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.
hands felt as hot as magma but his movements were soft as a feather; as if
through her and Cassandra couldn't 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
you want me to thank you?"
last few words
smile crept across his face and just like that, his
closed his eyes, relishing the taste of this woman. A feeling
stayed wide open
could feel that her mind was elsewhere from
wander, I'll have to have a taste of you instead," he
instantly closed her eyes.
when she was waiting for Rufus. Her stomach had been crying for food. Before he could finish 'tasting' her, she would probably
begging, afraid he might push it too far. So she stayed how she was, wrapped up in the kiss until
seducing lips. It was only then that he opened his eyes to
another went off as families set off their crackers in celebration of the Lunar
on Cassandra. If these families were starting to set off their firecrackers, it must have passed
glad I got to spend
Cassandra was taken aback by his abrupt confession.
on the fifteenth day of the first month?
was upset that his birthday had slipped right under her
he that had gifted her the
your birthday?
up at him, the look of frustration and wonder mixing across her face. He felt a little
are my gift," he said, cupping her face affectionately.
the best gift he had ever received and nothing else could compare with how important she was to
you something,"
turning obstinate, embarrassed at her own carelessness for overlooking this occasion.
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
sense of love and pity filled him. 'She is as stubborn as she has always
much about celebrating his birthday. Even his father, Horace barely paid attention to the day so he could
thought you already got me a birthday present. What about our
the stray strands of her hair off her face, hoping to distract her from her frustration by changing the
as her
the recipe from someone else. Come and try it," she
dining room. This newfound excitement casting out
him and setting out the tableware. Then she ran into the kitchen to
the fragrance of tea and chicken filling the room, making her stomach
him, he picked up his fork to cut up a small
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