Not because it’d been the most erotic but because we were both so at home here.

So at peace watching parrots of all colours, monkeys of all shapes, and the shadows of elephants slinking on the horizon as we left the cave and strolled under stars that mimicked the glow-worms we’d just left behind.

So much life all around us—the reminder that no matter where we were or what form we currently inhabited, we were all connected in some way—virtual or real.

Sully stopped me as we broke the jungle and stood on a savannah with giraffes in the distance and a pride of lions growling at the crescent moon. I looked at my husband as he slowly stroked my wrist, his fingers hovering over the patch of skin that would terminate this illusion.

After his previous renditions of Euphoria, with the absolute entrapment of a person’s mental faculties until they fell asleep, he’d updated the code and added a way out without having to be unconscious.

I shivered as he brought my hand up and kissed the area on my wrist. “Ready to go back?”

“Not really.”

His head tipped up, a lazy smile on his gorgeous face. “Aren’t you tired?” He chuckled. “I admit, I need to rest so I’m not a grumpy bastard at breakfast or a gloating asshole for having the best wife a man could hope for.”

“I’m pretty sure Jethro would argue that he has the best wife. Everyone thinks they have the best.”

“And they do. Because it’s true...to them.” He straightened, pressing a simple kiss to my cheek. “But you’re still the best out of anyone.”

I laughed quietly, freezing as a giraffe stopped munching on a tree and threw a spooked look our way. “You’re such a charmer.”

“And you’re a witch. There’s no other explanation for how much I adore you.” Pinching the skin of my wrist, he smiled gently. “See you back at Hawksridge Hall, Eleanor.”

I held my breath as the illusion switched from solid and true, to hazy and obscured by smoke. The firmness of soil beneath my bare feet faded. The wonder of a tropical jungle was suddenly gone. Everything vanished, leaving me in a world of white before a quick hiss of static and the sharp bump of reality deposited me back into England and the impressive history-rich suite we’d been given.

I gasped as embroidered carpets replaced dirt and an instant chill found me as I stood naked at the foot of the bed, the bathrobe belt still latched around my ankle, keeping me tied to the four-poster.

Sully stood beside me, his fingers pinching his own wrist. His eyes still saw the virtual world I’d just left, but a few breaths later with a full-body jolt, he joined me in England. Blinking away our fantasy and giving me a sexy smirk, he murmured, “At least we’re still in the room and not on the lawn.”

I smiled. “I can imagine that would’ve earned a few side-eyes at breakfast.”

Stepping into me, he wrapped his arms tight around me, granting me much-needed body heat. “You’re cold. Let’s get into bed.” Kissing me, he let me go before ducking to untie me. His eyes feasted on my nakedness as he freed me. “You have bruises.” Touching the finger shadows on my hips, he bit his bottom lip. “I didn’t mean—”

“Bruises are a symbol of a great night together.” I captured his hand, holding it against my hip. “I would’ve been disappointed if you’d been gentle.”

“I don’t think I’ll ever be able to be gentle with you. I need you too violently.” Standing, he scooped me off my feet and carried me to the bed. The barely noticeable limp he still had from everything Drake had done to him came and went.

Ripping back the thick coverlets, he dropped me into the centre, then climbed in after me.

The novelty of having heavy blankets instead of a thin sheet was strange but comforting. I sighed in happiness as he curled around me, keeping me warm and safe.

Shifting together, we removed our eye lenses and earbuds and discarded them on the bedside table. The hall creaked as a gust of wind disrupted ancient windowpanes and wafted thick tapestries. Thank goodness Sully and the bed were warm. Otherwise, I’d freeze.

Yawning, I slid quicker into exhaustion than I’d planned. I’d wanted to ask Sully again what he’d done to Drake. After five years of not wanting to know, I had a sudden need to understand.

But Sully had changed the subject in our hallucination and we’d never returned to it. I knew the topic was mostly off-limits. That what he did was between him and his brother. But I couldn’t help wondering, especially now I’d seen the relationship between Sully’s cyphered animals and his commands.

Had he used that connection to break Drake’s mind? Had he enlisted the help of animals to tear him into pieces—both figuratively and literally?

I tensed, imagining what it would’ve been like to watch a man like Drake—a man who’d embraced a heinous calling to torment, steal, and pillage—be massacred by the very animals he’d chosen to hurt.

Sully nuzzled into the back of my neck, his breath evening out in peace. His serenity added another layer to my tiredness, and I slipped closer to sleep.

My question didn’t matter.

What was done was done.

It was in the past.

All that mattered now was the man cocooning me in trusted arms. A man who’d delivered passion and pleasure. A man I would never stop loving.

I slept.

* * * * *

“Wow, you didn’t waste any time.” I grinned as I padded from the bathroom wrapped in a fluffy towel, steam chasing me as I brushed my long hair. I’d had the shower as hot as I could bear it, standing beneath the scalding rain before risking the chilly English morning.

Sully grinned, zipping up our shared suitcase where everything we’d brought with us had been stuffed back in ready for a return trip home. “After breakfast, we’re leaving. Already arranged.” Coming toward me, his five o’clock shadow trim and rakish and his body already dressed in slacks and navy shirt, he cupped my cheek. “I decided on a little detour, though.”

“Oh?”

“Philippines.” He kissed me before pointing at the jeans, white knitted jumper, and teal scarf laid out on the bed. “Spoke to Cal who convinced me to check it out. So dress, darling wife, before I’m tempted to load another fantasy.”

I laughed under my breath as he patted my ass and pushed me toward my chosen wardrobe. Dropping my towel, I flushed with pleasure as Sully jerked and swallowed hard.

The bruises he’d given me last night had bloomed into a richer colour, marking me entirely as his. Only we knew where we’d gone and what we’d done. Only we had a superpower to teleport to wherever we damn well wanted and indulge in raw, toe-curling eroticism.

“Goddammit, will I ever get enough of you?” He reached out to cup my breast, but I swatted him away, slipping into a white lace bra.

“You’ll have to. I don’t know the exact time, but I’m guessing we’re probably running late for breakfast.”

He shrugged. “It’s only nine a.m. Jethro said between nine and nine-thirty is fine.”

Stepping into a matching set of knickers before pulling on the jeans, I threw him a look. “By the way, you can’t drop the fact that we’re travelling to the Philippines instead of Indonesia and not elaborate.” Slipping into the jumper, I waited for him to fill me in.