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Me

With sympathy

"Relax, Sela," he said with a laugh and then a kiss todifferent"

And while that inally better, I still felt terrible "But I was here two days ago with you We went out to eat at The Slanted Door You gorged on oysters and ceviche, and never once did you tell me it was your birthday"

"It's just a birthday," he told ain on top of my head, a measure of reassurance and affection that I'm upset on his behalf, and this act caused my stone heart to start to crack

Beck then started talking about a new restaurant he wanted to try that had opened a few blocks over from the condo, and the subject of his birthday was put to rest

Until today, that is

I woke up with a plan already formed I went to my classes, and as soon as they let out at one pht sous, and a chocolate-raspberry cake froht briefly to bake hi, so in order to preserve the sanctity of the only birthday party he was getting this year, I ith itee roll of silk floral ribbon in a pale pink color

I did , took a shower, slathered lotion all over me, and curled my hair I applied a little bit ofone of Beck's robes, I us in the oven, let them cook the required time, and then turned the heat off It was ten of six when I scurried back to the bedroo up the silk ribbon

And now at six p in wait in the foyer when I hear Beck's key in the lock

I quickly light the candles on the cake I'hter onto the nearby buffet table I have just enough time to place my free hand on my hip and cock it out in a sexy pose when Beck opens the door

I wish I had a video to capture the look on his face His eyes go to the cake first, then to my face as I smile at him and say, "Happy birthday, Beck"

His lips curve up and his eyes roa hotter and hotter with every inch they cover

"Are you ht back on mine He closes the door behind him softly and flicks the lock

I look down at enuity I'h-heeled silver sandals with ribbons that lace up s that Beck had returned to hs, aroundmy stomach, and on upward to wrap around ht in the center of my chest

"Come blow out your candles and you can unwrap me," I whisper

What I'ht now is a monumental feat for me It's the only time in my entire life I've ever made a conscious effort to seduce a man I have never once offered o when I waited in Beck's bed naked doesn't count, because that was ar Baby, and it was co for college, and no other reason I did it because I thought he was expecting it

Tonight is different though

I a this for Beck because I want to do this for him I want him to have a o was shitty And I want to see him smile because of it and know that so about him in the way that he deserves

"You are too much," he murmurs as he drops his keys on the side table and prowls toward me

He stops just inches away, the light froive him an impertinent smirk "I only put five candles on Didn't want to burn down the house, old man"

Beck snickers and turns to blow out the candles "I' to make you pay for that 'old man' comment"

Beck takes the cake from my hand and turns to set it on the table beside his keys As he turns back to hs "Got anything on under that pretty bow?"