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.
as hot as magma but his movements were soft as a feather; as if he was handling
spoke with such an irresistible
you want me to
The last few words came out as soft as a murmur, barely
face and just like that, his lips were pressed
his eyes, relishing the taste of this woman. A
hand, was caught off-guard by the impromptu kiss. Her eyes stayed wide open in
he kept his eyes closed, he could feel that her mind was elsewhere
wander, I'll have
instantly closed
was waiting for Rufus. Her stomach had been crying for
to move as far as her body was begging, afraid he might push it too far. So she stayed how she was, wrapped
seducing lips. It was only then that he opened his eyes to gaze upon her pink cheeks and twinkling eyes.
another went off as families set off their crackers in celebration of
on Cassandra. If these families were starting to set off their firecrackers, it must have passed midnight. And tonight, it
to spend my birthday
said. Cassandra was taken aback
is right on the fifteenth day of the first month?
upset that his birthday had slipped
present and worse, it was he that had gifted her the wonderful display of fireworks. Surely, this was backwards.
your birthday? Let me treat you,
and wonder mixing across her face. He felt a little
that. You are my gift," he said,
was indeed the best gift he had ever received and nothing else could compare with how important she was
to get you something,"
turning obstinate, embarrassed at her own carelessness for overlooking
that had received the surprise. He had been so thoughtful and meticulous both times and here she was, not even knowing it was his birthday. She blamed herself.
'She is as stubborn as
celebrating his birthday. Even his father, Horace barely paid attention to the day so he could barely expect Cassandra
thought you already got me a birthday present. What about
as he pushed the stray strands of her hair off her face, hoping to distract her
trick worked as her eyes immediately lit
else. Come and try it,"
grabbed his hand, pulling him down the stairs to the dining room. This newfound excitement casting
at the table, laying out a table cloth in front of him and setting out the tableware. Then she ran into
lid of the pot, the fragrance of tea and
of him, he picked up his fork to cut up a small piece of the chicken
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Vt/4p52SH+i9jQGKp7uRC0u8KVfac5//0VrsERqsqiHRSS7kax06VEpvl5GB44tIMz4b5t4enwtyzOcnMOpUM4je4aY6cdaFvbTLD3/jQBNTlkSJRPt2o5wQPjzrGsqI28pD6vrXdDPlHKgB9hntmyfpm5WamaXGzZNTfCuWCiuWWbvJ+oCBy2htqXIWA3AK52XrOP4Mu5B1Qih1zL0npeZU7xJUYMiFGiZ1Q9fEoZ3mChakjt5L2xCCQsK8djvvQwm5/7KeDPb5hniPcDUlYI28QqQgLNEe641yBskCZOoqRc1niX/3eLVwed3Lc6OvmK1z9It8WZLjmfU0gkxcpqMifkcbn9f1btiVdHJZBlugDvm03nt9mLrdNmttJaH+D8Wj7vgslQe80iKC6dAzE5xMNVwa+SpM6FBj+9X6IQf6AMhxpNlzEwbJDxZrr4gPuCvA2lUUdOkBhOiE+jmN52QsC/6vLlQIr4LvF1KJnNBTLxig6CFY+tLhCaXVR9srNUt0tTC/qXmHrBMeMRbJ4eyUbJY0WEbzay2cGNepnmS9iSvw/7mJTE+lZopMdefOce0jqPn7WROUIWIbkv+bM3Q0bQ4sOOIwsYpEBGE9eAAHvYb1RWVV5C03pDSGw0VG+zxibJTR5Whxi/Temzt3ZN6PKZCkgRD3kYf9B/Vl5LH7J8pQJK3CJGC3ZXUeokNaiwm8rCKgeN2rNifTm26qyXDDdJ5IVLag3l9MuC5QE+08FB1DNQ==
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