Warm fingers trailed over Danika’s cheek. She peeled her eyes open to find Adam lying there with a sad smile. “You okay? Not too tired for tonight?”
She swallowed slightly. “I can sleep in the car.”
Nodding, he took her hand. “After you eat. I made your favorite and called in a favor. Dakota made you soup. Should give you some more energy, help you feel better. Dominique brought it. She’s downstairs, ready for us to go. But you should kiss Makayla after you eat.”
“Of course.” She stretched out then sat up. “What do I wear?”
He chuckled. “Doubt that matters much. You won’t be in it long.”
She rolled her eyes. “Pick something sexy for me to wear?”
“Those holey jeans I love and the Inktastic racerback.”
Rolling her eyes, she went to the closet. “I was thinking something easier to remove.”
“A sundress?” He hopped up and beat her to the closet. He pulled out the blue one covered in tropical flowers and hummingbirds. When she asked why that one, he told her it was as close as he could find to the first tattoo he put on her.
“This one?”
Grinning, she whipped off her shirt and bra, then pulled it over her head.
He stepped closer. “If we don’t get over there, I’ll be tempted to keep you all to myself.”
She wet her lips. “I’d let you.” Making love to Adam, and just Adam, sounded like the best plan.
He sighed. “But I want you with me a long time. This ensures that.”
She opened her jeans and scooted them down her legs before stepping into a pair of sandals. “Not bothering with makeup. Doubt that would last long.”
“You never needed makeup, gorgeous.”
“You wearing this?” She ran her finger along the worn front pocket of his blue jeans.
He dipped his head. “Not going to need clothes long.”
“Whatever happens tonight, it doesn’t affect us, doesn’t change us. Swear to me this doesn’t change us.”
“You have my word. One time to make sure you’re healthy and you live as long as I do. We enjoy tonight, but that’s all this is.”
She kissed him, delving her fingers into his hair. Pulling back, she met his gaze. “We’re doing this for us.”
“For us.” He took her hand. “Ready?”
“Think so.” Only one way to find out. Nervous, hell yeah. But this was better than months of treatment, and more treatments after that. And Adam wanted what was best for her. He was giving her that by insisting on something she never would have thought of on her own. Not while with Adam. Hell, probably not even if she had never met him.
Her father skewed her view about leprechauns. She’d met a few since her youth, and her view had started to change. And then there was Dominique, who went through her awakening sometime before finding Danika in Seattle. Purely by chance, maybe luck.
Luck wasn’t so bad
But love was so much better.
That’s what she had with Adam. Nothing could separate them, not even death. Wherever they were going in the afterlife, she was sure they’d be together. Only now, that wasn’t happening anytime soon.
He took her hand. “Dominique is downstairs. Eat, then we can say goodbye to Makayla before we drive out to Paavo’s. They’re on Lake Washington and have a beautiful view. Or so I’m told.”
She’d heard plenty, and she’d seen some pictures, courtesy of In Other News. Apparently in their backyard, on the beach.
“You really made blackened salmon Caesar for me?”
“I want you to enjoy everything tonight, Danika.”
He was perfect. He always had been. They used to go to an Irish pub in Renton, but it had closed years ago. And Adam knew she loved that salad, so he learned to make it just for her. It always reminded her of their many nights there, playing pool.
She headed downstairs, and Makayla bounced off the floor and ran to her. Danika scooped her up, hugging her tight. “Hey, baby. You having fun with Dominique?”
“Aunty Dommy play with me.”
She kissed her head. “You be good, okay?”
“Very.”
She kissed her again. “Still hungry?”
“Bite?”
“Sure.” She smiled at Dominique. “Is Dane coming soon?”
“After he’s done at work.”
“He puppy too,” Makayla said.
“Yes, he is. But you’re not going to see him like that tonight, okay?”
“Okay.”
Danika took her to the kitchen island and sat down with Makayla in her lap. “I’ll share, but you don’t get all the salmon, okay, Makayla?”
Her little brows pinched. “A bite, Mama.”
Laughing, she took the fork and gave her girl the first taste, then ate. She didn’t forget the cup of soup sitting next to the plate.
Makayla quickly squirmed and Adam took her. “Want a cookie, Bluebird?”
“Yup.” She hugged Adam as he reached up to the cookie jar to get her one. “Love you, Daddy. Love you, Mommy.”
“Love you too, Bluebird.” He kissed her head, handed her the cookie, and set her down.
Danika took the last bite and groaned. “So good. Let me brush my teeth, and I’ll be ready.”
Before she could take the dishes to the sink, Adam took them. Dominique took her arm when she stepped into the living room. “Questions?”
“Adam tell you?”
“Yeah, what do you want to know?”
“Am I going to have his memories?”
Dominique smirked. “Dad’s? Not like some Fae. You’ll get a few glimpses, but that’s it. At least that’s how it worked for me.”
“Did you pass out?”
She smirked. “Only after I came a few times, and then only because I was exhausted.”
“I have a feeling I’m going to get to that point.”
“Probably.”
Danika moved to the bathroom, grabbed a toothbrush, and started on her teeth.
“Tonight is going to be fine,” Dominique assured.
Nodding, she glanced over and smiled around the brush.
“Just making sure you know,” Dominique added.
Once done, she rinsed her mouth and hugged Dominique. “This is so weird.”
“You’ll enjoy yourself.”
“What’s weirder is that you’re encouraging me to screw two men, plus my husband.”
“Hey, if Dane were down, I’d jump at the chance to explore something like that just once. Just to know.”
Shaking her head, Danika hugged her. “But you wouldn’t, because I can’t see him going for that.”
“Oh no. Though, he admires Adam for being willing.”
“So do I, to tell the truth.” Danika glanced past her. “We should go. Take care of Makayla for me.”
“Always, sis. Take care of you.” She hugged her. “Love you.”
“Love you too,” Danika answered. She ducked past her and found Adam at the door with the keys. “I’m ready.”
“Me too.”