Page 102 of Indigo

I also realise that he’s probably making a bigger deal of this particular day because it’s my first birthday without Mum. I won’t lie and say waking up this morning didn’t feel bittersweet. The first thing I saw was Pax’s face, and that’s a sight I cherish every time I open my eyes, but it didn’t take long for my brain to catch up to the fact that the woman who brought me into the world isn’t here to celebrate the fact.

I shake my head, clearing the thoughts of her from my mind as best I can.

I am going to enjoy tonight. I am not going to complain about being spoiled. I am not going to dwell on things I cannot change right now.

“One minute,” I call back, fluffing my hair and turning to check that my dress is falling as it should.

I put in a little extra effort tonight and diffused my curls after spending half an hour winging my eyeliner.

Pax has kept his lips sealed about where we’re going for dinner, but I know it must be somewhere on the fancier side considering he brought a dark grey suit for himself and a deep green satin wrap dress that reaches my ankles for me. It’s beautiful, shows off my curves, and the black heels I paired with it really make the outfit.

Inpatient as ever, Pax comes into the bathroom within seconds of my reply. His eyes roam over my form and focus on my ass as he approaches. He’s clearly unphased by the fact that I can see him shamelessly checking me out in the mirror because he continues to stare.

As he reaches me, I watch in the reflection as he sweeps my blonde curls to the side and nuzzles into the crook of my neck, inhaling deeply and groaning. “You are so fucking sexy, Blue,” he whispers, closing his eyes. “I can’t wait to take this off when we get home.” He runs his nose up my jaw until he reaches the spot just under my ear, causing a shiver to run up my spine as he places a soft kiss against my skin.

“You don’t clean up so bad yourself, Mr Shepard,” I tease, turning to face him, and running a palm over the lapel of his grey jacket.

I love Pax in flannel, in t-shirts and jeans, in those tight-fitting singlets he wears in the summer, but this suit? Damn.

My man looks good all dressed up, even if the long sleeves do cover up his tattoos.

“You know you could have just taken me for a burger somewhere, and you still would’ve gotten lucky, right? I’m a sure thing.” I wink.

He shakes his head, his grin widens, and he leans in to kiss me softly. “Mmmm. I’m a lucky man, that’s for sure. My girl is so easy to please.”

I melt into him as he presses his lips to mine and gently wipe off the small amount of lipstick that transferred onto his mouth when he pulls away. When I’m done, he reaches around and smacks my ass. Hard. The sound echoes around the bathroom, and I squeal from the sting.

He walks backwards while I rub at the sore spot on my behind. “That hurt,” I whine, narrowing my eyes at him playfully.

He’s gone before I can say anything else, and as soon as I turn back to the mirror to continue preening, I’m interrupted again.

“Let’s go,” he calls out. “I’ve got your purse.”

This is my birthday. Why the hell am I being rushed right now?

I hear the door to the room open and know without a doubt that he’s standing there, holding it, waiting for me.

Instead of arguing like I want to, I give in, toss my curls around one last time, and make my way to him.

He’s lucky the way he trimmed his beard this morning makes me want to sit on his face, or I wouldn’t be as compliant as I am right now.

Fifteen minutes later, twelve of which have been spent in the car, I realise that he’s made yet another U-turn, after having already taken us around the same block three times. “Where are we going?” I ask. “Are you lost?”

I glance over at him when he doesn’t respond, and realise that he looks nervous. Really nervous.

“Hey,” I whisper, placing my hand on his thigh, trying to get his attention as he pulls at the collar of his white shirt as if it’s strangling him. “What’s up?”

Letting out a loud sigh, he shakes his head and smiles at me, but the nervous energy is still pouring off him in waves. “Nothing, baby. Just killing time ‘til our reservation.”

“So what you’re saying is you rushed me out of the bathroom, and now we’re too early to even go inside the restaurant you booked?”

He doesn’t respond, simply hums to himself and turns us around again. I lean back into my seat, keeping my hand firmly in place on his thigh as he finally takes us down a road we haven’t gone down yet, and pulls into a convenience store parking lot.

Confused, I look at him as he puts the car in park and smooths down his green tie. The tie he bought to match my dress.

He jumps out of the car and rounds it quickly before opening my door and offering me his hand. I take it, and when my ankle almost gives out as I try to stand in my shoes, I’m thankful for his quick reaction time. I’m still figuring out how to wear heels this damn high, so I can use all the help I can get at this point.

I look around and try not to let my surprise show. I wasn’t lying when I said I would have been happy doing something more low-key for my birthday, but I’m a little confused as to why we’re here.

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