Anja wrestled with her pride for a while and then finally nodded. She touched the pen, sliding her fingertips over the silver engravings. She had always admired the simple beauty of this pen, but now she knew it would forever hold a special place in her heart—not just because it was an exquisite writing instrument but also because Susanne had given it to her. “It’s beautiful, and it means the world to me that you remembered our conversation.”

The tension on Susanne’s face eased into a broad smile. “So you like your gift?”

“I love it!” I love you, Anja mentally added but bit back the words, even though she knew they were true. This wasn’t the right time or place. Maybe there would never be a right time for them. “Thank you, Susanne. I…I’m still speechless.”

Susanne leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Thank you for accepting it.”

Anja softly kissed her lips.

“Hey, lovebirds,” Miri called from the other end of the table. “Your food is getting cold.”

Susanne unhurriedly kissed Anja a second time and then heaped rice onto her plate. “You can test out how bendable the pen is as soon as we get home. Just to make sure this one isn’t as stiff as a nail too.”

“I would do that, but…” Anja leaned to the side to whisper in her ear, “Once we get home, I’ll be too busy testing out how bendable you are.”

Susanne stared at her, then went for her water glass as if her mouth had gone dry.

Franzi reached over with her fork and tried a bit of her sister’s food. “It’s not that hot,” she said once she’d chewed and swallowed.

“You have no idea just how hot it is,” Susanne mumbled.

Anja struggled to not burst out laughing.

“All right, people!” Nobby said. “Let’s toast the birthday girl. To Anja!”

Everyone raised their glasses. “To Anja!”

“And to Paper Love.” Anja clinked glasses with Susanne first, looking deeply into her eyes. She knew she would remember this moment, this birthday for the rest of her life.

Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Anja arched her hips against Susanne’s mouth and bit onto her fisted hand to hold back a scream as a surge of pleasure ricocheted through her. She collapsed back on the bed, breathing hard, and tried to focus so she could watch Susanne slide up along her body.

“Hey there.” Susanne’s eyes held a deep satisfaction as if she, not Anja, had been the one to come twice in a row. “You okay?”

Anja nodded, still a little dazed. “Ecstatic.”

Susanne chuckled. “Good. Come here.” She spooned against Anja, her front pressed to Anja’s back, their legs tangled intimately. Her hot breath fanned over Anja’s sensitized skin, prolonging the pleasure still rippling through her.