"I caught her before she left for Italy and told her to go shopping for you. I've been hiding your suitcase in my office." There’s a pensive weight to his stare now. "I know you've been wanting to come back here. I have too, but I felt like it needed to be a special occasion for us. Today, with the opening of your second shelter and the award’s dinner, it felt like the time was finally right."

"It's our shelter, baby." I correct him. What's mine is his, always. I hope he knows that.

James shakes his head. "No, sweetheart, that's all yours. I'm just along for the ride."

"How did I get so lucky with you?" I want to smush his face against mine and kiss the fuck out of him.

"Well, I wouldn't necessarily call it luck…" We both see the dark humor behind his comment. James continues. "I need you to do me a favor and close your eyes. I have one more surprise."

My cheeks are starting to ache from smiling so hard. "Another surprise? James, you're too good to me. It is enough just being here with you. I don't need anything else but you naked and on top of me."

His eyes glow with pride. I love seeing him smile. It makes me happy to see him like that. I wiggle my hips against his, along with a few brow raises, and his smile stays until his eyes fall to my mouth. He turns serious again, and he squints like there's something on his mind. I can feel how hard he's thinking and worry about what's suddenly bothering him.

"It's never enough when it comes to you, don't you realize that by now?"

I study his gaze for a moment then press my chest against his and lean into him. I release a soft sigh. "Do you think there are other couples out there who are as happy as we are?"

"I'd like to think there are, otherwise, that's a sad life to lead."

I agree with him, then I loosen my arms and take a step back.

"Don't move. I just have to grab something really quick."

I close my eyes and wait. The urge to peek is strong, but I don't. Whatever James has planned means a lot to him and I don't want to ruin it. He returns a few seconds later and steps behind me, placing a satin ribbon over my eyes.

I'm giddy as hell now. Tingles work down my arms in anticipation. The last time we were here he’d used one of his work ties to pin my wrists together and played my body like a violin.

"Is it too tight?"

"No."

I feel James step in front of me and take both of my hands into his. Lifting them to his mouth, he presses a kiss to the top of both of them.

"Now, I didn't plan this part ahead, so I'm going to improvise and carry you. I don't want you to trip up the stairs since you can't see."