It was Serena’s birthday, and her parents and sister were due to arrive in town tomorrow. It wasn’t typical of me to be nervous to meet anyone, but there was no denying I was when it came to meeting Serena’s family.

Of course, I was happy to see her so ecstatic about their arrival. I had never known anyone could be overjoyed with the simple things in life, yet Serena had proved to me otherwise.

The moment we sealed our relationship with each other, she told me she didn’t want presents, only simple messages to remind her I was thinking of her on the nights she wouldn’t be able to spend with me or if I was out of town or at an event, a simple text to let her know that I was doing fine. All she demanded were the simplest things that a man could easily deliver to please his woman.

I was so accustomed to gifting jewelry, paintings, expensive travels—these were the usual presents women expected from a man of my standing, but never her. She had vowed, the moment I gave her jewelry, I could kiss her good-bye.

That statement should be abolished because what happened if I decided to propose to her? What then? Should I be inclined to give her a plastic ring as a symbol of my love and commitment? Knowing how she was, she would probably find plastic much more romantic than a perfect cut diamond ring.

Suffice it to say, Serena was something out of the ordinary, and I truly treasured her little quirks that I found so endearing.

Even though we adored each other to no end, just like any other relationships, we fought, too, though they were mostly about trivial things or when the bloody woman thought it funny to make me jealous by spending time with Archer whenever I was busy doing something.

Like the total idiot he was, he caught on and uncovered our secret. Then he, of course, told our dearest mother, who was beyond delighted to welcome Serena into the family. She even proclaimed she had predicted such event the moment she had seen us look at each other at her birthday party. That night was all sorts of mad for me, to put it mildly.

Apart from Archer’s incessant intervening that night, I had to admit he was a great friend to Serena and hadn’t tried anything foul or offensive towards her. I was grateful the bloody oaf had finally found some manners.

It was wrong to feel a violent reaction, but my brother liked her, as well. Then, when he realized I was interested in Serena, he made it his mission to infuriate me. Although I loved my brother, even if some would argue about that statement, he had this uncanny ability to drive me to the point of no return. Age was nothing but a number to him, so I expected that behavior from him when he was well passed his senior years.

Watching Serena sleep soundlessly in my bed made me feel like I had everything I wanted in life. I probably did, and I reminded myself that I was a lucky man to have her in my life.

We had been inseparable, and I knew, once her family arrived tomorrow, she would be consumed with entertaining and taking them around town. The next two weeks would be quite challenging, but hopefully, we could steal some time away for just the two of us.

Little did she know I had planned a surprise party for her. I hoped she wouldn’t be too cross that I had spent money on her. I had my fingers crossed.

“Cruz?” she groaned before opening one of her lids, only to see me gazing down at her. “Quit being such a pervert and put me to sleep.”

I gave a throaty laugh, aghast and amused that she would say such atrocious things, yet I found her such a cute gem.

“You must know how madly I’m in love with you; that’s why I can’t stop watching you whenever possible.”

She didn’t open her eyes, but she did give me one of those beautiful smiles that went straight to my heart. “I know. We’re in love, and I love you to the moon and back, but you seriously need to shut up and kiss me.”

“If I were any less of a man, I’d be really offended.”

If people only knew how my woman spoke to me, they would be appalled. Hell, the effect it had on me was the opposite. I loved the fact that she was bossy, most especially about the things she loved in bed. I couldn’t fault a woman who knew what she wanted and went for it without any excuses.

She snorted. “Thank fuck you’re not. Now where’s my kiss?” the vixen demanded before pulling me close and scratching my chest with her nails.

“Bloody hell, Serena!”

She was one hell of a woman to be sure, but I wouldn’t change a thing about her. She was perfect just as she was.