[Bonus chapter]
Nicholas's POV:
I noticed that, for the first time, Talia was very relaxed around me. She was so enjoying the dinner that she tried to play her baby jokes on the situation. She was stretching dinner time by bringing up new topics. I loved it. She was herself. Carefree and gentle. Enjoying every moment.
Finally, everything had been eaten, and Louis got up to wash the dishes. Talia smiled at me, and for the first time this evening, I saw a wave of passion in her eyes. They were flaming. She needed to have me in her. I was so ready to claim every bit of her. Her passion came with a flicker of fear. That was a good thing because she could again sense that dark undercurrent in my attitude. Maybe she didn't realize that it had been present all night long with me. I just tried to get her comfortable, thereby charming her up for the last three or more hours, making her laugh and her emotions settled. I wanted her ready for when I would take over.