Worth It (Forbidden Men 6)

“What is that?” She let go of me to kneel down and study it as if it were some foreign object.

“What’s it look like?” I had thought the words Happy Birthday splashed all over it would be a dead giveaway. Sitting next to the gift, I grinned at her reaction even as I worried about how disappointed she’d probably be when she opened it.

“It looks like a birthday present.” Eyes wide, she zipped her gaze to me. “For me?”

“Well, you did turn sixteen four days, ago, didn’t you? Or did you lie about that?”

“No, I really did. I just…” Emotional tears filled her eyes as she set her hand against her chest. “I can’t believe you got me a present.”

I frowned, confused. “Why wouldn’t I? It was my girlfriend’s birthday.”

That was one of the things that had upset me most about her absence. I hadn’t been able to see her on her big day. As I swore to myself I’d be present for the next and all the ones after that, she said, “I don’t know. I just wasn’t expecting… You really didn’t have to. Just getting to see you is the best present ever.”

I shrugged, strangely bashful. “Don’t get too worked up. It’s not much. Seriously. I wish I could’ve gotten you something better, or more, but…” I sent her a wince. We both knew I couldn’t afford better or more.

Deep affection filled her gaze. “I have a feeling it’ll be my favorite gift, anyway.” Grabbing it, she tore off the paper.

I drew in a sharp breath, wanting to warn her not to get her hopes up. Shit, I should’ve splurged a little more, gotten some jewelry or—

“Oh my God!” Throwing her head back, she laughed as she hugged the book to her chest. “I love it.”

I sighed and batted shredded paper out of my way. “It’s cheesy.”

“That’s why it’s perfect.” After pulling The World’s Greatest Collection of Clean Jokes away from her so she could grin at the cover, she wiggled her eyebrows my way. “I can’t wait to lay some of these jokes on you the next time I see you.”

Neither could I. It was one of the things I looked forward to most. Because it meant more time with her.

“And there’s more?” City went on incredulously as she set the book aside to tug tissue paper from the box so she could see the slippers at the bottom.

“Told you I’d get you a new pair.”

“They’re so cute.” She ripped off her sandals and fit the ballet flats on. “And they fit.” She held out her foot to show me.

I took her ankle and slid my palm up her smooth, golden calf. “Beautiful.” When I looked at her, we shared one of those smiles where you just look at a person and are filled with happiness.

Content and so glad she was back, I stroked a little higher up her calf. “I was this close to getting you something practical you should actually wear through the woods, but then I thought that wasn’t my City at all.”

She shrugged. “I would’ve worn any shoe you gave me.”

I leaned in and pressed my lips to the inside of her knee. Eyes lighting, she scooted toward me, and I knew she was seeking a kiss on the mouth, but I only smiled and popped to my feet before holding a hand down to her. “Ready to see the last part?”

“Last part?” Confusion reigned on her face as she took my hand. “What’re you talking about? There can’t be...more?”

“This present didn’t cost me anything, but I thought…” I shrugged. “Maybe you’d like it.”

“Well, where is it?” Glancing around, she showed off all her curious eagerness as she bounced on the toes of her new shoes.

“It’s at our tree.” Turning to offer her another ride on my back, I said, “Climb on. I don’t want you to ruin your new shoes their first trip out.”

“Knox…you don’t have to do that.”

I winked at her. “Trust me, I have an ulterior motive.”

“Oh, yeah? What’s that?” Eyeing me warily, she climbed on.

Once she was in position, I reached back to grip her thighs and keep her secure to me. Then I glanced over my shoulder to grin at her. “So I can feel your legs wrapped around me and your boobs against my back.”

“You mean, like this.” She slid up my back, purposely smashing her chest to my shoulder blades.