Refrain (Soul Series Book 3) by Kennedy Ryan Read Free Book Online Page B

into his chest.
    “Last night?” I twist around to search his face. “But I thought . . . but you . . . huh?”
    “The extra day was for the flight to Glory Falls. Had to pick up some precious cargo.” He squeezes my sides lightly. “Surprised?”
    I swallow back emotion scorching the inside of my throat. I wondered why he took an extra day in New York. I pouted over him spending today of all days on his “appointments” instead of with me. I resented not having his full attention all the way here, and apparently . . . it was all for me. All to make this birthday this special.
    “I can’t believe you did all this.” I hook my arms behind his neck, straining up and into him. “Thank you.”
    He tightens his hands at my waist, easily lifting until my feet aren’t quite on the ground anymore.
    “I wish every day was your birthday,” he whispers over my lips. “It’d give me an excuse to show you what you mean to me all the time.”
    A man this closed off from most people, a man with so little reason to trust, opens himself to me every day and trusts me with everything he owns. Trusts me with his home and his heart. And yes, even though he may not be hearing wedding bells quite yet, he trusts me with his future. It overwhelms me, the privilege of his love. And even with Aunt Ruthie right behind me and dozens of eyes on us, I don’t even care. I wriggle closer to him, wind my fingers in the cool strands of his hair and capture his lips between mine. And it’s not a cute kiss. It’s ravishment, a battle waged with lips and teeth and tongue. As glad as I am to have all our friends here, I couldn’t care less if everyone else just walked right off into the glorious sunset and left me and this man to celebrate alone in each other’s arms.
    He laughs against my lips, slowly dripping my body down the front of his until my stilettos touch the floor again.
    “Damn, Pep.” His voice is husky and a small smile rests on lips faintly red with my lipstick. Lust lingers in his eyes. “Save some for later.”
    I laugh a little self-consciously and wipe the lipstick from his mouth. I start to pull away, but Rhyson bends to whisper in my ear, holding me still in front of him.
    “You might, uh, wanna just stand here for a second unless you want this boner poking Aunt Ruthie in the eye.”
    I drop my head to his chest and giggle, but stand there obediently until he releases me to greet the people waiting to wish me a happy birthday.
    It’s a beautiful night in every way. Candles and champagne flutes grace a long wooden table draped with linen. Steak and seafood and fresh vegetables and luscious fruit lay heavy on the plates at each seat. Lights wrap around the trees sprouting right up through the wooden deck floor, embracing the trunks and sprinkling through the leaves that canopy our celebration. I’m stuffed and happy, eating the delicious food, chatting and laughing with people as they come by where I sit with Rhyson, our hands linked under the table.
    “Did you both know about this?” I split a look of mock censure between Bristol and Ella.
    “Yes,” they answer in unison, laughing.
    “I thought I would bust helping you get ready for tonight,” Ella admits. “When you called and asked me to come over, I just knew I wouldn’t be able to keep the secret all afternoon.”
    “I never suspected.” I glance at Bristol. “And you never let on either.”
    “We were sworn to secrecy under threat of death.” Bristol nods to Rhyson beside me. “He wouldn’t let me do anything. He wanted to handle everything himself. Good job, brother.”
    Rhyson glances at me with a small smile and then away.
    “And you’re the worst at keeping secrets, San.” I punch him in the shoulder, seated beside me. “I can’t believe you never let on. Were you ever even in Turks?”
    “Yeah.” San takes a sip of his white wine. “Gotta be back tomorrow. Rhyson flew me in just for the night.”
    “For the night?” I turn a