Olivia Sparks

The sun's rays filtered in the tall windows of the private study inside Maxen's bedroom and served as the natural spotlight to the king and queen who sat on the sofa facing it.

Beside them, Olivia's eyes darted between King Alistair and Queen Isla as the two argued.

"That's exactly the reason we only have two kids," Queen Isla reasoned out, lifting two fingers to give her husband a visual of how many she had given birth to just in case King Alistair didn't hear what she just said.

"You are exaggerating again, Isla. Need I remind you that you have an irregular period, that's why we had a hard time conceiving?"

"It doesn't matter. The problem was, you can't f.u.c.k me every night because of that rule." Queen Isla's hand flew to her mouth to stop herself from cursing, but it was all too late.

"Watch your language, Isla," King Alistair warned with a glare enough to slice Queen Isla's tongue in half. He was leaning on the sofa like the king that he was with an arm hung on the backrest of the sofa.

Queen Isla's eyes darted to King Alistair's knuckles that perched on top of the sofa's walnut frame. She sneered in victory as she watched it turned into white when he curled his fingers into a fist.

"I won't approve of it," Queen Isla said, persistent in her cause, folding her arms on her c.h.e.s.t and jutting her chin upward in defiance.

In the middle of what seemed like an endless argument between their parents, Olivia found refuge in her husband who perched himself on the love seat's armrest that they were sitting on. 

Her eyes traced from their entwined hands sitting on top of his l.a.p, then up on the length of his arm, landing on his face.

She smiled. Yes, he looked devastatingly handsome. Yes, his heart belonged to her. But what made her smile was how Maxen chose to sit on the armrest so his broad back could block the blinding sunbeams that would assault Olivia's face.

For years, she was doing great on her own, living an independent life in a foreign country that she called her home. Every night before she fell asleep, she etched in her mind that she's a strong woman and that there was no mountain that she could not conquer.

But now that they had each other, Olivia thought a little family drama every once in a while won't hurt as long as Maxen was beside her, placing her comfort above anything else in the world.

She let out a soft sigh. Most of the time, his attention to small details revolving her would surprise Olivia. It was his simple gestures which made her heart skip a beat. 

Unbeknownst to her, she was gawking at Maxen for a while, even after King Alistair and Queen Isla had each given the other their closing argument. 

The older pair shifted in their seats, each with a scowl painted on their face. King Alistair grunted. Queen Isla huffed. They ignored each other and turned to face Maxen and Olivia and the sour looks on their faces dissolved as they were given a flashback of their younger selves in the form of Maxen and Olivia.

Olivia's penetrating gaze stole Maxen's attention away from his parents and their eyes met for a brief second. "Thank you," Olivia mouthed and her eyes turned into crescent moons when she smiled as her heart swelled with gratitude for having Maxen in her life.

"Anything for you," Maxen replied.

He lifted their entwined hands and his gaze locked with hers as he planted a chaste kiss on her knuckles. His soft lips c.a.r.e.s.sed the thin layer of skin and his warm breath seeped in her bones, snaking a buzz of electricity through her veins.

She pressed her knees together when a wave of need pooled between her legs and her breathing became labored. She saw something flash in Maxen's eyes, like a threat of punishment for pushing his button. 

Or was it a promise of euphoria? She didn't know, but she would love to find out once they were alone by themselves and their visitors left the confines of their private space.

Wait. What?!

'How inappropriate, Olivia,' she reprimanded herself in her thoughts and straightened her back as she faced King Alistair and Queen Isla with a grin on her face.

"My fault," Maxen admitted, tracing a finger on the curve of Olivia's spine to tease her more. "I distracted her."

"Pfft," Queen Isla snorted, bumping her arm on King Alistair to nudge the grumpy old grandpa.

With everyone's attention back to where it should be, who was the king, he then proceeded to drop his edict. He looked at Olivia straight into her eyes and said, "Protocol requires you and Maxen to sleep in two separate bedrooms at night."

"What?" Olivia raised a single brow on King Alistair, unperturbed at his dominant and imposing air that filled the room. She swatted her hand, clearing the thick white fog that seemed to cover the king. "I'm sorry if I would offend you, but I have to ask… do you agree to that, baby?" She angled her head and looked at Maxen who gulped in his seat, shifting his b.u.t.t slightly on the armrest that seemed to sink and swallow him whole.

Two more heads snapped on his way as they waited in bated breath for his answer. He knew whatever would come out of his mouth would disappoint at least one person in the room. However, the last person he would disappoint was his wife who needed him now more than ever. She even called him 'baby'. That showed how badly she needed him right now.

"As mother suggested," Maxen trailed off and sent a knowing smile to Queen Isla who was grinning like a Cheshire cat.

The little movement was enough for King Alistair to brace himself over the colluding of his wife and son. Oh, and add his daughter-in-law too.

"It's about time we abolish that protocol, Dad. For one, I can't sleep without Olivia by my side."