Page 107 of Sin City Lights

She tipped her head.“You know, there’s this really cool modern invention called an electric shaver.”

Again, he leaned toward the mirror.“Not the same. Also, this happens to be a manly ritual.”

His face was gradually emerging from under all that foam, and she couldn’t wait to kiss it.

“Is that so?”

He rinsed the gold head of the razor under hot running water.“Yeah. A chance to think and plan the day in peace, without the annoying mosquito buzz right in my face.”

She shook her head in wonder.“I didn’t think anyone still used those.”

“Sure they do. There’s even a store dedicated to these things. Ever heard of The Art of Shaving?”

She vaguely recalled passing that place at the mall. She filed that away, too, in case she ever needed to buy a gift for him.

A thought occurred to her.“When is your birthday?”

He paused, gold razor in the air, and something twinkled in his sapphire eyes.“February twenty-ninth.”

“Leap Day?”

“Yeah. I only have to feel old every four years. Funny that it’s—”

He stopped short as if he’d changed his mind about what he’d been about to say, instead lifting his chin to begin shaving the underside of his jaw. Eve took one look and started shifting, needing to squeeze her thighs together.

He slanted her an amused glance.“After I’m done, I’ll let you lick me. You can do quality control.”

“That’s all you’ll let me do?” Her gaze dropped to the white towel around his waist.

“For now, unfortunately. I really need to get to work.”

“You just got back twelve hours ago!”

“Sixteen,” he corrected.“Things piled up while I was gone. I have to tend that pile, or I’ll be buried.”

“Go tell that boss of yours I said he’s a tyrant.”

“A tyrant?” He chuckled. “He’ll be crushed. He really likes you.”

Her curiosity piqued.“What were you about to say just now?”

He took one last swipe, then splashed water on his face to remove the last traces of foam.“About what?”

“About your birthday. You said something was funny.”

Carefully, he rinsed the razor and set it in its vertical stand. He turned, holding out his arms to her, and she moved into them, her heart beating a little faster. Hooking a hand around his neck, she pulled him down to nuzzle his jaw, her lips tingling in anticipation.

He raised his chin, offering himself to her. She licked his Adam’s apple, taking her time to thoroughly enjoy the thrill. Her nostrils filled with the clean scent of shaving soap, and she could taste it faintly too.

“February twenty-ninth was the first time you ever did that to me,” she heard him say.

Her eyes widened. She looked up at him in surprise.“It was?”

“Indeed. This year, you were my birthday present to myself.”

She took this in, then laughed a little.“Well, I guess I am the gift that keeps on giving.”

He lowered his head, his lips a breath away from hers.“You are.”

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