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“Surprise, baby.” A wide grin stretches across Max’s mouth, displaying his perfect, white teeth. So much warmth shines from his smile. He’s like the sun on the cloudiest of days, lighting up my world with his endless love.
I blink, looking at the gourmet feast on the China plate in front of me. A surprised gasp escapes my lips as I look up at his elated face, my head slowly shaking in awe. “When did you have time to do this?”
His hands move to the side of my face, cupping it reverently, as he presses his mouth to mine. I lose myself in his kiss, completely forgetting about the meal in front of me. The aroma of the mouthwatering feast smells heavenly. But once Max is near, he consumes all my senses. The light scent that clings to him reminds me of ocean breezes and surf, and I inhale, feeling him underneath my skin.
As his hands slide into the fall of my hair, our kiss lingers on, and my heart pounds inside my chest. Max captivates me, causing me to forget the rest of the world exists.
He makes me feel weightless, like I’m lying on a cloud, floating on a warm breeze. The warmth radiating from his skin reminds me of the brightest sunshine. His powerful body wraps around me, cocooning me in a protective layer, shielding me from harm.
His lips slowly pull away from mine, his hand still in my hair, cradling the back of my neck.
My hands are wrapped around the back of his head, and it feels like my eyes are sparkling from the blissful joy that courses beneath my skin, making my body hum from pleasure. “You make me euphorically happy, Max. Sometimes, I feel I’m going to combust from the way you make me feel.” I rub my nose against his lightly, his warm breaths heating my skin.
“I understand, baby.” He leans his forehead against mine. “I’m on cloud nine just being in your presence. I’m exhilarated by your smile, elated when I hear your voice, intoxicated by your scent, and enraptured by the love emanating from your beautiful eyes.” His hand falls from my hair, traveling lightly over my skin, leaving goosebumps in its wake.
His fingers wrap around mine as he lifts my arm, kissing the back of my hand. “I love you with every damn piece of me. Happy birthday, my beautiful fiancée.” His eyes glow from joy when he adds, “My soon-to-be-wife.”
Max’s words flow over me, taking my breath away. I bask in them, closing my eyes, a smile of pure rapture pulling my lips high.
Letting out a content sigh, my eyelashes flutter and my gaze locks on him. “I can’t wait for you to be my husband.” My fingers slide to his chin, loving the coarse stubble that covers it. “I’ve never imagined I could meet and fall in love with someone as wonderful as you, Max.” I shake my head in wonder, my gaze never wavering from his. “My everything.”
His breathing hitches and moisture coats his eyes. His low voice trembles from his emotions. “Ditto, my love.” He swallows hard. “You are my every fucking thing. Now and forever.”
He gives me another kiss, tender, loving, and then it turns playful when he sucks my bottom lip in his mouth. I giggle when he pulls away, a huge smile lighting up his face.
He leans forward until his lips are close to mine, but not touching. He doesn’t move, just simply breathes me in.
When he pulls away, my fingers grip onto the back of his neck, holding him there a few beats longer, and he chuckles. He kisses my nose, then pulls back, holding up a finger. “I have more surprises for you.”
I glance down at my plate, then back at him. “But I haven’t even started on this one.” My brows draw in, and he laughs at my perplexed face.
“Don’t even try to guess, beautiful. You know you suck at figuring out my plans for you.” He laughs as I grab a napkin, wadding it up and throwing it at him. It bounces off his chest. His eyes heat as he takes in my mischievous face. “You’re going to pay for that later.” His eyes are full of desire and promise.
“Oh, I like when you make me pay.” The electricity from his words and the look on his face lights up all my nerves, an inferno of lust rolling beneath my skin. “Punish me, love.” I prop my chin in my hands, crossing my legs, the red silk dress riding higher on my thighs.
His Adam’s apple bobs as his gaze caresses my legs, moving down my body slowly and leisurely, then back up to mine. “Oh, I intend to, beautiful.” His fingers run over the tie he’s wearing, smoothing it down his chest, and I bite my lip, memories of the last time he used his tie circulating through my head.
“God, are you two done yet? My legs hurt from hunkering down.” Darin’s voice floats through the room and I jump, my gaze traveling the room.
I don’t see him.
“Seriously. Just fuck later. We need out of here.” Vanessa’s voice screeches from… somewhere. Before I can locate it, she and Darin tumble out of Max’s downstairs closet, their skin shimmering from sweat. “Damn, you fuckers nearly killed me.” She turns her green orbs onto Max, annoyance flashing from them. “You treat her best friend like that?”
“Yeah, asshole.” Darin leans over, one arm around Vanessa’s shoulders. “I’m your best friend… and the fucking best man. Yet you suffocate me and the maid of honor—in a fucking closet.”
Max laughs as I shake my head, my expression puzzled. “Why were you guys in the closet?”
“This asshole was supposed to serve you the food, then say the magic word, and we were supposed to jump out and surprise you.”
Ah, so that’s why I’m seated on this side of the table.
My parents burst through the patio doors. “He forgot we were out there, too,” my dad says with a wink, his chocolate eyes twinkling. “Thank goodness it’s not freezing outside or we would have turned into icicles.” He rushes over, presents sliding to the floor as he wraps his arms around me. “Happy birthday, kitten.”
“Thanks, Dad.” I squeeze him tight, his familiar smell reminding me of every good childhood memory I’ve ever had.
“Oh, Jack, quit teasing Max.” My mom’s voice comes from behind him. As my dad pulls away, I see her patting Max’s arm in sympathy. “He once left my parents on the front porch of the cabin for thirty minutes because he was so distracted trying to give me the perfect birthday surprise that he forgot they were out there.”
I hear Max laughing as I stand, my mom’s arms encircling me. “Happy birthday, baby girl.”
