Page 94 of Wild Heart

It was her name.

The one thing I hadn’t even thought about as I unwrapped this gift had me stopping in my tracks.

Because it didn’t sayAva Carsonon the pen.

Nope.

Ava Westwood.

On some level, I guess I knew to expect that—I’d seen her sign her name several times now since we’d gotten married. But there was something about seeing her name on this pen that was different for me.

I dragged my thumb over her name, feeling the ridges of it beneath my touch. I’d stroked my finger over her name on every other pen she’d given me before, but none felt like this.

She was mine.

She’d be mine for the rest of our lives.

Despite having known that for months, I was so overcome by it in this moment, it became difficult to breathe.

“I thought that was a nice touch this year,” she said softly.

I tore my attention away from the pen and focused my stare on Ava. “I wasn’t prepared for that.”

“I’ve been your wife for seven months.” There was an edge of disbelief in her tone.

Nodding, I said, “I know, but this feels so different. It’s almost like this makes it official. You have my last name now.”

“It’s the only one that’s ever felt right, too,” she rasped.

It had to be by some miracle that I’d finally realized how wrong I’d been for years by not pursuing Ava. To think I could have still been avoiding taking that step, that I wouldn’t have had this moment. An unwelcome shiver ran down my spine.

“It’s yours forever.”

When her face transformed, the slightest twinge of sorrow evaporating, I returned my focus to the pen and took in the sight of her name on it one more time. Then I lifted it out of the case and rolled it against my fingertips to display the opposite side.

So you can put me in your mouth.

This woman was going to be the death of me. She knew precisely what to do to get me all riled up.

But I wasn’t complaining. After having spent the last year with a pen that begged for forgiveness, there was no doubt the words on this pen would conjure up all sorts of wonderful thoughts throughout my workday. There wouldn’t be a negative thought to be found.

My eyes met hers. “You’re so much trouble.”

“I don’t think so.”

My brows shot up, questioning her. “Do you think I’m going to be able to get any work done if I spend my entire day thinking about having my mouth on you?”

Ava leaned in, a seductive look washing over her expression. “I thought you liked having your mouth on me.”

“I do. I love it. That’s the problem.”

“Mmm,” she hummed, shifting her legs out from beneath her until her body was running the length of my legs, her hands at my abdomen. “I see the issue. Well, what if I come up with a solution?”

I was intrigued. If there was one thing I’d learned over the years with Ava, she wasn’t dull. “I’m open to suggestions.”

Her eyes left mine and swept down over my naked torso. They continued to drift south until they met her hands. Ava’s fingertips were slowly curling around the top edge of my underwear. “What if I offered a reward?”

I swallowed hard, my cock stiffening with her hands so close. “I guess it depends. What’s the reward, and what do I have to do to earn it?”