HIS DAME

Chapter 22

Greetings sweet people....
How are you?

This chapter is dedicated to shazameena (my honeybunch 🍯)

Please ignore the typo mistakes

Enjoy!!
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"How does it taste, Ned?" Grandmother Zoey asked, watching Nedvar's face as he tried to remain composed despite wanting to shout. He kept his cool, though, since Hermione, his wife, had prepared the dessert.

"Is it too sweet for your liking, Nedvar?" Hermione asked with a knowing smile, clearly implying something more. Nedvar gave her the calmest smile he could manage. "Yes, very sweet, Mia," he replied. From the corner of his eye, he noticed Ethan eagerly taking a bite, and his eyes widened as he watched his son stuff his mouth full of the soft cake.

Everyone at the table praised Hermione's cooking, and she thanked them graciously. She glanced to her side at Nedvar, who sat calmly eating, though his dessert plate was far from ordinary. The cake she had served him, though covered in chocolate frosting, was loaded with chili powder. The intense spiciness mixed with the sweet chocolate would make anyone sane hesitate after a single bite.

But Nedvar was the first to finish, lips slightly swollen and pink, eyes glassy, and ears flushed. He rose from his seat and politely excused himself, placing a gentle kiss on Ethan's forehead. Moving toward Hermione, he leaned close, too close for her liking. She was about to push him away when his lips touched the corner of her mouth, lingering just enough to leave her speechless. With a smirk, he pulled back, winked, and walked out of the dining room. Hermione sat stunned, not sure how to react.

His lips were surprisingly warm and soft. She had almost thought he might kiss her, but he managed to keep her in suspense, leaving her with an unexpected rush of nerves that, somehow, she didn't dislike.

"Hermione, back to earth!" Sera's voice snapped her out of her daze, and she quickly composed herself, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. The entire table chuckled, and even Ethan giggled, caught up in the fun.

Later, as Hermione prepared Ethan for bed in his dragon-themed room, he looked up at her, "Mama, I'll sleep here tonight," he announced.

"Why, Bubba?" she asked, buttoning his shirt.

"Nonna says I have to sleep in my room so dada loves you," he replied innocently, making Hermione stare at him, speechless.

"She also said not to 'disurb you after dinnel,'" he added. Hermione chuckled, realizing the whole family was subtly trying to push her and Nedvar closer. "Anytime you need me, you can still come to my room, okay?" she told him gently.

"Yes, Mama. I'm a big boy now," he replied proudly, puffing out his chest. She chuckled, ruffling his hair before soothing him to sleep with gentle scalp rubs.

Once Ethan was asleep, Hermione headed back to her own room. The lights were dim, but she didn't think much of it as she entered. In the bathroom, she freshened up, and then changed into a large, soft pink hoodie. When she came back out, reaching for her laptop on the coffee table, a soft light filled the room, and she gasped as she saw a pair of dark gray eyes watching her.