"Oh my God!" Candice shrieked, pulling me into a hug that left me momentarily breathless. "You're back! and you're glowing, damn, must have been one buzzing beacation!"

The scent of her familiar perfume triggered a rush of nostalgia in me. I laughed, wiggling to break free. My girl had a bear grip. "You're killing me, Candice, I can't breathe."

"Shit sorry." She let me go, her body bubbling with excitement. It had only been a few weeks since we last saw each other but she looked so different. I spotted new tattoos and piercings and she'd also dyed her beautiful afro hair cherry red. "But no jokes girl you're glowing. Look at you?" She gave me a once-over. "That sexy son of a gun who is illegally slash legally your husband must have treated you like a queen."

I grinned. "What can I say? He did."

She scooted closer. "I gotta get all them spicy deets. Come on, spill them tasty beans."

"Well..." I drawled, instinctively touching my neck, wanting to play with my diamond pedant but I remembered taking it off and shoving it into my purse the moment I stepped out of the car because this was not the kind of neighborhood to flash assets in. "It wasn't that much." I settled, not entirely sure if I wanted to share the intricate details of my European adventure with Tristan. It was still a lot to take in. It felt like a dream I could wake up from any minute. It had been a few days since we returned but it still felt so surreal. I grabbed my glass of lemonade and took a sip.

Candice gave me a look and grabbed her tumbler of amber liquid. It was a sunny afternoon and we were at an outdoor restaurant and bar just opposite the park because Candice was on babysitting duties taking care of her neighbour's twins. "What you talkin' 'bout it wasn't much? That fella flew all the way from NYC just to apologize to your stuck-up ass."

My cheeks turned pink against my will. She wasn't wrong. "Okay okay, it was...pretty good, I guess. He confessed his feelings for me; told me he loved me. We had fun, we flew to Italy as well and he bought me a lot of fancy—"

"Wait a second—" She interjected, her eyes going wide. "Italy? He flew you to Italy?"

For some reason, I felt a certain level of pride rise in my chest. "On his private jet, yes."

"Oh my God babes, you're living the IT life. I'm jealous. He's rich, handsome, in shape, did I mention a billionaire? And he probably fucks like a God. Bet you lots done had tons of unadulterated sex."

I almost spat out my drink, flustered. "Candice!"

She laughed. "What? Come on, did I lie?"

I grabbed a napkin and wiped my mouth, utterly embarrassed. "You don't have to say it like that, people might be listening."

"This is New York, no one cares." She leaned in and the mischievous look in her eyes told me she wasn't done teasing me. "Bet my five bucks it was very dirty and very kinky."

I couldn't help myself, I laughed at the things coming out of her mouth. "Honestly, I'm done with you."

She laughed softly and settled back. "It's real good havin' you back, Sienna. Things just ain't been right without you around."

I smiled. "I missed you too C."

"I'll be honest tho. I didn't like that Tristan guy at first because of the way he treated you but now that he's owning up I can only wish you guys the best."

"Thank you, Candice,"

"You're welcome. Now let's order food I'm starving."

I laughed and grabbed the menu.

***

The rhythmic thud of the knife against the cutting board filled the air as I meticulously chopped parsley in the kitchen whilst listening to my mum rant about her day and how much she hated her new medications.

Tristan called and said he was going to be home early so I wanted to prepare something special for him. I didn't have much I was doing around the house anyway and I was just so excited that I got to spend quality time with him because since we returned, I'd seen less of him. We barely had time for each other as he tried to catch up on work and his projects, and also put things in place for Grandpa's big birthday party happening this weekend.

I understood. He'd sacrifice too much time for me so I decided not to nag and give him the space he needed until he managed to get his life back into routine.

"Did you retake the pregnancy test, Sienna?" my mother suddenly asked, abruptly disrupting my peaceful routine. I paused mid-chop, feeling my heart skip several beats. I hadn't thought about that possibility since I got back.

"I didn't, mum," I replied, my voice tinged with uncertainty. "There's no need,"

"You should've."

I resumed chopping. "I'm fine."

"You're not."

"Really, I am."

"There's something wrong, Sienna."

I frowned. "There's not."

"Sienna, I am your mother, you know I'm always right."

At this point, I could feel my mood start to plummet. I dropped my knife with a snap. "Mum just stop it okay? I said I'm fine and no, you're not always right, if not you wouldn't have—" I stopped myself and inhaled deeply. "Just...stop."

Silence.

