Chapter 26
“Wake up, birthday girl,” a low voice murmured in my ear, bringing me to consciousness. I turned over, humming happily as I opened my eyes, Oliver’s smiling face coming into focus.
“Mmm, good morning.”
“Happy birthday, beautiful.” He leaned down to press a long, tender kiss to my lips.
“What time is it?” I asked, noting that he was already dressed in a perfectly tailored navy suit with a thin emerald tie.
“It’s nearly nine,” he answered, brushing my hair away from my face.
“I let you sleep in a bit. I have to get to a Council meeting in a few minutes, but there’s a tray with tea and some of Cora’s cranberry scones from The Snowdrop.
I drew you a bubble bath, put your book by the tub, and there’s a towel waiting for you in the warmer.
The staff has been asked not to disturb you.
I’ll be back in about an hour and then we can spend the rest of the day doing whatever you like before dinner this evening. ”
I sat up, scooting myself to lean against the headboard. I could see the breakfast tray on the desk across the room and did indeed catch the faint aroma of freshly baked scones. Were they still warm? How had he managed that?
“You did all of this?” I had never had anyone dote on me in this way and still wasn’t sure I would ever get used to it from Oliver.
The side of Oliver’s mouth tipped up, his eyes bright. “Anything for you, my love. I want you to have the very best day. Now, enjoy your morning; I’ll see you soon.” He kissed me again and tucked the blankets around my lap before leaving.
My love. Warmth radiated through me and I felt like I was floating at the words.
I reached for my phone, scrolling through a slew of birthday well-wishes.
Dad
Happy birthday, honey. I love you! See you tonight.
Dash
Happy bday, bitch. Love your face!
Birdie
Adelaaaaaaide!!!!! IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY!
Mel
We love you!! Have the very best day!
Birdie
Excited for your bday dinner tonight!
This last message was accompanied by a slew of GIFs from both girls that went progressively more off the rails, ending in one of an old lady spitting out her dentures as she attempted to blow out her birthday candles.
I laughed and responded to each of them as I poured myself a cup of tea and popped a bite of scone in my mouth (I was right, they were still warm) before settling into the bath.
Oliver had clearly been paying attention.
The water temperature was perfect—not so hot that it was scalding, but hot enough that any good dermatologist would have been disappointed in me—and he had used a mix of my favorite bath salts and bubble bath.
My current read was set on the bath tray next to a candle and pack of matches, and my coziest robe was hung next to the towel warmer.
I lit the candle and settled into the eucalyptus-and-peppermint-scented suds, relaxing against the back of the tub. As I reached for my book, I sighed, feeling any lingering anxiety from the last several months leave my body. Today was going to be a good day.
As promised, Oliver reappeared just over an hour later, finding me wearing one of his band T-shirts and nibbling on my second scone while reading in bed, Shadow curled up on my feet.
“Mmmm, this sight looks familiar,” he rumbled, his eyes darkening.
I laughed even as my core heated, thinking of the night in Spain. “How was the meeting?”
Oliver shook his head as he prowled toward me. “Later.” He paused just long enough to take my book from me, marking the page with the bookmark on the nightstand, and moving Shadow to his cat tree before crawling over me. “First, it’s time for my breakfast.”
He laced his hands under my knees and pulled me flat to my back before pushing the hem of the shirt upward, exposing me to him. His eyes briefly flicked to mine. “No panties, hmm?” He smirked. “Well, this is officially my new favorite outfit on you.”
I quirked an eyebrow at him. “Wait until you see—” I gasped, swallowing my words as he slid his middle finger through my center.
“Such a good girl. Always so wet for me.”
“Oliver—” I started but stopped short again. Oh my God.
His warm tongue dove into my core before flicking up to my clit and setting me ablaze.
In a perfect rhythm, he alternated between blowing a soft breath over the sensitive bundle of nerves and sucking it into his mouth.
The juxtaposition of warm and cool sensations sent a shiver straight up my spine and had me begging for more. “Please, don’t stop.”
“I couldn’t even if the palace was on fire,” he said between licks up and down my center.
I threaded my fingers through his hair and guided him back to the perfect spot. His tongue was magic. I swear, when he ran it over my clit, my body sang for him.
“Ollie, that feels amazing. Right there.”
Oliver may have been the one to take charge in our sexual relationship, but I had figured out a while ago how much he loved being praised, how it spurred him to do even more.
