Chapter 37

Lucas lost colour, the exotic slant of his cheekbones pronounced. There was a lurch in the region of his gut, as though he had been punched. He didn’t want to be free. Naturally, he had gotten used to being married, and he was content to stay married and eventually try for another baby. Layla suited him. He didn’t know how she did it or why she was so important to him, but she matched him in all the ways that mattered. Indeed, he had become so accustomed to Layla being around that he could not imagine his life without her. Obviously, he was more of a creature of habit and routine than he had ever appreciated, because within a short time, Layla had become astonishingly necessary to his comfort. "And what if I don’t want to be free?" He grated, soft and low.