Page 47 of Smokescreen

I tear into the package and gasp at the sapphire blue nightie with matching robe. It’s not the actual set that shocks me, it’s the brand name, Agent Provocateur.

“Max! You didn’t! I mean—you can’t! This is too much! It had to cost over a thousand dollars!” Surely even a man like Max knows this is too much for a girl you’ve only been dating a little while. “And how did you even know my size?”

He gives me a lopsided grin and his eyes dance. “Let’s break it down. Yes, I did. No, it’s not too much, and don’t you ever worry about the price. As far as your size, I snooped.”

“You snooped?”

“Sure did. Now get dressed. I’ve got a few more surprises for you before we crawl back in bed. Meet me in the kitchen in five minutes.” He kisses my neck and goes to the bathroom.

I shimmy the silk over my body, enjoying the feeling of the luxury as it touches my skin.

Dozens of flower arrangements cover my every surface from my living room to my kitchen. Pastries from Joe’s are on the counter along with a gallon of coffee. Another box is on the table, smaller with a black ribbon.

I reach for two mugs as large hands cover mine and stop me. “Bella, it’s your birthday weekend. I’ll take care of you.”

His voice is smooth and sends shivers down my body. He fixes our coffee and hands me my favorite Danish, gesturing for me to sit.

“How’d you do all this?”

“I had the flowers delivered last night and then my driver picked up Joe’s this morning and left it at the door. The presents were bought last night.”

“That was pretty brave of you coming into a gay bar last night. If anyone recognized you, it’ll be a hit to your bachelor status.”

“I was under the assumption my bachelor status already took a hit. Or did you forget your declaration last night in the limo?” He cocks an eye at me.

“I didn’t forget, Max, I meant every word,” I whisper. In the light of day, what we did in the back of the car last night was extremely out of character for me. Heat rushes to my head and I look away.

“Hey, look at me. What are you thinking?”

“That I was a complete wanton for the first time in my life last night. I almost begged you to have sex with me in the back of a moving vehicle!”

“Babe, that was the point. I told you before, don’t ever be embarrassed with me. I’ll take care of you. At some point in our lives, I’m sure we will have sex in a moving vehicle, but last night wasn’t the night. I plan on savoring every inch of you today.

“There was one last thing standing in my way but it’s taken care of. Why don’t you open the box?” He pushes it towards me and I rip into it.

The only thing in the box is a packet of papers. The top page reads “Lease Agreement.”

“Erica’s out. I signed an agreement and have the movers at my place this morning. She can fight them all she wants, but they’ve been instructed to get it out. The locks are being changed on Monday. If she refuses to leave with her furniture, then I’ll have her arrested. I’m done, babe. She’s gone, no

thing else standing between us.”

Tear of happiness fall down my cheeks and I jump into his arms, squealing. “This is the best birthday ever!”

“It’s only beginning, babe. I’ve got plans for every minute from now until we meet everyone tomorrow night. You done with your coffee?”

I nod and smile widely.

Picking me up, he walks us back towards my bedroom. The room is nothing like I left it. The blackout shades are down and candles are lit on the nightstands and dresser. He’s made my bed partially, and put another present on the pillow. When I reach for it, he moves it to the side.

“Later.” He lays me down and slides next to me.

The air in the room stills and we communicate without words. His hand lazily draws circles on the skin of my thigh, moving higher. I loosen the knot on my robe and allow it to fall open. His eyes gleam and he lifts my back so I can slide it off my shoulders. When I’m lying in just the nightie, he takes the time to roam over my body. The passion in his look ignites my own internal need and I run my hand up his bare torso until I reach his neck. Gently lifting his chin, I shift slightly to kiss him. I go slowly at first, savoring the taste of him. The faint hint of coffee and cinnamon fill my taste buds.

My fingers move to grip the short hair of his scalp and I pull him in, craving his closeness. My body is drowning in need for this man with a hunger I’ve never felt before. Our kiss turns deep and we both move to our sides to devour each other. He pulls away panting and the deep blue irises staring back at me are full of passion.

He sits us up and moves me to straddle him in one swift motion. My nightie is gone in an instant and I sit astride him, naked and panting. He rolls us back as I push the pajama bottoms down past his hips and see his aching cock straining.

He stops my hand when I reach for it and brings it back to his face, palming his cheek.


Tags: Ahren Sanders Romance