“Best birthday ever,” Maddox had rasped in my ear, before his breathing evened out. It was his answer to me wishing him happy birthday as the clock struck midnight, while he was buried deep inside me.
His twenty-first birthday.
Our fourth birthday together. Except, we celebrated this one quite a bit differently than the first three.
I turned over onto to my side to face him. His eyes were still closed, but there was a flicker of a smile on his lips.
Folding my arms over his wide chest, I rested my chin on my hands. “Good morning,” I whispered, before placing a chaste kiss on the corner of his mouth. I didn’t know why I did it, but it was instinct. Almost like a habit I had picked up in the last twenty-four hours. I couldn’t keep my hands or lips off him. “And Happy Birthday.”
“When I open my eyes, I better find you naked.”
It was impossible not to smile at his teasing. Maddox just seemed so… happy. “Open your eyes and find out yourself.”
He hummed in response, and I felt his hand inching up my thigh, a soft caress. He cupped my bare ass and gave it a firm squeeze. Maddox popped an eye open, his lips lazily quirking up to the side with a smirk. “Soft and naked, I approve,” he said, his sleepy voice gruff to my ears.
“You’re insatiable,” I teased.
His fingers trailed up my hips, and his arm circled around my waist, before he flipped us over. Maddox hovered over me, grinning. “That’s four years of sexual frustration, Lila. Trust me, I’m not nearly done with you. In fact, I’m just getting started.”
I hiked my legs around his hips, pulling him closer. His morning hard-on pressed against my core, and I could feel the stickiness where his cum had dried on me from last night.
“Seven days of fucking, huh? I was expecting some romance, but I guess I’ll take what I can get.” I only meant it as a joke, but gone was the teasing look on Maddox’s face.
His expression turned serious, like he was really considering my words. Damn it, stupid me and my loose tongue. If this was a seven-day affair, I couldn’t let this get any more serious than it already was.
His blue eyes flashed with something… I just couldn’t place the emotion, before it was gone. His hand came up, and he cupped my face, his thumb ghosting over my cheek. “I’ve never had to woo a woman before. But I’m going to try. For you. I’m not much of a romantic guy, but I’ll try. For you.”
I let out a small laugh, but inside of me? I was a complete mess. Stomach fluttering, chest cramping, heart tightening… Holy shit. Did Maddox Coulter just say he was going to woo me?
Girlish delight filled me, but I quickly shoved it away. “Sheesh. I was only joking, no need to get all serious, Coulter.”
His thumb feathered over my lips, a tender touch.
Stop. You’re making this harder.
“I am serious. I’ll give you romance, flowers and all, with a side of dick to go with it.”
A snort escaped me, quite unladylike, and I smacked his chest. “I knew it! You can’t do romantic to save your life.”
Maddox’s eyes darkened. “Was that a challenge?”
I chewed on my lip to keep from giggling. Me – giggling. Shit, the Maddox’s charm was getting to me. “Maaaybe.”
A deep rumble came from his chest. “Try me,” he growled, before his lips crushed against mine, in one long, deep… searing kiss.
He claimed my lips.
He stole my breath.
One… simple… kiss.
Maddox captured my heart.
I expected him to want more, but he ended the kiss, pulling away slightly. “Get up. I’m about to give you my birthday present.”
Dazed, I blinked at him. “Huh? That’s not how it’s supposed to work. It’s your birthday, and I give you a present. Not the other way around.”
Maddox grinned. “We’re going on a date,” he said more softly.
“A date?” I repeated.
He rolled off me, and I watched, as he ran his fingers through his blond hair. “Woo you,” he mouthed.
Holy shit, Maddox was serious.
A date… I was going on a date with my best friend.
Wait… my lover?
Boyfriend?
Nervousness zinged through my veins, and my stomach twisted. This wasn’t going to end well. No, all of this had just gotten way more complicated.
My breath halted when Maddox curled a finger around a lock of my hair and tugged, pulling my attention back to him. “You’re overthinking, Lila. I can practically hear your thoughts.”
“Maddox–”
“No,” he cut me off. “If I have to throw you over my shoulder and carry you around on our date, I will. Don’t tempt me, Sweet Cheeks.”
Maddox didn’t make empty promises.
In fact, he always carried out his threats, one way or another.
I got off the bed and quickly grabbed for his shirt, pulling it over my head. “A casual date? How am I supposed to dress? Where are we going?”