Page 150 of Scarlet Angel

“That’s criminal.”

My back muscles ache, and I pat her thigh. She intuitively understands and rises. I reposition a few pillows and lie back, gesturing for her to join me, and pull a blanket over us. She rests her head in the crook of my shoulder. A sense of peace washes over me.

“What about you? What do you want? Oh, god, I just had the worst thought.”

“What’s that?”

“I bet you’re impossible to buy a holiday gift for. You probably have everything you could ever want.”

“I suppose I do always get what I want. After all, I got you.”

She playfully slaps my chest, and her leg curls over my thigh.This. This is what I want.

“Do you want children?”

The shift in her tone isn’t lost on me.

“We’ve never talked about it, and if we’re talking about the future?—”

“Never made it to my wish list. You?”

“Can’t have them, remember?”

“If you want them, there are ways. I’ll give you anything you want.”

She lifts her head and rests her chin on her balled-up hand so she’s looking down at me.

“You mean that, don’t you?”

“Yes, I do. I mean, I mucked up royally with Lina, but if you want to give it a go?—”

“You didn’t muck up with Lina.”

“She doesn’t fly straight. Don’t know if she ever will.”

“And you’ll never know. It’s her demon to fight. You can’t hold yourself accountable.”

Easier said than done. But each time this one tells me Lina’s future isn’t my responsibility, I feel a tad lighter.

“I don’t think I want children.”

She’s bouncing around, going from topic to topic.

“I’d like sheep.”

“What?”

Her lips spread into a dreamy smile. “Don’t you think Dog could use some friends? Maybe I’ll be a dog breeder. No. I’ll create a rescue.”

“We’ll fix up the country house. There’s lots of land.”

“Chickens. Kitties.”

I close my eyes and stifle a groan. “You’re going to bring the cats inside, aren’t you?”

“A sanctuary for animals that have had a crap lot in life.” She’s completely disregarded me, but her eyes are sparkling, and that’s everything to me.

I loop a silky strand around my index finger and twist. “If that’s what you want, that’s what we shall do, love.”

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