And I…I adored him. I was addicted to him. My heart leaped for him, and my soul felt whole when I was in his arms. Need, infatuation, connection…those were all things I felt for him, but loving him? That was an emotion—a power—I wasn’t sure I was capable of giving anyone else again. Love was a gift. I knew that. I felt it every time Jackson gave me those words. But loving someone also gave them the power to obliterate you.

“I brought you a present,” he said against my neck, pressing his lips to that sensitive spot beneath my ear. The scruff on his face was a delicious contrast to his soft lips.

“Does this present involve getting me naked? Because although I could be absolutely in favor of it, Sam’s upstairs.” I tilted my head to give him better access.

“It’s in the bag.” He lifted his head, and I nearly groaned at the loss. The thing about finally having Jackson was that I never felt entirely satiated. I wanted more and more of him. “Don’t look at me like that, or we’ll be at my place in thirty seconds, and there’s something we have to talk about first.”

I pouted. It was childish, and I didn’t care. “Fine. We talk, then we go to your place.”

“Open your present.” He flashed me a grin that nearly took my panties clean off and pushed the little brown bag my way.

I slid the box from its bag, lifted the lid, and unwrapped the delicate layers of tissue paper. Mercy. This book was incredible. In simple block text, the words Night and Day stood out where they’d been embossed in rich, dark leather. It was cracked and worn in places, and though it had been protected in a clear library jacket, it was easy to see that it had passed through many hands over the course of many years to find its way here.

“Jackson, is this…” I didn’t want to open the cover. Didn’t want to even think it might be.

“A first edition? Yeah. But don’t worry, it wasn’t as expensive as you’d think. I didn’t dip into Finley’s college fund or anything.” His eyes were bright with the simple joy of making me happy.

But this…this was anything but simple. It was a gift chosen with such thought and care that tears prickled my eyes and my chest expanded with a glow I was sure had to be visible.

Oh, my heart. Do not fall in love with this man.

Don’t fall? Or don’t admit it?

My stomach twisted and did its own falling.

His eyes dimmed. “Kitty, if you don’t like it, I can return it.”