"I'm worried about you, Sienna." My mother pressed softly after a moment of tension-filled stillness, her concern evident even through the phone. "I just want you to be alright."

I exhaled, forcing myself to calm down. "I am, mum, I am." Everything was perfect, more than I could have ever imagined. I was with the man I loved and he loved me too. I didn't want to ruin the moment by worrying about a possibility that didn't exist. Moreover, I felt better. The morning sicknesses and often urge to throw up seemed to have vanished and although I still felt tired for no reason, nothing else seemed out of place.

"Just take the test again honey. I have a deep gut feeling about this."

Just like you had a gut feeling that Paul was going to be the one. I rolled my eyes. "Alright fine I'll take the test again just so you're happy."

The familiar chime of the elevator echoed in the background, drawing me back to full consciousness. The timing couldn't have been more inconvenient. My boyfriend was home.

"Mum I need to go, Tristan's back." With a hasty goodbye, I ended the call, taking a moment to collect myself before Tristan appeared in the kitchen.

"Princess? You there?"

The door swung open and there he stood in his two-piece navy blue suit, looking tired and deliciously sexy. I rearranged myself, offering a smile that masked the recent turmoil. "Welcome home."

"Home." He mumbled tiredly, striding towards me, and then when he got close enough, he pulled me into a deep unexpected hug. "Finally, home."

His words sent a burst of warmth through me. I flushed. "That was...unexpected." I chuckled, relaxing into his tight embrace.

He buried his face in my neck and exhaled deeply. "You have no idea how much I've craved this all day. The smell of you, it's so...relaxing."

My poor baby. I hugged him tighter, allowing him all the time he needed. A moment went by of him just holding me tight and inhaling my scent. I'd come to realize that it was a thing he enjoyed doing; inhaling me. I laid my cheek against his chest, listening to the hypnotic thump of his heartbeat.

"Who were you on the phone with?" He asked softly after a moment.

Finally, I sighed and wanted to pull away but he caught my arms uncurling around his waist and tugged me back into place. "I didn't tell you I was done."

I smiled. It felt so good to be held, to be loved, to be cherished like this. "My mother called."

"What did she say?"

"Nothing...just checking to see if I was alright."

He cupped my face and tilted it up, his dark tired eyes locked on mine. "You are, aren't you?"

Was I? I tightened my arms around his waist. "Yes."I changed topics. "How was work?"

He placed a tendril of hair behind my ear. "Irksome as always. I missed you so much."

"I missed you too, my love."

With a hum, he ducked down and his mouth was on mine, kissing me softly. I could taste the liquor on his tongue.

"Have you been drinking?" I asked, nibbling on his bottom lip.

"I had a few glasses with Stefan." He moaned between kisses. "We were celebrating."

"What's the occasion."

His hands slid over to my ass and I sighed when he cupped a feel, indirectly pushing me against his prodding erection. "There's good news."

"What?"

"My father's lawyers..." His lips trailed to my neck. "They dropped by the office to officially announce that theyll be passing my inheritance to me."

What? That was amazing! "That's great news."

"It is." He lifted me and placed me on the island's surface. "We should celebrate."

I parted my legs slightly, teasing him. "Mm, we should."

"I can think of one way to." I felt his hands sliding upward beneath the edges of my dress and the butterflies in my belly spazzed out realizing just where he was going with this.

"You're not going to have sex with me on the kitchen counter, Tristan."

He caressed my thighs, his eyes trained on my heaving breast. "Why not?"

I caught his wrist, stilling his hands from reaching my damp thong. "I'm cooking."

"I know, it smells great but I'm in the mood to make a meal out of your sweet cunt."

There he went again with that unfiltered dirty mouth of his. "It can wait."

"Angel, you know it can't, I'm losing my mind already."

I chuckled. He was so hard and hot and always ready to go. "Don't you ever get tired?"

"Of you? Never."

And with that, he lifted me off the island and tossed me right over his shoulders.

I gasped, instantly holding onto his shirt. "Tristan!"

"Ah, brings back memories, doesn't it?"

I laughed. "Put me down you, bully!"

He lifted my dress and smacked my ass. "No can't do. Now, behave my little girl or I might just have to punish you."

My thighs clenched and my cheeks heated. I gave in, grinning like an idiot.

***

Wineglass in hand, I stood by the penthouse window, gazing at the mesmerizing tapestry of Manhattan's night sprawl as I patiently waited for Tristan to be done with his business call which seemed to be taking forever. 

The city's rhythmic lights danced over my figure, casting a warm glow in the dimly lit living room space. Funny how I had become in tune with the urban symphony beneath the starlit sky.

