Her eyes are large and innocent, and my brain is flooded with endorphins. It’s the only reason I say yes.
"What did you have in mind?"
Her eyes light up, and fuck, that expression does something to me.
"Baby shopping. We need... everything. A crib. Clothes. I don't even know what we need." She bites her lip. "I looked it up. There are stores. We could go together. Pick things out."
Together.
Like a normal couple preparing for a baby.
Not a forced marriage. Not a transaction. Just... us.
"Fine."
"Really?" She looks genuinely surprised.
"Really. But heavy security. And if anything feels off, we leave immediately."
"Okay." She leans down and kisses me. Soft. Sweet. "Thank you."
"Don't thank me yet. You're going to have to earn this."
Her smile turns wicked. "I thought I just did."
"That was the down payment." I flip us suddenly, pinning her beneath me. She gasps, and I feel her clench around me. "Now I'm going to collect the rest."
"Adrian—"
I take her hard, claiming every inch of her, reminding her who's really in control here even as I give her what she wants.
Because that's the game we're playing now.
She thinks she's winning by learning to manipulate me.
What she doesn't realize is that I'm letting her.
Because watching her learn her power is more satisfying than any control I could force.
By noon, we're at some upscale baby boutique in SoHo.
Sera's eyes are wide as she takes it in. "This is... a lot."
"You said you wanted to shop for the baby. This is the best place." I keep my hand on her lower back, aware of the three guards positioned around the store. Leo insisted on the extra security, and I agreed. I don’t like how we are out in the open, but I am trying to remain in the moment.
Taking Sera out was a calculated risk. But seeing her face light up as she runs her hand over tiny clothes makes it worth it.
"Adrian, look at this." She holds up something small and blue. "It's so tiny."
"He's going to be tiny." I move closer. "At first."
"I know, but..." She presses the outfit to her chest. "It's just hitting me. We're having a baby. An actual human baby who's going to wear clothes this small and need us for everything."
There's something vulnerable in her voice. Real.
"Are you scared?" I ask quietly.
"Terrified." She looks up at me. "Are you?"
