“What’s my Rose doing?” he rasped in my ear. His thumb brushed on my belly in circles.

“I’m preparing dinner for the guards.” Tossing the pasta, I sprinkled some more salt.

He raised his brows.

I rolled my eyes. “Of course I’m making food for both of us. Though we can send some for them.”

“No. Only I can taste the food my Rosebud makes for me.” The place between his brows furrowed.

Shaking my head, I chuckled.

Unbelievable.

He nuzzled my neck again. A shiver ran through me as his stubble tickled my skin. I let out a giggle.

“Stop! It tickles!”

He rubbed his face more against my neck, making me laugh.

When his fingers crept up my sides, I let out a squeal, trying to get away. But holding me back, he tickled my sides, throwing me into a fit of laughter.

With a smile stretched across his face, he watched me wiggling in his arms, cackling like an idiot.

“S-stop! I can’t breathe!”

But he didn’t stop. His laughter followed behind, it sounded musical to my ears.

And when I started wheezing, only then he stopped. Wiping the tears from the corner of my eyes, I glared at him. He grinned, pulling me into him again.

“I’m hungry,” he whispered, his hand crawling into my blouse.

I bit my lip at the tug in my lower abdomen. “Dinner first.”

“I can’t wait anymore. I need you, baby,” he groaned, his hands inching closer from my chest.

Pulling away, I took the pasta off the stove. “No, I’m making dinner and we’ll enjoy the food now. Other plans are for later.”

He grumbled, trying to touch me again. But I put the ladle between us, halting his movements.

“Now let me finish my job. I need to ice the cake.”

His lips pressed together. “All right. Let me help.”

“No. Today is my turn to feed you. I’ll do everything myself. I’m almost done, anyway. You go finish any work you have left.”

“Oh, I can’t wait for you to feed me,” he commented, licking his lips.

My cheeks flamed at his double meaning. Letting out a laugh, he pressed a kiss on my lips and walked away.

Shaking my head, I let out a sigh.

I could see through his façade even though he acted like nothing happened. I saw the storm brewing in his eyes behind all his teasing and laughter. He appeared more tense than usual after our little talk in his office.

Something was bothering him, and it broke my heart to see him this way.

Turning under the blanket, I felt cold. I didn’t wake up to the warm body I went to sleep with. My hand stretched for him on the bed, but he wasn’t there.

Reaching out, I turned on the lamp that lightened the dark room.

The washroom and balcony doors were locked.