“Yep.” Our footsteps echoed in the empty entry. She gasped, taking in the huge open-plan living, dining, and kitchen area. There was a huge stone fireplace that gave me lots of ideas. I imagined warm flames and naked skin on a fur rug. The house also had a gorgeous mountain view out the floor-to-ceiling windows.

“I have a key because this is ours.”

She whirled, brown eyes wide.

“I love your place, but it’s small and very much yours. I thought we could make this place⁠—”

“Ours. It could be ours.” She pressed her hands to my chest.

I nodded. “That’s what I hoped. What I want.” A home that we would make together.

Her smile bloomed. “I haven’t seen it all, but I love it.”

“There’s an indoor swimming pool.”

Her mouth dropped open.

“And lots of garden for you to transform. And a games room your cousins will love.” I smiled. “They’ll probably never leave.”

“And it’s still walking distance to Emily’s house.”

“Yes. I was thinking we could add a cat door for Simba.”

She grimaced. “Don’t you dare.”

“Hey, he likes me.”

She smiled. “I love you, Ro Langston. Not because you bought us a house, but because you want to make a space that’s ours.”

“I love you too, Tessa Ashford. More than you’ll ever know.” I nuzzled her neck. “My bright sun in the day and my fairy queen at night.”

She laughed and pressed into me.

“You said you had a surprise.”

“Well, it isn’t a gorgeous house.”

I ran my hand down her ponytail and tugged. “I know I’ll still love it.”

A sexy look crossed her face, and my gut instantly tightened.

“I found my mask from the masquerade ball this morning…”

And instantly, I went hard.

“Have you got yours somewhere?” she asked in a breathy, teasing tone.

“Yes.”

“Then tonight, we’ll celebrate our new home. I only want you wearing the mask, Ro. Nothing else.”

I hauled her closer, my lips on hers. “Whatever my fairy queen desires.”

She laughed. “I love you, Ro. Now, show me the rest of our house.”

* * *

I hope you enjoyed Ro and Tessa’s story!

If you want a little more of Ro and Tessa, then read the Night and Day Bonus Epilogue: GET MY EPILOGUE

Langston Hotels continues with Before and After, starring head of security Caden Castro and single mom housekeeping supervisor Allie Ford, coming in August 2025.

For more action-packed contemporary romance, check out Ro’s friends in New Orleans, the Fury Brothers. The first book is called Fury. Read on for a preview of the first chapter.

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Preview: Fury

MILA

Strong hands grabbed me from behind.