Chapter 4

4

MADDY

December 24th: The birthday.

The pillow is hard but warm and I nuzzle my nose deeper into the warmth. The pillow moves and a laugh above me ruffles my hair. Strange. I ignore the sound, and enjoy that it’s early enough the heat isn’t causing sweat to prickle across my neck.

“If you snuggle any deeper, you’ll suffocate yourself.”

Why’s the pillow talking? I ignore it and rub my face on soft fabric. Hair is shifted out of my face carefully and tucked behind my ear. A finger brushes down the bridge of my nose.

Pillows don’t have fingers.

My eyes blink open in the dim light and squint at the person I’m lying across. “Am I lying on top of you?”

“Yes.” He sounds amused. “I went to get you coffee, and when I came back, you decided to climb on me.”

I tilt my head to look at him, brushing my cheek on his chest in the process. The feeling addictive. “Sorry.”

“Are you gonna drink coffee lying down?” Daniel’s eyes crinkle.

“I’m getting up. Why are you so comfy?” I reluctantly drag myself off him and sit against the headboard. But I don’t go far. Our shoulders press together and he hands me a mug full of coffee.

“Because you’re tired. And once you’ve had coffee, you’ll regret everything you just said.”

I sip the hot liquid and rub my eyes until I see stars. “Probably.”

It takes three sips to hit me. My cheeks heat, and I edge away from him until I’m no longer touching his shoulder and invading his space. And if my hand’s shaking holding the cup, he doesn’t say anything.

In fact, he doesn’t say anything about the last few minutes, just sips his coffee and smiles at me.

“Happy birthday,” he says.

“Thanks.” I finish my coffee and lean to my bedside table to set it down. His T-shirt I’m wearing rides up, but I turn back to him quickly enough I don’t think he sees anything.

His eyes lift from the bedding and lock with mine. “Do you want your present now or later?”

“You got me a present?”

“Of course. The whole point of this is so you relax and enjoy your birthday. How can you do that without presents?”

I don’t know how to respond. I wasn’t expecting this, any of this. Not the coffee in bed, or the presents, or waking up on top of his warm body with his fingers stroking my face.

It’s too much.

“Let’s do it now. You’re thinking too much.” He rises and grabs something from his bag before collapsing on the bed again.

He carefully arranges three presents. One wide and thin, the second short and rectangular, while the third is a large box. The wrapping paper’s cream with tiny flowers scattered across it. Similar to the floral watercolour tattoo on my wrist. I brush a finger across a blue daisy and glance at him.

He shrugs. “Didn’t want something Christmas themed. It’s your birthday.”

I sniff to stop the burning sensation in my nose. Not only has he purchased my normal skincare so my eczema isn’t aggravated, he bought me birthday presents and wrapped it in something other than Santa. Usually this time of year, birthday wrapping paper doesn’t exist. He must have gone out of his way to find something I’d like. Something special.

All for me.

“Open them.” He nudges the widest one towards me.

“I like the wrapping paper,” I reply and take the present from him.

A glance shows his shoulders drop, and he relaxes against the headboard. As if he’s pleased I like what he chose. I haven’t opened the presents yet, but I know I’ll love them. If only to keep the soft look on his face.

I slide a gentle finger under the tape.

“You’re supposed to rip it. Have some fun, Maddy.”

“But it’s pretty.” My finger lifts the other taped side.

“You’re supposed to rip it. If you don’t rip one of the presents open, I’ll be upset.”

I roll my eyes. “You’ll be upset?”

“Yes.”

“Fine. I’ll rip the next one.” But not this one. I lift the last side open and pull out his present. It’s a sketchpad. And a nice one too. I open the cover and run a finger across heavy paper.

“You said you missed sketching on paper.”

How does he know that? “When did I say that?”

“When you got your tablet to work on tattoo designs instead of sketching them. You said it wasn’t the same.”

I stare at him and open my mouth to speak, but he stops me.

