Chapter 52

Adele gently stroked the head resting against her shoulder.

Christine, nuzzling into it so contentedly, seemed less like a man of his size and more like an overgrown child — or, honestly, some great gentle dog.

The time they spent making love together was good, but this quiet stretch of simply feeling each other's presence settled something in her just as deeply.

She could hardly imagine a life without him now.

How long had they been like this?

"Hem-hem! Hem-hem!"

A careful cough sounded from outside the door.

"Hold on, Chris. That'll be Henry."

Adele stirred and pushed him back, and Christine's expression turned fierce at once, displeased at having their time together interrupted.

"What is it?"

Henry's voice came through the door.

"A guest has arrived, my lord."

"Tell them to wait."

"It's just... they've already been waiting rather a long time. Hem-hem. I didn't want to intrude on…