Page 96 of Guarded from Danger

Lucy’s celebration. Not just of the completion of her book, which is huge on its own, but her birthday, as well.

Her birthday celebration, which she thinks is just a simple event at home, but is so much more than that.

Dragging my mouth from hers, I gaze down at her, memorizing everything.

Those adorable freckles across her nose, the ones that remind me of our daily walks around the B and A property. Her kiss-swollen lips, slightly parted as she catches her breath. The rosy flush to her cheeks. Her eyes sparkling like the clearest blue water catching the sunshine, flecked with bits of silver and green and gold.

I have never seen a more beautiful woman in my life, and I never will. No one could compare to Lucy.

My Lucy.

Fuck. I love her so damn much.

“I’m supposed to be congratulating you,” I finally manage once my brain starts functioning on all cylinders again. “Now we have an extra reason to celebrate today. And it’s just about time to start the celebration.”

Lucy grins, her face lighting up with it. “I don’t know. I think that was a pretty nice way to get it started.”

“Well, I have things planned. Gifts to open—” I glance over my shoulder at the mountain of presents stacked on the coffee table. “Dinner. Which I had help preparing, so you don’t worry.”

“I like your cooking,” she interjects. “You’ve gotten really good at it.”

Really good is definitely an exaggeration, but Iambetter. When Lucy’s appetite dipped in the aftermath of everything with Kali and Amberson, I tried to cook all of her favorites—chicken piccata and shrimp stir-fry and grilled cheese with tomato and ham. As a bonus, Lucy inevitably would come into the kitchen to join me, claiming she wanted to help, but I’m pretty sure she wanted to make sure I didn’t set the kitchen on fire.

“Cake, too,” I add. “From your favorite bakery.”

She brightens. “Is it red velvet?”

“Maybe.”

Yes. Of course. Like I wouldn’t order a cake in Lucy’s favorite flavor.

“I hope you didn’t do too much,” she says, her voice gently scolding. “It’s just a birthday. We all have them.”

“It’s a special day, Luce.” Framing her face, I kiss her again. “And I want to make it perfect for you.”

“Spending the day with youisperfect.” Lucy pauses. “But… I know something special I want to do first.” Her eyes glint. “And since it’s my birthday, don’t you have to say yes?”

“I guess it depends on what you want.”

Her hands move to my waistband, her slim fingers making quick work of the button and zipper of my shorts. “I want you.”

Oh.

All my plans. The people waiting to help.

But then again. Will it really hurt if we’re a few minutes late?

“We’ll have to make this ravishing quick,” I warn. “I’d planned to do the real one later, with a massage, and kissing you all over, and making you come at least four times.”

Lucy sucks in a breath as desire flares in her eyes. “That sounds like agreatbirthday present.”

“One of them.” Then I scoop her into my arms, one behind her knees and the other, her back. “But I think I can give you a sneak preview now.”

She laughs, a bright, happy sound. “Yes, please.”

Need pulses, hard and insistent.

I jog to the bedroom, Lucy giggling the whole way, but when I lower her to the bed, she sobers, her gaze growing dark and hungry.

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