Chapter 51: Heavy Lies the Head

Dimitri POV

The flickering of the television in their room greeted him when he walked in. Ariana sat on the bed, watching a French-language documentary program. With her back to him, she sat in her pajamas, already ready for bed. She wore long flannel pajamas, no negligee.

"Ariana," he said softly.

She ignored him, watching the documentary about French people living the traditional way in the countryside, making goat's milk cheese. The process of making goat cheese seemed to mesmerize her. Either that or she'd have done anything to avoid paying attention to him. She also leafed through a textbook from one of her biotechnology courses. Truly, a multitasker.

"Ariana, may I have a moment of your time?" he asked.

After a few more seconds of reading and watching, she turned down the volume and set aside the book, open to her place. "What is it ... sir?"

"Christ, don't sound so formal. If you have to call me something right now, call me Daddy."