The Stella I Remember

23| Lost & Waiting

"Oh come on! You are the one who posses musical talent," Stella teased. "I can't sing to save my life." 

"So you're saying there's no chance?" I drank the last of my wine before flashing her a cheeky smile. "Not even as a birthday present to me?" 

Stella glanced away shyly before leaning forward over the table. In a hushed tone she said, "Do you really wanna waste your birthday present on a night of Karaoke when I have something a little more intimate planned for us?" 

My cock hardened instantly, completely on board with anything she had planned. 

"Intimate, huh? How intimate?" 

She reached forward and stroked the top of my hand with her finger. The feel of her skin on mine, even just her finger on my hand, had goosebumps breaking out all over my skin.

"Why ruin the surprise?" she whispered. "I much rather show you. Besides, I'm not really dressed for it." 

"I don't know about that." My eyes ran over her body. "You look dressed for anything." 

Stella rose from her chair and came to stand beside me. I was curious what she was up to. I mean, my mind immediately went to the gutter and I wondered if she wanted to have sex here in the restaurant. 

Well not here at the table, but in the bathroom. Or in my truck. 

Both things had me more than willing to strap on my party hat. 

Stella bent over slightly to whisper in my ear. "I'm not dressed for your surprise, because it requires a little less clothes." I stifled a groan when she tugged on my ear lobe with her teeth. "I'm going to the ladies room. If you want your dessert at home...I'm ready when you are." 

My eyes followed her as she sauntered in the direction of the restroom. Fuck. I had a feeling this was going to be a really good birthday. Maybe the first one I could actually enjoy in a long ass time. 

When I saw Tony at the table next to mine out of the corner of my eye, I flagged him down and handed him my card to pay the bill. As always, Tony was quick to cash me out and got it done before Stella got back. I left the waitress a generous tip before putting my wallet back in my pocket.

Stella emerged from the restroom a few minutes later. She smiled as soon her eyes found me. "I see you made your decision." 

I tucked her hair behind her ear before and, as always, got lost in the blue of her eyes. "Only a fool would make any other choice." 

"Smart boy." 

Stella took my hand and led me through the restaurant to the exit. When we got to my truck, she reached for the door handle but I didn't let her open it. I tugged her towards me and kissed her deep. 

She responded instantly, moaning into my mouth. 

If I had my way, I would never stop kissing her. But I wasn't stupid. The longer I stood here kissing Stella, the longer it was going to be before I got my birthday present. 

"Wait," I breathed. "We need to wait." 

"I almost don't want to wait." She ran her finger down my shirt until she got to the waistband of my pants. "But if we don't leave now, I won't be able to wish you a happy birthday the right way."

I smiled so hard at that. I smiled so damn hard that my cheeks hurt. 

We both basically jumped into my truck after that. Both of us excited at what was to come. 

Finally, I thought to myself during the drive back to the cabin. This was the feeling that I'd been looking for all these years. 

Happiness.