Page 24

CHAPTER 24

When Kennedy said she had a surprise for him, he didn’t expect to walk into his new house and see a romantic setup.

A king-size mattress sat in the middle of what would soon be the living room. A teepee tent covered half of it and twinkling lights made the whole thing glow. Colorful pillows were tossed haphazardly near the top and a large lush blanket was folded on the lower half of the mattress. A tray with candles and a deck of cards sat in the middle of the blanket just waiting for someone to use.

“You set this all up?”

“There’s also a cooler in the kitchen with some snacks and drinks. I figured we could spend our nights here like this while construction is going on rather than you going back to your apartment.”

Ah, so that was what this was about.

“Are you worried about my well-being?”

He snagged her around the waist and brought her close that she had to lean her head back to look at him.

“Maybe a little,” she practically whispered to him.

He smiled at the concern. “Then I guess it’s a good thing I had no intention of going back there anyway.”

“Really?” He could see the hope in her eyes.

“Really.” He nuzzled her neck. “That time in my life is over. I’m ready to move forward.”

More than ready, actually. It was like killing the Diego Cartel was the final piece he needed to shed Jasmine and the hurt she caused. His friends had been right all these years; it was time to stop punishing himself for something he didn’t do.

“So how long before the master bedroom is ready?” he asked in between kisses to her neck.

“A couple of weeks at minimum, so you better get used to sleeping on this mattress on the floor,” she answered on a moan.

“Is it by chance the new mattress for our bed?”

Kennedy had asked his opinion on a bedroom set before he left for Texas but he hadn’t cared then and he didn’t care now what kind it was. As long as he could toss her down on it sooner rather than later.

“It is. Why?” She tried to pull away but he wasn’t about to let her go for a second.

Jayce scooped her up in his arms and carried her over to the beautiful setup she created.

“Because I fully plan to christen it tonight,” he told her matter-of-factly.

And that was exactly how they spent the rest of the night and the next day. Not moving from their little heaven.