“Don’t thank me yet. Open the others first.”

I glare at him but keep my mouth shut, set the sketchpad carefully to the side and grasp the rectangular one.

“Remember to rip it.”

I find the taped edge and lift my eyes to his while I rip into it. My hands wrench the tape, paper tears, and the object flies at his face from the force of it.

His hand fumbles, and it lands on his lap.

“If you’re anything like this at cricket, you’ll never win, butterfingers.” I bite my lip hard at his affronted look.

“Hey! I said rip it, not launch it at my face.”

My eyes close as I laugh and fall against the headboard, clutching my stomach. Something hits my chest and lands in my lap, causing my eyes to pop open.

“Now who can’t catch?” He smirks at me.

My arms cross over my chest. “My eyes were closed.”

“Don’t see how that’s my fault.”

I scrunch my nose at him and look at my lap. It’s a collection of pastels.

“Well, you need something to draw on the paper with, don’t you?”

Carefully, I place the pastels on top of the sketchpad and rub my chest. I assumed the presents would be generic, something simple as a thank you, but they’re personal. As personal as the skincare in the bathroom.

He hands me the large box. “Now, this one is special, and I’ll allow you to unwrap it slowly.”

“Oh, how kind of you. But the others were special as well.” I look at him through my eyelashes.

He flushes and runs a hand through his hair. “Just open it.”

I remove the tape from one side while staring at him. He swallows thickly and almost looks nervous. Green eyes dart from my fingers to my face.

Removing the rest of the tape, I set the wrapping aside and freeze. My eyes jerk to his pale face. “Is this a joke?”

“No, it’s real.”

“I can’t—no, I can’t take this.” I thrust it at him. “Give it to Emma.”

He shakes his head. “It’s yours.”

“No, Daniel. That’s insane. They’re so expensive.” I set it away from the others, away from me. No way can I take it. Can’t accept something so expensive from him.

“You don’t like it?”

“Of course I like it! It’s a fucking LED face mask.”

A breath whooshes out of him. “Then it’s yours.”

“It’s too much! The sketchpad and pastels and the skincare, I can’t take this as well.” I run an agitated hand through my hair, catching it in a knot.

“Maddy, I want you to have it. All of it. It’s shit not having your family here to celebrate with you. If you like it, it’s yours.”

“Are you sure?” I whisper.

“Of course I’m sure. It soothes skin or something.” He shrugs. “Might be good for your eczema. Charlotte at work has one and raves about it—oof.”

I launch myself at him and wrap my arms around his neck tightly. His hands settle on my waist gently before snaking around me and pulling me harder against him.

“Thank you. You didn’t have to do any of this, let alone that.” I turn my head and press a kiss to his cheek. “Thank you. For thinking of me and…just, thank you.”

“Anytime, sweetie. Anytime.” His hands squeeze my waist.

I grin at him and kiss his cheek again, and if his breath catches, it’s probably just because I’m squeezing his neck so hard. I untangle myself from him and lean against the headboard again, and if I’m close enough that my knee presses against him, it’s coincidence.

He nudges the box towards me again. “Put it in to charge and you can use it tonight. But now, we need to go down to breakfast.”

I pout. “I don’t get to use any of it?”

“After the game, you can draw to your heart’s content while you look like an alien with the mask on. Now you need to put your swimsuit on, eat breakfast, and then we’ll head to the beach.”

I shudder, imagining what swimwear Ella thought was appropriate. I was too scared to check last night. “Okay, I’ll be there in a few minutes.”

He grabs bright blue board shorts from his bag, a T-shirt, and with a smile at me, leaves the room.

I put everything on the bedside table and figure out how to charge the mask. Snagging the black swimwear from my bag, I avoid looking at it and enter the bathroom to do my skincare and prepare myself for the day.

All the skincare he bought for me is lined up. Cleanser, serum, moisturiser, and sunscreen. While the products themselves aren’t super expensive, buying them all at once isn’t exactly cheap. They’re full-sized. He didn’t even buy mini products.

