I stayed where I was on the couch, flicking through a magazine on investment opportunities in Africa.

I waited until Elle gave the gray feline her ration of freshly cooked chicken then watched as she unwound her long blonde hair and tossed it over her shoulder.

Hoisting the towel higher around her breasts, she moved back toward the bedroom to continue dressing for the charity gala I was hosting with Larry.

I already wore the gold tux that was this evening’s color of choice.

Elle had yet to dress.

Checking my watch, I cracked a smile.

I was the host. I shouldn’t be late.

But I had a fiancée who was too delectable.

Tossing the magazine away, I followed her into the bedroom, grabbed her wrist, and spun her around. I yanked at the towel.

“Hey.” She swatted me as the fabric tumbled to the floor. Her eyes glittered; her love that I’d never get used to or tired of seeing shone so damn bright. “If you kiss me, who knows how long we’ll be.”

I smirked. “I plan on doing a lot more than just kissing you, Elle.” Biting her ear, I growled, “Get on the bed.”

With a grin, she obeyed instantly, spreading her legs, acting coy and shy all at once.

The perfect woman.

My perfect woman.

Undoing my belt, I fell to my knees to worship her.

We’d get to the charity event.

Eventually.

In the meantime, we’d be together.

Just us.

We’d love. We’d argue. We’d protect. We’d evolve.

We were a family.

And that was all that fucking mattered.