"The usual," he said dryly. "Inheritance, money, family drama. He could use some backup." He glanced at her suddenly. "Come with me."
"Me?"
"Yes. Gramps and Nana are coming too. They've never been to London."
Rune blinked, surprised into a smile. "I know."
"Never in London," he said, amazed. "They told me they've never been, and I can't imagine that. How is that even possible? London is just four hours away! We'll take them around, show them the city. Make a trip of it."
She shook her head in quiet wonder, then said, "You do realise this is how people end up liking you, right?"
He laughed under his breath. "Trust me, I have a roadmap for winning your family."
A few minutes later, his tone changed, low and matter-of-fact. "Did you take your vitamins this morning?"
Rune groaned. "Oh no..."
He sighed through his nose. "I laid them out on the table for you."
"I got distracted," she said weakly, “you had your mouth on my pussy. What was I supposed to do?”
"Next time, you need to take them before the oral sex, so you don’t forget," he muttered, but the corner of his mouth softened. "You'll take them when we get home. No excuses."
She rolled her eyes. "Yes, Doctor Albury."
"Good," he said, feigning gruffness. "Someone in this car needs to behave like an adult.”
She reached across to nudge his arm. "You're enjoying this way too much."
He didn't deny it. "Maybe a little. I miss bossing you around."
And with that, the mood lightened again. They drove on, the rhythm of the road steady, the sunlight flickering through the trees, and the future looked bright.
Chapter forty
Chapter 40
By the time they got home, the day had begun to soften into evening. Rune moved about the kitchen while Dorian answered a few emails from the dining table. It had become their quiet rhythm—he cooked simple meals that didn't upset her stomach, he set the table, and by the time they sat down together, it always felt oddly peaceful.
Halfway through dinner, Dorian suddenly looked up. "Rune," he said. "Would you ever consider coming back to work for me?" She blinked. "Are you crazy?"
He smiled faintly. "Possibly. But hear me out. I know you well enough to know you won't be happy sitting at home forever, unless you want that, which is fine. But if you ever get restless... there's a place for you. Tom's brilliant, but maybe you can figure out what you'd like to do next. I could give you an office on the same floor. We could even have lunch together."
Rune arched an eyebrow. "Lunch together? Dorian, aren't we assuming a bit much?"
He leaned back in his chair, eyes glinting with amusement. "Maybe. But it'll give me more time to wear you down into marrying me."
She rolled her eyes, but her mouth twitched with a mysterious smile.
"I know what I want." He hesitated for a moment, then added more softly, "Have you ever known me to give up once I have made up my mind about something?
When she remained quiet, he sighed and asked, "Have you started thinking of names?"
Rune nodded, a shy smile touching her lips. "A few."
"I have some too," he said, grinning. "But we'll compare lists later. I'll let you win, obviously."
"Of course you will," she said dryly, gathering their plates.
