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“But you know what I mean,” she said with a light shrug, diffusing any real tension.

With a sigh, I joined her on a nearby park bench, where the steady flow of passersby provided a pleasant backdrop for enjoying our chilly treats.

The hum of conversation and the rustle of the crowds created a sense of normalcy, even as a trace of guilt gnawed at me. Niko’s concern was genuine; his constant alertness came from a desire to keep us safe.

“So, how did he take your protest?” Cali asked, curiosity softening her tone. “Because from where I’m sitting, he ignored you.”

I frowned and shook my head, a grin creeping onto my face. “After he went on about trusting his gut, I insisted that our security was more than enough. Thanks to all the planning Vik put into it, I figured we’d reached a consensus.”

“Figured is the key term here.” Cali’s giggles echoed as she licked her ice cream cone. “You two make quite the pair.”

I leaned back with a sigh as I unlocked my phone.

“I suppose a little extra security never hurt,” I admitted, then typed out a brief message to Niko.

Laya: Thank you for sending your men, even though I never agreed to have them join the Vitalis security team. It’s better to be overprepared than underprepared.

Niko: I believe you misunderstood something, darling. They were going to be there whether you agreed or not. I protect what’s mine. I apologize if you thought my offer of protection was a request for permission. You are mine. Therefore, Galanis soldiers will accompany you wherever you go. See you soon, my love.

The absurdity of it all lifted my mood, and I smirked as I relayed, “Apparently, I misunderstood, and they would have been around whether I wanted them here or not.”

Cali’s eyes twinkled as she added, “I like him. He’s got guts.”

Instead of being exasperated with my baby sister, I reveled in the unabashed images of Niko’s naked body dancing through my mind.

I quickly pushed those intoxicating thoughts aside. Now wasn’t the time for distractions, even though my skin still craved his touch, his intense thrusts, his vicious demands, and his unrestrained lust.

Goosebumps pricked my skin as arousal surged in my body.

Our passion and need for each other seemed to have consumed us recently. It was like an insatiable, unstoppable tidal wave that overshadowed everything else.

To everyone’s annoyance, we found every opportunity to be alone and tended to lose track of time, as our lust and desire overtook logical thought.

And when it came to sleep, that was a faded memory, replaced by nights consumed by need and unquenched raw sex.

I wasn’t sure if this was normal for marriages, but it was my marriage.

Being with Niko was less a dream and more an awakening.

He devoted himself to fulfilling my every desire, prioritizing my pleasure over his own, leaving me quivering and each encounter more intense than the last.

“Oh, God, I said the wrong thing.” Cali rolled her eyes. “Stop thinking about your naked husband.”

“Ugh,” I groaned, attempting to shake off the lingering memory.

“Isn’t there more to your marriage than just always fucking like rabbits?”

Her humor caught me a bit off guard.

“Is that really how it appears?” I asked.

She shrugged. “Not at all…I’m just teasing. But seriously, how do you feel? It’s clear that Niko adores you. He shouts it from the rooftops.”

“I adore him too,” I confessed, a hint of vulnerability in my admission. “Honestly, Cali, I had no idea what I was getting into. I chose Niko as if I were selecting a candidate for a job position. I never expected an arranged marriage to blossom into something resembling romantic love. I wasn’t searching for this kind of bond. My only hope was that he was a good man and that our union would fortify the Vitalis empire.”

I paused as I recalled the first day I met him.

The day we rescued Cali, I suspected he was a good man, his undeniable strength and quiet kindness shining through. Over time, it became clear that he was more than just someone useful to our cause. He was a man of deep passion and extraordinary character, claiming my heart in ways I’d never imagined.