Page 94 of Ice Queen

Nothing until her.

“Te quiero, mi reina,”⁠* I whisper into her hair, the words barely above a whisper.

She hums softly. I don’t know if she knows what it means, but I’ll tell her every day until she finally pieces it together.

* I love the reaction your skin has to me,

* I love you, my queen

CHAPTER 30

Kaitlyn

I don’t burn the pancakes this time. They come out perfectly fluffy, just like Cecilia taught me. I don’t know what he’s saying as he continues to sway behind me, but I honestly don’t care.

Waking up with him this morning was something out of a dream. The way he laid on his stomach, his arm bent, hand disappearing under the pillow. His dark hair falling into his face, his back rising and falling peacefully next to me. It almost felt like a crime to stare for as long as I did, but I couldn’t look away.

After years of being made to feel dirty about wanting to feel desired, Markus willingly handed over control. He took the time to learn what I liked, and he didn’t hesitate to tell me what he liked in return. It was a mutual give and take. One that’s left me feeling loved and treasured.

In the past, with Wyatt and the meaningless hookups I had when I first moved here, there were no moments after that that made me breathe a sigh of relief. It was transactional, wham, bam, thank you ma’am, and go on with your day. Here, I can simply exist, knowing I’m still wanted for more than just the physicality that comes with being with me. I wasn’t shamed, he isn’t disgusted by the way I like things, and he didn’t get off and disappear. He held me all night, with his nose pressed into the side of my neck until I fell asleep.

Now he’s behind me, silently moving with me as I make him breakfast. I can’t help but feel that little flicker of hope begin to grow. The one who wants this to be permanent and hopes he’ll still want me around in a few months.

“Breakfast is served,” I whisper. Turning in his hold to hand him his plate.

His eyes are soft as they look at me, almost like he’s trying to capture this moment in its entirety. He leans in, pressing a fleeting kiss to my lips. “Thank you.” He pulls out a barstool and sits, pulling the one next to him out for me.

We eat at the island in comfortable silence. His thigh knocks against mine every once in a while. And I catch him smiling around his fork on more than one occasion. But it’s a nice feeling to be comfortable enough not to have to fill this space with meaningless conversation.

“These are phenomenal.” His hand lands on my knee, squeezing slightly. “Better than Cecy’s.”

My eyes widen, pulling a chuckle from him. He puts his pointer finger against his lips. “Don’t tell her that, though.”

I pretend to pull a zipper across my lips, but can’t help the uptick fighting to pull a smile out of me. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

My smile slowly falls, as does his, and we simply stare at one another. My heart squeezes violently in my chest when I realize this is everything I wanted out of a relationship, small, simple moments between the two of us. The peace that comes from knowing he sees me and likes me enough not to try to change me. That I’m enough on my own.

“I have to leave at ten,” he says, breaking the silence.

“Okay,” I whisper.

He’s not leaving me. He has to work. I tell myself a few times, but the fear dissipates when his hand lands on my cheek.

“I wish I were waking up to you again tomorrow,” he murmurs, leaning in toward me. “But unfortunately, Reed will have to do.” He presses a chaste kiss to my lips before taking our empty plates and clearing them off.

“He’s not as good company as I am?” My hands lace together under my chin.

He scoffs. “The man is a grandpa in a thirty-year-old’s body.”

The water turns off, and he sends me a pointed look. “But no, I’d be hard pressed to find better company than you, Princesa.”

Well shit.

I watch him pack from the doorway of his room, a room I’ve only been in when he had his nightmare. He pulls a sweatshirt out of his closet, walking over to me and placing it in my hand. “If you’re not watching, can you at least wear this while we’re playing?” He pauses, looking up at me. “Please?”

I roll my lips between my teeth. The fear that usually comes with a man trying to claim me is nowhere to be found. “Yeah, I’ll wear it.”

He presses a kiss to my forehead before turning and packing the rest of his bag.