"Yes, lots of preparation," he replies, following ne into the room.
We stay silent, and the closing of the sliding door sounds loudly between us as I avert my gaze from him, feeling my cheeks pinken. When I take my robe off to get into the bath, I see my reflection in the vanity.
The skin on my ass and thigh is flushed a hot pink, and when I lower into the water, my flesh burns slightly, almost feeling like his hand is still there.
Hours later, nothing has cooled this burn inside of me, making it a horrible first conference day. Because though I'msupposedto be paying attention to the speakers, all I can think about is my and Alexander's encounter on the balcony. I sneak a peek at him through my lashes, remembering the way his hand felt on my bare flesh.
Feeling my core heat I look away, flushing and nodding my head when he asks if I'm okay. At three, just like he stated, he gets up to go.
"I'll see you in our room at five, okay? Don't be late."
He places his hand on the side of my head and rubs his thumb against my temple firmly, the only time he's touched me since this morning. I bite my lip and nod again, grateful that he's outin the aisle and walking away before he can see how badly I blushed at the contact.
No longer distracted, I'm able to pay attention to the last two speakers, and even write notes about different tips and tricks that I plan on utilizing in my work. When the last speaker's finished, I make my way slowly to our room, feeling down that I still hadn't heard from my dad with birthday wishes.
I pause outside the door and fish my phone out of my bag to check again, feeling a tear slip down my cheek when I see he still hasn't messaged.
What more could you have expected, stupid? He doesn't even like you!
Wiping my eyes roughly, I jam the key into the door, determined to take a shower and see if I can convince Alexander to let me hog the television in the bedroom for the rest of the night. Maybe order a chocolate cake through room service and veg out in bed, eating my sorrows away.
Knowing Alexander, I don't think he would mind it at all if he got to have some, too.
Pushing through the door, I draw to a stop, seeing dozens of red, pink and white balloons, and red and white roses in glass vases littering the inside of the small living area. I look behind me, expecting to see Alexander there, but he's not.
I shut the door softly, grabbing my phone back out but not seeing a message from him, nor hearing him inside the hotel room."Alexander?"I call out, listening, but I don't hear anything.
Walking into the bedroom, I see on our bed there's a white box tied with a red bow with a note on top. My eyes widen, and a thrill races through me, seeing another singular rose on my pillow. I reach for the envelope with shaky hands, opening it. ?
Sarah,
I hope you don't think this is too forward, but I would like for you to wear your present out for dinner with me. I got two, just in case I didn't pick the right size; although, I did my best. We wouldn't want your girls slangin' unnecessarily, now would we?
Meet me in the lobby at six.
Alex
Wiping another tear away, I immediately pull out my phone.
Sarah Bella: You ridiculous, impossible, beautiful man! The first-class tickets were enough!
Opening the box I let out an excited screech at the beautiful satin and lace red dress that's carefully folded inside. I pull it out and nestle it against me. Going to the mirror I give myself a little twirl with it against my front, running my hands down the material and knowing he spent a fortune on it.
Looking back in the box I see another one in there, in a different size just in case, like he said. And nestled amongst the tissue paper is a beautiful, obviously expensive red lingerie set, a garter for my thigh, and another note.
Thank you for trusting me to deliver your birthday spanks this morning. However, gorgeous thighs like yours should never be naked. Here's a present to doll yourself up.
Alex
I don't think I've ever been so excited in my life to tear off my clothes. Standing there naked, I pause, taking out my phoneagain and snapping a picture of everything before sending it to Jerome and Vanessa.
Sarah: OMG look what Alex got me for my birthday!It's RED!!!!!!
I grab the lingerie set, walking into the bathroom to get ready and see two small boxes, both wrapped with red ribbon.
How the hell does he know I love red?I think, remembering the fights I'd used to have with my mother over wearing red ribbons in my hair when I was a girl.
I open the flat box first and gasp, seeing a tennis bracelet inside. My fingers tremble, going up to caress the diamond necklace he'd gifted me with just that morning. Mentally, I try to tally up everything he's done for me so far, and my lips roll as I come up with an amount that has me flushing.
