“I think I’ve been paying very good attention. Besides wrapping me in your arms at night, you haven’t made one move on me. I felt like things changed at your mom’s house, and then nothing,” I whisper, embarrassed to say it out loud.
“Oh Stella, I’ve failed you then. I’ve been trying to give you time. There’s nothing more in the world I want than to be buried deep inside you and make you realize my feelings. I’ve been holding back until you’re ready. Things are going to change when I take you. There will be absolutely no more questions.”
“What do you mean?”
“I told you; you’ll be mine. No more hiding this relationship, no more Erica lingering in your mind. Nothing. Just the two of us. I’m a man who knows what I want, Stella, and I want you. I want you in my life, in my bed, and on my arm. It’s not been easy for me to hide my feelings but I tried to respect your wishes. When you’re ready for me, and I mean all of me, say the word.
“Crawling into your bed at night is the highlight of my day next to waking up with you. It may be too soon for you to hear this, but this relationship is already more than I could ever ask for. To me you’re perfect and meant to be mine. If I could kidnap you and take you away from the bullshit in my life I would.”
“Wow,” I breathe into his chest. Soaking in his words.
“Yeah, wow is one word I could use to describe you.”
I open my mouth to comment, but Laci chooses that exact moment to walk in.
“Hey, lovebirds, we need to go. Time to be spectacular.” She walks out.
“She’s a pain in the ass, but she’s right. We need to go.” He steps back and helps me off the desk.
“Max, are you really waiting on me? You’re ready to go public with our relationship?”
“Baby, I’ve never wanted to hide it. It was respect for you.”
“What if I’m ready to announce it?”
“Say the word.”
“Sunday night, dinner with my parents?” I bite my lip shyly. He’s probably not ready for that big step.
His eyes grow wide and then soften, “It’s a date.”
Shit! “Well, um, I should probably warn you. Laci and her parents will be there. As well as my sister.” I gather my stuff quickly hoping he doesn’t ask any more questions. I already told my parents a little about him, but wasn’t sure about inviting him on Sunday.
“Babe, that’s a big dinner. Something I should know?”
Here we go … I grab my purse and walk farther away from him so he can’t catch me. I’m at the doorway, almost free when I turn. “It’s kinda my birthday.”
Panic clouds his face as I run out the door.
Her fucking birthday! No one thought to tell me earlier?
After Stella dropped the bomb on me yesterday, my mind went into overdrive. During our meeting, I could hardly pay attention and let her and Laci take charge, only speaking when I had to. I chose the COO and Human Resource Officer to join our team, so most of the talk was about the wage & hour and child work laws.
I had my driver take them back to their office and started looking online for the perfect gift. After two hours of looking at ideas, I called Dana in for back up.
When I explained what I was thinking, she smiled and said she’d take care of the arrangements. My only job was to find the perfect present.
I tried to act cool last night when we both got home from work. It took every ounce of self-control not to tear off her clothes when she laid across my lap to watch TV. Even though I acted like the game was all that was on my mind, I was secretly planning. Her scent surrounded me and the perfect gift came to mind. Maybe it wasn’t her perfect gift, but it was mine to her. I carried her to bed when she fell asleep and held her close just listening to the sound of her breathing. I knew shit was going to hit the fan soon, but she’d be on the inside and know everything. My strong, perfect Bella could handle it.
But now, as I listen to her, Laci, and Landon get ready for the evening out, my nerves are on edge. They’re laughing and singing to the top of their lungs—badly. Laci made cosmos as soon as she arrived and winked at me. I wanted to snarl but she was instrumental in putting my plan together for Sunday night, so I had to play nice.
I questioned her once about how the hell she wouldn’t tell me
about Stella’s birthday and she laid me out flat. Her exact words were, “It’s not my place to tell you her fucking birthday. You’re the one dating her. I’m the one who will be here if you fuck up.” Although I wanted to yell—I wanted to prove her wrong more. There will be no fucking up with this woman.
She’s truly perfect to me. Maybe she snores a bit, and kicks away the covers when I’m perfectly comfortable and is grouchy in the morning, but I adore it. I keep waiting for the annoyance to come and claim me. But with her, I grow more attached every day. Stella Sullivan has pulled me into her web of beauty.
The group piles into the living room, breaking me from my thoughts and my eyes bug out of my head. I try my best to be civil, but my voice is strained.