"You have seen this new allegiance," Laurent said, submissively offering the other wrist when Damen reached for it. "You just don't like it. I'm offering you my loyalty and my honesty, Damen, not my obedience. I think you have too many people who do the opposite. Sometimes I will be selfish and temperamental and vindictive, but understand that since I have the freedom to be unpleasant to you, when I am pleasant to you it is motivated by nothing other than my desire and affection for you."

Smiling tentatively, Laurent nipped at the side of Damen's lip. "Which question? About me spending the night? With my husband, I think, if he'll have me. My honorable and long-suffering husband, who is so breathtakingly handsome."