Alexander walks to me with long steps. He somehow can control himself not to run to me.

If I was less tired, I would have already started running to him or jumping in place. He's finally back! After six months!

«Hello, my love,» he says when he's two steps from me.

At that moment, he seems to notice something behind my back. He stops his walk and stares.

Then, as if displeased by something, he frowns.

He drags me in his arms when I cross the distance separating us. What in the world is going on in his mind? Oh, who cares?

He's here, and that is important.

I hug him, for once forgetting we have an audience.

«You're finally back!» I exclaim.

Alexander drags me closer and presses his lips on my forehead. I close my eyes and fight against the embarrassment of being in front of so many people.

«I see you had company while I was awake,» he comments.

«What?» I inquire, still lost in happiness.

I can't believe my hubby is back. I've waited for him so long that I almost forgot how handsome he is!

His beard has grown during the journey, and it's now covering his jaw with its black colour. It stings when he pecks my cheek, but I don't care at the moment.

His eyes are tired, but not as tired as to stop looking at me.

He's staring somewhere behind me, but I don't remember what I was doing before meeting him.

I turn to check, and I see the headteacher with his head bowed as a sign of respect. Ah, I see...

«Yes, I was very busy,» I say. «But I didn't overexert myself, husband. You don't need to worry!»

He's always like this. He doesn't want me to work until fainting.

It hasn't happened in years, so there's nothing Alexander should be worried about. If our lives are not in danger, I know when to stop working.

«Let's go talk about it somewhere private,» he whispers to my ear.

I try my best to keep my face straight. Judging from the giggles and the whispers, I fail miserably.

I offer my hand to Alexander, and we retreat in our chambers.

The waiting room feels empty without the nanny. She abandoned us before seeing Elias, and I'm sorry she didn't meet him. But she was indeed old, and she cuddled Lavinia to her heart's content.

Now, Kate is officially our children's nanny. She will take care of Elias as well. And of the other children we will have, too. I know we won't stop at two.

«Is it today?» I wonder. «Were you supposed to come back today?»

«Tomorrow,» he replies, avoiding my gaze. «But then, I couldn't help and worry about all the men that could take advantage of my absence to court my wife. I came back early to check on you.»

«Oh, is that so? Are you disappointed I wasn't cheating on you?»

«I haven't checked yet,» he replies with a slight pout.

What in the world? He's pretending to be jealous, now?

He's planning to do something very, very bad if he's building alibis right from the start.

«If you were supposed to come back tomorrow, then we can't do bed activities, Xander,» I point out.

«No?»

«No. We've been so proficient at following the plans in your office. Don't ruin it now. Let's wait for tomorrow, all right?»

«I agree,» he sighs. «We can't be together if it's too early. But it doesn't mean I'll let you sleep.»

Oh, he's so stubborn. But that's part of the reason I follow his orders when we're in bed. There's much more satisfaction if I don't fight against it.

And it's not a war I need to win. Mostly because losing is better under some circumstances.

«Since my wife misses me terribly, I will stay here,» Alexander adds with an evil, wily smile.

I gulp out of instinct and take a step back. It sounds like a threat, one of those that make me shiver and scream after barely a few minutes.

«Now, wife... Undress.» His tone is so calm that it's frightening.

Yet, do I have a choice? My traitor body won't let me decide anyway.

Even if it's the middle of the afternoon, there's no point in getting out now. We already are in the room, right?

I unfasten the first few buttons on my back until my hands can't reach the next one.

«I can't, hubby,» I complain, turning away from him to show my bare shoulders. «I need help.»

«You want my help, or should I call someone else?» he continues, this moron.

«My husband's help is the best.» He wants to hear praises and compliments, so why not say it?

«What can I get in return?»

«Do you need anything in return?» I rebuke. «I thought you wanted to help your wife without a hidden agenda. It turns out you're just taking advantage of this poor Lady.»

«I'll take advantage of my Lady whenever I desire,» Alexander points out. «That's not something I'd go out of my way for.»

«I can walk to you if that is a problem,» I sigh. «You selfish husband.»

«Say that again.»

«Selfish husband.»

His beaming face would confuse me if I didn't know him better.

I walk to him and offer my back, and he obediently unfastens the remaining buttons. I thought he would rip the cloth, but he doesn't even push the dress down from my shoulders.

He just undoes the buttons, for goodness.

«Now, walk back to the centre of the room,» he whispers to my ear, «and continue with your show.»

Ah, I get it. He'll make me do many, many shameless things before being satisfied.

«I'm waiting,» he moans, feigning annoyance.

I get rid of my clothes, one piece at a time. I make sure Alexander can see every move. He walks to the bed and sits there, so I turn, following his steps.

I clearly remember what happened the day Alexander came back from his journey to Kyre. I can't wait for tomorrow to come, for I'm looking forward to repeating all of that.

But for now, he must have something in mind if he's so focused. Alexander Kyre doesn't waste his brain on just anything.

«You missed me, didn't you?» he inquires, looking at my face.

I'm completely naked now. Yet, Alexander is not staring like his usual. Oh, it must be bad.

«I did,» I sigh.

I've told him so many times in all the letters I wrote. It's not a secret anymore.

«You missed me so much that you surround yourself with men,» he comments. Oh, he's sulking.

What in the world have I done, now? He came home a few minutes ago, and I'm already naked and following his orders so devotedly.

What does he want more than this?

«What's the matter, hubby?» I try.

He scoffs, breaking free from the enchantment of that word. Oh, it's the first time it's happened.

He grins, realising I'm being perfectly docile.

«Show me...» he starts, patting on the bed. «I want to see in every detail.»

«See what?»

«How you touched yourself while thinking of me.»