Page 70 of Scornful

"Fuck diplomatic," he says, and I can hear the grin in his voice. "That was the hottest thing I've ever seen."

"My dad didn't seem to think so."

"Your dad's just pissed he can't control you anymore." His fingers card through my hair. "But he'll come around. He loves you too much not to."

"I hope you're right," I murmur, already feeling drowsy in the warmth of his arms.

"I'm always right," he says, and I pinch his side, because we both know he’s not always right.

He’s a man, and men do dumb shit all the time.

He laughs, the sound vibrating through his chest. "Get some sleep, princess. Tomorrow we deal with whatever comes next."

As I drift off, I think about how much has changed in such a short time.

From hiding our relationship to declaring it in front of everyone, from sneaking around to lying here in his arms without shame or secrecy.

It's terrifying and exciting all at once.

But I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Geirolf

Morning light streams through my bedroom window, casting shadows across Astrid.

She's curled against my side, one leg thrown over mine, her hair a wild tangle across the pillow.

After last night, I'm surprised she's sleeping so peacefully.

I slide out of bed carefully, not wanting to wake her yet.

She needs the rest after everything that's happened.

I mean, speaking to her father like that probably had to be draining.

In the kitchen, I start coffee and pull ingredients from the fridge.

Eggs, bacon, toast—simple but filling.

The domesticity of it hits me as I crack eggs into a bowl.

When was the last time I made breakfast for a woman? Hell, when was the last time I wanted to?

The sizzle of bacon fills the small cabin as I work, already thinking about what might go down today.

We crossed a line by hiding our relationship, but we made a giant leap yesterday.

Now, everyone at the club knows we’re going to be together and there’s nothing anyone can say, or do, that’ll make us change our minds.

In all honesty, her father’s probably the only one who didn’t want the two of us together.

"Something smells amazing."

I turn to find her in the doorway, wearing nothing but my t-shirt.

It hangs to mid-thigh, and her legs are bare, hair tousled from sleep.

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