Fuck birthdays.

I didn’t reply, glowering at the freshly cooked pastries and berry preserves with toast sitting pretty in a silver rack. Staff milled around, placing plates of scrambled eggs and bacon in the centre of the table.

Frederick laughed at my cold shoulder. “What? Did you wake up deaf as well as a year older, you sullen bastard?”

Tess giggled at my expense.

“That will be the only reference to the date if you value staying in one piece.” I pointed a finger at my friend. “Got it?”

Angelique giggled, glancing at Tess and the gingerly way she sat down. “I take it you guys had a good night celebrating?”

Tess blushed, using the excuse to grab a piece of toast to avoid the question. “I don’t know what you mean.”

Suzette nudged Franco with love hearts in her eyes; at least their own romance kept them from interfering with mine.

Sitting beside Tess, my heart lurched at the black lines from the tattoo peeking beneath her wedding ring. She should’ve kept the covering on for a few days to heal, but stubborn as always, she’d slipped her rings back on saying she couldn’t bear not to wear them. The day I put them on her finger was the day they were glued for eternity.

I loved her sentiment and desire to show the world she was mine—in marriage and harmony. However, I did worry about the healing wound. Later, when we weren’t in company, I’d demand she give the ink a few days to heal.

Plus, I’ll be able to see my handiwork a little longer before she covers it permanently.

As I ladled a selection of food onto my gold-rimmed plate, the conversation switched to what we would do today. Tess stayed curiously silent as ideas were suggested and tossed away; the concept of boat paddling on the lake discounted in favour of scrolling through the movie channel and hanging out in the castle’s converted cinema.

Any suggestion was fine by me. As long as I remained in this bubble of relaxation.

I wouldn’t admit it to Tess, but this…it was exactly what I needed. Getting away from work, our house, the constant strain of our companies and charities. I couldn’t completely unwind, even here—responding to emails and constantly checking for any meltdowns that needed urgent attention. But the rest of it, I could trust to the legion of employees who hopefully knew how to do their damn job.

The ribbing from earlier was forgotten as we all ate in friendly company. Once our hunger was sated and the sun had risen enough to melt away the frost on the windowpanes, we sat back in drowsy happiness.

Breakfast was cleared away while fresh lattes and macchiatos were delivered.

Tess cupped her steamy caffeine with reverence, inhaling the coffee fragrance.

Sun streamed into the space, highlighting her golden hair, glowing on curls of gold and wheat. Her cheeks pinked with contentedness, and when she caught my eye, she blushed.

Even now…after so many years, she still managed to stab me in the heart and grab my cock with a single glance.

I smiled, falling deeper into her spell, unable to look away. I drank in her dainty fingers around her glass, her lips pursing to blow on the hot froth, and the soft tendrils of hair dancing over her cheeks.

I loved how strong but feminine she was. I loved how innocent but kinky she ran. And I adored how she took nothing for granted. I didn’t know if it was her upbringing of being unwanted and ignored, but I surrounded her in decadence and wealth and she didn’t covet any of it.

She only cared about me.

Me.

She loves me.

Even after what I’d done to her last night and all the nights of our marriage. No matter how bad I was or the fucked-up things I needed, she accepted me and cherished every part.

I fucking loved her for that.

For so many things.

And I had to be content.

If I couldn’t give her what I ultimately wanted…then…so be it.

I had enough to keep me happy until I died.

I would appreciate what I had and not what I didn’t.

Tess looked up again, her gaze meeting mine. We shared another soft smile before she looked away and cocked her chin at Suzette, sharing a private, soundless message.

“We’ll be right back,” she said.

Before I could ask where she was going, Tess and my head housekeeper put down their coffees and vanished from the hall.

Where the fuck are they going?

I glowered at Franco, silently demanding an explanation.

He shrugged. Not giving the game away. However, I didn’t think he was as clueless as me—just not willing to ruin whatever surprise the women had in store.

Goddammit. If this was about birthday gifts, I didn’t want any.

Tess couldn’t buy me anything that I wanted more than her.

Frederick chuckled. “I know that look, Q, and relax. We didn’t get you presents. I know how that would go down.”

I relaxed a smidgen. But then tensed again as Angelique smirked. “We didn’t get you presents. However, it doesn't mean your wife didn’t.”

Shit, what did Tess do?

Balling my hands, I did my best to control my annoyance. The padding of socked feet met my ears as I spun in my chair as Tess and Suzette wandered back into the room.

I launched upright, staring at what hung adorably in Tess’s arms.

Moving shyly toward me, she murmured, “I know you love your birds, Q. And normally, I would’ve bought you some exotic feathered friend for your aviary. But the last time I was at your office, I saw something that made me pause.”

Saw what?

What the fuck did she see to warrant this invasion into our lives?