Warm water poured down, surrounding Madeline as Julian held her close. Her body welcomed him before her mind could even process what was happening.
Steam filled the bathroom, mixing with the heat between them. Julian let out a low, satisfied sound when he finally got what he wanted.
In the quiet, Madeline’s pleas faded into broken whispers. Tears slipped from the corners of her eyes. Through the haze, she thought she heard him say something near her ear.
It sounded like, “I love you.”
She lost track of how long they stayed like that. Eventually, Julian washed her gently and carried her back to bed. Madeline was so spent she didn’t want to move, while he still seemed full of energy.
He bent down and pressed a soft kiss to her brow, his voice gentle and warm. “You tired?”
Madeline was too lazy to even open her eyes. She just hummed in agreement.
Julian lightly brushed her hair back, looking at her like she was the most precious thing in the world. “Go to sleep.”
She pulled the blanket up and didn’t say another word.
Julian watched her peaceful face and let out a quiet sigh, silently scolding himself for what he did before.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. It was sharp and unexpected.
Julian frowned, pulled on a robe, and stepped out of the bedroom, closing the door behind him. When he opened the main doors, he found two little boys and two men waiting outside.
“Daddy,” Noah and Oliver called out, looking up at him.
“Julian,” Josh and Brady greeted him with wide grins.
“What are you all doing here?”
Josh leaned against the doorframe, looking relaxed. “The boys missed you. Plus, we were coming over tomorrow for the Ballard family thing, so we figured we’d bring them along tonight.”
“Daddy, where’s Mommy?” Oliver asked, his big eyes full of hope.
They clearly cared more about seeing their mom than him.
...
The next day, Madeline woke up to an empty room. Her cheeks turned pink as last night’s memories hit her all at once.
She blinked away the sleep, grabbed her phone, and saw it was already past ten.
Reaching for one of Julian’s shirts, she tossed it over her shoulders and headed to the bathroom.
In the mirror, she saw her skin covered in love marks, looking like she’d been in a wrestling match.
She bit her lip, embarrassed. Had he really gone that long without being with anyone?
Last night, she had honestly worried she might not survive his energy.
After washing up and getting dressed, she stepped out of the bathroom and noticed a beautiful gown hanging in the room. Her eyes widened in surprise as she walked over for a closer look.
It was stunning. Did Julian pick this out for her?

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Twin Cupids at Work Daddy Come Home