He answered his phone after the second ring. “Where are you?”
“Stuck in traffic because of the rain. The meeting with my editor was going so well that we lost track of time and I had my ringer off and...ugh, I'm really sorry that I messed up our evening. Please forgive me?”
“It's fine, babe, I'm not angry. God knows I've been late a few times myself. Just make sure you get home safely. You haven't ruined anything. I just want you with me so we can celebrate.”
She smiled, her mind coming up with a couple of very specific ways she'd love to do just that.
“I'll be there soon.”
When she got home, she hung her raincoat in the mudroom and – determined not to show how tired she was – called out in a sing-song tone of voice: “Honey, I'm home!” She stopped dead in her tracks as she entered the dining room. The lights were dimmed. All sorts of tiny lights were hanging from the ceiling and the table was whimsical and colorful.
“Do you like it?” he said, as he stood at the other end of the table, staring at her with his sexy eyes and a satisfied smirk on his lips. He looked devastatingly handsome with his dark jeans, checkered shirt and midnight blue cardigan. She shivered in anticipation, walking over to him until it became impossible to be physically closer.
“Oh, I like it very, very much. So much, in fact, that I am now thinking of all the ways I want to reward you, husband.”
He laughed out loud and held her tightly and greedily. “Is that right?”, he said, opening the second and third buttons of her blouse so he could pull it down and kiss both shoulders. “I like how you think but right now I must reluctantly let you go so you can take advantage of the bath I've drawn for you.”
Her eyes widened in delight. “You really are going to get lucky tonight, Mister.” She purred and kissed him, biting down softly on his lower lip. His body reacted immediately, and he spanked her playfully.
“Stop it and go, or our dinner will be ruined. You need to eat so you can keep up with me.” He tried to suppress a chuckle.
She, of course, couldn't let that one go. “Keep up with you? Ha! We'll see about that!”
He spanked her again, winked, and went back to the kitchen.
“I'll get you, my pretty”, she muttered, as she walked away, smiling.
Half an hour later she sneaked into the kitchen and leaned against the wall to stare at him. He was singing one of his favorite songs and shaking his hips while he bent down to take something out of the oven. Once he placed it on top of the stove, he turned around and caught her red-handed.
He stopped singing, put his hand over his heart dramatically and whistled. “Be still my beating heart!”
She burst out laughing at his corny line but things like that always made her love him more. He moved fast, grabbed her and began to sing again, twirling her around until she squealed in delight; then, he dipped her and stared into her eyes. “Is that a new dress?”
“Yes, it is. I'm glad you noticed.”
He kissed her and didn't break contact while he slowly brought her up again. She moaned into his lips and he deepened the kiss for a moment, then came up for air to leave a trail of kisses all the way to that spot behind her ear. “I'm glad you are wearing it, wife.”, he whispered and felt her shiver.
She wrapped her fingers around his nape curls and gave him an Eskimo kiss. “I'm starving.”
He groaned and caressed her face softly with his thumbs. “Me too, gorgeous. Let's eat.” He put his hand on her lower back and led her to the table, pulling the chair for her like the perfect gentleman he was. It was one of the things that she first noticed when they met. “Thank you, sweetheart.”
“You're welcome. I'll be right back.” He took his and her empty plates and walked away.
“Close your eyes and don't open them until I say so, please.”
“Really? We're doing that?”
“Yes, really. Are your eyes closed?”
“Yes, sir!”
She heard him moving things around in the kitchen and come back to the table, placing the plates on it again. “Don't open them yet; I'm not done.”
“Don't worry, I won't spoil your surprise.”
Glasses clinked and the refrigerator door was opened and closed. Then, he came back and sat down.
“Okay, you may open your eyes now.”
She gasped in delight and looked at him with a big grin on her face. “You made my favorite food!”
“A well-done, double bacon cheeseburger with sweet-potato fries straight from the oven for my lady... because today it's a 'calories be damned' day.” He leaned in and kissed her. “Happy Birthday, my love. Let's dig in.”
Her eyes spoke a million promises to his soul. “Thank you so much. This is perfect.” She smiled.
“You're welcome. Just make sure you leave room for dessert.”
“What's for dessert?”
“Chocolate ice cream.”
“Wait a minute, that's your favorite dessert, not mine!”
He looked at her mischievously and grinned. “Unless you get to lick it off my chest.”
She laughed and looked at him saucily. “Well...Happy Birthday to me!”
