“I know. I gave it to you.” He winked.
Smiling, she shook her head. “You’re older than me. You’re supposed to mentor me, not corrupt me.”
“Corruption is a helluva lot more fun.” He kissed her cheek.
“It is.” She took his hand and kissed it.
After Diablo paid the bill, they went to the Twilight Lounge where they danced to tunes from the 50s through the present. By the time the evening was over, Fallon was exhausted, tipsy, and happier than she ever thought was possible.
On the ride home, she let the cool October wind dry her sweaty body. She’d never danced so much in her life, and the big surprise was how agile Diablo was on the dance floor.Tonight was perfect.She gazed up at the stars strewn over the dark sky and hoped her mom was looking down and smiling at her.I’m okay, Mom.Even though the DNA results hadn’t come through, she knew it was her mother; the locket proved it. And it made her feel better to think of her mother watching over her.
When they arrived home, Diablo surprised her with two beautifully wrapped gifts. Holding up the sexy teddy, she winked at him. “It’s beautiful, but I think this is your gift too.”
“Fuck yeah, sweet pea. I want to see it on you in a few minutes.”
She laughed as she opened the gold foil wrapping. The perfume box made tears spring to her eyes. She quickly wiped them away. Opening it, she inhaled deeply, then dabbed the perfume on her pulse points. “I love it. The scent is me. It’s so light and aromatic. Thank you, honey. You’re the best.” She threw herself into his waiting arms and held him for a long time.
She stood up, her perfume bottle in one hand and the teddy in the other. “Let’s go into the bedroom so I can show you how grateful and happy you’ve made me.”
He leapt from the couch and followed her.
A couple hours later, Fallon sniffed her wrist for the umpteenth time, then ran her hand across his smooth chest. Diablo was already sleeping and her eyelids were drooping. She watched the slivers of moonlight as they slid through the curtains and cast patterns on the carpet. Memories of the evening filled her mind as her eyes began to close.
Best birthday ever.
And then all at once, sleep overcame her.
