I swipe to unlock my phone and a text from Sadie is waiting for me. It’s a picture of her and Sophia, dressed up in princess outfits with their makeup done. Sophia must’ve done Sadie’s makeup because there’s lipstick above her lip, eyeshadow covering her eyebrows, and some type of glitter covering her cheeks. They look happy and carefree, living their very best lives. It’s adorable and perfect.
With one goofy, glitter-covered picture, a piece of the wall I’ve spent years building around my heart crumbles away.
It’s just after one in the afternoon when I gently close the door to Sophia’s room, trying not to wake her in the process. Niko told me she rarely naps these days, but after the day we had, Sophia was asking if she could go lie down in her room. She was asleep before I finished reading the second book she picked out. Hell, I could use a nap myself.
Once Niko left for the arena, Sophia spent the next half hour giving me a tour of the house. This place is just as immaculate inside as it appears outside. It even comes fully equipped with a theatre room and what looked like a recording studio in the basement. Sophia didn’t stop to show me the studio on our grand tour, which I’m sure belonged to her mom when she lived here. I don’t blame her for avoiding it.
After the grand tour, we played dress-up and pretended to be princesses at a tea party. I don’t remember the last time I had so much fun. Honestly. My cheeks hurt from smiling so much and my heart is full.
Once we finished our tea party, we headed outside for a nature walk and scavenger hunt. Niko’s outdoor property is absolutely gorgeous. I’m not sure how manyacres he has but it’s more than enough space for a small farm. Sophia was the one who had that great idea.
“I really think we should get a couple goats and horses to hang out back here,” is what she said while we were taking a walk, and I totally agree with her. I’ll be sure to mention that to Niko when he gets home.
He texted about a half hour ago letting me know he had to stop for a few things when he was done at the rink. I can’t wait to see the look on his face when he walks through the door to find a completely silent house.
I’m rinsing the last teacup out in the kitchen sink when I hear the front door open.
“Anybody home?”
Niko’s voice fills the silence, his voice booming off the walls like an amphitheater. Maybe I should’ve texted him and told him Sophia was asleep. Too late now, I guess. I turn off the faucet and run on my tiptoes toward him with my finger over my lips.
“Shh! Sophia fell asleep about fifteen minutes ago.”
Niko freezes mid-shoe removal and stares at me in disbelief. “She’ssleeping?” As if he doesn’t believe me, he finishes taking off his shoes and then peers around me for any sign of Sophia.
“It’s cute you don’t believe me. But yes, she’s taking a nap. We’ve had quite the day.”
His face splits into a smile I’ve yet to see. A flutter of butterflies takes off in my belly and warms me from the inside out.
I walk over to the door and attempt to grab a couple of the bags he must’ve brought in from his car. Reaching down to pick up the last bag, he swats my hand away.
“What the hell, Niko?”
He grabs the bag and looks at me sheepishly. “Sorry. But that one’s a surprise.”
My eyebrow raises. A surprise?
“For me?” I don’t hide the shock in my voice. Ican’thide it. When’s the last time someone surprised me with anything?
“Maybe.” He shrugs and then saunters into the kitchen, completely unaware that he almost just caused me to melt by getting me a surprise.
I follow him into the kitchen and place the bags he allowed me to grab up on the island. Rising onto my tiptoes, I try to peek into the bag in front of him. My curiosity is at an all-time high wondering what this man brought home for me. Ideas begin forming in my head, getting more ridiculous by the second. Is it ice cream? Cake? A puppy?
“Just show me already!”
My hand reaches across the counter into the bag but it’s yanked away from me before I could get a hold of anything.
Niko points to a stool at the island. “Sit.”
His authoritative tone excites me but it also pisses me off a little bit. Who does he think he’s talking to?
“Excuse me?” I ask, placing one hand on my hip.
“I said, sit. If you’re a good girl, maybe I’ll show you what’s in the bag.”
And now I’m clenching my thighs together.
Who am I and where did the normal Sadie go? Do I love a well-placed “good girl” in my romance books? Abso-fucking-lutely. Am I supposed to fall to my knees when someone calls me that in real life? Fuck no. But here I am, ready to do whatever this wonderful man asks me to.
