"What's this?" she asked, her hands still jammed into the back pockets of her jeans.
"It's exactly what it looks like," he said with an encouraging smile. "It's a gift for you. Something I want you to have because you deserve it and I want you to be happy."
Tentatively, she finally accepted the present, and a sudden bout of nerves and anticipation flip-flopped in his stomach as he watched her unravel the ribbon, then lift the lid.
Confusion etched her expression as she glanced from the item in the box to him. "A key? For what?"
"Turn around and look at the building, Ella," he coaxed softly, relieved when she did as he asked, even though her bewilderment was still apparent. "Remember when you asked me what that space on the left was for? The one right next to the market with its own separate door?"
"Yes. It's part of the event center," she said, still not connecting the dots.
"No, it's yours, Sunshine," he said gently.
Her breath hitched in her throat as she turned her head his way, those beautiful green eyes filled with the slightest bit of hope. "What do you mean, mine?"
"I built it for you." It took every ounce of willpower he had not to touch her in that moment like he ached to. "It's yours, to do with as you please."
"What?" She shook her head in shock. "No, I can't just take it."
He smiled, because he'd anticipated that reaction and had a ready response. "You're not taking it. I'm giving it to you. As a gift. And that key fits into the front door. Unfortunately, I'm not able to put just that one section into your name because the property can't be split up that way, but it's all yours. Not your father's. Yours," he stressed, then added, "No strings attached." It was important that she knew, that, too. The store didn't come with conditions and whether or not things worked out with them had no bearing on it.
Her eyes shone with awe and tears he wasn't sure how to interpret. "You honest-to-God built that for me?" she asked in disbelief.
He'd build her a hundred of them if it meant he could see that happy look in her eyes every single day. "I honest-to-God did. And now that you have it, I can make that store so it connects directly to the market or leave it as a separate storefront. The choice is yours."
"I don't even know what to say," she whispered as she hugged the box and key to her chest. "Thank you doesn't seem adequate."
"You're welcome," he said, realizing how different this all should have been.
Instead of her hiding her excitement because they were a secret, he should have been picking her up in his arms and spinning her around while she squealed with joy. He should have been kissing her long and hard in front of anyone who was watching before rushing her over to the store so they could start making plans for the future together.
Problem was, he wasn't sure where their future stood.
Right now, he understood that she was overwhelmed. That she needed time to process what had just happened and wrap her mind around the gift he'd given her. And he also knew she needed time to figure out how to tell her father that Kyle had built a storefront for her. He didn't like it, but he couldn't change it, either.
"Are you coming over tonight?" she asked, her happiness subdued for now.
"Yes." But not for what she was insinuating. In her mind, she was probably thinking of all the ways she could show her appreciation, but sex wasn't what he wanted. It wasn't what his heart wanted. It wanted answers and reassurances and far more than just another night in her bed.
He wanted forever, and he had no idea if Ella was capable of giving him what he needed. But this time, he'd be the one issuing the ultimatum.
All of her or nothing at all.
* * *
For the very last time, Kyle crawled through Ella's bedroom window a little after ten, when her father was normally in bed for the evening. The next time he came to see Ella, if there was one after their conversation tonight, he'd be walking through the front door like a normal guy who was dating her would. Or he'd never step foot into this house again. The decision was up to her, and the fate of their future was in her hands.
She was standing in the middle of the room, anxiously waiting for him, bouncing from foot to foot like an excited little kid. As soon as he cleared the window and the curtain fell back in place, she flung her hands around his neck. She jumped up into his arms, her legs wrapped enthusiastically around his waist as her mouth landed on his-exactly how her reaction should have been when he'd given her the key to her new storefront earlier today.
With his hands holding her ass to help keep her from sliding down his body, he let Ella kiss him, because he wasn't sure if this would be the last chance he'd get to taste her. Her mouth was soft and warm, her lips sliding and melding against his like a perfect dream. It was a kiss of gratitude and appreciation, with an underlying trace of seduction. She moaned so sweetly when she finally lifted her head again, and he let go of her butt so she could stand on her own two feet.