"Any more surprises hiding?" I asked.
Augustus said nothing.
Before I could react, his arms swept beneath me, lifting me off my feet.
"Augustus—"
He carried me through the doorway into his bedroom.
His bedroom stretched wide, floor-to-ceiling windows framing the city lights. A king-size bed dominated the space, charcoal linens crisp against the dark wood frame.
My heart hammered. I'd wanted spontaneity, yes—but this particular brand of decisive action left me breathless in a way I hadn't anticipated.
He set me down on the bed with unexpected gentleness, the mattress dipping beneath my weight.
I stared up at him, words tangling on my tongue.
He knelt beside the bed and lifted my hand, pressing his lips to my knuckles. The gesture was tender, almost reverent—nothing like the intensity that had propelled us here moments before.
"You wanted me to surprise you," he murmured against my skin.
"I... yes."
"Did it work?"
My pulse refused to steady. "You carried me."
"I did."
