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.
were soft as a feather;
help but feel a little unsettled. She could 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 though she might fall down at any time, melting into a pool of liquid
How do you want me to thank you?" she stammered
few words came out as
his face and just like that,
relishing the taste of this woman. A feeling of contentment filled his body.
kiss. Her eyes stayed wide open in disbelief, and she could see nothing
eyes closed, he could feel that her mind was elsewhere from the kiss
if your mind continues to wander, I'll have to have a
closed
Her stomach had been crying for food. Before he could finish
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
After what felt like a century, Rufus pulled away unwillingly from her seducing lips. It was only then
one stopped, another went off as families set off their crackers in
to set off their firecrackers, it must have passed midnight. And tonight, it
spend my
said. Cassandra was taken aback by his abrupt confession.
day of the first month? Why
was upset that his birthday had slipped
was he that had gifted her the wonderful display of fireworks. Surely,
do you want for your birthday? Let
look of frustration and wonder mixing across her face.
my gift," he said, cupping her face
ever received and nothing else could compare with how
I've got to get you something," she insisted.
was turning obstinate, embarrassed at her own carelessness for overlooking this
wonderful surprise for her and yet now on his birthday, it was her again that had received the surprise. He had been so thoughtful and meticulous both times and here she was, not even knowing it
him. 'She is as
he didn't care much about celebrating his birthday. Even his father, Horace barely paid attention to the day so he could barely expect
me a birthday present.
pushed the stray strands of her hair off her face, hoping
her eyes immediately
the recipe from someone else. Come and try it," she exclaimed in
dining room. This newfound
setting out the tableware. Then she ran into the kitchen to prepare the tea stew chicken she had
tea and chicken filling the room, making her
smile. As she sat the chicken in front of him, he picked up his fork to cut
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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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