Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 89674 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89674 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
“Come on,” I murmured. “I want to see what you got me.”
I didn’t resist reaching out to him, taking his hand as we walked toward the brightly lit elevator with its doors wide open. Beau offered a quiet apology to the security guard, and we ascended two floors, my anticipation growing with each moment. This perfect day was far more than I thought we’d share. Beau genuinely surprised me with a material gift.
With much difficulty, hell, everyone knew I wasn’t a patient guy, I managed to wait until we were seated in the lounge again to shrug off his jacket and finally take a look at the bracelet hanging off my wrist. That wasn’t exactly true, it fit to size comfortably. I recognized the antique silver chain styled in open block links, which I had occasionally selected for myself, but needed to trace my finger along the material that threaded through the chain.
“Is it wood?” I asked, instantly rejecting the thought.
“Yeah. I knew you’d figure it out,” Beau said proudly. “Now what kind?”
I stared at the unusual piece, trying to identify the source. Nothing came to mind as I retraced the grain.
“Black walnut from Sea Springs,” Beau answered excitedly, unable to hold back the response any longer. He was proud of his gift, which made it better in every way. “I bought the bracelet from a group trying to make money to help the Houston flood victims. I saw it and thought of where we started.”
The gorgeous piece of jewelry became the most treasured I’d ever received. “The trees are ones that were uprooted, none were harmed to make this.” Beau covered my hand with his, drawing my gaze up to his. “Do you like it, or was it dumb?”
“I love it. Try to get it off me.”
Beau’s eyes turned doe-eyed sweet, and I leaned across the small table for a kiss.
“Take me home. Let’s finish the celebration in bed tonight. It’s my turn to top.”
He was already scooting out of the chair before I finished the sentence.
“So, no new drinks?” a waitress asked.
“No,” I said. Forward thinking was my new jam. I purposely hadn’t opened a tab, so we’d have a faster escape route when we needed to leave. “We’re done with the table.”
“Got it. Be careful out there,” she said.
Careful was the last thing I intended for the rest of this night.
11: The Anniversary
Dash
July 4
Something in the way Beau’s expression softened while sleeping was incredibly endearing to me. The sweep of his hair fell across his forehead. His strong jawline and wide lips fascinated something inside me. His masculine, rugged beauty drew me like bees to honey.
My head rested on one hand while the other gently moved the swipe of hair off his forehead. Slowly, his eyes fluttered open. Tired confusion furrowed his brow as his gaze sought me out, not that finding me was hard as I lay snuggled against his side.
“Is it time to wake up?” A yawn followed.
“It’s our sixth anniversary.” I raised a festively bowed jewelry box that I’d been eager to give to him for well over a month. However, at this moment, I began to doubt my decision, uncertain this was a good idea.
“What time is it?” Beau asked, another yawn followed.
“I think somewhere around six fifteen,” I said.
“In the morning?” Beau asked, blinking wildly, a hint more awake than seconds before.
“Yes.” A smile spread across my face, aware of how much my guy cherished his sleep. I, on the other hand, worried about missing something important during my few hours of rest at night.
“We’ve only been asleep for four hours. The alarm’s set for nine o’clock. Let’s do this again, then,” he said, turning to bring our bodies flush. His strong arm wrapped around me, tucking me firmly against his chest. A familiar move Beau did all the time, and one that gave me cramps from the different angles my body was forced to lie.
“I don’t want to miss a single minute of today.” I gently placed a hand on his chest, pushing backward to make space between us. “You can caffeine your way through the next twenty-four hours.”
Beau remained soundless, but also didn’t give a long intake of breath, reminiscent of sleep. I patiently waited to see if he’d drift off or choose to wake. It took a full minute for him to make up his mind.
“Vacations are meant to be relaxing,” Beau muttered against my hair.
By vacation, he meant the day before the fourth to the day after, but as busy as we’d been, spending all day and all night together was harder to do.
“It’s only the second time we’ve spent the entire day together. And I’m becoming an older man who needs to properly celebrate an anniversary.”
Beau chuckled, his body vibrating against mine. “Shouldn’t an anniversary start a year after we’ve been together full time?”