He was not foolish enough to think their life would run smoothly. They had constantly argued for the first few years of their acquaintance, but he knew that would only strengthen what they had. The love they shared. Life with Mary would never be boring.
Easing the window up, which was thankfully unlocked, he stepped inside.
Nothing about them was traditional. Nothing normal, and this was no different. Zach had not been able to sleep. He’d wanted her, so he was coming here to see her. He just hoped no one else slept on this floor.
Zach, his brothers would willingly tell anyone, could be impetuous when the need struck.
Tiptoeing down the hallway, he opened the first door he came to. Listening, he heard a soft snuffle. Stepping inside, he closed it behind him. Making his way to the bed, he leaned over the slumbering form to check it was indeed Mary and not Phillipa. The thought made him shudder.
He saw the gold of her hair, and then she turned, and her eyes sprang open.
“It’s me, Zach.” His hand touched her cheek.
“Zach?” Her voice sounded thick with sleep. “Wh-why are you here?”
“I missed you and couldn’t wait any longer to see you.”
“You’re in my room in the middle of the night.” She squinted to the window. “What time is it?”
“Midnight. You sleep with your curtains open?”
“Sometimes.”
He grinned. “Me too. Now, move over, I’m joining you.”
“You do realize this is… is… I have no words,” she whispered shuffling sideways.
“There is always a first time for everything, my sweet.”
Zach shrugged out of his jacket and boots.
“Move over.”
She did, and he slid under the covers and took her warm, soft body into his arms.
“Are you hurting, Mary?”
“I’m better now you’re here,” she whispered.
He held her close, enjoying the feel and scent of his girl. His need for this woman was now so powerful it consumed him.
“Do you think it’s possible to love too much, Mary?” He whispered the words into her hair.
“There can never be too much love between us, Zach.”
He rolled her onto her back. “I’m just sorry it took me so long to realize I loved you.”
“I’m not. You got all those other women out of your system and now you can focus on me.” She smiled up at him.
“I’ll never look at another woman again,” he vowed.
“Now that’s a lie.” She giggled when he tickled her ribs. “I still can’t believe you are in my bed. You climbed the tree, didn’t you?”
“The tree you will never climb again, yes. We got him, Mary.”
The hand that had been stroking his cheek stopped.
“I also wanted to tell you that we found Caldwell. He is now being dealt with by our monarch and Geraint and I suspect will be hanging from a noose alongside his friend Falcon soon.
