Chapter 27
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.
“Ava’s been busy,” she says with a chuckle. “Because I asked her to pick it up and hang it for you. For a surprise.”
“She didn’t ruin it.”
Ivy shakes her head and slips her hand in mine. “Nope. It’s all yours.”
I fucking love it. The mountains, the color of the sky. The little blue flowers in the foreground.
It’s so damn good.
“Thank you.”
She smiles up at me. “Thank you. Now, I need a little time to myself. Not because I don’t enjoy being with you every minute of every day, but I just need to unwind. So, I’m gonna go take a shower.”
She walks to the stairs, and I follow her up, but when she stops by the guest room that she’d been using when she first moved in, I shake my head.
“Fuck no. That’s not your room.”
“I was just going to use the shower.”
“No.” I kiss her hand and lead her into the other bedroom. “You’ll use our bathroom, in our room, Red. That other space no longer exists in your world.”
“It’s really pretty,” she says with a scowl. “But yeah, I prefer this one. With you.”
“Good.” I kiss her forehead. “Get comfortable and take your alone time. I’m going down to work out in the gym.”
I turn to leave, but she catches my arm.
“Only upper body,” she says. “Do not hurt your knee.”
“You’re so fucking bossy.”
That makes her grin. “I know. But listen to me, Hendrix.”
“Go shower, Ivy Rose.”
I wink and then leave her, shutting the door behind me, and rub my hand over my chest.
I hate her uncertainty. The self-doubt. And I know that none of it is my fault. It’s her goddamn mother’s fault.
The one who called me and asked me for money while Ivy was out shopping with Britney in Denver.
The one who threatened to call the press and tell them that I sexually assaulted her if I didn’t pay up.
The one who took it another step further and threatened to make my woman’s life a living hell.
I have her being watched, and there’s no way she’ll get anywhere near Ivy.
My girl deserves so much more than what she’s been given. And it might take some time, but I’ll eventually help her see her worth.
I make my way through a ton of core work. Medicine ball, sit-ups, kettlebells, pull-ups, more medicine ball. I’m a sweaty mess when Ivy walks into the room and strides right over to where I’m sitting and sits in my lap, wraps her arms around my neck, and kisses me hard.
“I love you,” she says against my lips. “So much. And I sounded like an ungrateful bitch earlier, and I’m not ungrateful.”
“Call yourself a bitch again and see what happens.”
“You know what I mean. I am so thankful for everything from that ginormous cat tree for Cally to the blankets, to the soothing hair brushing, to the orgasms, to—”
“I get it.”
“I love all of it. The big things?” She pushes my sweaty hair back off my forehead.
“They’re fun, and feel fancy. Like the dresses and the studio.
Hiring people to take care of my fucked-up house.
Those are huge. But it’s the little things that made me fall in love with you.
Even just the way you look at me, like you are right now. ”
“And how is that, beautiful?”
She drags her fingertips down my cheek. “Like I’m the best thing you’ve ever seen. Maybe better than the Stanley Cup.”
“You’re everything.” I swallow hard and keep my gaze on hers, needing her to hear every word. “You’re my world. I want to give you all the things, big and small. Mostly big.”
I waggle my eyebrows and she laughs.
“Like, really big. And not at all nice. Nice isn’t even an option when you’re thinking about it.”
“Big like your ego,” she says, squeezing my cheek playfully. “I love my studio. Thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome.”
“I’m going to paint in there in the morning, before we work out.”
“I can’t wait to see what you come up with.” I nibble her lips. “You know what’s really sad?”
Her brows pull together in a frown. “What?”
“You just had a shower.”
“Yeah?”
“And I’m a mess. All sweaty and gross.” I lean in and wipe the sweat on her, making her groan and giggle at the same time. “And now you need another shower. With me this time.”
“Are you incapable of showering by yourself?”
“We’ll never have to find out.” I stand with her in my arms, and she scowls. “Yes, yes, my knee, blah blah blah.”
“You’re bad.”
“No, I’m very, very good. I’ll show you in the shower.”