Page 47 of His Forever

Gah, he’s killing meshe thought as she nodded her head. At the nightgown section, she blushed seeing some of the more provocative outfits displayed.That’s not me or who I amshe decided as she headed over to the nightshirts she preferred. Flipping through the rack, she started giggling which caused him to ask, “What’s so funny?”

She pulled the nightgown out with a character on it looking rumpled and frumpy with a caption that said “I don’t do mornings” on it. “I think this one will work, don’t you?”

He smiled at her because truthfully, he didn’t care what she wore to bed as long as she was in his arms. “Si, it’s perfect. Are you ready?”

***

Back home, they stopped by her place so she could drop off a few items and check on the cats before they headed to his house, where they found everyone relaxing on the back porch. “Zeus, this swing is fantastic!” her uncle said as he and her aunt relaxed.

“I have had several enjoyable naps out here,” he replied as he passed around fresh beers before getting her a wine cooler. When he looked at her aunt, she shook her head no and said, “I’m saving my drinking for tomorrow. Not as young as I used to be.”

They sat and chatted until nearly midnight before Zeus got up and said, “I know tomorrow is going to be a long day so we’re headed to bed. See you in the morning.”

As he led her into his room, he smiled to himself.Another night with her in my arms.The cold shower in the morning is going to kill me but I won’t worry about it tonight.Closing the door once Duke ambled in, he handed her the bag she had bought at Walmart earlier. “Go ahead, mi siempre hermosa, you can go first and I will shower once you’re finished.”

“Are you sure? I’ll be quick,” she replied. “I mean, I took one earlier but it’s that time of year when it gets sticky outside so I know I’ll sleep better.”

“Si, I will as well,” he responded. “Plus, it’s going to be an early day. I think you may want to nap for a bit before you go out tomorrow night.”

“But I don’t want to miss out on visiting with everyone.”

“Sweetheart, they have to know you need rest.”

Sighing, she finally agreed. “Okay, be out as quick as I can.”

“Take your time.”

Not surprisingly, she was back out in less than twenty minutes, freshly showered and with her hair braided, she looked like a little nymph as she approached the bed. He handed her the remote and said, “Find something to watch, mi siempre hermosa. I wasn’t tired, I just wanted some alone time with you.”

She smiled as he headed into the bathroom for a quick shower before she settled on a movie. When he came back out, he turned the lights off, leaving the room lit only by the television. Pulling her close, he kissed her thoroughly and when he finally pulled back, said, “I’ve been wanting to do that for a few hours, mi siempre hermosa, but out of respect for your father, I waited.”

The movie now ignored, she curled into his arms while he kissed her. Several long minutes passed before he pulled back slightly and said, “As much as I would like to continue, you need some sleep.”

Sighing because he was right but she didn’t want to give in, she gave him a pouty face that had him laughing before he pulled her close again and whispered, “Some day, mi siempre hermosa, it won’t matter how early either of us need to get up.” Placing a final kiss on her lips, he made sure she was comfortable before he turned the television off. “Good night, Marleigh. Sleep well.”

“Night Zeus. You too.”

Chapter Sixteen

The smell of bacon woke her up and she pulled away from Zeus’ arms to get out of bed and get ready. Glancing at her phone, she saw they had plenty of time before they had to be at the salon. “Marleigh? Where are you going?” Zeus asked, his sleep-roughened voice causing shivers to course through her body.

“Shower. Smells like my aunt is cooking breakfast and I don’t want to miss out,” she told him as she grabbed her clothes.

“I’ll see you out there and make sure they save you some, okay?”

Laughing, she replied, “Let them know if there’s no bacon left for me, they’ll regret it!”

He headed out to the kitchen, not surprised to see everyone else up except for Paulie and Gray. “Good morning. I hope you all slept well,” he said as he headed to the coffee pot.

“We did and I hope it’s okay that I made myself at home in your kitchen,” Jeanie said. “Figured as busy as today was going to be, I’d make sure my favorite girl ate well.”

“I don’t mind at all. Where’s Duke?” he asked. “He’s normally in the thick of things.”

“Oh, George and Sam have him out back I think.”

He headed out to the back porch where he found the two older men. “Morning, Sam. Morning, George,” he said, sipping on his coffee.

“Morning Zeus. Beautiful place you have here.”

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