Page 83 of Gwen's Delta
As always, Sir Galahad was waiting at the door, and she wondered if he’d spent the last couple days waiting for her. Scooping him up for a cuddle, she smiled as he purred and rubbed his face against hers.
“It’s good to be home.”
“I bet. Why don’t you go shower? Then we can get some sleep. You look dead on your feet.”
“Okay.”
Chapter 22
While Gwen showered, Merlin fed Sir Galahad, then locked up the house. By the time Merlin made it to the bedroom, Gwen was sound asleep. After checking on her and turning off the light, he grabbed a shower.
As Merlin stood under the steamy shower, he reviewed the events of the last few days. It was fucking amazing they’d gotten the bomb diffused in time. He’d swear that he aged about ten years in those last few seconds. But fate had helped him when he needed it most, and he’d clipped the right wire.
Sand had been part of Merlin’s debriefing, and it had taken all his willpower not to deck the fucker. If Roe hadn’t been there, he might have, but his commander’s slight nod reminded Merlin he was on post and it would mean a court-martial. Not that he’d cared at that moment. Hopefully, after the reports were turned over to command and the CIA office in DC, Sand would be demoted or something.
Roe had pulled him aside after the debriefing and told him the CIA had picked up Rashad and stowed him in a black site somewhere. At least now there was one less snake in the pit. Of course, there’d be at least five others vying to take over control. It made Merlin wonder if there would ever be peace. Talk about an oxymoron.
Damn. Merlin was tired and just about every muscle ached, even after the hot shower. A soft bed and a warm woman sounded like just the solution. But when he opened the bathroom door, Gwen looked so peaceful. He wondered if he should take the couch instead of disturbing her rest. Then the cat’s head popped up on her other side, his eyes glowing in the moonlight, almost like he’d been waiting for Merlin to come to bed. As soon as he slid underneath the sheets, the cat settled back down, his purr a soothing reminder that they were home.
For the first time in years, Merlin didn’t wake up at five and jump out of bed. When he woke and realized it was already nine, he was shocked. Smiling to himself, he looked down at his princess, who was still sound asleep. Gwen’s auburn hair spread over her shoulders and her even breathing tickled his chest.
Sir Galahad’s motorboat purr caught his attention. The cat was sitting in the center of Gwen’s unused pillow like he was king of the world.
“Sorry, buddy, she’s mine now.”
The cat meowed as if to say, “We’ll see.”
The ring of the doorbell startled him. Not wanting it to wake Gwen, he tried to extricate himself from their tangled arms and legs. He’d almost succeeded when her eyelids opened.
“Mmm, morning. Where are you going?” Gwen lifted her arms above her head, and the sheet pulled back, revealing the tops of her breasts. She looked like a fairy princess bathed in the sunlight, with gold glinting in her red hair and her bright-white smile.
Maybe he should just ignore the doorbell and climb back into bed, but it rang again.
“Someone rang the doorbell. I’ll tell them we don’t want any.” Merlin grinned. “It’s still early. You should try to get more sleep, princess.” He stepped into a pair of jeans he’d pulled out of his pack the night before and then grabbed a T-shirt.
After tucking the sheet around Gwen, he gently kissed her forehead.
“I’ll be back,” he murmured as he headed for the front door. Whoever was outside was damn persistent. They’d rung the bell two more times. Fuck. It was way too early for this shit.
Merlin unlocked the door and pulled it open to find her parents on the doorstep. He had expected them but not this early. It was rude. They had to know Gwen wouldn’t have gotten home until late last night or early this morning.
“Mr. Dedmond. Mrs. Dedmond. Don’t you think it’s a bit early for a visit?”
“Forest. Yes, I know who you are. And I don’t give a shit if you’re Delta or not. Get out of the way. I want to see my daughter,” Arthur Dedmond demanded and tried to push his way past Merlin. “What are you doing in my daughter’s house, anyway?”
Merlin waited for Arthur to push him. If it weren’t for Gwen, Merlin would have punched him in Cairo. The man was on borrowed time if he didn’t cut the shit.
“Dad? Mom? What are you doing here?” Gwen asked.
Well, fuck.Merlin couldn’t keep them out now and backed away to allow her parents to come into the house. It just proved how inconsiderate they were. Gwen looked exhausted with dark circles under her eyes, and her skin was much paler than usual. She needed rest.
“We need to talk to you. Alone,” Stacey Dedmond said as she looked over at Merlin.
Gwen shook her head. “That’s not going to happen. I’m not asking Luke to leave. Besides, couldn’t this conversation have happened later? I don’t have anything to say to you. But I guess I can listen to you.”
Merlin held back a sigh when she didn’t toss them out on their asses. He’d have enjoyed that. But his princess wouldn’t do that. It’s just one small reason why he loved her. Even after everything she’d been through, she was still gentle and kind.
“I’ll make some coffee,” he offered.
