stared down at the key, her brows furrowed. “Nico?”

“This is a key to my apartment.” When she sucked in a breath, he held up his hand, because he knew when she got going, she couldn’t stop talking, especially when she was excited or scared. “There are times when I know you want to be somewhere other than with your family or the clubhouse. I’m not always at the apartment because of my schedule. So, this is for you. It’ll be where you can hide whenever you need to.”

“Nico,” she said, with a wistful edge to her voice. “Wow.”

He tipped her chin up. “Just for us. Do you like it?”

She licked her bottom lip and nodded. “I do. I really, really do. Thank you!” She launched herself into his arms “Thank you. I love it.”

He relaxed then and when she pulled back, staring up at him, he closed the distance between them. The lips were inches apart. “I’m going to kiss you now, little wolf.”

“Okay,” she answered, her pupils dilated in anticipation.

He brushed his lips over hers twice before settling in. Euphoria wasn't even a good enough word for what it was like kissing his little wolf. He gently coaxed her to open for him and the moment she understood what he wanted from her, Hayden gave over. Her sweet submission drove him wild, but he put it all on lockdown for her. He tasted and teased her, wrapped her in his embrace, and when he heard footsteps approaching, he broke the kiss and rubbed his nose across hers. "Someone's coming."

The door opened seconds later, and Zoe greeting them. “There you two are. Everything okay?”

If she noticed the pink tinging Hayden’s cheeks or smelled the arousal spilling off of them, she didn’t say a word, which Nico would be eternally grateful for. “Yeah, just giving Hayden one of her gifts and getting a bit of air.”

Hayden swallowed hard. “Y-Yeah, it’s a little overwhelming in there.” She gave a little chuckle.

“For sure,” Zoe said. “Anyway, Bell’s going to have a coronary if you don’t get in here and open all these gifts.”

Hayden laughed. “Wouldn’t want that.”

“We’ll be right there,” Nico added. “Thanks, Zoe.”

“Sure,” the girl said. “No problem. I’ll put the princess on ice for a few.”

When Zoe closed the door, he sagged. “Way too close.” He tipped Hayden’s chin up. “You okay?”