do you know about that?”
He kissed my hair, gently stroking my arm. “I requested to watch the video.”
Blood rushed to my face, though we’d gone way past the point for me to be mortified. What he’d just done to me was a million times more intense and intimate than my dream at the spa.
Still, I mumbled, “That was kinda private...”
“It shouldn’t have been. You should’ve come to me, right away. I’m your husband, it’s my duty to deliver your pleasure in any way you wish.”
“You see right there?” I twisted in his arms to face him. “If from the very beginning you spoke a little less of duty and a little more of your true feelings for me, all of this could be different.”
“Well, if you have ever asked me about my feelings, instead of accusing me of forcing myself on you—”
“Oh, now it’s all my fault?” I rose on my arm over him as my temper heated.
“Daisy?” he asked in a softer tone. “Would you want for this to be different?”
His question made me pause. Right now, lying in bed next to the naked Grevar, I loved everything about this moment just the way it was.
“No. Of course not.”
His stern expression melted into a smile.
“Come here.” He pulled me into his chest. “All of this is your fault, sweetheart. From the moment you showed up here, my life has been turned upside down.” He kissed my face. “And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
My anger evaporated before it even had a chance to really form.
“You are my dream man, Grevar.” I relaxed on his wide chest. “Being with you is much better than any dream. And the best part is that you’re here to stay.”
Chapter 20
A RAY OF SUNSHINE MADE its way through the garland canopy. It fell on my face, warming my skin and making me smile. It happened every morning when the sky was clear, but something was different today.
I rolled to my back, stretching through the new ache in my body. I was so deliciously sore this morning, after being so blatantly claimed and thoroughly loved by Grevar last night. My smile stretched wider. Blush heated my cheeks as the memories flooded my mind.
I patted the bed in search of him. Not finding him at my side, I opened my eyes.
It was late morning already. I’d slept in. I jumped out of bed then winced at a tug of soreness through my muscles. Today, apparently, I would need to move a little slower than normal. The thought made me smile again.
Grevar and the boys must be up already. Both kids seemed absolutely exhausted after the events at the Zoo yesterday. The full impact of what they’d witnessed remained to be seen. However, it wouldn’t be surprising if they had trouble sleeping after that.
Worried about the children and eager to see their father, I put on a dress from the closet, brushed my hair, and slipped on a pair of comfy flat-sole shoes.
“Omni, where is the Colonel?” I asked, taking one last look at my reflection in the mirror.
The AI’s screen came to life.
“The Colonel is downstairs, in the main room, Madam Kyradus.”
The sound of Grevar’s name when used to address me had stopped bothering me a while ago. Now, it made my chest warm with pleasure. I decided I was keeping his name, if just as another sign that he and I belonged together.
“And the boys?” I headed toward the doors.
“They are downstairs, too. As is Madam Lievoa Kyradus.”
“Lievoa is here?”
“Yes.”
She must have heard about the incident at the Zoo and came to check on her cousin and nephews. We’ll have a family brunch together, then.
With that on my mind, I opened the bedroom door and...gasped.
A humongous tree rose from the main room’s floor all the way up to the highest point of the biggest glass dome. I had never seen anything like it before.
Its lime-green needles were as long as my forearm and as thick as my finger. All possible kinds of things dangled from them, from brightly-colored toys, to gilded tea cups, to flower garlands and wrapped presents of all sizes.
Several drones flew around it, placing more pretty items on its sprawling branches.
“Merry Christmas!” Shouts came from downstairs as I descended, admiring the tree.
Grevar stood at the base of the tree in the main room. The twins energetically bounced around him, clapping their hands. Lievoa smiled and waved at me from the couch.
“Isn’t it amazing?” She gestured at the tree. “I love it!”
“I