Page 107 of Perfect Harmony

She shivered and set her glass of water onthe counter. Gideon had disappeared upstairs as soon as they’d returned home,and she’d assumed he was having a shower.

“Did you enjoy your party?” he said.

She turned and draped her arms over hisshoulders. “I did. Your sister is the best.”

“She’s okay,” he said.

She laughed and poked him in his flatstomach. “Be nice.”

“I’m always nice.”

She studied his odd coloured eyes beforepressing a kiss against his mouth. “Let’s go to bed.”

“Soon,” he said. “I have something foryou.”

He stepped back. A small white box with ared ribbon tied around it sat in the palm of his free hand. Grace immediately grabbedit and he laughed. “Have I ever told you how happy it makes me to watch youopen gifts.”

“I love gifts. I know how that makes me look,but I really do love them. Its probably because my parents weren’t big gift givers.”

That wasn’t entirely accurate. They gaveplenty of gifts to each other but when it came to their kid, they wereremarkably absentminded about gift giving.

No, they were cruel, Gracie. Stopmaking excuses for them. They were cruel and neglectful parents who don’t givea shit about you and never will.

As if he was reading her thoughts, Gideonsaid, “Did you hear from your parents today?”

“No.”

A scowl descended over his face – a black angrycloud that she could practically hear thunder rolling out from – and she said, “It’sfine. I didn’t expect to hear from them.”

“That doesn’t make it fine,” he said.

She didn’t want to think about her parents,not when this was turning out to be one of her best birthdays ever, so she heldthe box out to him. “What is this?”

“Open it and find out, Princess.”

She untied the ribbon and lifted the lid fromthe box. “Oh my God. Gideon, it’s beautiful.”

“Do you like it?” he said.

She lifted the delicate gold bracelet fromthe box. “I love it. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

He took the bracelet when she handed it tohim. “Can you help me put it on?”

He clasped it around her wrist, and shetraced the lettering that spelled out her name. “I love it so much. Thank you.”

She kissed him and he slipped his arms aroundher waist to pull her in tight against him. He brushed his lips against hers ina slow caress. His soft and delicate kiss was light years different from howhe usually kissed her.

This made her feel safe and loved. Like itdidn’t matter what happened or what people thought, they would be togetherforever.

He pulled back and studied the tear that wassliding down her cheek. He wiped it away with his thumb. “Don’t be sad, Grace.”

“I’m not,” she said. “I promise.”

He kissed her again and this time she couldtaste the heat and the need in it. She pressed up tight against him, slidingher hands into his thick hair as he cupped her breast. He nuzzled her neckbefore smiling at her. “Is the birthday girl ready for her birthday spanking?”

Heat zapped her insides and stole her breath.She arched into his touch, not even the least bit ashamed by her obvious eagerness.“Yes.”

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