He set up the company with my brother so I know what he gets paid as COO…

But he did it for me. Because he knew it was important to me. Knows I love skincare and have to work around my temperamental skin. He did the same with the presents. Spent way more money than he should have. He did so much to make sure I was comfortable.

But somehow forgot about the bed.

Last night, it was all I could think about. Lying still and straight, trying to avoid him, but waking up on top of him… I felt calm. Still feel calm even after the excitement. He makes me calm.

I knew being here would be difficult, having to pretend and trying not to show him how I really feel. Have been feeling for years, but then he went and purchased thoughtful presents.

Always being thoughtful. Thinking of others.

I bite my lip and consider the swimsuit Ella packed. It’s not a bikini, thankfully. They’re a nightmare to put sunscreen on.

But I’m not sure this is any better.

I undress and pull the one-piece on and analyse myself in the mirror. It’s black with ruffles on the shoulders that dip to a deep V shape, with white accents on the seams. The V in the front dips below my breasts and the straps connect above my ass.

Turning, I manage to see the back and thank Ella for not going full g-string. While a cheeky cut, I don’t feel entirely exposed. Not great to do sport in, but Daniel will see me in this.

And the thought of Daniel seeing me in this…

My stomach flutters and my cheeks heat.

I braid my hair and drag his T-shirt on to cover me until we get to the beach, set my ring on the vanity so I don’t lose it in the sand, and leave the room. Time to convince his family we’re dating.

I find everyone in the sunny kitchen, the open doors letting in a warm breeze.

“Good morning,” I say, aiming for the chair beside Daniel, who pulls it out for me.

Emma waves and sips her drink while his parents smile. They had to remind me to drop formalities and call them by their first names. Calling them Cathy and Adam makes everything feel real. Like this isn’t pretend.

I thought pretending to date Daniel would be difficult, but we slipped into it, and don’t have to think about any of it. It’s natural.

It helps that I know his family, even if I haven’t seen them recently.

“Happy birthday,” Cathy says brightly. I smile my thanks, and she sets a full plate of toast and bacon and eggs in front of me.

“Oh, thank you. You didn’t need to make me breakfast.”

“If it’s your birthday, you don’t cook. It’s a rule.” She winks at me and sits to devour her plate.

The eggs are poached how I prefer, and I frown when I see everyone else has scrambled eggs.

I stare at Daniel and mutter under my breath, “Why are mine different? I hope no one went out of their way.”

“You like them poached, so I poached them,” he says and shovels food in his mouth.

I blink at him. How does he know how I like my eggs? We’ve known each other for a long time, but why would he remember something so trivial?

“It’ll go cold if you don’t eat it. And you need your strength because I’m going to wipe the sand with you.”

“You aren’t going to win,” Emma says, exasperated.

“I might.”

“Not if I win first.” May as well join the competitiveness. As soon as the game starts, I won’t be able to control it.

Emma smirks. “You wish, birthday girl.”

“Eat your food and save it for the beach,” Adam says.

I lock eyes with Emma and we suppress laughter.

We finish eating and clean the kitchen while Cathy packs a bag full of towels, sunscreen, and hands us hats.

The walk to the beach doesn’t take long, and Daniel sets the yellow plastic cricket set on the sand.

Waves crash, and children giggle in the distance. The beach is long and we’re in a quiet area, away from the other families and small children.

Our little patch of paradise.

“A bit different from the beach you work at?” Daniel brushes my arm.

“I don’t work at the beach.” He shakes me gently and forces me to look at him. I roll my eyes. “Fine. It’s a little different knowing my studio isn’t down the road waiting for me.”

“Told you,” he sings in an annoying, mocking voice.

He grunts when a sunscreen bottle hits his shin, and I wince in sympathy as he clutches his leg.

“Emma, what the fuck?”

