Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 75142 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 250(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75142 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 250(@300wpm)
“Go for it,” Maddox said.
So, I closed my eyes and made a wish. A silent plea that things could stay this wonderful forever. Then, I blew out all the candles in one fell swoop. Everyone cheered, and then Jamilla began to cut her masterpiece. She’d been taking cake decorating classes for fun. The things that artists did.
I accepted a piece of the red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting—my favorite—and stepped away from the onlookers to Maddox’s side.
“Are you having cake?”
“It was almost too pretty to eat,” Maddox said.
“And am I too pretty to eat?” I teased, leaning forward.
His eyes sparkled. “Want to find out?”
“You know I do.”
“It is your birthday. It’s sort of my duty as your boyfriend.”
“I would not disagree.”
“This is what I’m thinking,” he said, dipping a finger in the cream cheese frosting and bringing it to my lips.
His eyes danced in challenge. And I leaned forward, tasting the frosting on my tongue. I sucked it off his finger. His eyes glazed slightly.
“Now you know exactly what you taste like.”
“I was already aware.” I took a step closer and dragged one nail over the hardened line of his cock in his pants. “But now, I can see how much I affect you.”
“As if you didn’t already know.”
“Oh, I did,” I teased.
His eyes darted around the birthday party. I could tell he already wanted to leave. Whether to fuck me or just to escape the party. “Can we go now?”
I laughed and drew back. “As tempting as that is, no. It’s my birthday.”
He sighed but didn’t argue. “I promise you a more exciting evening.”
“I bet.”
“And a birthday present.”
My eyes widened. “You got me a present?”
He shot me an exasperated look. “It’s your birthday.”
“Yeah, but …”
He suddenly looked nervous. “If you don’t like it, I can get you something else.”
“I haven’t even seen it yet, and you’re down-talking it. What is it?”
He laughed. “Oh, no. If I have to suffer through the rest of the party, you have to wait for your surprise.”
I stuck out my bottom lip. “But I’m the birthday girl.”
He drew me into a kiss, dragging that bottom lip into his mouth. “Incentive for us to leave early.”
“I guess I’ll just have to wait.” I pouted half-heartedly.
“I guess you will.”
I wrapped my arms around his waist. “I’m glad you’re here. I know how much you hate this.”
“If you can get me to help you with your film, then you can get me to do anything.”
My film. My stomach dropped. That was something I didn’t want to think about on my birthday. I loved directing. I’d spent months on my senior thesis film. We were still a month away from it being screened, and there was something wrong. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but it wasn’t quite right.
Maddox felt me stiffen. “It’ll come together, Jos.”
“I know,” I lied. “It’ll be brilliant.”
He gave me a disbelieving look and opened his mouth, as if he was going to talk about it more, which was the last thing I wanted tonight, when Jamilla jumped to my side.
“Okay, okay!” Jamilla said. “Break it up, y’all. We have dancing to do.”
She winked at Maddox and then hauled me away into the heart of the dance floor. He’d never join me out here unless he was drunk, and since he didn’t enjoy being drunk, I would never encourage him to get to that point. I liked him completely sober, slightly judgmental, and always a bit grumpy.
Our friends didn’t get it. But I wasn’t here for their opinions. I knew it worked, and that was all that mattered.
Still, it was my birthday, and I loved parties. So, I wasn’t leaving a second earlier than I had to. The alcohol was flowing, the music was blaring, and I was dancing my ass off with my girls. It wasn’t until the wee hours of the morning when the last person finally trickled out of my apartment, and I shut the door. Jamilla kissed my cheek, winked at Maddox, and then disappeared into her room.
I was just past tipsy and threw my arms around his neck. He drew me in close, pressing a kiss into my neck.
“Can I have my present now?” I asked with a giggle.
“Why does it sound like you’re not talking about an actual present?”
“Because I’m not.”
He shook his head at me. “You might be too drunk for your present.”
“Nooo,” I groaned. “I’m not that bad. I’ve had an amazing night.” I twirled in place. “I don’t ever want this feeling to end.”
“All right. Come with me.”
We went into my bedroom, and Maddox closed the door behind him. As much as I wanted sex, I was curious as to what someone like Maddox would get me for my birthday. I’d begged Dad not to get me anything. He was struggling so much with work that I knew he couldn’t afford it, but he swore he had to get something for his best girl. So, I’d gotten a brand-new camera. As much as I loved and appreciated it, I regretted that he’d spent the money on me. Marley and Lila had sent presents in the mail. Mom had just given me cash, of course.