“Can we … cuddle?” Augustus asked quietly as he stared down at me. His lips quirked up—he had a dimple in his right cheek.
It was such a small observation, but something seismic shifted inside of me.
“Alexis?” Augustus’s smile dropped. The dimple disappeared and suddenly I wanted nothing more in my life than to see it again. “What’s wrong, my carus?” He frowned. “Are you okay?”
I reached my fingers up and brushed them across the side of his face.
He closed his eyes, lashes fluttering as he tilted his head.
“You have a … dimple.”
“Do I?” He smiled wide, showcasing the little indent. “I had no idea—no one’s ever said anything.”
He glanced away like he was embarrassed by the admission.
How was I ever afraid of him?
My heart cracked as I realized what he’d just admitted.What did Ares do to you?
Augustus looked anywhere but at me. “So—can we cuddle?” he repeated.
My fingers pulled away from his face. “Of course,” I said.
Kharon climbed in first and pulled the covers back, opening his arms for me. I tentatively lay down, leaving a little space between us, but he pulled me back, so we were pressed snugly together.
Augustus joined us.
I expected him to back in, but he crawled forward, facing my front. He wrapped his arms around me and Kharon so I was sandwiched between them.
“Are you okay?” Augustus whispered, tucking his chin over my head as he draped his thigh over my leg.
“Yes.”
Pinned between them, I’d never felt so safe.
Augustus made a deep sound of contentment, his chest vibrating against my heart. Adam’s apple bobbing near my face, bronze skin close enough to kiss, I gently nuzzled his neck.
Augustus groaned hoarsely, like I’d done something scandalous, and held me tighter.
Kharon sighed with contentment into my curls, his stomach flexing against my back.
Poco chittered, the covers moving as little paws climbed over the three of us. He paused to sniff Augustus’s face and mine, then he wiggled his butt and settled into the space between our hearts.
Immediately, he purred.
“Good night, carissima,” Kharon said. “I can’t believe … this is real.”
I knew what he meant.
“Night.” Augustus yawned and shifted closer.
“Sleep tight,” I said, like I always did for Charlie and Helen.
Augustus pressed a kiss to my forehead.
Kharon’s chest vibrated against my back. “I don’t sleep, princess. But I’ll watch over you … I’ll keep you safe. I promise.”
A gentle zap fired through our marriage bond and it felt … tender.
