Page 113 of Tell Me Something

“Yeah, and now that you’ve received your letters, it’s sinking in that you’re really leaving soon.”

I hugged him tightly and realized that I might not be the only one who’d developed feelings I hadn’t planned on.

THE NEXT MORNING when I woke up, it dawned on me that I was twenty-three years old today. Not that Josh or anyone else was aware of that fact. I’d told him it was in March but had never revealed the actual day. In his massive king-sized bed, I stretched out like a cat, enjoying the fact that we had nothing on the agenda for the day but each other. I couldn’t think of a better way to spend my birthday than having sex and enjoying some downtime with my man, even if he didn’t know what day it was.

We had slept in after our late talk last night, and Josh had been overly attentive with our lovemaking first thing this morning. He’d brought me breakfast in bed, and now I was contemplating a shower while he insisted on doing the dishes. I was pretty sure all this attention was his way of making up for the last week.

Padding into the adjoining master bathroom, I marveled at the size of it. Marble tile was everywhere, and the sunken Jacuzzi tub looked like something I would definitely need to try later on. For now, I had every intention of enjoying his oversized glass shower with jet sprays from all angles. It occurred to me that I’d only seen the bedroom and bathroom and I looked forward to a tour of the rest of his home later.

Turning around while rinsing my hair, I saw him walk into the bathroom. He put a silk robe on the door’s hook and watched me.

“You could join me,” I offered suggestively.

“I’m finishing up downstairs in the living room. Take your time, brush your hair out, blow dry, and do whatever. I have this robe for you. Make sure you have nothing on under it.”

“You don’t want me to come downstairs?” I was intrigued.

He only smiled and shook his head. “Nope, not until I come in and get you. Don’t you like surprises, birthday girl?”

I yelped when he pinched my backside. “I can’t believe you knew it was my birthday.”

He gave me a look as if to say is there anything I don’t know. “Mm, yes I knew, and I need you to stay in here, okay?”

Smiling, I was genuinely excited for my surprise.

I finished up my shower and saw that Josh had brought my suitcase in for me. He must really not have wanted me to come out to the living room. I took my time, blew out my hair, and carefully put on my makeup, ensuring that I was all done up for my birthday surprise. Donning my new silk robe in a beautiful lavender color, I smiled at the feel of it against my bare skin. I busied myself with making his bed and then sat in the middle of it, checking my phone while I waited.

“Hi.” He peeked in and then walked toward me with wrapped boxes in his hands. “You look exquisite.”

I blushed and looked toward the gifts that were wrapped beautifully with big bows.

“So, birthday girl, these are for you.”

“Which one can I open first?” There were four wrapped boxes. I was eager to find out what was inside each of them.

“Doesn’t matter. Pick one.”

I could tell he was amused as I grabbed the smallest box, shaking it like a little kid and enjoying his smile. I ripped through the paper while he laughed.

“You’re definitely not the sort to carefully open the tape and save the paper, are you?”

I shrugged and then laughed. “Nope, life is too short.” I opened the lid and smiled. There sat ten pairs of the prettiest lace and silk thong underwear.

“That’s probably more of a replacement I’m sorry gift for ripping some of your other pairs, but I do rather like the thought of you wearing lacy thongs that I picked out.”

I did, too, and gave him a sexy little kiss before starting on another box. “Ha, yoga pants.” I started giggling and loved the fact that he was making each gift so personal. I pulled out the pairs, one in black, one in navy, and the last in dark gray. When I glanced at the size, I was impressed. “I thought you said these torture you.”

“Mm, such sweet torture, though. It seemed like you only had the one pair.”

“You’re right; I do just have the one. Very thoughtful of you since I love them. Running, long flights, torturing my boyfriend—they’re very versatile.”

I ripped into another package and squealed as it revealed new running shoes, the best rated ones on the market and far out of my price range.

“I love these, all of it.” I went for the last package, which revealed three pairs of designer jeans. “Josh, this is too much. You went overboard, but thank you, truly.” I held up the jeans and watched a funny expression cross his face.

“It wasn’t too much and probably kind of practical gifts, but I thought you’d use all of them.”

My lips kissed his softly. “The best gifts are the ones that will be actually used. Considering I’ve been living in the one pair of jeans Catherine got me and my one pair of yoga pants, I feel like I’ve just been given a whole new wardrobe of the things I love. So, thank you.”