Day Six

PROMPT: "Birthday" [one day]

Jada was fresh from the shower when Rafe showed up at her door. "Don't cover up on my account," he joked as she stood there with a towel wrapped around her wet body.

She smirked. "You're up awfully early this morning," she said.

"What can I say? The early bird catches the worm."

She took his hand and guided him into her room. Arching up onto her tippy toes, she gave him a long, slow kiss. Noticing he kept one hand behind his back during their embrace, she asked, "What's that?"

"What's what?" He had a secretive smile on his face.

She pointed. "What's that behind your back?"

"Oh, that," he said, "nothing much. Just a little something I picked up. A certain birdie told me it's your birthday-"

Jada raised an eyebrow. "Oh god! Let me guess. This certain birdie was my sister, Talia?"

"You are correct."

Jada buried her face in her hands. "I didn't want anyone to know about today."

"Yeah, she said you're not big on birthdays."

"No, I'm really not."

"Well, unfortunately for you, I am, and I want to celebrate my girlfriend today, so-"

Jada dropped her hands, peering up at him. "Wait. Did you say 'girlfriend'? Do you say I'm your-"

"Girlfriend? Yes, I believe I did. I think it's about time we put on a label on what we are to each other, Jada. You mean a lot to me. This thing between us … I really like what we have together, and I'd like to see where it goes."

Jada smiled. "Mmm, me too," she murmured, placing her hands on his broad shoulders and pulling herself close to his body to kiss his warm lips once again. "Girlfriend. I like the sound of that."

"I do too," Rafe said. "So, about that birthday gift…"

"Oh. Right," Jada said.

"It will be relatively painless, I promise… Anyway, I got to thinking, what do you get the girl who has everything and -" He broke off and pulled a little pewter mug from behind his back. Etched on the side of it were the words "#1 Best Detective", and inside the cup rested a single, perfect pink rose. "I know it probably doesn't seem like anything special, but-"

"No, no, it is. It is special. I love it. It's perfect to me," Jada assured him, because it was. She didn't go in for those overly sentimental showy types of gifts like large boxes of chocolate and bottles of expensive perfume. This felt right to her.

She accepted the present from him. "#1 Best Detective, huh?"

"Damned right."

"Don't tell anyone at the station. They'll think you're playing favorites." She snuggled into his embrace. "Thank you, Rafe."

"You're welcome. I know I'm pushing my luck here, but can I take you out to dinner tonight to celebrate? Just the two of us. What do you say?"

"You don't have to do that."

"I want to."

"Alright," Jada agreed. They started to kiss, their tongues sliding together. Their kisses quickly ratcheted up in heat and intensity. Jada reached for the knot holding her towel closed and pried it open, allowing the damp terry cloth material to flutter to her feet.

Rafe's eyes went wide with undisguised appreciation. "Wow," he said. "Is it my birthday, or yours?"

She chuckled. She set the gift on the bedside table as he lifted her up into his arms. Nuzzling her cheek, he whispered into her ear, "Happy birthday, Jada."