‘I know. But I told her that I wanted to stay – at least for a few more days. We’d already agreed to spend my birthday together, right? I wasn’t going to change our plans. She said she was fine. I’ll message Cordelia to ask if she can keep an eye on her. And if she’s really bad, I can think about going on Friday. But tomorrow’s my birthday and for once in my life, I want to have a nice day. With you. Just the two of us.’
Laila wrapped her arms around my waist and as she melted into me, my shoulders loosened.
She was staying.
She’d chosen to prioritise herself.
Laila had chosen us.
That was a big deal.
‘I like the sound of that,merci,’ I said, warmth flooding my chest. ‘I promise to make sure that tomorrow will be a day that you will never forget.’
34
LAILA
‘Joyeux anniversaire, ma chérie!’ Gabriel kissed me softly on the lips.
I rubbed my eyes then opened them slowly.
God, he really was so beautiful. Surely it should be illegal to look that good this early in the morning.
Not that I was complaining. Being woken up by an attractive man had to be one of the best ways to start the day.
‘That means happy birthday, right?’ I said.
‘Oui. You know a lot more French than you think!’ He flashed me an encouraging smile and my stomach flip-flopped. And I knew that was nothing to do with being hungry.
‘Merci, Monsieur!’ I grinned. ‘What time is it?’
‘Half past eight. I have organised breakfast for you on the patio. You can come whenever you are ready.’
‘Breakfastandan orgasm? That sounds like an offer I can’t refuse!’ I chuckled.
‘I am afraid that I have turned you into a nymphomaniac,’ Gabriel laughed.
‘Yep. When I came to Paris, I was an innocent single mum, then you corrupted me with your class-A dick. I thoughtGabrielwas supposed to be an angelic name?’
‘In case you have not already realised, there is nothing angelic about the things I enjoying doing with you,’ he growled and his eyes darkened with desire.
I was so tempted to pull him on top of me, but we could do that later. As stunning as this resort was, today we wanted to leave and explore more of the surroundings.
‘Yes, and I love it! Hopefully you’ll do more filthy things to me tonight. For now though, let’s have breakfast.’
When I stepped out of the bedroom, my jaw dropped. The hallway, living room and patio had been decorated with dozens of colourful birthday balloons and banners.
As well as a ‘Happy 41stBirthday’ balloon, there was also a ‘Happy 40th!’ one too. Then I spotted a personalised one that said ‘Joyeux AnniversaireLaila!’
‘When did you organise all of this?’ I asked, still trying to take in the attention to detail with the decorations.
‘I ordered the balloons a few days ago. You did not celebrate your birthday properly last year, so today is a double celebration of your fortieth and your forty-first. I put everything up when you were sleeping. Come. This is just the beginning.’
He was right. Laid out on the patio was a breakfast banquet fit for royalty.
The scent of fresh bread, buttery pastries and rich coffee hit me straightaway. There were baskets of croissants and pains au chocolat, baguettes, fresh fruit platters, a charcuterie and cheese board, plus a selection of fresh fruit juices.
‘Wow. This is a spread and a half! When are the other hundred guests joining us?’ I laughed.
