“Please,” she murmured, going back to staring all around and admiring the romantic setting. “So Louise and Marie helped you with this?”
“Couldn’t have done it without them. I had some painters come in a few days ago. Louise did all the decorating and flowers. She’s been at it all day. Marie prepared our meal and baked your cake.” He set her champagne flute down in front of her. “The only thing I did was follow Marie’s instructions for heating the dinner. Let’s hope I didn’t blow that.” He whipped off the domed lid and Alice stared down at a steaming, beautifully presented meal.
“Chicken cordon bleu, rice pilaf, and braised asparagus. They both say happy birthday, by the way. Louise and Marie, I mean. I gave them the day off tomorrow—I wanted the house to ourselves—so they told me to be sure to tell you for them.”
“That was nice of them. This is wonderful. Thank you.”
“Like I said, I didn’t do much,” he assured, removing the dome from his own plate and setting it on the serving table.
She reached across the table and caught his hand. He glanced up in surprise.
“It’s the exact opposite of nothing. You planned it all. No one has ever given me a birthday dinner before, let alone one like this.”
His mouth pressed into a hard line. “Never?”
“It’s okay,” she assured, grinning. “This makes up for it all.”
“If only that were true,” he said quietly.
She swallowed thickly, regretting the shadow that fell over his features. She shouldn’t have brought it up. The reminder of his regret when it came to her—when it came to Addie—had thrown a temporary pall upon the magical moment. She was eager to make it disappear.
“I have a little surprise, too,” she said brightly, reaching for the tie on her bathrobe. She stood and went over to a chaise lounge, the fluffy robe falling past her shoulders. She laid it on the cushion and turned to face him, holding her breath. His expression went rigid as his stare lowered over her.
“You said I could wear whatever I wanted,” she said tremulously, affected by the heat of his gaze. “It was one of the things in the lingerie you got for me last week,” she added when he just continued to stare.
“I bought you a nightgown. You’ve turned it into an event.”
She blushed in pleasure. What had he meant, an event? Whatever it was, she knew by his stare it was a compliment. “It fits really well,” she agreed lamely, taking a step toward the table. It was an understatement. The dark blue and silver fitted gown might have been made for her. It dipped very low and cupped her breasts, rib cage, and waist before it flared ever so slightly, still skimming sensually against her belly and hips. An inch of elasticized black lace was the only thing that covered her nipples. The upper mounds of her breasts were fully displayed. Her cheeks warmed even further as Dylan continued to eat her up with his stare. She stepped toward the table to take her seat again, but Dylan caught her hand and pulled her toward him. His stare was fixed on her breasts.
“Turn around. Let me see you,” he urged gruffly.
Arousal prickled at her clit in response to his hungry expression. She turned slowly.
“Hold still,” he directed when her back was to him. She looked over her shoulder. The gown was backless. His gaze traveled downward, making her naked spine flicker in awareness. When it reached her ass, he reached and stretched the silky material over a buttock. He cupped the cheek in his palm and squeezed. Her sex tingled in excitement. Slowly, as though he was relishing the anticipation, he lifted the fabric, exposing her buttocks. He caressed the bottom curve of her ass with his fingertips. She exhaled shakily at the intimate caress combined with his intent stare.
“No panties. You really are going to turn this into an event,” he said. He released the fabric. She blinked when she heard a brisk metallic sound, and then another. He’d placed the domed warmers back on their meals. His hands on her hips, he turned her and brought her closer, opening his thighs. He stopped her when she stood just inside his knees. She watched, holding her breath, as he ran his fingertips over her silk-covered belly. His expression was almost feral. A sharp thrill went through her. She didn’t know why, but she loved it when he grew single-minded in his arousal. A fool might have thought he became selfish in those moments, but Alice knew the truth. His sexual hunger fed her. She loved being the object of his lust.
His hand lowered. He brushed her mound very lightly with his fingertips through the silk. Pleasure tingled through her at his touch. Her nipples tightened beneath the lace. She whimpered softly, and he looked up. The candlelight gleamed in his eyes.
“You’re so lovely.”
“Thank you.”
“I’m going to have to have you. Your dinner will have to wait. Cake, too.”
“I’m very patient,” she whispered, trapped in his dark eyes.