Now, I felt him smile against me before he added his finger into the mix, brushing my inner walls. Oh, fuck. “I’m almost there,” I panted.
Oliver slid another finger inside of me, working in tandem with his tongue to bring me closer to climax. This was how I wanted to spend the rest of my day. Forget anything else; my priority was to be here, in this bed, with the love of my life. Making love over and over and over again.
“Yes! God, yes!” I chanted as my orgasm continued to build.
“Not God, just your king,” he said devilishly, lightly nipping my clit with his teeth.
“Long…may you…fucking…reign,” I panted.
The vibration from his laugh pushed me right to the edge. I gripped Oliver’s hair harder, signaling to him.
“Come for me, Adelaide.”
The wave of ecstasy overtook me, rolling through and hitting every single nerve in my body.
Behind my closed eyes, bright white stars exploded, taking me to space and back.
The release of pressure brought me back to my body.
My body went limp and I had a hard time catching my breath and remembering where I was.
Oliver gave a final lick right up my center before he started to trail kisses up one of my thighs and then the next. He made his way up my torso, sucking my nipples into his mouth before landing on my lips. We melted together, falling into the gentle flow we had so easily created.
I giggled lightly, still delirious. “Happy birthday to me.”
“I hope it’s the best yet, love.”
Oliver stood at the head of the table, raising his wine glass as silence fell over the dining room. “If I may, I’d like to propose a toast.”
He smiled at me, squeezing my hand, before looking at the guests gathered with us.
Isobel and Leroy had offered to throw me a large party, but I had politely declined, opting instead for a dinner with my favorite people: Oliver’s family, my parents, Dash, Knox and Birdie, and Mel.
After polishing off a plate of succulent roast lamb topped with mint chimichurri and served alongside garlicky potatoes and tender asparagus, I thought I couldn’t possibly eat one more bite.
That is, until Oliver disappeared for a few minutes, returning with a chocolate layer cake lit with a single sparkling candle.
Now, after allowing everyone to sing me “Happy Birthday” and blowing out the candle, I felt a blush rise to my cheeks as Oliver again met my gaze.
“Eight years ago, you neglected to tell me when your birthday came around, I suppose because we were still laboring under the delusion that you were just my tutor and I was nothing more than your student.” A round of chuckles filled the room as I rolled my eyes.
“But I intend to make up for missing your birthday that year, and every birthday that I’ve missed since.
A year ago, I could not have imagined that fate would have brought us back together and that we would be just weeks away from our wedding day, but luckily the universe is much more creative than I could ever be.
I know I am not alone in saying that my life is so much brighter for having you in it, Adelaide.
The way you pour into others is an inspiration, and my hope for you in this coming year is that you can receive back tenfold all the beauty and love you put into the world. To you, my darling Adelaide.”
He raised his glass toward me, as our friends echoed “To Adelaide” and we all drank.
Oliver sat as the staff moved to slice and serve the cake.
“Thank you,” I murmured, meeting his lips in a soft kiss.
He turned his head to whisper in my ear, “I have a few gifts waiting back in the bedroom to continue the celebration later.” He pulled back, winking at me before lifting his fork, cutting a bite from the slice of cake that had just been placed before me, and bringing it to my mouth.
I grinned as I took the bite. “Oh, do you now? I have something for you, too.” I hadn’t been kidding in my attempted response to him earlier when he said that his T-shirt was his new favorite outfit on me. I had a brand-new black lace bodysuit to wear for him later.
Before he could respond, we both were distracted by a flurry of activity at the other end of the table as Isobel rose from her seat and hurried to follow Louis out of the room.
“Please forgive her, Xavier just phoned,” Leroy explained apologetically.
“Did Alexandra have the baby?” Rosie asked excitedly.
“He didn’t say yet, but I’m sure we’ll find out shortly,” Leroy answered, spinning his wine glass by the stem distractedly.
I gripped Oliver’s thigh under the table. “I hope everything’s okay,” I said quietly.
Oliver placed his hand over mine. “I’m sure they’re fine. Mum will be back in just a moment and we’ll know for certain.”
As if summoned by his words, Isobel swept back into the dining room, her face lit with a smile and eyes glistening with tears. “It’s a boy!” She circled the table, where Leroy rose and wrapped his arms around her.
In moments we were all on our feet, sharing our congratulations with the new grandparents.