Page 109 of Nemesis
SOFIA - THREE YEARS LATER
It was Theo’s and my second year anniversary today. Two years filled with more love and happiness than I could have ever asked for. After losing my parents, I’d never thought I’d be able to have a family, tofeelagain.
After coming home from the cabin, we’d wasted no time and I’d moved in with him.
And then, a few weeks later, he’d proposed, and we’d gotten married in a private ceremony by the beach with his close family present.
He’d wanted to invite Noah, but he’d been away on an assignment, unable to attend. I’d thought of inviting Elena since she’d been like a mother figure to me while we’d worked together, but I wasn’t comfortable risking her new identity.
It had been a difficult day, with not having my parents with me, not having my dad to give me away, but I knew they were watching over me, at peace that I’d found my person.
Besides, Theo had made sure to include them in our ceremony. He’d left two of the front seats, those where my parents would have been, empty, my mother’s favorite flowers wrapped around them.
He never ceased to amaze me.
Theo knew how important having my parents with me that day was and he’d given me the opportunity to have a piece of them with me. He’d made our day even more special.
I could hear him in the kitchen already, dishes rattling as he cooked. He’d tried to teach me time and time again, but I was still as helpless as I was when he’d first attempted.
Besides, I loved watching him at work in the kitchen. There was something about watching my husband cook that just always did it for me.
I made my way out of our bedroom and strolled down the hallway, my mouth already watering at the scent of frying dough. I stepped into the open kitchen, only to find my husband hovering over the stove, two steaming small glasses of tea on the counter next to him.
The image of him shirtless, wearing only a pair of black boxer briefs sent a low fire blooming in my core. They molded his strong thighs and backside, the waistband clinging to the definition of his hips.
That is all mine.
I walked over to him, wrapping my arms around his middle as I placed a kiss between his shoulder blades.
“Hi,” I said against his back, snuggling my face into him.
I briefly closed my eyes, breathing in his heady scent, wanting it to cling to me like a second skin. I loved waking up to his scent on my skin. It felt like having him with me at all times, even when we were apart.
“Morning, pretty girl.”
He glanced over his shoulder, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. He bent his head down and I rose up on my toes for him to place a small kiss to my lips.
“What are you cooking?” I asked and as if on cue, my stomach growled.
He lifted his arm so I could snuggle up at his side. “Your favorite,” he said, smiling in my hair before pressing a kiss at the side of my head.
I looked down to see him flipping themsemenin the pan, a stack already piled on the side of the counter.
“Need any help?” I asked, knowing he’d turn my offer down.
He chuckled. “Baby, we both know the answer to that.” He delivered a small slap to my ass. “Go sit your pretty ass down while I finish this.”
I playfully smacked his arm and grabbed one of the cups, making my way behind the island that was covered in flour, a few small balls of dough sitting on top.
I plopped down on one of the high chairs. “Does this haveshiba?”
Laughter erupted in the room. “Not after the last time you spent thirty minutes lecturing me that it ruined the taste for you.”
I should be annoyed, but his laughter sent a flurry of warmth through my body. “It’s not funny. You hadn’t told me and I had been so excited to have some tea, only to discover you’d added some.”
“Will never make that mistake again. I promise.” He chuckled, returning to his task.
I took a sip and watched him move through the kitchen with command and grace, something I definitely would never be able to do. My skills were more valuable in other areas.
