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“It’s your birthday, but I’m getting the presents. I like how you celebrate, Devreux.”

“Just you wait, Decker. I’m about to show you how sorry I am for letting this happiness slip away back then.” Tugging me toward the curb, she’s quick to grab a cab that just dropped off another couple. I duck in right behind her.

The lights from the stores that we pass flash through the cab of the car. It’s not late, and it’s Friday, but from what I can tell of New York, every night of the week is like this. Busy. Alive. We’re not too far from the apartment, so it doesn’t take long to get back.

By the time we reach the elevator, our lips are locked. The doors open, and I’m shoved against the wall in a kiss so hard that I might just have to take her right here in the hallway. We barely get her door open before our clothes start coming off.

My shirt at the entrance.

Shoes in the living room.

Her dress doesn’t make it to the bedroom.

My socks and pants aren’t on by the time we reach the bed.

Both of us are naked and climbing on the bed like we haven’t been fed in weeks. There’s been no mention of her family since we left, and I’m not going to bring it up. I’m just happy I’m the one she trusts enough to be with.

I never know what to expect when I am with Tatum. She may want to be in control, or she may want me to lead the way. It may be rough or romantic. The one thing I do know is that it’s always amazing.

Our lips pull apart, and she says, “No need to worry about birth control.”

“Guess not.” Hovering over her, I sink into her sweet heat, watching her eyes as I push inside.

She takes a breath and then opens her legs even more as I begin to thrust. “Can you keep your eyes open and on me? I want you to try, okay, baby?” Besides how she looks at me when she sees me first thing in the morning, this is my new favorite. Just as I ask, her eyes stay locked on mine.

We’ve been through so much, but this makes the ache go away. We make love and fuck, but it’s not until I lower my hand between us and rub that bud that she’s sent over. I keep pushing and then pulling back, hoping to send her over into that beautiful abyss.

I keep thrusting until I hear her say, “I love you,” in the heat of passion and then, “Harrison.” Her body tenses, and then her release hits hard. I trail right behind her, falling deeper in love, in lust, and everything in between with this woman.

Lying together right after, I’ve barely caught my breath, but ask, “Can I give you my present now?”

As if she just got a shot of energy, she laughs. “I’m not going to say no.”

I reach into the nightstand and pull out a box. “It’s not a ring,” I preface the gift, hoping to stave off any disappointment.

She laughs. “Okay. It’s not a ring.Noted.”

Setting the box down on her chest, I kiss each perfect tit and then her nipples before saying, “Okay, you can open it.”

Giddy, she takes it, and asks, “What is it?”

Feeling it’s more of a rhetorical question, I don’t feel the need to explain before she’s even seen it.

Laughter rips through her. “Did you actually buy this New Yorker a silver necklace in the shape of California?”

“I did,” I say with all the pride I can muster, which isn’t much since I just gave her everything I had of me.

“Put it on me, surfer boy.” Lifting her hair up, she turns enough for me to clasp the necklace together.

“There you go.”

Dragging the state charm back and forth along the chain, she says, “I love it more than I would have thought.”

I return to kissing her tits and the space between. Looking up, I say, “That’s actually not the gift. I mean, I bought it for you, but what I really wanted to do is take you home with me.”

“Home?”

“Yeah, I can introduce you to my family, take you to my house, which I think you’re really going to like, and anywhere you want to go or shop or see. I’ll even do one of those cheesy Hollywood tours with you if you want. The whole weekend is on me, and I’ll be your personal guide to LA.” I kiss her again and say, “Happy Birthday, baby.”