The sound of sweet little girl giggles filled the living room, followed by Hank’s deep voice and his soft chuckles.

As always, hearing my husband with his girls got to me. There was no sound I loved more.

I quickly put the last of the chocolate frosting swirls on the cake and turned to face them just in time. Hank rounded the corner, a grubby four-year-old on each shoulder.

I grinned at Beth and Emmy, giving the twins a little nod, and they both yelled, “Happy Birthday, Daddy!”

A huge smile spread across Hank’s face before he dropped to one knee, lowering his daughters to the floor. The girls threw their arms around his neck, planted a wet kiss on each cheek, then released him and rushed me for a piece of cake.

“Daddy has to blow out his candles before we eat cake!” I said.

They squealed and clapped their hands as Hank moved in closer and I lit the candles. He dutifully blew them out, then I lit them again twice more so the girls each had a turn as well.

We all ate cake, and after a bath, Hank read them a story—and like always, fell asleep as soon as the girls did. I walked in to find him in the armchair, Beth and Emmy asleep in his lap and draped over his chest.

I gently shook his shoulder, and he opened his eyes.

“Let’s get the girls to bed,” I said and picked up Beth. Hank did the same with Emmy, and we put them to bed, pulling the door closed behind us.

I took his hand and led him down the hall to our room. “I had a surprise for you, but I think you might be too tired.”

His arms came around me from behind and he lifted me off the floor. I stifled a squeal, but couldn’t hold back my giggle as he dropped me on the bed and came down on top of me.

“I’m not too tired for my surprise,” he growled against my ear.

He grew hard against my leg and I shivered. “You sure about that?”

“Positive.”

“I’m wearing something special for your birthday,” I said, sliding my hand down the front of my robe.

Hank’s eyes flared, and his gaze dropped down to my chest. “Show me,” he rasped.

“I thought you might like to unwrap me.”

He licked his lips and I felt his heart pounding against mine. In five years, the only thing that had changed between us was that our love had grown stronger. We couldn’t get enough of each other, and I knew that would never change.

He slid his hand down my front, tugged the belt free, then slowly, so damn slowly, opened each side.

“Birdie,” he rumbled in that gritty way that made me wet and hot.

“I’m wearing my birthday suit just for you.”

“I see that,” he rasped. “And you’re so damn beautiful, sweetheart.” He kissed my bare skin, my chest and my belly. He sucked a nipple into his mouth and I arched, a moan escaping. “All mine.”

I cupped his face and he looked down at me, eyes so hot and filled with want my breath burst past my lips. I dragged my thumb over his whiskered jaw. “What did you wish for?”

“Hmm?”

I threaded my fingers with his. “When you blew out the candles.”

“I didn’t,” he said, then pressed his mouth to mine and moved his hand down my body, lower, spreading my thighs.

I shivered again. “Why not?”

He pressed hot, wet kisses over my breasts, my belly, and lifted his head. “I don’t need to make wishes. I’ve got everything I ever dreamed of. The woman of my fantasies, who I love more than life, and our two beautiful girls. Birdie, there’s nothing else I want.”

My eyes welled with tears. “Love you, Hank.”

“Love you, too, sweetheart.”

Then there were no more words.