I chuckle. “Noted.”
She reaches for her blindfold, and I gently push her hands back down. “No peeking, or you’ll ruin the surprise.”
It’s been torture trying to keep this from her, and I want everything to be perfect.
Ava doesn’t know it, but I finally broke down and hired contractors to finish the house a few months ago. It was uncomfortable at first, especially when I started seeing all the changes, but I think my mom would approve.
She’d want me to be happy, and sharing my home with Ava and making new memories here will do just that.
It wasn’t easy to come to terms with the fact that I couldn’t do all the work myself, but I’ve made peace with it. Between training and road games, there just wasn’t enough time.
The upside of hiring professionals is that the house is finally complete, and now I get to show it to Ava.
Damn, I sure hope she loves it as much as I do.
“Wait right here,” I tell her, walking backward to the mudroom to make sure she doesn’t peek.
She’s grown bolder in the last few months, and I fucking love it. She’s still the same woman I fell in love with, but she’s got a newfound confidence that I find sexy as hell. Especially when she’s giving me the business.
It doesn’t happen often, but like any couple, we have our spats.
And then we have mind-blowing makeup sex, and all is right with the world again.
I quickly prepare her surprise and carry the box into the kitchen, where I place it on the counter.
Ava’s getting impatient, shifting her weight, and I grin. “You about ready to take that blindfold off?”
“Yes, please,” she says, reaching for it.
She rips it off and blinks several times, her eyes adjusting to the bright sunlight that streams through the back windows of the house.
“Oh, Knox.” She presses the blindfold to her chest as she turns a slow circle, taking in all the changes from the quartz countertops to the modernized fireplace and coffered ceilings in the living room. “This is beautiful.”
I step up behind her and slip my arms around her waist, resting my hands on her abdomen. “I’m glad you like it. The designer took inspiration from your Pinterest board.”
Apparently that’s a thing women do. They scroll the web and collect ideas for their future homes, weddings, and even their wardrobes. I had no idea, but the designer tipped me off, andboom, we had all the inspiration we needed.
“Just a little light social media stalking, huh?” She covers my hands with her own. “I—honestly, I’m speechless. I can’t believe you did this. That you incorporated some of my ideas into your family home.”
It’s only the beginning.
“I want you to be comfortable here, Ava.” I press a kiss to the top of her head. “Which is also why I’d like you to help decorate this summer. Nothing’s been purchased yet, but I thought we could do it together, so the house works for both of us.”
“I’d like that.” She tips her head back and looks up at me. “Unless we discover we’re one of those couples who can’t agree on anything, in which case—”
“In which case we will have lots of makeup sex and compromise.”
She laughs. “I like the way you think.”
As much as I love the game, I’m looking forward to the off-season this year. We finished the season strong, and in the fall, we’ll return to the Treehouse stronger than ever. But for now, I want to enjoy my summer with Ava and make the most of the slower pace.
I spin her around so she’s facing me and grip her ass to pull her close. “I have another surprise for you.”
“Let me guess.” She rolls her hips seductively, and my cock stirs. “Is it about yea big,” she asks, holding her hands a solid eight inches apart, “and guaranteed to deliver an endorphin rush?”
“How’d you guess?” I turn her back toward the island. “Take a look.”
Her brow furrows, and a devilish grin splits her face. “That’s not what I had in mind, but I do love a good present. What is it?”