Chapter 111 Suprise
“Well,” I teased, “I have to show everyone that you’re taken by someone incredibly sexy.”
His mouth fell open slightly. I swatted his cheek playfully and stepped away.
Then I bent down to put on my heels.
Behind me, I felt his gaze.
Burning. Watching every movement. A slow smile tugged at my lips. I straightened and reached for my purse. Suddenly strong arms grabbed my waist.
My back pressed against his chest, I froze. Then I felt it, his bulge. “Feel that?” he whispered into my ear. I nodded slowly. “That’s what you do to me.”
His voice deepened. “You drive me fucking insane.”
My thighs trembled. "If we weren’t going somewhere…” he continued darkly, “…I’d slam you against that wall and make you climax in two seconds.” My eyes widened.
My plan to distract him was now backfiring horribly. So I did the only thing I could think of.
I arched forward slightly. My hips pressing against him. He groaned instantly and his grip loosened.
That was my chance. I slipped free and ran toward the door laughing.
Leaving Damien standing there…
Aroused.
Stunned.
And completely unaware that in less than thirty minutes— He was walking straight into the biggest birthday surprise of his life.
~
“I never took you as the kinky type,” Damien teased, a crooked smirk curling on his lips.
My cheeks flushed a deep shade of red, heat rushing to my face so quickly it almost made me dizzy. I swatted his arm lightly in protest, pretending to be offended, though the playful glint in his voice made my stomach flutter.
“Shut up,” I muttered, tugging on his hand.
I guided him carefully toward the entrance of the venue. The blindfold I had tied around his eyes in the car was still firmly in place, and one of my hands rested on his arm while the other lightly held his wrist so he wouldn’t bump into anything.
It had taken all my persuasion—and a lot of begging—to get him to keep the blindfold on the entire ride.
If he saw even a glimpse of the decorations before the reveal, the surprise would be ruined.
And after weeks of planning with Darcy and Richelle, that would be a crime.
“I’m just going to store that information away for later,” Damien murmured, leaning closer to my ear as we approached the doors.
His voice dropped an octave, slow and suggestive, sending a shiver racing down my spine. My grip tightened on his arm. “You’re impossible,” I said quickly, trying to ignore the warmth pooling in my chest.
The grand doors loomed ahead of us, tall and heavy, their golden handles gleaming under the hallway lights. My heart hammered against my ribs as I pushed them open.
The doors creaked slightly.
And the moment we stepped inside—
Silence.
Absolute silence.
The entire hall had gone still.
Every guest froze in place, eyes trained on the entrance. I led Damien toward the center of the room, my pulse pounding so loudly I was convinced everyone could hear it.
“Okay,” I whispered, swallowing my nerves. “You can take off your blindfold.”
He lifted his hands slowly, pulling the cloth away from his eyes. For a moment he simply blinked.
Then he looked around. His gaze swept across the massive hall—and the expression that crossed his face made my breath catch.
It was something between disbelief and awe.
The entire venue had been transformed. Blue silk fabrics draped elegantly from the ceiling, cascading down in soft waves that caught the glow of the chandelier above. The light scattered across the room like tiny stars.
Gold accents lined the walls, shimmering warmly.
Round tables were arranged neatly around the hall, each covered with deep blue cloths and decorated with white lilies arranged in golden vases. Soft candles flickered beside them, filling the room with a gentle glow.
The entire place looked like something out of a dream. Even I stared for a moment, stunned by how beautiful it had turned out.
I turned back to Damien and rose onto my tiptoes, pressing a small kiss against his lips.
“Happy birthday.”
“Happy birthday, baby!” Darcy’s voice rang out warmly. She walked toward us with open arms, her smile bright and proud.
“Mother?” Damien asked, confusion flickering across his face as she wrapped him in a hug.
He had to bend slightly so she could reach him, but the moment was so sweet I couldn’t stop smiling.
She pulled his face down and planted kisses all over his cheeks and nose.
“Mother, this is beautiful, but you shouldn’t have bothered—”
“Oh don’t worry,” Darcy cut him off sharply, waving a dismissive hand. Her expression hardened just enough to silence him. “It was no bother at all.” Then she tapped his cheek lightly. “Now shut up and enjoy your day.”
Damien blinked in surrender, smiling faintly.
Soon the silence shattered into chatter and laughter. Relatives began approaching from every direction.
“Happy birthday!”
“Congratulations!”
“Another year older!”
Damien chuckled under his breath.
More relatives came forward, offering hugs and congratulations. At first Damien smiled politely.
But I could see the subtle tension creeping into his shoulders.
Too many people.
Too much attention.
Richelle noticed it too.
With perfect timing, she slipped beside us and looped her arm through Damien’s. “Alright, everyone,” she said loudly. “Give the birthday boy a break before he suffocates.”
She tugged him away from the crowd, dragging me along. Once we were far enough, she turned dramatically toward Damien. "Your wife here did most of the work,” she said, gesturing toward me.
“You’re a piece of work, by the way.”
Damien shot her a look.
“It wasn’t that hard,” I said, winking at him. “He’s my husband after all.” His brows lifted slightly.
Richelle snorted. “Okay, I’m leaving before this becomes disgusting,” she said, waving dramatically as she walked away.
The moment she left, Damien’s hands slid around my waist. He pulled me close, his arms tightening around me. “Thank you,” he murmured softly.
Then he kissed me.
Slow. Gentle.
Full of something deeper than gratitude.
“It was nothing,” I whispered when we parted. “You deserve it.”