I walked over to where she was sitting and picked her up in my arms. She squeaked, but wrapped her thighs around my hips. I gave my dick a stern word about appropriateness, and I wasn’t sure if he was flipping me off, but he stirred anyway.

“You are not a failure. You’re a human being. Moms get days off too. You aren’t a slave who has to be on the job twenty-four seven when there are other capable adults in the house. Now, close your eyes, Fireball. I got you a surprise.”

“Fireball? Are you calling me cheap and sweet?”

I hefted her up onto the countertop. I definitely wanted to eat her out up here, just lay her back and then dive between those soft thighs. Clearing my throat, I stepped away, glad her eyes were closed so I could adjust my cock in my shorts. “No, because of, like, a supernova, you know? A burning ball of fire? Plus, it suits your personality, especially after last night. You’re sassy when you’re wine drunk.”

“So you’re calling me a burning ball of gas? Much better.”

I rolled my eyes, but she couldn’t see that either. “Don’t move.”

Rushing toward the butler’s pantry, I grabbed the big basket of stuff I’d ordered on her first day here. I had no chill. I just wanted her to feel so at home that she’d never leave. Racing back into the kitchen, I sat it on the space next to her and stepped back.

“Okay, you can open them now.”

She looked at the gift basket, a confused frown on her face for a moment, until she started to unwrap it. Then she pulled out a knife. A palette knife. And then a large bag of chocolate nibs. Molds. Piping bags. Thermometers.

“What’s this?” she whispered, her eyes wide.

I grinned, stepping back into her space. “You said you wanted to make chocolate in this kitchen. It's a welcome home present. Sorry it's taken so long to get here.”

She looked down at the basket, her fingers running over all the instruments inside. “Rigby…” She swallowed hard. “This is very thoughtful of you.”

I hugged her, because I could. Because I craved it. “You deserve nice things. I mean, it's just a gift basket and not a car, so you don’t have to be all weird about it.”

Nova slapped my shoulder. “Too soon.”

I laughed and just held her to my chest. I wanted to grill her about the things she’d said yesterday. Wanted to profess just how badly I wanted her too, but I didn’t. Not yet. She wasn’t ready for what I wanted to suggest.

None of them were.

“You’re such a good man, Rigby Engman.” She sighed against my chest. “And you have an ass sculpted by the gods.”