When we finally break apart, her cheeks are tinged a deep pink and her eyes are half-lidded with desire. She runs her tongue across her kiss-swollen lips, and my pants go tight as my erection jumps. My body throbs with need.
Suddenly, there seem to be far too many people here.
“I still can’t believe you did all this for me,” Hazel continues. She glances around the bar, smiling as her gaze drifts over the hundreds of balloons floating by the ceiling and the giant sign stretched across themirror behind the bar; the one that spells out in large letters,Happy Birthday Hazel.
“It’s the first birthday I get to celebrate with you. I wanted it to be special.”
She smiles. “It’s very special.”
“So you like it? I know Blissful Brews isn’t the fanciest place, but I thought you’d like having the party here.”
“Of course.” Over by the bar, Angel catches Hazel’s eye and gives her a little wave. Hazel waves back at her before adding, “This is perfect. Great food and beer, a relaxed atmosphere, and everyone I care about is here. I couldn’t think of a better place.”
“Good.” I cast a quick look at the gift table in the corner, heaped with presents. “Looks like you have a lot of gifts to open later.”
She follows my gaze. “People didn’t have to bring me presents. Just being here is enough.”
“I know they didn’t have to. They wanted to.”
Hazel looks at the towering pile of gifts for another second. “I think I’ve gotten more presents in the last six months than I did in the five years before that. I’m going to get spoiled.”
“You deserve to be spoiled.” I hug her to me again and press a kiss to her forehead. “And I love giving you presents. It makes me happy.”
It still hurts to think about how lonely her life was before. I knew she had ghosts, but I never guessed how much she struggled. How the burden of guiltwore her down, convincing her she didn’t deserve any better.
But she does. Hazel deserves everything good. And I’m determined to give it to her.
“You make me happy, Alec. The presents are just a bonus.” She plucks at her necklace. “Although I have to say, this one is extra special.”
I move the chain so the clasp is back behind her neck, letting my fingers trace along the line of her neck. Little goosebumps erupt across her skin at my touch. Her eyes darken to a stormy blue. “Do you really like it?” I ask.
“Yes.” Her hand comes over mine. “I love it. And when you’re not around, I can look at the necklace to be reminded of you.”
The mental image of Hazel at work, pausing to touch her necklace and thinking of me, tugs at my heart.
And it brings to mind theotherpiece of jewelry still hidden in my pocket.
The piece of jewelry that’s been making my nerves jitter all night.
“That reminds me,” I say. “There’s something I want to show you.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah.” Sliding off my chair, I hold my hand out to her. “Will you come with me?”
“Of course.” She hops off the chair and takes my hand. “Where are we going?”
My heart jumps again.
“Outside.” I lead her towards the entrance, stopping to retrieve our coats from the rack beside it. As I slide her coat over her arms, I add, “We’re just going to take a quick walk. But we’ll be right back.”
Curiosity raises her brows. “Okay?”
Once our coats are zipped up, I wrap my arm around her and tuck her to my side. “You’ll see. I can’t tell you, or it would ruin the surprise.”
“I thoughtthiswas the surprise,” she replies as we walk out into the cold night air. A few scattered snowflakes are falling; crystalline sparkles in the light of the full moon above. The moonlight casts a glow across the dampening sidewalk, and I firm my hold on Hazel in case there’s a slippery spot on our brief walk.
“I have lots of surprises,” I tell her. “The party was only one of them.”
