The most beautiful girl? I look up at him shyly. “It’s… beautiful, thank you so much.”
I’m always going to cherish it.
I place it carefully on his desk beside the bed, then fling my arms around him and pull him closer against me. “Thank you.” I place a tender kiss on his cheek. And then my breath catches as he smiles – not a smirk, not something small or guarded, but a full, heart-stopping smile. Gorgeous dimples, perfect teeth, andsharp, green eyes that soften just for me.
Any words I may have had die on my lips. My mouth is dry, and I can only stare at him. At the man I am utterly and hopelessly in love with, so completely it aches.
He’s perfect for me.
Then my phone rings, sharp and sudden, snapping me out of the haze.
“Shit,” I whisper, fumbling to comprehend where the sound is coming from. Then, realising it’s in my gown pocket. “It’s probably Mama or the girls. I told them to call later…”
“It’s all good. You should get back to your room. Your bedroom walls are different from mine as well.”
I close my mouth, about to tell him I won’t be long, but he’s right… This room is different from mine, and so is the headboard. I liked sleeping in his arms.
I nod slowly, eyes on him as I pick up my gown and slip it over my bare skin. I reach into the pocket and take out my phone, my body still humming from the orgasm he gave me. My legs feel weak, and I am far too aware of the tender, pulsing heat between them. His hands find my waist, and he kisses my shoulder, making my core clench.
I bite my lip before turning to look at him, my fingers ghosting over his. “Ahren’s throwing me a party today,” I say softly. “Will you talk to him? At least try?” I don’t want to keep hiding. I know he is waiting for the right moment, but I don’t want to keep us a secret anymore. I want to be with him openly.
He turns me in his arms and steps closer, his forehead resting against mine, his breath warm. “I promised to give you everything you wanted. If I find a moment, I will. But I will not let it ruin your birthday.”
I nod. That is enough for now.
“Thank you. I will see you in the morning, then?”
He nods, then kisses me again, slow and deep, like he wants it to linger on my lips long after I leave. Then he opens the door, checks the corridor, and gives me a look that makes my chest flutter, his eyes raking appreciatively over me one final time, his tongue running over his lips.
Blushing, I pick up my gifts and step out into the quiet hallway, clutching my chocolates and my picture to my chest. The taste of him still on my lips, the ache between my thighs still sweet as I make my way back to my room, happy.
Once inside, I glance at Shahira, who is fast asleep, her long hair strewn across her pillow. I tiptoe to my side of the room and look into my mirror, my heart skipping a beat as I look at my rosy cheeks and the marks he’s left on my neck. I trace my finger over them before arranging my hair over my shoulders, unable to stop smiling.
Sitting cross-legged on my bed, I place the picture he gave me on the bed in front of me, admiring it contently. Suddenly, my phone buzzes and I blink, realising I got distracted.
Oh, the call! They must be waiting for me!
I whisper a silencing spell before I check my missed calls. One group call from Allie and Heaven, and then a group video call with everyone as well. There’s a tonne of messages too from everyone, including Grandpa Al, Aunty Kiara, Sky, Kat, Dante, Azura, Corrado, Aunty Winona and Grandpa Marcel.
Taking a deep breath and acting as normal as I can, I call them back; it’s Mama, Ahren, Tatum, Aunty Raihana, Heaven and Allie. Instantly, most of them answer, and within seconds, everyone’s faces come up in small boxes on the screen.
“Happy birthday, Sienna!” they say in unison, making me giggle at how out of tune they are.
“Thanks, everyone,” I answer, smiling at Jaddati and Mama, who are on the same little square on the screen. Aunty Raihana seems to be in a hotel room, probably travelling like usual. Ahren is somewhere very dark. Are those trees behind him? Looks like some eerie place. Tatum is in bed. I can tell clearly from his messy hair that he was asleep. Heaven and Allie are in their beds, too; Allie has her hair braided neatly.
I smile, my family.
“How are you?”
“Why didn’t you pick up?”
“Were you asleep?”
“One at a time,” Jaddati says, making everyone go quiet.
“I’m good, and I was just getting ready for bed.” I feel guilty for lying, and steal a glance at Heaven and Allie, neither changes their expressions, but I see a message from our group chat pop up at the top.
HEAVEN: Oh, really? Liar.
