Page 26 of Marriage (Red, White &) Blues

“It’s been a long night. My cock is granite, but I need you to be sure. So, we’ll sleep on it.” After pulling the comforter back over us, he held me in a spoon. I couldn’t decide if I wanted to choke him or kiss him for his kindness.

Blake kissed my neck. “Thank you for coming here,” he whispered. Kiss him. Definitely kiss him.

I nodded, snuggling into his warmth to my back, I forced myself to sleep. Hot and bothered usually meant a fitful sleepbut I must’ve slept hard because when I finally woke up, I was in the bed alone and the clock on the nightstand said it was eleven. What time did brunches start?

“Hey, sleepyhead.”

I heard the voice from the doorway and I looked up to a fresh-faced, fully-dressed husband standing in the doorway.

“Hey. I’m sorry. Why didn’t you wake me sooner?”

“Because you needed the rest.” The man said it so easy and caring like it wasn’t a hundred percent on himwhyI needed the rest.

“What time do brunches start?”

“Sweetheart, we’ll get there when we get there. I’m not worried about them. My concern is you.”

“Could I use the shower?”

“You can use anything you want, it’s your home, too. But how about a soak in the tub? It’s huge. Gives Maisie time to unpack you.”

“Maisie?” I asked.

“My housekeeper. She’s a gem. You’ll love her, I promise.”

“You have a housekeeper?”

“No,” he said, snickering. “Wehave a housekeeper, sweetheart. And a cook, and a gardener.”

“A cook and a gardener? Do we have a barista, too?”

“No,” he replied, smiling. “But I can hire one if you want. The staff usually gets the weekend off, but Maisie wanted to meet you and she thought it would be awkward if she just showed up for a visit.”

“It wouldn’t be awkward. I’m glad to meet the people youlike.”

“That’s what I told her, but she insisted and you’ll understand when you meet her. It’s hard to saynoto Maisie.”

“Should I dye my hair before brunch?” I asked.

Blake popped out a laugh. “Don’t you touch your hair. It’s gorgeous, and it was the first thing I noticed in Paris. That got me looking at your face, and the happy yet serene expression you wore that day, like there was no place in the world you’d rather be at that moment than sitting by that river. Then, of course, my gaze dropped to your curves and I was lost. Without that hair, I might not be a married man now.”

“Maybe they’d like me better if I?—”

“They’d like you better if your last name was Von Dutton or McCain. But I didn’t fall in love with a Von Dutton or McCain. I fell in love with Gloria Kowalski. And Gloria Kowalski doesn’t have to change for anybody.”

I closed the few steps of distance between us, throwing my arms around his neck and kissing him. “I’ll take a bath.” Then I pulled out from his hold to walk to the bathroom. At the last moment, I looked over my shoulder at him. “Thank you, Blake, you know… for being you.” I didn’t give him a chance to respond, continuing into the bathroom and closing the door.

How were we going to make this work? Legally binding or not, I was his wife. When we’d started our adventure together back in Paris, I’d never imagined it leading us here. Seeing that I only wore a bra and panties, I sat on the edge of the tub to get the water going before stripping down the rest of the way.

With the temperature just right, I discarded my unmentionables and slid into the bath, submerging my head before the need for oxygen forced me back up. He had my toiletries already waiting for me.

Once the water started to cool, I un-stoppered the drain and got out, drying off with a massive, incredibly fluffy, yellow bath sheet. Keeping the towel wrapped around my body, I picked up my bra and panties, tossing them into the hamper, and walked back into the bedroom, where it appeared Maisie left clothes laid out for me along with a note.

Ms. Gloria,

I know how nerve-wracking it can be to meet the in-laws for the first time and I know the Parkers. I thought this dress and wedges were appropriate brunch attire in case you needed a helping hand.

Maisie

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