“What is all this?”

Gabe stood proudly with his cane next to a pile of boxes. He looked so pleased with himself, I didn’t have the heart to yell at him. And it was amazing to see him standing there on two legs.

“This is for you. I got it for you before- well, before you left.”

“Gabe! I sent that stuff back!”

He shrugged.

“You’re starting over in a new town. You need new stuff.”

He grinned and raised one eyebrow. He looked positively devilsh. I knew immediately he was up to no good.

“I can make you try it all on. Or you can do it willingly.”

“Make me?”

He smiled wider as there was a knock on the door. He opened it and two men in uniform brought something in. I watched in awe as they pushed in a huge rolling tray, piled high with food.

There was a fruit plate, muffins, a thermos of coffee and three jugs of juice. There was a pasta dish, for me I assumed, and a steak and potato for him. Two side salads and something else covered with a napkin in a bowl.

Oh, and a bottle of fancy champagne in a bucket of ice with two fluted glasses.

“Why did you get so much food?”

“Because I knew we wouldn’t be leaving the room until tomorrow.”

My eyes got wide.

“Oh. So we’re staying in then.”

He laughed and tugged the napkin off the deep bowl in the center. Two huge cans of whipped cream were inside. My mouth went dry.

“I was expecting bread and butter.”

He smiled and started shaking one of the cans.

“Do you want your dinner hot? Or cold?”

I knew what he was asking. If I wanted to eat. Or… be eaten. I chose the later.

“Cold. Definitely cold.”

He grinned wickedly and grabbed me.

“My thoughts exactly.”

Then he sprayed whipped cream down the front of my shirt.

“Gabe!”

“Relax sweetheart. I’m going to make sure you get clean.” He nuzzled my neck, licking some of the whipped cream right out of my cleavage.

“And after, I’ll wash you again just to make sure you’re not sticky. We are going to make use of the big shower.” I stared at him, realization dawning. “Especially the bench.”

* * *

I woke up in the early afternoon. I moaned and rolled over, every inch of my body feeling deliciously heavy. Thankfully, I wasn’t sore.

Or sticky.

That was particularly impressive considering how much whipped cream had covered my body just a few hours before.

I’d been shocked at what he did with the first bottle. But even more shocked that he’d done it again with the second. He’d gobbled all that sweet stuff off every inch of my body.

Literally every inch.

I had sensitive spots I hadn’t even known about. Lots of them. And he’d made use of every one, taunting me with his lips and tongue and fingers for hours.

Yeah… Gabe had an early morning breakfast. Me.

“Wake up sleepyhead.”

“Hmmm?”

“I got you some coffee. And here, you didn’t try this one on but I think it will work.”

He held up a dress on a hanger. It was floaty layers of silk in two shades of purple, one dark and one almost a pale lavender. The fluttery sleeves and shoulder straps were just enough to cover the straps of one of my new bras.

Oh yeah, I had a whole new wardrobe. One that didn’t hide my curves, but accentuated them. And weirdly, I didn’t feel self-conscious in any of the new clothes.

Gabe had already tricked me into accepting all the stuff he’d gotten. He’d made me a deal when I was slightly less than coherent.

I accepted one box of clothes for each orgasm he gave me.

There were eight boxes and I’d said ‘yes’ to every one of them.

“Oh. Are we going out? I thought we should start looking for apartments online.”

He nodded slowly.

“Yes, we are going out to eat. I want to show you off.”

I blushed and smiled at him. For some reason, I liked how possessive and proud he was.

“And don’t worry about finding a place, I’ve been looking at houses instead. Is that okay?”

“Houses? To rent?”

He shrugged. “Maybe.”

He sat on the edge of the bed and handed me a coffee. I sipped it while he kissed my bare shoulder, sliding his hand down my back to my hip.

“Hmmmm, if you don’t get up soon, we’re going to end up staying in.”

I giggled and scooted off the bed. I was pretty clean but I took a shower just to make sure. Whipped cream got in the darnedest of places, and I was pretty sure my eyebrows were a little sticky.

That was probably the one spot he hadn’t licked dry.

I put on the dress and was surprised to find a pretty pair of pumps in a silvery patent leather waiting by the bathroom door. There was even a taupe evening bag with enough room for my phone and a lipstick.

Who knew my boyfriend was so fashion conscious?

I got dressed and combed my hair, patting it dry with a towel. I even put on a little makeup. I nodded at my reflection. There, that was definitely an improvement.

Gabe’s face was priceless when I walked out of the bathroom.

“Tabby… you look…”

I giggled and gave him a little twirl.

“Do you like it?”

His mouth opened and shut. I guessed he did like it, judging from the look in his eyes.

“I’ve never- you never-“

I smiled at him and slid my arms around his neck.

“I’ve never what?”

“You never wore a dress before!” He blurted it out and I laughed. “You’re so beautiful!”

Then he frowned.

“I don’t like it.”

“You don’t?”

“No. You are going to start a damn riot. You are way too pretty and-“

“Only you think that.” I kissed him. “But I’m glad you do.”

And I was. For the first time in my life, I enjoyed male attention. As long as it was from him.

He grumbled and draped a soft cashmere shawl over my shoulders. I was smiling as he led me downstairs to the hotel’s small restaurant. Then I was not smiling.

I was in shock.

Maryann was here. And Dennis and- oh my goodness, Jackie was here all the way from Paris!

I looked at Gabe in wonder.

“Gabe? What did you do?”

He pulled me into his arms and kissed me tenderly.

“Surprise!” He nuzzled his mouth to my ear and whispered. “They’re here for the wedding.”

“The- what?”

I stared in shock as Gabe slowly lowered himself to his knee. He pulled out a box. He opened it and I saw a beautiful ring. It was a simple gold band with a sparkling diamond in the center.

“I love you Tabitha Peterson. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

I nodded slowly, realizing my hands were over my face. I lowered them and smiled at him tremulously.

“Yes. Oh my God, yes!”

He grimaced a bit as he used the cane to stand up again. Then he kissed me and the crowd went wild.

I pushed on his shoulder.

“Is your leg okay?”

He nodded and gave me a rueful smile.

“Yeah, I think so. But I won’t be doing that again for a while.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“Proposing marriage? I should hope not!”

He laughed and kissed me again.

“Don’t worry about that. You’re the only girl for me, Tabby. I love you so much.”

My eyes were full of tears as I stared at his handsome face.

“I love you too.”

He grinned and squeezed my hand.

“Come on. My mom wants to congratulate us.”

“Your mom is here too?” He nodded and I linked my arm in his. He’d thought of everything. He’d done all of this.

For me.

I smiled so wide it almost hurt.

I was getting married.