Page 47 of Midnight Serenade
I’d been certain before, but I was more certain now. I’d taken this time with Sebastian to see if his life would suit me, if I couldsee myself living this life with him, and I was now certain that I could. I’d been pretty sure before when I’d told him I wanted to try, but now I was solid on my decision. I wanted this life. I wanted Sebastian in my life. I...loved him. It had happened quickly, and I hadn’t told him yet, but I loved him. I should probably get on telling him soon. I just had to find the right moment.
I lounged on a sun chaise, reclined all the way back while I cooled off from the hot tub. Kazi got into his pool and swam for a bit. Sebastian jumped in and they played shark for a while, Sebastian chasing Kazi until he was tuckered out.
The afternoon passed like this in utter bliss. Sebastian and I would chat about things, sometimes heavier topics, but most of the time they were just stories from our lives. I’d read somewhere in a magazine once that you had to ask the uncomfortable questions, and I thought it seemed like great advice, so I did so with a certain amount of enthusiasm.
When I asked him how many kids he wanted, his eyes got big. When I asked him what he thought was an equitable way to split chores and essential household tasks, he laughed and hugged me.
I folded my arms, giving him my best evil-eyed stare until he got serious.
“Grace, I don’thavehousehold chores. I don’t have a household. My ships are my houses, and my staff does everything, except for the things I need to handle personally, like finances for the company.”
“Not everyone lives that idyllically,” I reminded him. “If you didn’t have the ships, and had one household, answer the question based upon those parameters.”
He chuckled. “You wield language like a master composer, and yet you speak fluent science geek. I love that about you.”
I felt my cheeks flush. “Thank you.”
He nodded and leaned back against the lip of the hot tub. “I think it’s difficult for others to understand, but those of us who usually only get one mate that’s our other perfect half, when we finally find them, we would do just aboutanythingfor them. We tend to go a little overboard. So, to answer your question about what’s equitable for our theoretical household? I do eighty percent, you do twenty.”
“That’s not fair to you,” I said with a frown. “Equitable means that we each work as a team. If you’re doing the majority of the work all the time, then I’d be taking advantage of you.”
He thought for a moment. “I’d be willing to go seventy/thirty.”
I laughed, shaking my head. He was completely serious, I could tell. We’d have to work that out when we got to it. At least he wasn’t the type to think I was supposed to do everything.
“Kids? You never answered that one.”
He looked sorrowful. “We’d be lucky to have even one. It’s difficult for cross species to have children together. It happens; it’s just more rare than humans having children with other humans.”
I was suddenly sad too. I hadn’t thought about it, as it was still early days in our relationship, but I’d always wanted children.
I reached out and gripped his hand. “That’s okay. Adoption is a good option too.”
He squeezed my hand back, and we sat in quiet and peace for a bit, thinking, enjoying, and dreaming.
After a couple of hours, I fell asleep in the sun lounger and woke up as the door closed behind us in Sebastian’s suite. I’d missed the whole wheelchair ride.
“You’d probably better at least change so you’ll be comfortable,” Sebastian said, helping me to the bathroom afterI’d grabbed some pajamas and under things. “Let me know if you need help,” he said with a wolfish smile.
“If I need help, I’ll call Mama,” I said wryly, shaking my head at him.
Later that evening, Sebastian cuddled me close to him. We were facing each other on the bed. I think he was asleep because he was breathing evenly with his eyes closed. I watched him like a creeper for a few moments, thinking of everything that had happened since I’d come aboard theKamaria. Since I’d met Sebastian.
And all I could think was,I haven’t told him yet.
“Sebastian?” I said softly.
“Hmm?” His beautiful dark green eyes opened and focused on me.
“I?I just… I love you.”
Smooth, Grace. Real smooth.
He sucked in a breath, his eyes searching my face. Then he smiled his beautiful smile. “I know.”
I gaped at him, and was contemplating punching him, when, before I could even blink, he was hovering above me, and I was lying underneath him. His eyes grew solemn. “I know only because your face is so expressive. You are my other half,” he whispered. “I love you more than life itself.” He kissed my nose, my cheek, my forehead, my closed eyelids. “I love you when you’re grumpy.” He kissed my neck, making me gasp. “I love you when you’re happy.” He kissed my chin. “I love all of you,” he whispered hoarsely. Holding my gaze, he finally kissed my mouth, tenderly, lovingly. When I clutched him tighter to me, he groaned and deepened the kiss.
I could see the flare of emotions flood his eyes, and I was sure he could see their reflection in my own. It nearly brought me to tears, the depth of that kiss. It was like we were twin souls, fusing together. It was heady and made my head spin. By the time Irealized my head was also spinning because of lack of oxygen, Sebastian had already pulled away and was gently kissing my eyelids again. “Sleep, Grace,” he whispered. “And heal.”
