She practically skipped from the bus stop to their home.Once there, she took steaks from the freezer and prepared vegetables.Next up was a special cake for dessert.Carrot, she decided, since it was Tawera’s favorite.
Once the meal was under control, she picked a few flowers from the garden and set the table.A bottle of champagne already sat in the fridge along with Tawera’s favorite cheeses.She chose a wedge of brie and a sharp cheddar and placed them on the counter to bring them to room temperature.
Satisfied she’d done everything to prepare, she focused on herself.After a quick shower, she dressed in her sexiest lingerie and a dress that was one of Tawera’s favorites.He never failed to compliment her when she wore it on an outing.
Tawera arrived home while she was putting the last touches to her makeup.
“Honey, I’m home!”he roared from the entranceway.
Nyree grinned.He always did that, and the ritual always amused her.“I’m in the bedroom.”
The front door shut, and firm footsteps heralded him, heading in her direction.He came to an abrupt standstill in the doorway.“Are we going somewhere tonight?Have I forgotten an outing?”
“No, we’re having dinner at home.You take a shower, and I’ll pour you a drink once I hear the water stop running.Go,” she urged, excitement pulsing through her.“I’ll get dinner underway too.”
“Kiss first,” Tawera said.“I must kiss my beautiful lady.”
Nyree walked into his arms willingly, her heart beating faster as he wrapped her in a firm hug.An instant later, his lips met hers, and he kissed her languidly, the contact gradually deepening to passion.When they parted, Tawera glanced at the bed.
“Save that thought for later,” she said, keeping her voice firm to remind herself she had a plan.“Shower then a drink and dinner.”
Tawera winked at her and dragged his T-shirt over his head.Amusement filled her at the way both of his eyes flickered shut for seconds before her gaze drifted lower.The sight of his broad chest never failed to thrill her, and she stared until she realized her man was doing his best to entice her into bed.
She raised her hands in surrender and backed up, her giggle broadening Tawera’s grin.“I’m pouring us a drink.Get that sexy body of yours into the shower.”With a wink of her own aimed over her shoulder, she retreated to the kitchen.
When Tawera emerged from the bathroom fifteen minutes later, she saw he’d dressed in nice clothes too.Perfect.She approached him with a drink in hand.
His brows rose as he accepted the glass.“Champagne?”
Nyree merely smiled and lifted her flute.“To us.To the future, and to love.”
“A toast to us, the future and deep, sexy love,” he said and took a sip of his drink.“Something smells delicious.I’m starving.”
“I’ve cooked steak, jacket potatoes, green beans in a special tomato sauce.We have carrot cake for dessert.”
Tawera beamed.“My favorites.”
“What can I say?I enjoy pleasing you.”She lifted her glass and smiled at him over the fluted rim.
During their meal, they discussed their days and their plans for the near future.
“Manu mentioned I have holidays accrued.I want to go on a plane.Where can we go?”
“We can fly to a place in New Zealand or farther afield.Perhaps somewhere in the Pacific.One of the islands or Australia.”No!She had the perfect place in mind and made a plan to arrange holiday time for both of them.
“That was tasty.”Tawera patted his stomach, his body still robust and in perfect condition because of the training he did with Manu and the others.
“I think we’ll have dessert in the lounge.Why don’t you choose some music while I grab our cake?”
When she arrived with the carrot cake, a slow waltz played.
“Will you dance with me, my sweet Nyree?”
Her heart melting, she set the plates on the coffee table and slipped into his arms.They slow danced to three songs, content in each other’s arms.At the end of the third song, Nyree leaned back.She studied his familiar face, and her heart clenched with the wealth of love that filled her.This man was her everything.
“Tawera, I have a question for you.”
“Yes?”
