As I roll out of bed, he asks, “Do you need me to help you?”
“I haven’t needed you the past three times this morning, so why do you think I’d need you on this one?”
“You keep giving me that attitude, and I might help you to the floor.”
I shoot him a look over my shoulder, and his cute smirk shifts into a full-on grin.
I plant my feet on the floor, and Logan says, “You did that so good. You’re so brave,” in the most patronizing tone. Undoubtedly, this is his revenge for my stubbornness.
“Are you practicing being obnoxious for when we’re old and gray?” I tease, though the past week has made me think about how much I want to grow old and gray with this man who opened my heart and soul in a way I never could have expected. We were fire and kerosene coming together; now we’re one magnificent explosion, our souls intertwined in a searing bliss.
“Oh, are you young all of a sudden?” he jibes. “Besides, you really didn’t think I’d be a bit of an obnoxious husband?”
“Eh, I had some indications.”
Logan rolls his eyes, looking as adorable as ever, and even the thought of him nagging me for the rest of my life feels like a gift. According to my MRI, had the bullet been a few millimeters to the left, it would have nailed an artery, and I wouldn’t have made it out of the house, let alone to the Center for treatment. But despite what a literal pain in the chest it’s been, I don’t love having Logan waiting on me hand and foot. Tending to my every need. Reminding me why it was so easy to fall in love with him.
“You mind if we visit the greenhouse?” I ask. His shoulders tense, so I try to reassure him. “If it’s too much for me, we’ll come back.” It’s been more than I could handle on our attempts so far, but I have a good feeling about today. “And we can take the elevator.”
I rarely use it, but since I want to do more than pace up and down this hall, it’s the best way to get around the house.
Logan reluctantly consents, and we start on our journey. On our way through the house, I ask, “Where is everyone today? Seems unusually quiet.”
“Rage had to deal with another distribution, and obviously he’s not planning on being short-staffed again. Wrath is finalizing details on our deal with the Raiders. Masters is catching up on bookkeeping. And Malaki and Rory returned to school yesterday, so it’s just the two of us, aside from staff and security.”
Minus Jaime, who was rewarded with a few weeks of time off, to allow him to fully recover physically and mentally.
“Just the two of us, huh? Maybe it’s about time I have my way with my husband.” I sneak him a look, and his cheeks pinken. “I still need to force you to submit to me.” I can’t help but laugh at that.
“How are you laughing at that when you were so serious about dominating me before?”
“I guess now that I know you’re totally mine, not resisting, it feels like little more than roleplay.”
He spins around, walking backward a few steps ahead of me. “And who said I won’t be resisting? Can’t you tell I like that?”
I grit my teeth, releasing a low growl as my cock firms in my crotch, something that Logan notices.
“Careful what you ask for, Log. You know we still haven’t consummated the relationship.”
“You sound agitated.”
“I’m very agitated about it,” I admit, which makes him smile.
He turns away from me, like he’s trying to tempt me with that ass. I clench my fist, restraining the urge to pounce.
“Don’t forget, you must pace yourself. Doctor’s orders,” he says, reading my mind, but he’s right.
I’m a good boy as we head into the greenhouse, and I’m relieved to see my friends, including Willie, at the birdbath. Logan had assured me they were okay, but it’s better getting to see them for myself. Knowing they’re still eating and healthy.
I walk through the garden, inspecting my precious babies. “My plants don’t look as happy as the last time I saw them,” I say, disappointed, as we make our way along the main path.
“Rage and I did everything on your list,” Logan says defensively, which catches me by surprise.
“I didn’t mean it like that. I know you did your best, but it’s like they missed me. Or were worried about me. Odd thing tosay about plants, isn’t it? But it was like that after Old Terror passed. I did all the right things, but it was like they missed his presence, the sound of his voice. His magical touch and talent in the garden. Took me a long time to breathe life into them again.”
We settle in the gazebo, and I take in the familiar sight from inside, appreciating how lucky I am to get to view it again, with Logan by my side.
He notices the way I’m looking at him and squints. “What?”
