I feel so hot already and I have to hold back a moan. Chris closes his eyes and I take his hand and walk backward toward the dining room and then outside. “Don't snoop,” I whisper.
“I promise.” Chris chuckles as we get on the patio. “Where are you taking me?”
“Now wait a second here,” I whisper as I leave his hand and switch on the tiny lights I hung everywhere. It took me hours to set them but it was worth it. “Okay, now you can open them.”
The amazement in his eyes makes me smile.Have I surprised him? Most definitely.His eyes land on mine and he pulls me in a hug. “Are we celebrating something?”
I bite the inside of my cheek trying to release the thrill I feel inside. “Maybe…” I nervously laugh. “Give me your jacket and take a seat.”
“Maybe?” He takes it off while cocking a brow to me. “It's not our…how do they call it? Monthiversary?”
I shake my head while seeing him struggling to figure out what we'll celebrate today. “Hope you're hungry, because I've cooked all day.”
“Babe, we've talked about…” I kiss him to shut him up. Yes, he told me we have Stacy but still today is special. “Kiss me that way again and you'll be in trouble.”
Oh, I'm aware of what kind of trouble I'll get into, and I can't wait. In the last month I saw him holding back. I even watched him jerking under the shower, arousing me even more. He gave me time to forget and heal, and I'm grateful for it. I won't thank him enough for all his attention and kindness but now I have my life glued back and I can finally choose what I want.
“You promise?” I tease him as I nip my bottom lip.
He makes me sit onto his lap and devours my mouth in a passionate kiss. “I always keep my promises.”
I feel my panties already soaked as I try to remember how to breathe. The lusty look in his eyes is so powerful and hypnotic that I want to rip off our clothes and forget about the dinner. “I…I better go inside,” I stutter and he releases me within a second.
I feel his eyes on me and once in the kitchen I grip against the kitchen island and take a few deep breaths. I lay every course on the tray and bring them to the patio while Chris has already opened the wine.
“The smell is delicious.” He smiles as I place in front of him the spaghetti with the special sauce Viola taught me to cook.
“I hope you'll like it.”
“Woman, are you planning to get me fat? Everything you cook is yummy.” He rolls his fork on the plate.
“If that means the other women will stop looking at you, then yes.” I've seen Janet, and how much she tries to hook up with him and also some of his so-called friends.
His fork stops in the air, midway between his mouth and the plate. “What women? For me it's just you Leila, you're the only woman I want in my life.”
I smile, feeling so silly to be jealous. “Such flattery.”
“It's true though.” He finally eats his food as his eyes snaps at mine. I see them fill with tears as he shuts them and flops his head back. “This is my mom's sauce.”
“Viola sent me the recipe. She said special occasions need a special sauce. Tell me I haven't ruined it.”
“No, baby, it's perfect. I haven't eaten it in ages.” He stares at me, and I'm sure he wants to say something but he doesn't.
We enjoy our dinner and he devours everything. The closer the end of the dinner comes, the more nervous I get. “Now it's dessert time but I may need help with it.”
“Help with a dessert? Now that's interesting.”
I bring the cake and stand near him. “You know I'm not good at managing the fire and these candles don't want to light up.”
“Cake and candles too. Leila, what the heck are we celebrating?”
I get on my tiptoes and kiss his cheek. “Buon compleanno, Chris.”Happy birthday, Chris.
“My birthday?” He rubs his neck and looks at me puzzled. “It's not my birthday.” I cock my brow as I shake my head at him. He takes out his wallet and checks on his ID before meeting my eyes. “You remembered my birthday?”
When I called Viola, she was so happy I remembered it too. She made sure to tell me he may have erased his birthday from his memories because of his past and how Nick and his father used to 'celebrate' it. It broke my heart even more knowing what he went through.
“One in our family should, don't you think?” I joke as he scoops me up and swirls me around.
