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Over my dead fucking body.

Lennon belts out part of the song, ridiculously off key, in the kitchen and I let out a laugh. As much as I wish she could understand the danger she’s in, I have to admit that I love seeing her like this.

Carefree.

Relaxed.

Happy.

Talking her into staying with me on the compound was the right move. It’s been good for her, given her a sense of safety that she was missing at her apartment. Especially after Owen realized she was living there.

My mind turns to the surprise I have for her tonight. I check the time on my phone and set it back down on the table, drumming my fingers against the wood grain as I glance over at the kitchen window again. The guys who have been building my house for the last six months called yesterday. They told me it was all done and ready for me to move in. I’ve been working toward this for so damn long. But my first thought when they told me it was done was that I couldn’t wait to show Lennon.

The plan is to take her over there as soon as she wraps up here.

She sure is taking her sweet ass time, though.

“You ready?”

My head snaps up and I meet her eyes. She’s standing behind the counter and she isn’t wearing her apron anymore. I nod. “I am. You all good?”

“Yep,” she answers with a nod, grabbing her back out from under the counter. “I have everything prepped that I can so we won’t have to come in quite as early tomorrow.”

“Bullshit,” I mutter and she flashes me a look with a smile teasing her lips. The only downside of keeping her by my side at all times is the ungodly hour she forces me to wake up every morning to get her here. Her next day off is two days away and I swear to God, I’m going to force her to stay in bed until noon. “I have a surprise for you.”

She meets me in the dining room, threading her fingers through mine and I swear, a wave of calm washes over me at her touch.

“What is it?”

I arch a brow and shake my head. “You’ll just have to wait and see.”

“So annoying,” she whispers as we reach the door of the bakery and she flicks the lights off. I pull her into me and wrap our intertwined fingers around her back as I cup her cheek with my hand.

“You like my annoying ass.”

She shakes her head, fighting back a smile. “You have no proof of this.”

“What was it you were saying last night?” I ask, my lips brushing against hers as I watch her reaction. She sucks in a breath, her lashes fluttering as she leans into me. “Yes, Dalton. Don’t stop. Oh, God. Right there.”

A laugh bubbles out of her and she shoves me away. “Shut up.”

“Come on, beautiful,” I say, pulling her back to me for a quick kiss. “We have a surprise to get to.”

“Just give me a hint,” she pleads as we step out into the alley and she locks the bakery door behind us. I shake my head.

“Nope.”

She rolls her eyes dramatically. “You’re so mean.”

“That’s not what you were saying last night,” I remind her and she holds a finger up.

“Not another word, Rooster.” She trying her best to look serious but the smile she’s desperately fighting tells me everything. “I swear to God.”

She only calls me Rooster when she’s trying to be serious.

But failing.

I grin.