“Remember when you thought it would be a good idea to—”

“Close your eyes, Avery.”

Grinning, I dutifully closed my eyes. I heard him walk away and then a couple of moments later he reentered my apartment. “Don’t peek.”

Not peeking was like putting a slice of cake in front of me along with a fork and telling me not to eat it. I shifted my weight. “Cam…”

“A couple more seconds,” he said, and I heard something heavy roll inside.

What the? More than curious, it was a struggle to not open my eyes. I honestly had no idea what he was up to and with Cam, anything was possible.

His hand wrapped around mine. “Keep your eyes closed, okay?”

“They’re closed.” I let him lead me out of the kitchen and into my living room.

Cam let go of my hand and slid his arm around me from behind, pressing his cheek against me. Months ago I hated when anyone stood behind me, but I loved it when he did. The feel of his arms, the strength of his embrace, the intimacy behind it.

“You can open your eyes now.” His lips brushed my cheek, sending shivers across my skin. “Or you can stand there with your eyes closed. I like that, too.”

I laughed as I placed my hands above where his rest on my stomach and opened my eyes. My jaw hit the floor. “Oh my God, Cam…”

Before me, sitting on a stand, in a fifty gallon terrarium completely decked out with sand and rock bedding, leafy foliage and a hidey-hole, was a tortoise almost the size of my hand.

He chuckled. “You like?”

“Like?” Stunned, I nodded as I pulled free, placing my hands on the glass. The little guy inside pulled his head back. “I… I love it.”

“Good.” He stood beside me. “I thought Raphael could use a play date.”

I laughed again, blinking back tears. “You shouldn’t have done all of this, Cam. This is…too much.”

“It’s not that much and everyone needs a pet turtle.” He bent his head, kissing my cheek. “Happy Valentine’s Day.”

Spinning around, I wrapped my arms around him and kissed him like there was no tomorrow. When I pulled back, his eyes were pools of blue fire. “Thank you.”

He kissed me again, soft and achingly tender. “You’re welcome.”

Sliding my arms to his waist, I leaned against his chest. “Is it a boy or a girl?”

“You know, I really don’t know. Supposedly you can tell by the shape of their shell, but hell if I know.”

I grinned. “Well, boy or girl, I’m going to name him Michelangelo.”

Cam tipped his head back and laughed. “Perfect.”

“We just need two more.”

“So true.”