�Happy Birthday, Sweets,� Nickolas whispered into Sunshine�s ear, as he stood behind her on Alexander�s back porch. She looked at him a second then looked away.
�Thank you,� Sunshine said.
�Here,� Nickolas said putting one arm around her with the wrapped present. She looked at him and he nodded for her to take it. She slowly put her hand on the present and made sure he felt her touch. He gasped at her touch, but controlled himself from taking her in his arms like he wanted to. She slowly moved the present from his hand and he moved to lean against the banister to get a better look at her.
�What is it?� Sunshine asked.
�Why do you always ask that?� Nickolas questioned. �Can�t ya just open it and find out?� She just gave a little smirk and did as he requested. She got the paper off and looked at the plain white box. �Yes there�s something in it.� He chuckled and she opened the box. She peeked inside and pulled out the object. She held the dolphins in her hand; two dolphins side by side and diving through a heart, and she looked at Nickolas. She looked at him a moment then back at the figurine and she saw the engraving: �Sunshine & Nickolas 2004�. She looked back at Nickolas and he smiled. �It�s 100% crystal.� She looked at him shocked. �I wasn�t sure what to get you, ya know, and then I saw that. I was allowed to get something engraved if I wanted to so�yeah.� She finally smiled and looked at the dolphins again. �I checked out your collection to make sure you didn�t have that one.�
She closed the gap between them and wrapped her arms around him in a hug. �It�s beautiful, Nicky. Thank you.� He wrapped his arms around her in return.
�You�re welcome.� Her hold got tighter. �I was thinking about just giving you me, but I wasn�t sure how Alex would react.�
�We�re just friends.� She looked at her birthday present again, as he rubbed her back and fighting the urge to kiss her. �It�s really beautiful.�
�I�m glad you like it.� He felt her breath on his neck and could feel himself getting excited. He just hoped Sunshine didn�t know. That was the last thing he needed. She had to know what she did to him just being in his arms or whatever. That�s probably why she was doing it. She probably wanted to see how much he needed her. How much he wanted her. How much built up passion he had inside just for her. They hadn�t been together for awhile and he wanted it. That flame was continuing to burn for her and he knew it wasn�t going to go out. It wasn�t going to die no matter how many women he looked at. Nothing was going to kill it. The flame was for Sunshine and he�d be damned if it ever went out. Damn it he wanted her so bad. Why couldn�t he just tell her? Because it�s out of respect for her, dumbass. That�s why? It doesn�t matter how much you want her. You�re going to wait until she�s ready. You know she loves you so that�s going to hold you over until then and take as many cold showers as you need to until then.
�I see I still make you horny.� He came from his thoughts surprised. �Well feel.� Why now, he wanted to know and took a deep breath. He gave a slight chuckle and she looked at him. �Is someone embarrassed?�
�Well it�s just that it�s the most awkward of places.�
�Yeah.� They looked at each other closely. �Perhaps I could help you with that.�
�Don�t tease, Sweets.� She just smiled. �I mean it.�
�Hey, can I steal the birthday girl?� Alexander asked and they looked.
�I guess so,� Nickolas said, as him and Sunshine left each other go.
�Thanks,� Alexander said, as Sunshine put the figurine back in the box.
�I�ll take that,� Nickolas said. �I�ll stick it in my truck until you�re ready to leave.�
�Ok,� Sunshine said handing it to him. �Thanks.�
�You�re welcome,� Nickolas said, as she walked away with Alexander.
Nickolas watched her a moment then started towards the door when Alexander said, �Listen up, everyone! I want you to know that today is my girlfriend�s birthday��
Girlfriend, Nickolas repeated in his head not hearing anything after that and he stopped. He turned to look just as Alexander engulfed Sunshine in a kiss and she returned it. What happened to being just friends? He stood there just staring and not knowing what to do.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
�Hey, Alex,� Kevin began, as him and Danielle got up, �Danielle and I are out of here. We had enough of your crazy drunken antics. We�ll see ya tomorrow.�
�Bye, Bro,� Alexander said. �Sweet dreams of me.�
�Yeah,� Kevin said, as he and Danielle went out the door.
�So,� Alexander said putting his arm around Sunshine and kissing her. She pushed him away and he just looked at her.
�I don�t care for the taste of beer and it�s all over you,� Sunshine said.
�Sorry, Baby Girl,� Alexander apologized.
�Thank you for not getting drunk like I asked,� Sunshine said sarcastically. �I�m tired and I want to go to bed, but how am I supposed to get home? You brought me here.�
�Why don�t you spend the night?� Alexander suggested. �We could work something out.� He started moving the strap on her shirt, as he kissed her.
Sunshine moved his hand and said, �Alexander, knock it off. Is this why you told everyone I was your girlfriend? So you could get me in the sack?�
�What�s wrong?� Alexander asked concerned.
�Nothing,� Sunshine lied. �I�m going home. I�ll come by tomorrow morning.� She got up.
�How are ya getting there?� Alexander wanted to know.
�I�ll either walk all the way to Cocoa Beach or get a cab,� Sunshine replied. She leaned down and kissed Alexander�s cheek then grabbed her bag and walked out.
�Hey, Nick,� Alexander said. �Will you kindly take my girlfriend home?�
�Sure,� Nickolas said jumping at the chance and getting up. �I�ll see you both tomorrow. Don�t do anything too crazy.�
�Whatever you say, Bro,� Alexander said, as Nickolas opened the door. �Hey, Sunnie! Wait up!�
Nickolas closed the door and it was just Alexander and Destiny left. They just looked at each other and Alexander moved closer to her on the sofa. They smiled and then Destiny kissed him; taking him by surprise.
�Was that wrong?� Destiny asked after the kiss.
�I think it should be,� Alexander began, �but it wasn�t.�
�I enjoyed it,� Destiny said.
�So did I,� Alexander agreed.
They kissed again and after a few seconds the kissing started to get really hot and heavy. They stopped for a moment then started again just as fast. Neither of them stopped to think about the consequences, as they made their way to the bedroom.
CHAPTER 22
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