Page 186 of The Plan

I bite back a laugh, and Sire’s jaw clenches again.

“Are you playing the staring contest? Mami won. Can I play next?”

I give Sire a cocky smile, but he still doesn’t give in and doesn’t look away.

“No, you can’t.” Sire somehow stares harder. “I’ll talk to you about today's behavior later, Agustín.” I try my best to stop smiling because I don’t want my kid to think I’m laughing at him for being in trouble when I’m really laughing at his dad’s struggles with self-control.

“Am I in trouble for breaking the sunny flower?” Agustín sighs, then adds, “And throwing the mac and cheese?”

“Hablamos ahorita.” With that, I hear little Agustín’s footsteps walking back down the hall, and then Sire shuts the door and locks it.

I wait for him to do something, but he only leans against it and stares at me. “I was expecting you to start ripping my clothes or something after locking the door?”

He grins as he shakes his head. “We’re keeping sex from each other, remember?”

“Yeah, but—”

“No buts, Vidia.” I swallow at the way he says my name again, but my throat feels dry, and I feel like I’m burning under his stare. “You know, I actually like this idea.” He pushes off the door and slowly walks to me, like a lion stalking its prey. I go still as he keeps his heated gaze on me, softly moving my hair from my neck.

“You’ve been tasting a bit…” He slowly leans down to my neck. “Addictive lately.” He plants a feather-light kiss on my neck, just where I like it, and I practically shiver.

He moves up to my ear and whispers, “Maybe this sex strike will be good for me.” With that, he completely pulls away and somehow leaves me feeling empty. He leans against the door again, so nonchalantly, like he’s not also feeling what I am.

I try to catch my breath. When his eyes fall on my chest, watching the way it moves up and down, I try to take in a normal breath but end up holding my breath entirely.

I’m not going to let him win this, so I give a light shrug. “Well, in that case…” I bite back a smile and he squints his eyes at me. “Maybe we really should have a sex strike. Especially if you say I tasteaddictive.”

His brows furrow like he suddenly can’t tell him I’m joking, but I continue teasing him. “Your soberversary is coming up, so we can wait until then.” I nod like the supportive wife I am, and he pushes off the door.

“That’s not for another two months?”

“And a half.”

“But—”

“No buts, Sire.” A grin grows on his face as he catches on. I turn to grab my bag, and I know he’s watching me, so I sway my hips a bit.

Sire gets the kids ready and in the car. On the way there, we remind them to have good behavior at the orphanage. A few weeks ago, we explained to them what adoption was and how Sire was adopted. The twins were thrilled at the idea of another sibling, but Mariana threw a bit of a fit. I think it’s because we mentioned the new kid we’re bringing home might be older, and she wants to be the oldest.

Sire and I agreed we’d adopt the oldest kid at the orphanage, so we had to try to explain to Mariana that she’d still be the twins’ big sister. She thankfully came around. I know she’s just a kid, and we’re the adults, so what we say goes, but I don’t want to bring a new kid into our lives and have Mariana resent them.

When we pull in front of the building, Sire turns to me before shutting the car off. Before he can even say anything, I beat him to it. “I’m sure.”

He smiles and nods once before helping me get the kids out of the car. Sire takes my hand after knocking on the door and I pull in a deep breath.

“Mr. and Mrs. Hale, welcome.”

I look over at my husband and he’s already watching me with a smile. When we got married Sire wanted to change his name and take the name of the family who saved him. I knew he wanted to change his name when he was adopted so I loved the idea the minute he voiced it.

The social worker lets us in and somewhere along the time we’ve been here, Sire and I get separated. I go around with Mari, and I assume he’s with the twins, meeting the other kids. This house is pretty big, and there are about thirteen kids total, but I don’t think I’ve gotten around to meeting them all.

“Can we adopt a girl so I can have a sister?”

I smile down at Mari and tell her maybe because I don’t want to make any promises. We’re going to change not only our lives but the life of whoever we decide on, and I feel so guilty that I can’t adopt them all. Most of the kids light up when they meet Mariana and compliment her dress.

“Vidia!”

I turn to Sire as he whisper-shouts for me. I glance up the stairs, and he waves me over. “Come here, hurry.”

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