It was as if the baby was asking Remington what it would take to get Lizetta to wake up and play.

Remington patted the boy's diapered bottom. "You have to kiss the princess to wake her up. Let me show you."

The man leaned over, his warm breath fanning across Lizetta's cheek.

Her eyelashes fluttered. She hadn't dared open her eyes immediately, terrified that Stella might have doubled back or was spying through the crack in the door.

Feeling his breath draw near, a soft smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she waited quietly.

But even though he was right there, the kiss never came.

Her eyelashes fluttered more frantically; the anticipation was pure torture.

Finally, utterly confused, Lizetta snapped her eyes open and glared at him.

But the very second her eyes opened, Remington-whose face was mere inches away-captured her lips in a deep kiss.

Lizetta blinked, leaving her eyes wide open.

Seeing her awake, Ron's big eyes lit up. He wiggled excitedly in Remington's arms, clapping his tiny hands.

Because of their little audience, the kiss ended before it could deepen.

Lizetta shot the man a playful glare. "Didn't you say the princess needed a kiss to wake up?"

He was completely messing with her.

Remington's gaze was dark and intense as he looked at her.

"Yes, but after kissing her over and over again without her waking up, the prince is heartbroken and is starting to get a complex."

Lizetta paused, slightly taken aback. She hadn't expected that answer.

She thought he was just teasing her.

But thinking back to her two full days of unconsciousness-how he must have kissed her time and time again, desperately waiting for a response, only to be met with soul-crushing silence her heart ached.

A lump formed in her throat. She reached up and ran her fingers through his hair. "My poor prince. Do you need a kiss to make it better?"

Remington arched an eyebrow. He certainly wasn't going to reject an offer like that from the woman he loved.

Their eyes locked, the sexual tension between them thick and magnetic. But before Remington could lean in, a third party decided he'd had enough.

"Waaah!"

It was Ron, protesting loudly from Remington's lap.

The poor baby hadn't even mastered crawling yet. Seeing Lizetta awake, all he could do was stretch his neck and little arms as far as they would go, trying to grab her.

But after several failed attempts and Lizetta entirely ignoring him, the baby's feelings

were deeply hurt.

His wails were earth-shattering. He absolutely refused to stop.

"Oh no, why is he crying? Hurry, give him to me."

Lizetta gently pushed Remington away and reached out to take Ron.

She bent her knees, sitting the baby softly against her stomach, his little back resting comfortably against her legs.

She showered his tear-stained, chubby cheeks in kisses.

"Auntie Liz was wrong. Let me give you kisses, little guy. Don't be mad at me, okay? No more crying."

Ron seemed to absolutely adore the cuddles and kisses. He was incredibly easy to soothe.

Almost instantly, the tears stopped

He looked at Lizetta with wide,

shining eyes, flashing a massive,

gummy grin A thick string of drool

promptly slid down his chin.

Lizetta laughed. She was just reaching for a tissue when Remington handed one

over.

She took it, dabbing gently at the baby's chin, and looked up at Remington.

"Have someone bring up some baby wipes. These tissues are way too rough for a baby's skin. We don want to ruin such a handsome little face. Isn't that right, Joy?"