Page 327 of Night's Fall
The only thing that had changed in this area was that he’d asked, andLaurahad agreed, for the shadowboxes from her loft with the pieces she’d designed to be mounted for display in the hall.
In the gothic spectacle ofSpikeback, the demonstrations of her extreme talent were the perfect fit.
He stopped in the doorway to allow himself to fully process the sunny smileLauraaimed his way and then he looked down to his feet.
Nova was winding around his ankles, but she sensed the minute she had his attention.Thus, she gazed up at him with her sad blue eyes and opened her mouth in a silent mew.
Obviously, he bent and picked her up, cradling her upside down in his arms like a baby.
She instantly started purring, even before he started scratching her chest.
All three cats now had trackers, thoughNovaandCometdidn’t need them, as they liked to be close toLauraandAleksei.
ButJupiterhad dedicated his existence to finding every nook and cranny in the castle.
One could sayJupiterhad also found his happy place.Darkand cavernous, with lots of windows to peer out of, and when he was feeling his alone time, even more places to hide.
Aleksei went to his mate, bent and dropped a kiss to her upturned mouth, then he turned to their surprise (to him,Laurawas drinking with them) guests.
His brother and sister were sitting with her.
“Are you two staying for dinner?” he asked.
“Hello to you too.Andis that an invitation?”Timasked in return.
“Or is it your way to tell us to get the hells out?”Aleeceput in her own question, her eyes twinkling, since she knew it was not.
“Laura andIhave both had busy days,” he warned them, taking a seat beside his mate on the sofa.
He setNovain his lap, where she curled contentedly, and he wrapped his arm around his mate, who settled into his side, also contentedly.
Both of these things madeAlekseicontent.
Completely.
“Is that your way of saying you’re not cooking?”Timasked.
“It is.We’reordering inShape’s,”Alekseitold him.
Laura gasped, looked up at him and exclaimed excitedly, “Shape’s?I’mgetting a double bowl of their clam chowder.It’sinsane.”
He smiled down at her, taking in her gorgeous, jewel-toned eyes, bright with happiness, and realizing he’d had absolutely no idea, if she’d decided differently, how wretched his life actually would be in those five hours he waited before he came to her door withCaptainJacques’s.
But now, he did.
“Anything you wish,bissi tressa,” he whispered.
Her eyes warmed with love (or, more of it).
“Blech.Beforeyou start getting too mushy, let’s get our order in.Iwant lobster mac,”Aleeceordered.
“Baked scallops,”Timput in.
Aleksei turned to his brother. “Youhave aPalm.”
Tim smirked. “Ialso have no credit.”
Too true.
