Author's note: This story was written as a birthday present for my dear friend Cindy.
“I had a blast today, Shell,” Cindy said giving her friend a tight hug. “Thanks so much. A girls afternoon was exactly what I needed.”

Shelly smiled wide and glanced at the front door to the house Cindy shared with her husband Petey Williams. “Of course it was,” she chuckled. “Haven’t we done this every year for your birthday for the past few years? You should get inside. I think your husband has a special treat for you.”

Cindy nodded giving Shelly another hug before heading inside. “Petey, honey,” she called hanging her keys up and tossing her jacket onto the back of the couch. “Petey? Where are you?”

She headed further into the house and found a trail of rose petals leading up the stairs. With a smile she followed them as they led her to the bathroom. The door was slightly ajar and she could hear her bath salt jars tinkling as water filled the tub.

Cindy used her fingertips to push the door open. Petey was sitting on the edge of the tub running a hot bath. The fragrance of roses filled her lungs as she stood in the doorway.

He looked up at her and smiled, his chocolate eyes sparkling. “Hey, birthday girl,” he said drying off his hands and going to greet his wife. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her tenderly on the lips.

“What’s this,” she asked inhaling the sweet smell of roses once again.

“I thought you could use a little relaxing soak in the tub,” he replied pulling her over to the bathtub. “I know Shelly probably dragged you around the mall so you could shop ‘til you dropped.”

“That was sweet of you,” she said, running her hands through his chestnut locks. “Will you be joining me?”

He chuckled and shook his head no. “While you soak I’ll be setting up the next part of your surprise,” he replied and kissed her. “So, get cozy and come into the bedroom when you’re ready.”

Cindy watched him exit the bathroom and sighed. Whatever he had planned she could hardly wait to see what it was. She quickly stripped out of her clothes and stepped into the tub, easing her aching muscles down into the hot water. She could feel each one relaxing as she sloshed the water over her exposed parts.

A while later there was a light knock on the door and Petey poked his head in, smiling when he saw her with a washcloth over her eyes. He cleared his throat and she removed it to look at him. A lazy smile spread across her lips.

“Come on in,” she sighed. “The water’s still warm. It feels fantastic.”

“Aren’t you curious about the next part of your surprise,” he asked holding up a fluffy white towel.

She nodded, begrudgingly removing the stopper and letting the water down the drain. She stood and he wrapped the towel around her, kissing her shoulder softly as he did so. He lifted her out of the tub and set her on her feet, taking her hand and leading the way to their bedroom.

Cindy gasped seeing the room lit with several candles of all sizes and shapes. The soft light it threw on the room made their shadows dance and sway across the walls. The effect was very cozy. In the middle of the room at the foot of their bed stood a massage table. She looked at him, arching a brow.

“Yet another way for my beautiful wife to relax,” he murmured, kissing the back of her hand. “And this way only I get to see that rockin’ body of yours.” He smiled and gave her a little wink and she chuckled.

He helped her up onto the table and she lay on her stomach. He pressed play on the CD player and soft, relaxing music began to play. He squeezed some massage oil into his hands and rubbed them together to warm them up before he began to work his way across her back.

She sighed contentedly as she felt his strong hands working over her muscles. She was in heaven. Cindy couldn’t remember a better birthday.

“Turn over, baby,” he said, finding it hard to control his urge to climb on the table and just ravage her right there.

She rolled onto her back and allowed him to finish the massage. She watched him silently as he went about his work. It was evident that this was taking a great deal of self control on his part. She could see the way he concentrated on each movement of his hands.

Cindy reached out to touch his arm as he ran his hands across her stomach. He stopped and looked at her questioningly. With a smile she sat up, dangling her legs off the side of the table.

“I wasn’t done,” he said softly.

“I know,” she replied, pulling him close to her. “I am though and since I’m the birthday girl what I say goes.”

She pulled his face to hers and captured his lips in a searing kiss, her hands running down his bare chest. His arms wrapped around her instinctively. She broke the kiss and looked down at his pants with a frown.

“This will never do,” she chuckled, yanking on the waistband of his jeans. “We’ll have to catch you up here, Mr. Williams.” With that she unbuttoned them and slid them down. He stepped out of the jeans and kicked them away. “Much better,” she sighed, pulling him back to her.

He wrapped his arms around her once again. Her legs locked around his waist as he lifted her with ease and carried her over to the bed. The whole time his lips trailed down her neck and traced over her collarbone. Cindy let out soft sighs and moans as he continued his path down her body, stopping at the places he knew would drive her insane with desire.

The candle light dwindled as each flame burned to the end of the wicks. When they were ensconced in the dim light that the full moon outside their window provided they dropped to the bed. A thin sheen of sweat coated their bodies as they lay in each other’s arms, breathless.

Petey brushed some hair out of Cindy’s eyes and kissed her forehead as she lay with her head on his chest. “Was today a good birthday, baby?”

“It was the best birthday ever,” she replied sleepily. “Can we do this every year?”

He chuckled, hugging her closer to him. “Absolutely,” he replied with a soft yawn.