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said you absolutely, categorically,
definitely did not want a party. I made completely sure it wasn’t just one of
those things people say when they mean the exact opposite, and you assured me
that fuss was the last thing you wanted. So no, I haven’t arranged a party. And
nor has anybody else. Your mother wasn’t impressed.”
    Reese’s eyes were wide now, horror-stricken, and Zach wanted
the ground to open up and swallow him. Homelessness and singledom were in his
near future, he just knew it. He brushed the back of his hand across his damp
forehead, then wiped his sweaty palms on the sheets. “Um…”
    Reese’s expression changed and she burst out laughing.
Giving him a playful shove, she said, “Zach, I’m joking! I’m joking. You’re
right. A party or any kind of fuss is the last thing I want. So thank you for
making sure nothing like that is in the works.”
    Zach continued to stare at his girlfriend, not yet seeing
the funny side.
    “I’m sorry, babe,” she said, kissing him. “I was just
winding you up. Don’t take it to heart.”
    “Uh.” He shook his head, chivvying his brain to catch up.
“Okay. Great. No party, no fuss. So does that mean you don’t want breakfast in
bed?”
    “Hell no!”She winked. “Breakfast is the most
important meal of the day—I don’t think you making and delivering it is fuss,
exactly, do you?”
    The cheeky expression on her face made him want to shove her
back onto the pillows, strip her naked and ravish her. But he restrained
himself—that would have to wait. If he was going to show her some superhero
action later on, he needed to conserve his energy.
    Sending apologetic thoughts to his crotch, he tipped Reese a
wink. “All right, birthday girl, one breakfast coming up. What would you like?”
    “Nothing too filling—I expect Mum will be around later with
one of her cakes. And as much as a party is a no-go, cake is a resounding yes.”
    “Bacon sarnie? Brown sauce?”
    “Perfect.”
    Getting out of bed, he pulled on a pair of shorts before
heading into the kitchen. He made two cups of coffee, delivered one to her and
was thanked with an erection-inducing kiss, then returned to start on a couple
of bacon sandwiches.
    A little while later, they were leaning up against the
pillows and making happy sounds as they chowed down on their sandwiches. “So,”
Zach said, after swallowing the last morsel and putting his plate down on his
bedside table, “you never answered my question. What’s the plan for today?”
    “Well,” she replied, handing him her empty plate, “first,
thanks for that. It was delicious. Secondly, I ought to get showered and dressed.
It’s Saturday, so I’m guessing that means people will be dropping around before
long with cards and presents. With any luck they’ll all be pretty early, so we
can lock the door behind them then spend the rest of the day alone together.”
    “Really? You just want to spend the day with me? I’m
flattered, baby, but if you want to go out, we’ll go out. We could go somewhere
for lunch, go for a walk, whatever you like.”
    “Well, maybe we could go for a walk and lunch, but after
that I want to be here. Just me and you.”
    “Your wish is my command, honey. Now before you go for a
shower, would you like the cards and presents that are already here?”
    She grinned. “What do you think?”
    Rolling his eyes, Zach opened the door of his bedside
cabinet and removed a stack of envelopes and small gifts. He handed them to
Reese, then leaned back into the pillows again and watched her get stuck in.
    Catching sight of his writing, she shot him a glance, then
deliberately separated his envelope from the others. “I’ll save yours until last.”
    “Okay. Whatever you want. I’ll go put this stuff in the
dishwasher.” Collecting their used crockery, he loaded the dishwasher and
tidied up the stuff he’d used in the kitchen before returning to their bedroom.
    Reese’s expression was one of happiness and