Placing his own plate of food on the table, he sat beside me. “What do you mean?”
“If I’d never met Michael, I might’ve had a chance at a normal life. I wouldn’t have gone through the portal, wouldn’t have activated my Sárkány genes, wouldn’t have missed out on my children’s lives, wouldn’t face losing my baby as soon as he’s born.”
“But?” He put his hand on my knee and squeezed.
“But I might not have had kids. I mightnothave met someone else. I would’ve missed out on the love I’ve given and received from Anthony and Elias—and Michael.” I smiled at him. “And you.” I took a bite and chewed while I contemplated our situation. “Not to mention you and our people would still be stuck in Galdiart, probably dying.”
“You have much to be thankful for, and proud of.”
“I do.” I nodded my agreement. “Absolutely, I do. I also have much to lament, though.”
“You haven’t had an easy time of it, Riley. No one could argue that.”
“But?” He was about to lay some truth down; I could feel it.
“Your children are alive and healthy. You’ve had not one, not two, but three passionate loves in life. Hopefully soon, four. And the book isn't written yet for that child in your belly. I know you believe you must send him away, but I’m not yet convinced that is the correct course. We still have some weeks, yes?”
Sighing, I nodded. He was perking me up a little despite my determination to be miserable. “You’re right. Let’s see if the Junta makes any headway.”
His words helped, and my appetite roared back with a vengeance. I gobbled down the rest of my dinner.
“Bed?” he asked.
“Yes, please,” I said with a smile. “You’ve been able to pull me out of my funks every time since we met. How do you do it?”
“It’s a matter of perspective. Sometimes we get pulled into our own situations and our own problems and… what’s the expression? You can’t see the garden for the weeds?”
“That works, but I think you’re looking for you can’t see the forest for the trees.”
“Yes, that one.”
“It’s also called tunnel vision. Becoming so focused on one thing that you can’t think about anything else.”
“You never know what the next day will hold. We’ll come up with a solution for this mess. In the meantime, we're safe and secure here.”
We paused in front of my bedroom door. Axoular pulled me gently into his arms. “It’s nice to see you smile. You’ve been so sad this week.” He kissed my hair.
Turning my face up to him, I gave him my brightest smile. “Kiss me, Axo.”
He returned my smile, dark brown eyes twinkling. His eyes trailed down my face until he focused on my lips. His mouth descended on mine, and I immediately opened to him.
Axoular was a great kisser. Not too much tongue. Just enough to tease me and make me want more. If I hadn’t been hugely pregnant, I would’ve climbed him. My hormones ignited with the kiss, and I wanted to drag him into my bedroom and rip his clothes off.
Anthony and Elias were in my bedroom, though. And we hadn’t discussed sex with Axoular, none of us. “Soon,” I whispered when he pulled away.
“Our time needs to be right,” he said. “It’s our first time, and it should be perfect.”
I nodded. He was absolutely right. I had no regrets about my first time with Michael or my guys, but if we could make it great, we should.
“Good night, Axoular.”
He couldn’t have known how chivalrous and gentlemanly it was, but he pulled my hand to his lips, and let his breath whisper across my skin. “Goodnight, Riley. Sleep well.”
I slipped into the bedroom.Please be awake.If they were up, I wanted to use their bodies.They won’t mind.
I stripped down to my birthday suit and climbed into bed. They were asleep together, spooning on one side of the bed. I couldn’t help myself, I giggled. I’d never been much of a giggling type of girl, but they were so cute snuggled up together.
Elias’s eyes opened when he heard my voice. I sat, totally naked, on my knees at the foot of the bed, watching them sleep.
