Page 49 of Little Nightmare

What was this feeling? Was I jealous of whoever would get to eat his first waffle with him? Why did I even care? He was a bodyguard, not my boyfriend, or my fiancé. He was the person I had to marry.

The person protecting me and Louis’ baby because of the bloodline.

I slid my hand up his leg and very slowly leaned in toward his chest. “The girl who shares a future waffle with you? I kind of hate her.”

"You’re about to be my wife, you’re allowed to hate any woman who shares food with me.” He shrugged slightly then winced again. “Besides, you’ll always be prettier.”

“Ah, cashing out more compliments I see.”

“It’s true. You’re beautiful.”

“I’m loud, annoying, and stripped in front of you in order to drunkenly seduce you and take you into my lair.”

"It could have been worse. You could have had bunk beds or one of those things, over the beds, with the pink or white.” A shudder rippled through him.

I burst out laughing. “A canopy bed?”

“Oh God, imagine fucking beneath unicorns. You know something’s wrong with you if My Little Pony gives you an erection.”

My face hurt from smiling. “I’m going to be kind of sad when you’re all healed up.”

"Why’s that?”

"You won’t talk as much.”

He swallowed and looked down. “I don’t have a lot to say, Raven.”

"I’ll take anything as long as they’re words, conversation, as long as you try.”

"Will you?”

“Talk? Yes.”

“Try.” He licked his lips. “Will you try with me? I deserve misery, but that doesn’t mean I wake up every morning cheering when it chooses me.”

He means will I try despite the fact we don’t get along.

Despite the fact that I hated him for years after he rejected me and vice versa.

Despite our past and uncertain future.

Will I try?

I nodded. “It was enough, your pound of flesh, for me to at the very least try, Ace.”

"Swear it.” His eyes started to blink slower. “Swear it and seal it.”

“I swear it,” I whispered and leaned forward, pressing a kiss to his forehead. “And I’ll seal?—“

He pulled my head down and kissed me deep.

He tasted warm.

Safe.

Intoxicating.

For one brief moment, grief left.

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