"Those are basic things. Things you should have had all along."
"But I didn't. Not until you." I smiled gently. "You treat me like I matter, Lucian. Like my thoughts and feelings are important. Do you know how rare that is? How precious?"
Something shifted in his eyes. Hope, perhaps. Or wonder.
"You truly feel that way?"
"I do." My thumb traced his cheekbone. "Now let me ask you the same question. Are you satisfied? With me? With our marriage?"
"More than satisfied." The words came out rough. Almost fierce. "You've brought light into my life, Juliette. I didn't even realize how dark things had become until you arrived."
My breath caught.
The sun was sinking faster now, the sky blazing with color. In the golden light, Lucian's face seemed softer. Younger. The harsh lines of authority
