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Page 23 of King’s Obsession (Obsessions #5)

Asmodeus

When Dougal left the house to start his morning check-in with his forest, Asmodeus got up. His belly recently decided to behave, so he only had to sit for two minutes to check he was okay before he dressed and considered his plan for taking Dougal out on a date.

He hadn’t missed his blissful one’s thoughts on being romanced. Now he was feeling more himself, even though a bigger version, he had plans to set in motion.

It had never been on his list of things to do in the human realm to go out to dinner in a fancy restaurant. It was a more human experience, so for this, his human side was taking the lead.

They had spoken to Christa, and she had recommended a few places, then had suggested getting the meal catered in the forest, using the house in the orchard. This would also give Asmodeus the element of surprise.

So, he had conspired with Christa and planned to meet her this morning at the house, ensuring his presence remained in the forest so Dougal wouldn’t know what he was up to.

Excited, he quickly made his way to the orchard, avoiding where Dougal would be at this time of the morning.

“Hurry,” Wanda murmured, waving at him. “He’s heading this way.”

Asmodeus gripped his belly and picked up his pace, his back aching. He huffed, puffed, and gasped for breath by the time he got into the house.

“You okay?” Christa asked, giving him the once over.

“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.

As they headed off in the direction he wanted them to go in, Asmodeus shook his head. “I want to stretch my legs.”

Dougal looked to the trees and through the foliage. “Nice night for it.”

It was perfect. The air was cooler, but not enough to require a jacket. Although his body recently ran hot all the time.

“It is.” He rested his head on Dougal’s shoulder as they walked, and the plants, trees, and leaves played the tune of the evening.

Dougal shifted a little towards him, taking a little more of his weight, and sighed happily. They walked in silence, neither needing to break it.

Asmodeus opened himself, getting all the love Dougal felt for him and the baby. His eyes ached, and he sniffed, feeling at absolute peace.

When the orchard came into view, the car parked at the side of the house drew Dougal to a stop. “What would a car be doing in the orchard?” He searched the area, his disquiet rolling off him.

“Let’s go see.” He didn’t need to do more than cling onto Dougal’s arm as he’d already picked up his pace.

At the house, Dougal wore a confused look when he looked at Wanda’s trees and back to the occupied house. “Something ain’t right!”

He didn’t give Asmodeus a chance to reply before he flew up the steps and barraged into the house.

Asmodeus went slower, given how he was carrying the extra weight, he tracked down Dougal as quickly as possible. The man was easy to hear, demanding to know what the two servers were doing.

Breathless and amused, Asmodeus stood in the doorway of the dining room, seeing how gorgeous it looked and smelled.

The two impeccably dressed servers stood wide eyed as Dougal glowered at them. “What do you mean you were paid to be here?”

“Surprise,” Asmodeus said, chuckling.

Dougal spun around. “Surprise? What’s this all about?”

He loved Dougal with all his heart and the flustered troll staring at him with wide eyed wonder deserved this and so much more. “I’m romancing you.”

“W-what?” he spluttered, red faced, looking at the gorgeous table, covered in crisp white linen, set with silver and crystal. Everything gleamed as the flickering candle flames danced. In the center sat a huge floral arrangement of all the scents Dougal loved.

Asmodeus walked to Dougal and gave a discreet nod to the servers, who walked rather quickly without actually scurrying out of the room.

He kissed him softly, cupping his bearded cheeks.

“I’m romancing you.” He kissed him slower, swallowing Dougal’s moan.

“Taking you on a date.” Another kiss that lasted longer.

“Showing you how much I love you and treasure you.”

Dougal blinked slowly, dark eyes gleaming. “You are?”

Asmodeus grinned and resisted kissing him again when a server popped his head around the door, giving him a questioning look. “I am.” He stepped back, pulled out a seat and bowed like a gentleman. “Let me seat you.”

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