Page 93 of Frosting and Flames

Between my shifts and a small business association meeting she needed to attend one night, our schedules haven’t aligned the past few days. But I don’t remember her saying anything about a surprise.

“Close your eyes,” she says.

“What?”

“Close them,” she insists, getting up from her chair.

“Okay…”

I cover my eyes, resisting the urge to peek, and a minute later, she tells me to open them. She’s walking across the living room, carefully carrying a cake with three lit candles. The candle flames flicker, casting a soft light over her face.

“I’d sing you Happy Birthday, but I inherited my mom’s singing voice. And I considered doing twenty-eight candles, but it seemed excessive. I don’t think I’d do well with that much fire, either.”

I nod, unable to speak past the unexpected lump in my throat. She actually made me a cake? I remember us talking about it, but…

She sets it in front of me on the coffee table. “I know your birthday isn’t until tomorrow, but you’re working then, so I wanted to do this today.”

Warmth curls through my chest, even though it’s only a cake. But with the way she’s looking at me, like I matter… It undoes me a little.

“Thank you,” I murmur. “This means a lot to me.”

“Of course.” She smiles, sitting next to me. “It’s cinnamon roll flavored. Since you said you like them.” She nudges my knee with hers. “Make your special birthday wish. You only get one a year.”

My heart thumps hard in my chest. I’ve never felt so… seen before. And there’s nothing I’ve wished for more than her.

I blow out the candles quickly, wisps of smoke curling upward, and reach for her. “I don’t need any more wishes.” I kiss her softly, enjoying her sweet taste.

She kisses me back, then pulls away for a moment. “Why?”

“Because they already came true.”

Her hand rests over my chest, smoothing the fabric of my shirt. “What came true?”

“You.”

“You wished for me?” She looks like she isn’t quite sure if she believes me, but wants to.

“Every chance I got.”

I kiss her again, and she doesn’t stop it as it grows wilder, my lips moving over hers with surety. I’ve never been more sure about anything in my life.

She lets me tug her toward me, settling her on top of my lap, and though it’s the same position we were in when she called things off weeks ago, she stays this time, kissing me with enthusiasm, her hands running over my shoulders and down my arms, then back up. My own hands roam her back, then rest on her ass, squeezing.

She makes a sound of enjoyment, her lips slightly swollen as she draws away. “I had another birthday surprise I was thinking of.”

I rub my thumb over her bottom lip, reveling in the softness. “Yeah?”

She nods, something anticipatory in her eyes as she rolls her hips against mine, grinding down on me. I hiss in a breath at the pleasure, my cock already hard for her.

“I want to do the same for you that you did for me in the truck.”

The same… She wants to touch me? “I’m open to the idea,” I deadpan, loving when she grins back. As if I would ever deny her touch.

“Oh, only open to it? What can I do to sweeten the deal?”

I press kisses to her neck, her grip on my shoulders tightening. “What did you have in mind?”

Her mouth moves to my ear, her voice sultry as she says, “How about I use my tongue, too?”

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