“Put sunscreen on so we can get started,” she says and saunters to the flat, wet sand to set up the game.

I can’t believe I’m about to play beach cricket with Daniel and his family.

I shake myself. “You better slather sunscreen on your sleeve. Don’t want the ink to fade.”

“Of course.”

He removes his T-shirt, and my eyes lock on the bare skin and flick over him rapidly. They dart down his chest, his stomach, glance over his board shorts, and land on his smirking face. I roll my eyes at him to disguise my embarrassment from getting caught and yank my T-shirt off.

That stops his smirking.

His eyes scan the front, following the V down. His throat bobs, and I revel in his reaction. We’re even now.

“Ella?” he asks, eyes locked on my bared skin.

“Yeah, but I quite like it.” I grab the sunscreen. “I think I’ll keep it.”

I squirt thick cream on my hands, pass the bottle to Daniel, and rub it on my arms. We pass the bottle back and forth, cover our arms and legs, our chests and faces, and then we stare at each other, protected in sunscreen. Except for our backs.

We need to do our backs.

“Will you do my back for me?” Daniel asks.

“Sure.” I turn to him and fumble the bottle. “Turn around.”

He turns, and I’m faced with miles of bare skin to touch. I take a handful of sunscreen and rub my hands on his shoulders.

His skin’s warm and he tensed when my hands landed on him, but now he’s relaxing into my touch, shoulders dropping. My hands drift from his shoulders down his back and brush the sides of his stomach to make sure he’s covered.

I pour more cream on my hands and do his lower back, tucking my fingers past his board shorts slightly and rearranging them again to make sure everything is rubbed in before I turn him.

His face is flushed.

“Thanks.” He scans me, following the deep V. “Shall I do your front?”

I swat him. “No. Just my back.” I hand him the bottle and turn.

His hands land on my shoulders, the cream cool on my skin as he drags it across me. Hands drift lower and lower, and his fingers slide to the edge of the one-piece, right above my ass, and sweeps past the fabric, rubbing cream across the dip of my back. I suck in a breath and hold it until his fingers retreat to safer territory.

“Don’t want you getting sunburnt if the fabric shifts.”

I clear the thickness in my throat. “You’re right.”

He’s doing the same thing I did, but having his hands on me, getting to the edge of the fabric when I know it wouldn’t take much to remove it… It’s hard to concentrate on anything.

His hands glide up my back and nudge the sides of the fabric near my chest, closer and closer to my breasts. My cheeks heat and my palms sweat, and I can’t blame it on the sun.

It’s all him.

The heat pooling between my legs. He wouldn’t need to do much. Just drift his hand down and move the edges of the fabric.

Daniel squeezes my shoulders. “All done.”

Except we’re on a public beach with his family a few metres away.

“Thanks.”

I turn around and face his flushed cheeks and accept the bucket hat handed to me and slam it on my head. At least I’m not the only one struggling with having hands on me. Do we need to play the game? Can’t we return to the house and strip each other instead?

“Do the string up.”

My nose scrunches. “Really? It looks ridiculous.”

“Yes, but it means it won’t fly off during the game and will keep your precious skin protected.” He fixes his and steps closer to me until the ruffles on my one-piece brush his chest and my toes nudge his. Hands reach up and push the toggle until it sits under my chin, stopping the wind from dragging it away. He steps back and analyses me. “There. Adorable.”

I huff and move to take it off, but he grabs my hands and stops me. He ducks his head under the brim of my hat and kisses my cheek, bumping his hat on my forehead in the process, but I don’t care.

“I’m wearing mine the same way. It’s a couple’s look.” He links his hand with mine and drags me down the beach to the water where the others have set everything up.

“Fine. But I’m winning this thing.”

“We’ll see, birthday girl. If I’m losing, I’ll make sure you don’t get sunburnt and help you win.”

A shiver runs through me.

Can’t believe his sun safety is getting me hot.

What happened to me?