Chapter 34

Gaius’ POV

The scent of rose and Jasmine is stronger than I’ve smelled it this past three weeks, and it only means one thing: she’s here. I drop the book. I’m ready and hurry downstairs in time to catch one of my men carrying the sleeping form of the woman I love to one of the bedrooms.

“Derrick,” I call out, “Hand her over.”

He places her in the cradle of my arms, and I stand frozen for a second, unable to believe she’s finally back in my arms. Gently, being careful not to wake her up, I take her upstairs to my room and place her on the bed, making sure to adjust her properly on the soft sheets. I watch her sleep as I drink in her features like a starved man. In a way, I am because I have deprived myself of her presence for far too long.

She looks the same, yet different. Her hair is longer and more voluminous than usual, and her light brown skin is a lot paler than it used to be. She’s thinner, too, but not in a jarring way, and I can’t wait for her