16 ZEE
“Myphysiotherapistsaidtomove.”Ella grabbed his hand as she stepped over an overgrown branch in front of the little gate that led to the gardens.
“Yes, but I don’t think this is what she had in mind.”Zee pulled back an overhanging branch so it wouldn’t hit his face.
They’d just finished dinner and then he walked with her from the back of their house to the little fence that was at the start of the garden.
“Thanks for squeezing in the appointment with me.”
“I wanted to know what she said, Ella.You’re doing great.You can take more breaks from the sling.”
“I will.”Ella picked up a long branch, dragged it on the ground then used it as a walking stick.
“I still think of turning this jungle into a bed-and-breakfast.”
“Yeah?”Zee couldn’t see her vision though he knew they had the acreage to do something with and he’d prefer to maintain it than to leave it this wild.
“I mean, I don’t think it could ever happen.”
Her sad tone made him stop, waiting for her to catch up to him.
“Hey slave of mine, all you have to do is tell me you want something and we’ll make it happen,” he took her in his arms, dragging his lips gently over hers, before kissing her tenderly.
She ducked her head against his chest and gave him a small smile.
“Zee, I’m fine.”Her hesitant smile didn’t reach her eyes and guilt twisted low in his belly.
“You tell me if you ever want to chase a waterfall, okay?”He slid his hand up her back to her nape and tugged her thick, long hair.
“I promise.”She reached out with her good arm and ran her fingertips over his collarbone, her feather light touch electrifying.
He groaned low in his throat, the ache of needing her already intensifying at the thought of being away from her, even for a moment and held her hand against his chest as he kissed her, urgently, demanding that she open her mouth, allowing him deeper access.
His hands roamed over her back as he held her close, heat spread in his chest as she met him with a soft moan that vibrated through him, making his cock throb against his zipper, stirring.
“I don’t like being away from you, dear heart,” he brushed the hair out of her flushed face.
“I know.”
He slid his fingers through hers and she set the pace, walking slower than usual until they reached her garden.
Her garden was a labour of love and had blossomed over the years but he didn’t visit it that often with her.
The last time he’d been here the sunflower maze she started only reached his knee.
Now they were at his waist.
Ella picked up her spade and cleared away weeds and branches, even though she was breathing hard.
He didn’t stop her, though he wanted to.
“This trellis fell down during the last windstorm.I haven’t had a chance to get it up.”
“Let me help.”Zee ran over.With a grunt, he reached down and pulled pieces of the rough wood out of the way of the path.“Ella, we need a grounds crew.”
“Leave me with my little patch.I like that the rest of it is wild and untamed.”She laughed, her eyes twinkling, and he shook his head before continuing to clear the broken trellis
“I know this place means a lot to you.”But River’s advice about securing this part of their land floated through his head.