As the city's heartbeat continued below, I felt a pair of strong arms wrapping around me. My handsome lover, silent in his approach, embraced me from behind, his warmth melding with the silk of my night dress.

"Well, that took ages." He breathed, burying his face in the crook of my neck.

"Finally done?" I asked, taking another sip of my wine.

"Yes, and thank you for the meal, it tasted great. Not as great as you did tho."

My shoulders shook with slight laughter. "I'm glad you liked it."

He grinned. "I did..."

And just like that, we stood there together, a duo in the sea of city lights, savoring the moment suspended between the skyline and the starry heavens.

"It's beautiful," I whispered after a while, captivated by the city's nocturnal allure.

"It is." Tristan kissed my neck, his arms, warm and strong tightening around me. "Angel, I have a surprise for you."

Curiosity lit up my eyes as I turned in his arms. His hair was still damp from the shower and falling over his face, he had his sleep pants hanging low around his waist and he seemed to have oiled his skin because those inky tattoos shun brighter in the night light. I licked my lips. How was a girl ever supposed to think straight when he looked so distractingly sexy?

"If you keep staring at me like that we're both going to end up in the bedroom again."

I snapped out and met his amused eyes. "Sorry, sometimes I can't help it, you're just so..."

"Hot," he interjected. "Fit, handsome, sexy, what did I miss?"

I rolled my eyes. "You forgot to mention arrogant and cocky."

A playful smile crossed his lips. "Well I don't know about the arrogance but if you're talking about me having a big co—"

"Okay that's enough, you win."

He chuckled, grabbing my hand. "Come, I'll show you."

"What's the surprise?" I inquired as he guided me towards the stairs.

When we reached the peak of it. He stopped and turned. "Close your eyes,"

I blinked. "Huh?"

"Just do it. I promise you'll love this one."

I gave him a look. "Tristan."

"Don't look at me like that. This gift is different. Very different."

"What is it?"

"Close your eyes."

"But you—"

"Close it."

"Fine." I complied and shut my eyes, feeling a mix of excitement and wonder.

"Are you sure it's close?"

"Yes, it is."

"This way." His hands were on my waist and he was leading me down the hall. Soon we were stepping into a room and by the way it smelt like sex and lavender, I could tell it was his.

"Tristan ...what's going on?"

"Alright, open."

I opened my eyes immediately. I'd guessed right, we were in the middle of his dimly lit bedroom. The soft glow of city lights seeped through the curtains, casting a romantic ambiance. I looked around for a second, trying to find the big surprise but then my eyes zeroed in on a small wrapped gift box sitting on the bed.

Turning to Tristan, I couldn't help but ask. "What's inside?"

He flashed a mischievous grin, his eyes sparkling with anticipation. "You'll have to open it to find out," he teased.

With a playful eye roll, I walked forward, grabbed it, and untied the red ribbon. As I carefully peeled back the layers of gift wraps, I couldn't help but wonder if it held the shimmering promise of an engagement ring.

If it did would I say yes? Was I ready? Was he?

As the lid lifted, my expectations shifted into utter surprise and I gasped loudly, one hand going to clutch my chest.

"I was going to wait to give it to you after grandfather's party was over." Tristan said, walking forward. "But I don't think I can hide it any longer."

I turned. "Tristan..." It was hard to find words. My stomach coiled tight, then hardened like a wall of bricks. "How did...oh God, how did you get this?"

Nestled inside this box was not a proposal ring, It was far from that, nestled inside this box was my practicing license; a laminated card I thought I would never see in this lifetime.

"Turns out the head of the NCSBN and I had something very similar in common."

My hands shook. "Oh my god, Tristan, this is...Oh God. Tristan you did this? For me?"

"I'll do anything to see you happy, princess, anything."

My chin trembled and tears instantly filled my eyes. I couldn't believe it. I...was this real?

"Are you going to cry?"

I looked up.  A tear fell. "Yes. Of course, I'm going to cry. This is too much."

"Come here."

The moment he trapped me within his embrace, I broke and sobbed. How was this possible? How did he... "I love you. Thank you so much. I don't know what to say. You've overwhelmed me again, I don't deserve this."

He raised my chin with his finger, catching my gaze. "You deserve the world Angel and I'll make sure to give it to you."

"Oh, Tristan what did I do to make you love me this much?"

He stroked my cheek, smiling softly. "It'll forever be a mystery."

"I love you."

"I love you too."