In fact, it f**king thrilled him.
Laurent Evangelista, renowned international playboy, apparently was shit in bed.
He’d have to be if Elle, who was the most responsive woman Prentice had ever had, didn’t respond to him.
That only meant one thing.
And Prentice knew he shouldn’t ask.
He knew it.
But he asked.
“And your other lovers?”
“My other lovers?” She, again, sounded drowsy.
“Did they think you were legend?”
She laughed and it too sounded sleepy.
“What’s funny?” Prentice enquired.
She cuddled closer, her arm sliding along his stomach to curl around his waist and she settled in, her weight getting heavy as she said, right before she fell asleep, her words stunning him solid, “There weren’t any. Just Laurent. And now… you.”
Prentice’s eyes stared unseeing at the ceiling.
He understood it was selfish, hearing this additional evidence of Elle’s loneliness, but he couldn’t deny what registered deep in his soul.
And he knew exactly what it was because he’d felt it many times before.
He felt it when he first met Elle.
He felt it when they were reunited after their first separation, when he saw her adorable, nervous stutter step while she was approaching him in Fergus’s driveway the second summer she came to Scotland.
He felt it again, only moments later, when she was in his arms and she said to him with such deep feeling, “Not as much as I missed you.”
He felt it when she agreed to marry him.
He felt it when he watched Fiona walk toward him down the aisle.
He felt it both times Fee told him she was pregnant and after both times she safely delivered a healthy child.
He felt it when he moved his family into the house he’d designed and built for them.
He felt it when he read the ridiculous good-bye note Elle left after the first night they shared together, a note that included a PS that there was coffee made and Danish at the ready.
He felt it when Sally woke up from her coma and recognized him instantly.
He felt it when Elle forgave him for his betrayal.
And he felt it now.
And that feeling was blessed.
Careful not to disturb her, Prentice rolled and turned off the light.
And, within seconds of pulling Elle close, Prentice joined her in a deep, dreamless, peaceful, sated, blessed sleep.