Then Zebb is pulsing against my tongue and I’m unfurling like a ribbon pulled from a package. I swallow him down and ride out my own release.
When his hand loosens in my hair and my fingers slip down my thigh, I slide off his cock and rest my forehead on his knee. I just need a minute to regroup. To consider what we just did.
When I finally lift my head, Zebb cups my jaw and leans forward. “Happy Birthday, angel.”
Whoever said your libido returns when you’re forty, wasn’t kidding, and this might have been my best birthday ever.
9
After our sex-a-thon in the dressing room, Zebb helps me redress as my hands still shake and my legs tremble. He takes his time to pull up my underwear and remove the Santa lingerie. He holds out my skirt and I step into it, placing my hands on his shoulders. Then he zips up the zipper. I reach for my sweater, but Zebb stands and slides it over my head, pulling my hair out of the collar. Redressing me might be more sensual than undressing.
Then he kisses me long and slow until the lights go off in the room.
“Oh my God, what time is it?” If the lights are dimming, the store is officially closed, and the night staff is here to clean.
“Time for ice cream. We just had cake.” Zebb winks as he takes my hand and leads me out of the fitting area. “Thank you so much for your assistance. I think my girlfriend might like the gift.”
“No more lady friend. Now she’s just your girlfriend.”
“Didn’t put a label on her when we were younger when I should have. She’s definitely my girlfriend.”
My insides flutter like a snow globe turned upside down.
We take the elevator to my office where I gather my things. As we leave, I notice that Jude’s office light is on. A pretty computer bag sits on his assistant’s desk which I recognize as Bethany Cooper’s, our Human Resources director. Like she was ready to leave when Jude called her into his office for one more thing.
“I didn’t even ask you, where is Tam?”
“Eleanor came to babysit for me again. I promised her I’d be home by midnight as it’s a school night, but I had to see my girl and wish her Happy Birthday. Why didn’t you tell me it was your day?”
I shrug as we enter the elevator. “It’s not a big deal.”
“Turning forty is huge. You’re entering a time of sexual rebirth.”
“Assuming my sex life was dead in my thirties?”
Zebb chuckles. “I don’t want to really think about you having sex in your thirties. With other men.” He stares at me, those dark eyes returning to hot chocolate.
“Well, I didn’t have much sex in my thirties, so there isn’t much to consider.” And funny he should mention a sexual rebirth because I certainly feel born again afterthatexperience. My legs still tremble and I’m exhausted, but I also feel strangely invigorated.
“Be grateful you’re forty, Eva. Some people don’t make it that far.” His words hit like a sledgehammer and are a strong reminder he lost someone he once loved.
I nod, preparing to ask him if he’d like to talk about Tam’s mom. He could tell me who she was or what she meant to him, but then again, I’m also not ready. Not tonight.
With a hand on my lower back, Zebb leads me out a side door which employees use after hours.
“I could meet you somewhere for that ice cream, if you drove here.”
“I don’t own a car. I take the bus most days or walk if it’s pleasant outside.”
Zebb’s eyes widen. “I don’t like the sounds of that. You taking the bus this late. Walking home sounds worse.”
I shrug. “I’m used to it. I don’t live that far.” Technically, it’s only a mile or so.
“Tonight, I drive then.” He leads me to where he parked on the street. When we can’t find an ice cream parlor open this late, we settle on a drink in a bar a block from my place.
And I celebrate my birthday one more time with a shot of Fireball.
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