Page 38 of King's Obsession

“Fine, just need a sec to catch my breath.” He plonked himself down on the large couch, finding it very comfortable as he glanced about. Modern but homely.

Slowing his breathing, he rubbed at his round belly, their child doing gymnastics.

“Better?” Wanda asked, her shy smile appearing as she sat next to him.

“I’ve spoken to Fredrick and given him the menu you gave me. He’s going to have two servers come and set up the dining room that overlooks the forest.” Christa perched on the arm of the couch next to Wanda, a hand stoking at her curls.

“He won’t forget the flowers, or the handmade chocolates, will he?”

Asmodeus had never been a fretter, it seemed pregnancy had done that to him, too.

“I told you, they won’t forget anything. They’ll arrive twenty minutes before you plan to come, and it’ll be perfect, I promise,” Christa assured him.

“It’ll be wonderful,” Wanda added a confidence boost. “It’s the thought that counts.”

That was all he could think about after he’d checked out the house, so he knew where everything was. There were rose petals in a bag in the bathroom for the bath time he had planned after the meal. His sex drive was at an all-time high and he envisioned being in the large tub with his blissful one, all soapy and slippery.

Later.

He made it back to their house with barely a minute to spare. Asmodeus was settled at the breakfast table with the honey tea and toast when Dougal walked in, looking and smelling divine.

He paused in the doorway to take off his boots. “Beautiful out there this morning.” He came in and shut the door, going directly to Asmodeus to kiss him.

When he eased back, his eyes were searching. “Everything okay?”

“Yes, why?”

Dougal shook his head. “Nothing really… you just seem”—he scratched his head—“excited?”

He gave him an easy grin. “I’m always excited to see you, my blissful one.”

Dougal blushed and scratched the other side of his head.

It wasn’t a lie, but Asmodeus knew Dougal was perceptive. “Are we ready to head to the demon realm?” He stood purposefully, looking to distract.

“Aye, I’m ready.” He patted one of his pockets, making Asmodeus laugh.

“What have you got in there this time?” He slipped an arm through Dougal’s.

“Just a little something for Baal.”

In his office a second later, he arched his brow. “And what would you be giving my secretary?”

Dougal put a hand into his pocket and pulled out a large clear flask full of what Asmodeus knew to be homebrew. “Why are you giving him that?”

“He’s fond of one of your guards and wants to loosen him up a bit.” Dougal tapped the flask. “This will do the trick for him.”

Asmodeus snorted out a laugh just as Baal entered the chamber. They were a lot less formal because of Dougal.

“Morning, Sire. Dougal.”

Dougal held out the flask and winked at Baal. “As promised, and remember, one glass should do the trick.”

Asmodeus shook his head at Dougal. “If we are quite finished with you sorting out the love life of my secretary, shall we get on with why I’m here?”

The nerves were kicking his ass as Asmodeus suggested taking an evening stroll before dinner to stretch out his back, which had a dull ache at the base of his spine like he’d twinged it.

“Aren’t you tired?” Dougal threaded his fingers through Asmodeus’s.

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