Page 232 of Corrupted By You

“You’re going to look so hot as a silver fox,” I teased, running my hands over his suit jacket. “I can’t wait.”

He mock-glared and slapped my ass. I squealed and he fused our lips in a bruising kiss. Zeno’s gliding hands appreciated my new curves, rubbing my eight-week baby bump and feeling the new heaviness of my breasts.

“I got your gift a few days ago, Darla.”

I belatedly noticed my paperback sitting on the roof of his Lamborghini.

He grabbed it and brought it between us, polishing a finger over the cover in reverence. Based on the awestruck glint in his eyes, he wasn’t expecting the title.

Corrupted By You

I wrote a book about us.

Our very own love story, woven together in a twisted, suspenseful, modern-day Greek retelling of Hades and Persephone.

Zeno opened the book to his desired page. “You dedicated this to me.”

“You’re my muse, Zeno.”

My husband’s smooth voice cracked as he read the dedication out loud. “To my other half. You are my whole world.Je t’aime de tout mon coeur.”

“Did you read it?” I held my breath.

“Yes.” He caressed my face. “And I enjoyed every minute of it, Darla.”

I swallowed. “What was your favourite scene?”

His lips formed into a heart-stopping smile. “The part where I first laid eyes upon you at Chaleur.”

A private jet awaited us.

Zeno came to MacGregor to whisk me away to a babymoon slash late honeymoon. Beginning with Italy and finishing at Île Darla.

“I’ve already packed all our belongings,” he said while driving. Bringing our joined hands to his mouth, he pecked my knuckles. “All our affairs are in order, so you don’t need to worry about anything.”

“You’re the best.” I buzzed with excitement. “Do you think we can make a quick stop at St. Victoria? I want to show you something.”

He frowned. “What is it?”

“It’s a surprise,” I quipped. “Since you’re so fond of those.”

“Give me a hint.”

“It starts withhave someand ends withpatience.”

“I dare you to say those words to me inside the bedroom.”

God, I missed his dominant side.

Zeno pulled into St. Victoria’s rose-laden courtyard. From this vantage point, the only parts visible were the ones that hadn’t burned to the ground. Namely the north and east wings.

My door slid open with a butterfly effect and I stepped out with Zeno’s aid. He stared at my stomach with veneration. “If you’ll allow me, I would like to come to your next appointment.”

“I take it you liked the ultrasound picture?”

He placed his hand on my lower back and kissed my cheek. “It left me speechless. I cannot wait to meet our child and start our new lives together.”

Since our wedding, we’d both grown in many ways.