"Is that all I am? A possession?"
"No." The word comes out harsh. "You're my wife. The mother of my child. You're?—"
I stop because I don't know how to finish that sentence.
You're becoming something I didn't expect.
You're making me feel things I don't know how to control.
You're winning this game we're playing and I'm letting you because watching you win is better than anything I've ever felt.
But I can't say any of that.
So instead I kiss her. Right there in the middle of the baby store with security watching and other shoppers pretending not to stare.
And she kisses me back.
Not because she's negotiating.
Just because she wants to.
When we break apart, she's breathless, cheeks flushed.
"We should get the crib," she says.
"We're getting everything. The crib. The dresser. Whatever you want."
"Adrian—"
"Don't argue. You wanted this. You're getting it."
She looks at me for a long moment. Then nods.
And I realize: she's letting me do this. Letting me providefor her. Letting me be more than just the man who forced her into this marriage.
Maybe that's her strategy.
Or maybe it's something else.
When we get back to the mansion, Luc is waiting in the foyer.
"Brother," he greets me. Then his eyes land on Sera, and he smiles. "And the lovely Seraphina. You look radiant."
I roll my eyes.
"Thank you." She actually blushes. She leans over and presses a kiss on my cheek. “I need to go lay down,” she says, yawning.
Luc and I remain quiet as she walks up the stairs, and I want nothing more than to go with her. I enjoyed our time together this afternoon, and despite how sometimes things became heavy, it was…nice.
Now that we are home, that lightness is gone.
“I’m surprised that you allowed her out,” Luc says. “I thought you had been chained to the bed.”
"We've been shopping for the baby," I say unnecessarily, watching as staff carry in bags and boxes.
"I can see that." Luc's eyes dance with amusement. "Baby shopping on a Saturday. How domestic."
"Did you need something?"
