Page 72 of Beneath the Midnight Sky
I smiled and kissed her cheek.
I’d be her thorough stalker forever, as long as she’d have me, and even if she wouldn’t.
35
IT’S A YES
Rowan
It had beena full two months since Oliver and I smashed our way into that motel room and gotten my little angel back where she belonged. I didn’t like saying we rescued her, because I fully believed that Aspen rescued herself—emotionally and physically. All I’d done was help her open the motel door and maybe distract the piece of shit. My girl was a fighter through and through.
She hadn’t asked what happened to Samuel, and I didn’t volunteer any information, but the nightmares seemed to be slowly getting better. She had started seeing a therapist that Payton had recommended, so I knew she was good, and that seemed to be helping her communicate better. She’d only done a few sessions so far, but even on the days she came home stressed, she seemed lighter somehow. That could also be my hopes projecting onto her, though, and yes, I’d started reading books and checking forums online on how I could best help her.
“You look deep in thought over there, cowboy. What’s on your mind?” Aspen asked. I forced myself out of my ramblingthoughts and looked down at the stunning brunette who had just wrapped her arms around my waist.
“Just thinking about how excited I am for your surprise,” I lied quickly. It wasn’t a full lie; her surprise tonight had crossed my mind every moment of every day since I laid eyes on her in the middle of The Raven, laughing with Ivy. She just wasn’t aware of that fact, not yet, at least.
She rolled her eyes but smiled, nonetheless. “Liar. What’s really on your mind?”
I leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead and wrapping my arms around her so she couldn’t escape me. “Just thinking about how proud of you I am and how far you’ve come in the last few weeks. I want to take you out tonight and remind you just how grateful for you I am.”
“Ugh, you were right. I prefer the lie,” she mumbled. I’d found over our time together that Aspen hated any sort of praise or recognition outside of the bedroom. Anytime I pointed out how incredibly strong and resilient she was, she shut down. It was something I’d brought up, and she promised to talk to her therapist about it, which I was grateful for.
“Well, you asked, and I’ll never actually lie to you, angel. I am indeed very excited about tonight,” I replied with a smirk.
“Any hints? I know nothing, and it’s driving me crazy.”
“Nope. Ivy will be over soon to help you get ready, and she’s in the loop. You’ll find out soon enough. Stop stressing about it.” I reached down and pinched her butt. Which had her jumping as she tried to swat at me, but I locked my arms tightly around her, chuckling.
“Fine, cowboy. I’ll play nice…for now,” she grumbled. This woman truly hated surprises, which just made this one that much sweeter for me. Just then, her phone pinged, and she looked down at it for a moment, a reluctant smile spreading across her face. “Ivy’s here. I’ll let her in and then you can run offand be Mr. Mysterious.” She stood on her tiptoes, pressing her lips to mine in an all too brief kiss before she backed away and let Ivy inside.
The little blonde whirlwind walked in carrying two large bags and smiled at the both of us. “Okay, Rowan. Don’t you have something to do while I get our girl ready?” she asked.
“Yeah, yeah. I’m outta here. Enjoy,” I replied before I grabbed my keys and phone, walking out of the house.
I dialed Wyatt quickly, and he answered by the second ring.
“Don’t tell me you’re panicking right now. I feel like I canfeelthat shit in my chest, and it makes me want to punch you,” Wyatt said over the phone. I hadn’t seen him much lately. He’d been busy with some side job that Aspen had asked him to look into and working out some kinks in the app for Silk and Spice—pun intended.
I bit back the chuckle I wanted to release. “No, I’m fine. Excitement could be what you’re feeling through our valued twin bond. Is everything set up?”
“Do you mean are all the lights in place? Yes, boss. Are all of the speakers working? Indeed. Oliver also checked in, and the horses are saddled. Though I don’t know why you want two instead of just one. One seems more romantic, but I obviously know nothing about romance.” The last part was more of a grumbled response that I simply wouldn’t ask about tonight. It sounded like more of a tomorrow question.
“Thank you, man. I appreciate it,” I replied instead.
“Yeah, I know you do. Just remember, when I want to do all of this for my spicy girl, you better be there to help me.”
“You know I will.”
We talked for a few more minutes, going over the details and everything I asked my siblings to help me with—as far as I could tell, it seemed as if everything was perfect. Now all I needed was my girl.
“Aspen,if you sigh again, I’m putting you over my knee,” I said plainly after her third sigh of the ride.
She looked over at me, eyes wide, and even with the sun dimming as we rode, I could see the pink tint taking over her cheeks. “I’m not sighing… I’m just enjoying the fresh air in my lungs fully…”
“Bullshit.”
“I just want to know what the surprise is!”
