Page 197 of Surprisingly Us

“Something like that was bound to happen. This whole thing was crazy, right? You and me, engaged. I’m surprised more people aren’t calling us out.”

His words bring awareness to the thrumming of my pulse.

“I don’t think it’s that surprising, is it?” I ask.

“The beautiful and talented Colette Davenport taking up with an unreliable guy like me?”

I can’t tell if it’s the whiskey or the conversation with Jerrod and his grandfather that have him second-guessing our relationship.

“We’ve already established you’re not as much of a bad boy as you think you are.”

“And you’re not as much of a girl good as I thought.” He slides his hand under my dress and grazes his thumb over the bite mark on my inner thigh. He gave it to me this morning when he ate me out in the shower, right before he bent me over the bench and fucked me from behind.

He’s right. We’re not the people we thought we were. Or we’ve grown together to be different, I’m not sure which is true.

“Your proposal was romantic and heartfelt. I don’t know why people are questioning it.”

The corner of his mouth lifts in a sexy smirk.

“Really? You were furious when I proposed.”

One hand wraps behind his neck while my other hand toys with his collar.

“What can I say? You’ve grown on me.”

He chuckles, then with his hands on either side of my face, he pulls me in for a kiss. In true Rhys fashion, he steals my breath. A minute later, when we finally come up for air, I slide my thumb along his lower lip to remove the lipstick color he now has there.

“This feels right.”

“It’s perfect.”

CHAPTER 61

Colette

After a busy week of rehearsals for the lead role inRubies, I’m ready to have fun and celebrate Rhys tonight.

His birthday party is being held at Brandy Library, a swanky Tribeca lounge that Sophie’s friend, June, helped me plan.

I’m not dressed for the party yet. I was in the middle of trying on the lace crotchless bodysuit that I got as a birthday present for Rhys when I hear the front door click shut.

“Lettie?” Rhys calls out. Both cats leap off the bed to follow the sound of his voice. A moment later, I hear his footsteps moving toward the bedroom.

“In here!” I yell before scrambling into my closet, searching for something to throw over the lingerie. I’m dying to get Rhys’s reaction, but I don’t want to spoil the big reveal. I’m also incredibly turned on just wearing it and thinking about his response.

“Where are you?” His voice is closer now.

“The closet,” I call. “Sit on the bed, I’ll be right out.”

There’s a deep chuckle from the other side of the door, but it seems he’s following my directions and not just yanking open the door to find me half naked.

I shove my arms through the silk robe and fasten the belt into a knot at my waist, then pull open the door. Sitting on the bed looking gorgeous in a dark gray suit, Rhys scans me from head to toe as I approach. The hunger in his eyes grows with every step.

He’s got both cats snuggled up in his arms, but as I walk toward him, he gently sets them down on the floor.

“Happy birthday.” I settle into his lap, wrapping my arms around his neck, before placing a sweet kiss on his mouth.

“Mmm. Is this my present?” he asks, rubbing his hands along my sides before gripping my hips over my silk robe. His nose runs along my jaw until his mouth is against the shell of my ear. “Because I’d like to unwrap it now.”

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