“Nicholas sent us in to check on you, Willow,” Courtney remarked, casting a scornful glance at Rosemary’s way. “Is she bothering you?”
I bit my lip and shook my head while summoning all of my remaining strength. I didn’t give the disgusting woman another thought as I walked past her.
“I’m good. She is not important.”
Rosemary hissed behind me, so I knew I had her attention. My friends were at my side as I left, and I kept my head up and shoulders straight.
But Lory wasn’t going to depart without one last shot.
“Let’s go. Nicholas was saying something about sneaking out of the party and getting you home.”
No sooner were we out of the washroom than Lory stopped to look at me. “I don’t know who the hell that is,” she started. “But Nicholas was really worried about you and sent us to get you.”
I glanced down the hall to find him standing near the entryway, watching the three of us. He quickly walked over to me.
“Are you alright? Did she do anything to hurt you?”
I sighed. “Everything is fine now.”
We were both startled by a loud crash coming from the bathroom, and Nicholas rubbed his brow before turning to face me. “What was that?”
I shrugged whilst Lory and Courtney laughed in the background. Perhaps Rosemary was having a mental breakdown and destroying the restroom. I wasn’t worried about it.
I grabbed his hand and dragged him as far away from the trash as I could. “Nothing to be concerned about. I want to go home. What is your opinion on this?”
He wrapped his arms around my shoulder. “Yes. Let’s leave right away.”
We had to speak to a few more people before Clara assured us she could handle the rest and told us to take off.
I felt like I hadn’t seen the last of Rosemary.
The days following the reception were generally calm. I had to admit that I liked it more when there was no drama, but I couldn’t get rid of the impression that this was just the quiet before the storm.
It was challenging for me to ignore what Rosemary had said, despite Nicholas’s warning that I shouldn’t take anything she said personally. It was her assertion that Nicholas would never love me that bothered me the most.
I was so invested in him that it made me anxious. I realized I couldn’t suppress my emotions any longer
The constant battle of the pros and cons in my head put a lot of pressure on me. My mind told me to stay silent while my heart yelled at me to put it in line and tell him exactly how I felt.
On Nicholas’ birthday, I got up early, got in the shower, and prepared his gifts for the day. I exfoliated, moisturized, and buffed myself until my skin was completely smooth. I smiled as I put on the gorgeous bra and underwear set I’d purchased the day before. I knew Nicholas would probably rip them off the moment he saw them.
When I returned from the restroom, Nicholas was still asleep. I snuck around silently to the sound system with the special playlist I had made for the day.
I took a few deep breaths to calm my anxieties before I started the performance. As I pressed play and climbed up on the bed to stand over Nicholas, he hardly moved at all.
He soon awoke. I attributed it to my dancing and bouncing, but it could also be the unconscious kick to his side. He opened his eyes and looked confused at first, but finally, a grin broke on his face when he realized I was dancing and singing.
He smiled up at me while placing his hands behind his head. “Oh? You know this song?”
I gave him a quick nod before moving forward and swaying my booty. I quickly realized that I would never succeed as an exotic dancer.
All my dance practice was in vain because he pulled me down before the song ended. He flipped us over and pinned me on the bed beneath him in one motion, making me shriek in surprise.
“I have to tell you something, baby.” He gave me a kiss before saying. “Although you have numerous talents, singing is definitely not one of them.”
I giggled as he tickled my sides. As the next song came on, he arched a brow in silent question.
I smiled sweetly at him. “I chose music from your time period.”
“Oh, you’ve done it now!” He tickled me so fiercely that tears began to roll down my cheeks.
He gripped me tightly as we both calmed down, and I felt comfort from hearing his heartbeat. I drew his face close to mine after a period of stillness.
“Happy birthday,” I wished between delicate kisses exchanged. They suddenly became passionate after my words.
When he groaned into my mouth, I clutched onto his hair. His hands travelled down my body and I sighed when his kisses slowly made their way down my neck to my chest.
He traced his fingers over my bra and inquired, “Is this a part of my present?”
I blinked. “Yes. You prefer red, I believe.”
I considered the red and white polka-dots to be festive. On succeeding holidays, I would undoubtedly bring them out to cheer us up.
He hummed. “I do.” My breath caught as his lips slid across my flesh. “But I prefer what’s underneath even more.”
I caressed his face. “That is also yours.”
“I like hearing that you are all mine.” He carefully moved down, starting with my tummy.
“What?” My heart sped up when he began yanking my underwear off.
“Say it. That you are all mine. Tell me again.”
When he came to rest between my thighs, I groaned and bit my lip. “I belong to you.”
My hips buckled when he slid a finger inside me. His hot breath hit my sensitive skin, making me shiver in the best way possible. I squeezed my eyes shut and tried to hold back a whimper when his tongue joined in on the assault.