Page 232 of Blackwood

“But first,” I say, catching her hand, “you sit.”

She tilts her head, eyes narrowing, but she listens. Bella drops onto the couch beside the mirrored wall, legs crossed, dress hitched just enough to wreck me. God, she’s beautiful.

I reach for the package I stashed earlier, carefully wrapped in black linen and tied with burgundy silk. “Close your eyes.”

She smiles softly, eyes shining. “You’re lucky I trust you.” And then closes them.

I lay the present on her lap. “Okay,” I say quietly. “Open.”

She unties the ribbon and unwraps the linen. Her eyes flutter open and then freeze. She doesn’t speak. Doesn’t breathe.

The painting stares back at her—bold, intimate, raw.

It’s us.She’s front and center, naked in a sea of white sheets. Everything is black and white except her lips. Blood-red. Soft. Open. Her eyes are half-lidded, mouth caught in that breathless moment between surrender and command.

Lex is beside her on the left. His hand wrapped around her throat, squeezing just enough to mark possession, his tongue brushing the side of her neck.

I’m on the right. My arm slung across her chest, shielding her from view. Protecting her. Claiming her. Kissing her cheek like a man who would kill for her without hesitation.

Three bodies.

One moment.

Eternal.

Her breath stutters. She lifts a hand, fingertips grazing the edge of the canvas like it might bite. “You painted this… for me?”

“For us,” I say softly. “But yeah. It’s yours.”

Tears gather at the corners of her eyes, catching the light like broken glass.

Lex leans in behind her, looking over her shoulder and lets out a deep breath. “Babe…” he growls, voice thick. “That’s going over our bed. Dead center. So, I can see it every single time I’m fucking the shit out of both of you.” He steps around and pulls me forward, crashing his mouth against mine. It’s rough. Messy. Perfect.

Bella doesn’t move at first. She just stares at the painting like it’s breathing. Like it might speak before she can. A tear slides down her cheek, slow and silent.

“Cade…” Her voice shakes around my name. She rises, cradles the painting in both hands, and then looks up at me like I just gave her the moon. “I don’t have words. I love it. I love you.”

My chest tightens.

She sets it down, leans in and kisses me, her fingers curling in my hair like she never wants to let go.

When we finally break apart, I clear my throat and nod toward Lex. “Babe…” I say, still trying to catch my breath. “Show her your present.”

Lex grins sharp and proud, and pulls off the harness across his chest.

Bella tilts her head. “What are you doing?”

He unbuttons the front of his black shirt and pulls the fabric apart, just enough to reveal the fresh ink over his heart. It’s the same style as the one on her shoulder. Same wisps of smoke trailing behind the letters. Same bold, black lines that pulse with meaning.

But instead of a Z, it saysBella.

Simple. Permanent. Hers.

She gasps. Then covers her mouth with both hands in shock.

“Lex…” She walks toward him slowly, like she’s afraid the moment might vanish if she moves too fast. He doesn’t say anything.

Not at first.