Page 68 of His Forever

She nodded and took his hand so they could go back to his house for a little while. Once inside, he gave her one of his T-shirts and then took their suits outside to hang so they would dry. Watching him take care of something so simple had her smiling as she grabbed them each a bottle of water. Back in his room and curled up on the bed, she grinned to herself as he found something on the large TV before he leaned down to kiss her. “Mmm, you smell like sunshine and fresh air,” he told her as his lips moved to her neck.

Giggling because he hit a ticklish spot, she said, “Well, wehavebeen outside for almost two days straight.”

“This is true, mi siempre hermosa. I have enjoyed this weekend, even spending it with all of our families.”

“I have too, Zeus, but I’ve enjoyed being with you more,” she said as her hands moved to his waist. Now that they had been together, she couldn’t seem to keep her hands off him.

Soft kisses soon turned deeper and she found herself on her back as he raised the T-shirt she was wearing, stroking and kissing each inch of exposed skin. “Zeus? I thought we were going tosiesta,” she said as passion flared.

“We will once we are worn out,” he told her.

Chapter Twenty

Returning to the party later in the afternoon well-sated, she endured the jokes from her cousin as he remarked on howwell-restedshe looked. She smiled as she adjusted the halter top of the sundress she had changed into. Despite the sunblock, she was feeling the after-effects of all the sun she had gotten.Whatever.I never knew it could be like this!

Steaks and chicken on the grill, she helped the other women get the side dishes out before she went to find Zeus. Seeing him standing at a grill, shirtless, had her catching her breath once again. Her mind skipped back to the night they had met and replayed each time she had seen him and she knew that no matter what life brought to them, he would be by her side. “Hey handsome, brought you another beer,” she said as she came alongside him. He pulled her close and kissed her forehead.

“Hey sweetheart. The meats are almost done.”

“They smell wonderful.”

He leaned in and whispered, “They won’t taste nearly as good as you, I’m sure.”

Blushing, she shook her head while he laughed. As he stacked the steaks and chicken on a platter, he used every excuse to touch her. Finally done, she walked back to where the food was set up, asking, “Where do you want these, Mamá?”

“Over here, Mija, please.”

***

As they settled in to get ready for the fireworks, she sighed. “You okay, mi siempre hermosa?”

“Yeah, Zeus, I’m perfectly fine.”

“Te amo, Marleigh,” he said, pulling her closer so she was nearly on his lap.

“I love you too,” she whispered before she stole a kiss. Not one to miss a beat, he deepened the kiss and before she knew it, she lost herself in how he was making her feel. “Zeus,” she moaned as he nipped her lower lip.

“I cannot keep my hands to myself any longer, mi siempre hermosa,” he told her as his hands stroked her back.

“No complaints from me, Zeus. I honestly never knew it could be like this,” she replied. “Is what I’m feeling normal?”

“Si, mi siempre hermosa, and if it’s not, then I am in the same boat as you,” he said.

Content to snuggle into him, they watched the fireworks his cousins were setting off. Once all were done, he led her around so they could say good night to everyone before he took her home.

***

“What are you doing?” she asked him as they walked into his house and directly to the master bathroom.

“I told you, we were going to soak,” he replied as he started the water in the tub and dumped some Epsom salts in before he came to her. Leaning in to kiss her, he reached back and untied the strings to her halter top before sliding the dress off, leaving her standing there in a strapless bra and panties. “Mmm, beautiful,” he whispered as he kissed across the top of her breasts. “C’mon, mi siempre hermosa,” he said as he finished undressing her and then pulled his board shorts off.

Stepping into the tub in front of him, she leaned back and let out a sigh of contentment. There was no way she was going to say anything, but as many times as they had made love, shewassore and her low back had started to ache. As they lay there, his arms around her waist, they talked about the weekend.

“Marleigh?”

“Hmm?”

“Best weekend ever,” he said as he nuzzled below her ear.