Cassandra's eyes were wide open, astonishment covering her face.
Fireworks lit up the sky in a dazzling array of pattern after pattern.
Some were green, the sparks raining down like a meteor shower.
Some were purple, glowing like smiling faces.
Some were gold, blossoming out like wild flowers.
And then there were the red, holding their shapes in burning hearts as the entire sky was painted bright with the color of romance.
As each explosion lit up the sky and scattered like falling flower pedals, the dark night shone as bright as day. Cassandra was enchanted.
She couldn't keep her eyes from the sky. Her astonishment slowly turned into jubilation and she couldn't wipe the smile off her face.
The burst of each firework reflected in her eyes and Rufus gazed as each color lit up her shining eyes.
"Like it?"
His voice was so soft and warm that even with two simple words, Cassandra could feel her knees buckle.
"A lot! It's so beautiful. Thank you."
She felt her voice choke, her eyes starting to well up a little bit as the gratitude spilled out of her.
Rufus smiled, instinctively leaning over and leaving a soft kiss on her forehead.
"I'm glad you like it."
He'd shipped the entire set of fireworks equipment along with all the fireworks from overseas but had thought little of the cost. All he could think of was making sure Cassandra liked it.
For Cassandra, the fireworks painted the most picturesque scene into the night sky. But for Rufus, the real beauty was in her eyes.
In her pure eyes, the fireworks bloomed. These were the clearest eyes he'd ever seen in his entire life.
As the fireworks faded into the night sky and the sounds of the explosions slowly drifted away, a sense of peace fell over their night.
Rufus removed his hands from covering Cassandra's ears, making their way down to cup her cheeks. He gently lifted her face, his eyes never wavering from hers, full to the brim with love.
"So, how are you going to thank me, huh?" he asked, a mischievous smile creeping onto his face.
felt as hot as magma but his movements were soft as a feather; as if he was handling an invaluable piece of
never really behave calmly in front of him, especially when he spoke with such an irresistible tone and looked at her with such passion in his eyes. She felt as
me to thank you?" she stammered with
been transformed into this shy, stammering girl. The last few words came out as soft
wicked smile crept across his face and just like that, his lips were pressed fiercely against hers.
his eyes, relishing the taste of this woman. A
the impromptu kiss. Her eyes stayed wide open in disbelief, and she could see nothing but the thick eyelashes of this man.
could feel that her mind
continues to wander, I'll have
instantly closed her
Her stomach had been crying for food. Before he could finish 'tasting' her, she would
help but feel a little embarrassed by his brash suggestion and she didn't dare to move as far as her body was begging, afraid he might push it too far. So she stayed how she was, wrapped up in the kiss until her entire body became so soft that she had to lean into
Rufus pulled away unwillingly from her seducing lips. It was only then that he opened his eyes to
just outside the window. Just as one stopped, another went
dawned on Cassandra. If these families were starting to set off their firecrackers, it must have passed midnight. And tonight, it
glad I got to spend my birthday with
was taken aback by his abrupt confession.
is right on the fifteenth day of the first month? Why
had slipped right under her
him any present and worse, it was he that had gifted her the wonderful display of fireworks. Surely,
do you want for your birthday? Let
looked up at him, the look of frustration and wonder mixing across her face. He felt a little amused.
You are my gift," he said,
he meant it. Cassandra was indeed the best gift he had ever received and nothing else could compare with how
got to get you something,"
turning obstinate, embarrassed at her
received the surprise. He had been so thoughtful and meticulous
pity filled him. 'She is as stubborn
his father, Horace barely paid attention to the day so he could barely
you already got me a
the stray strands of her hair off her face, hoping to distract her from her frustration by changing the topic.
as her eyes immediately lit up.
Come and try
the dining room. This newfound excitement casting out
sat him down at the table, laying out a table cloth in front of him and setting out the tableware. Then
the lid of the pot, the fragrance of tea
his fork to cut up a small piece of the chicken and put it in
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