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“Seems like I’m not the only one who has to work on their waiting skills.” He chuckles.
I’m grateful for the interruption from the waiter. “Welcome. Are we celebrating anything?” he asks, looking down at us.
“Just celebrating how beautiful my girlfriend is,” Aiden says, winking at me.
I purse my lips. I guess I should tell him today is my birthday. Ugh. Addison why did you wait? I know why. I didn’t want him to feel obligated to get me anything or make a big deal of it. I’m not a big birthday person. I shake my head and blow out a breath.
Aiden orders our drinks and an appetizer. After the waiter leaves, he looks at me. “What’s going on in that head of yours? I can always tell when you’re having a conversation with yourself.”
“So, don’t be mad,” I say quickly. He stays quiet. “Today is my birthday.” His eyes go wide in surprise and then he drops his head. “I’m sorry I didn’t say anything.”
When he looks up he says, “Well, now I feel like the worst boyfriend ever.” He picks up his water and takes a drink. I watch his Adam’s apple move as the liquid goes down.
“No, you’re not. You’re perfect,” I say, scooting closer to him. “If anyone is failing in that department, it’s me.” I sigh.
“I should have known. You told me a few months ago. I should have remembered. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. I swear. I won’t hold it against you. I’ve just never been the person who has loved celebrating her birthday,” I say, shrugging. “Well, I used to when my mom was still here, but that was a long time ago. Syd has tried repeatedly to surprise me. She’s just too easy to read.” We both laugh.
“I promise to make it up to you tonight,” he says, placing a soft kiss on my lips again.
The food is divine here. I savor every bite, each better than the last. I’ve always wanted to eat here, but the wait list for a reservation is six months out. I wonder how many favors Aiden had to call in to get one. Little does he know this is the best birthday present he could have given me.
While he pays, I go to the restroom. As I walk up to the table, he’s texting someone. I scoot in around the bench and he puts his phone away.
“I was texting Damon to ask how Lexi is doing,” he says quickly. While it warms my heart that he’s thinking about Lexi, he almost sounds guilty of something.
“Okay,” I say slowly.
“I just don’t want you to think I’m working on our date,” he says. “It’s just you and me tonight.” He wraps his arm around me and pulls me into him. The kiss this time isn’t soft or sweet. It hard, deep, and possessive. I hope it’s a precursor to the rest of the night.
“Are you ready to go?” he asks, leaning his forehead against mine. My voice is hidden under my heavy breaths, so I just nod. I’m not wearing a bra so the brush of the fabric against my pebbled nipples has me clenching my thighs. I am definitely ready.
We took a cab down here, so I’m surprised when we start walking. “What are we doing?”
“Just taking a walk,” he says, smiling down at me. “I want to see you in that dress for a little longer before I rip it off.”
“You know I can wear it for you whenever you want, right? I am not opposed to going straight home.”
He belts out a sexy, deep, throaty laugh. I know I sound desperate. I am. I need to feel him, all of him. I’m about to pull the birthday card. We should be doing what I want.
“Patience, sweetheart.”
I roll my eyes. “Fine,” I huff. Even though it does feel nice walking hand in hand with Aiden, I won’t admit it right now. I see the karaoke club coming up, and I laugh out. Aiden follows my line of vision and smiles. “That night seems like forever ago. You were so hot up there singing to me.”
“You were so drunk,” he chuckles.
I wave my hand around. “I don’t remember that part.”
“You want to go in and have a drink? Maybe I’ll sing something to you again,” he says wiggling his eyebrows.
“If you promise to sing something, I’ll go.”
“I promise.”
I’m trying to think about what I want him to sing me. He opens the door for me to walk in and I turn back toward him. “How about you si—”
“SURPRISE!”
