Page 119 of Night's Fall

---

They did that asIsaid, “That’sgood.”

He wrapped his arms around me, gave me a squeeze, and said, “Allright, darling.Let’sgo eat.”

And part two of me wishing we could stay in bed.

But this was us.

Now and forever.

I needed to know his.

He needed to know mine.

Once it was done, it could be done.

And we could get on with it.

So might as well get it done.

Even if it was going to suck.

Though, luckily, once it was done, we could go back to bed.

Chapter19

Unique

Cozy night at home, post-coital, with my ridiculously handsome mate meantAlekseiput the white long-sleevedT-shirt back on, with some charcoal-gray sleep pants.

I donned a pair of soft-knit, ballet-pink lounge pants, a matching shelf-bra cami, and a slightly darker, lightweight, shawl-neck cashmere cardigan.

And together, holding hands (he was so totally cute), barefoot, we walked down to the kitchen.

Fortunately, our bed frolics didn’t burn the roast.

Also fortunately,Alekseihad a fully stocked wine room (of course he would, he sure had the room for it), and the red he selected might not be as good asChateauLeBrand, but it was smooth, rich and tasty.

And we both discovered (at leastIhoped it was both of us) that tinkering around, putting the finishing touches on a meal together was relaxing and kind of fun.

Aleksei didn’t mess with courses.

So the salad, rolls, meat (withjusand delicious homemade horseradish sauce), buttered asparagus and fondant potatoes he served all at once.

AndIknew, once we settled, and afterI’donly had one bite of the crisp lettuce tossed in a creamy, peppery, garlicky dressing, he wasn’t leaving anything to chance.

Because he didn’t hesitate to start it.

“Should you go first, or shallI?”

I cut across the top of the squibs of the asparagus to save them for last, saying, “Howabout we wait for in front of the firelight, over cognac.”

“Laura.”Heused my name as a warning.

I looked at him even asIplaced a bite of potato in my mouth.

I bit down.

Annnnnd…

---