Page 55 of My Orc Package Deal

I gave in to the urge and leaned forward to kiss her gently. “That’s marriage, dkaar.”

When she sighed, I inhaled her sweetness. “Beloved.”

“I love you, Kesha.”

She was silent for a long moment, her forehead pressed to mine, before she sighed again. “I don’t understand how, but I’m not going to argue.”

“Because you love me?” I prompted.

I felt her smile.

“Because I love you, Korrad. How could I not?”

My heart swelled.

I suppose I’d known her feelings, or had felt them somehow, because I wasn’t surprised to hear her vow. Her words settled in my chest with a certainty that everything would be alright, that our future was secure.

So why the fuck was my Kteer still unsatisfied, still buzzing in my chest like a hive of hornets?

Damn thing was going to drive me nuts.

Kesha reached up and cupped my cheek, then repeated herself. “I love you, but is it enough?”

Still keeping score? Chuckling slightly, I shook my head.

“Of course it’s enough. It’ll always be enough, Kesha.”

I had all weekend to convince her.

So I wrapped my arms around my wife and stood. “Come on, love. Let’s go pour some wine and reheat some carbs in the air fryer and watch some romcom with a ridiculous premise.”

Kesha’s laugh was weak, but she wrapped her arms around my neck and pressed her cheek to my bare shoulder. “All of those words are my love language. Do we still have that cookie dough ice cream in the freezer?”

“We absolutely do.” I carried her into the house and right into our bedroom. The one we’d be sharing for the rest of our lives, just like Milo had requested. “You put on something cozy. I’ll cue up the movie and reheat the food.”

I settled her on her feet, then pressed a kiss on her forehead. “I love you, Kesha.”

As I pulled away, she grabbed my hand to stop me. I froze and watched her eyes fill with tears, even though she was smiling.

“I love you, husband.”

Grinning, I raised her hand to my mouth and placed a kiss on her palm. “Always.”

Chapter Twelve

Kesha

My eyes felt all crusty and my body ached—I needed another hot bath.

However, lying in Korrad’s bed Saturday morning, watching a shaft of sunlight creep across the ceiling with his arm around me, I felt…strangely at peace. Warm and safe, definitely, but also…

I’d spent so long being afraid. Afraid of what the future would bring, afraid of what I could do to fix my fuck-ups. Then I moved to Eastshore, and I realized how great my life was, and I was afraid of those fuck-ups showing up to ruin this future.

Last night, everything came crashing down, and as horrible as it was, a part of me was glad to have it all out in the open. Like a cheap champagne cork under pressure that finally pops, it was almost a relief. I sobbed myself to sleep, and then after…

After.

Korrad came home and held me and listened and said the most wonderful things. Said I brought happiness and comfort and that he loved me.