Page 26 of Heat & Hard Candies

“Yes. Or what do you see our future looking like?”

His lips curved upward. “I see you focusing on your research. You grumbling at me when I insist on going with you to your university’s library. Me working on my computer, in the chair next to yours.”

I bit my lip, hope blossoming in my chest.

“I see myself dragging you out of there for food when you’re so focused that you try to dodge meals. Us watching movies together at night, and getting together with the family for board games or card games once a week. Maybe twice, if you really like them.”

He captured my hand with his free one. “I see us sneaking into the library’s bathroom to fuck after I’ve watched you bite your lip like that too many times. Or after you read something that turns you on. I see us having lazy morning sex, and hot afternoon sex. All of the sex, actually.”

I laughed. “Allof the sex?”

“All of it,” he agreed, grinning. “Mostly, I just see us together, living life. Enjoying the little things. Even grocery shopping.”

“You actually shop for your own groceries?” My eyebrows shot upward. “I was under the impression you’re crazy rich.”

“Even crazy rich people shop for their own groceries.” He saw the skepticism in my gaze, and laughed. “Sometimes.”

“That’s more like it. You probably just run to the store now and then for one little thing.”

“Alright, you caught me. That can still be fun though.”

“I believe you. Is there anything else you see?” I took another bite of my food.

“I see you eventually growing a baby for us.” He patted my very flat, verynot pregnantstomach.

I snorted, smacking his hand away. “If we ever get lucky enough. Some fae couples never have kids, right?”

“The luck strikes most people eventually. It’ll work for us at some point.” He grabbed a chunk of pineapple I’d left on my plate. I didn’t like pineapple, but it was mixed into the fruit bowl so there was no avoiding it. Kyle knew that, and knew I had no problem with him pulling things off my plate. It was just food.

“I hope so.” I stole a grape off his plate. He’d saved them for me, even though I knew he liked them too. Maybe that was a sign of love, or at least attachment.

Then again, what was love if it wasn’t attachment?

“What if I’m a terrible baby-incubator, and it never happens?” I asked, suddenly a little self-conscious. I had no control over my reproductive system. It could be a piece of shit for all I knew.

“Then we’ll have a lot more free time to read books, play board games, and have all the sex.” He took another piece of pineapple. “Life is good, even when it throws shit at us. We’ll wade through the crap together, and have fun doing it.”

I loved that perspective.

“I can’t believe none of the other women who played Survival picked you. They’re ridiculously stupid,” I said.

He laughed. “I’m glad they didn’t. I wouldn’t be anywhere near as happy with them as I am with you.”

“Liar. You just said you’ll be happy no matter what.”

“Assuming I have the world’s most beautiful mate, who loves reading sexy books. And informing me of all the ways we could have sex if we lived in an alternate universe, yes. I’ll be happy no matter what we go through.”

I rolled my eyes. “The other women were beautiful too.”

“In their own way, sure. None of them did it for me the way you do, though. I’d go through six months of this island hell all over again for you and that pretty little ass.”

My face burned, but I couldn’t hide my grin. “You’re ridiculous.”

“It’s fun to be ridiculous.” He grabbed more pineapple. “What doyousee in our future?”

“All the things you see. Research. Working together. Reading. Fun. I might like to travel a little, after I’ve recovered from thisisland hell.”

He grinned back at me. “I’ve never traveled much. Focused on work for the majority of my life. We can explore new places together.”

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