Chapter 9

Chapter Nine

VANDER

Pleasure overwhelmed me to where finding the right words was hard. I settled for giving him a passionate kiss that I hoped told him everything I couldn't express verbally.

"I'd ask how you're feeling, but I get the impression you're feeling amazing," Everson said in a playful tone as he pulled out and shifted to lie down next to me.

I found my voice. "Better than amazing. That was incredible."

"Not to weird you out, but that really felt like I finally found my happily ever after with you." There was a guarded look in his eyes, as if he were afraid I'd reject him or his claim.

I gave him what I hoped was a reassuring smile. "I'd love to be so lucky."

"Then let's make it happen." His confidence was easy to put my faith in, even though I was typically more cautious about my heart. "Will you be my boyfriend?"

The question overjoyed me, but I still had to be sure. "You really want to be with Sir Grumpsalot?"

"More than anything," he said with a warmth that cradled my heart and promised me I was safe with him. "Will you make me the happiest prince in Romancelandia?"

It was the kind of romanticism I would have scoffed at before. But Everson made me want to believe in happily ever afters, especially for us. "I'd love that."

His beautiful smile told me I had definitely made the right decision. "Good. I'll be right back." Everson gave me a kiss before he got up to head into the bathroom.

To my surprise, he returned with a washcloth and tended to me with a gentleness that choked me up a little. No one had ever taken such good care of me before. "Thank you."

"As much as I love seeing evidence of your pleasure on your skin, you strike me as the kind who doesn't like being that messy."

Although there was no reproach in his voice, it still made me blush in embarrassment. "Is it that obvious?"

"Your place is spotless enough to be featured in a home design show," he said with a laugh. "It's honestly impressive."

"I know I'm strange because I like keeping things neat."

"It wasn't a criticism." He kissed me on the forehead before getting up to take the washcloth into the bathroom.

Before he could get back in bed with me, Zell began pawing frantically at the door with plaintive cries.

I could only laugh. "Well, at least he waited until we finished to make a racket."

"Can I let him in?" I appreciated Everson asked first instead of assuming he could.

"That's fine." I was feeling too satiated to get up and move.

Everson gave me a superb view of his beautiful ass as he walked over to open the door.

Zell nuzzled against Everson's legs before coming over to jump on the bed. He made himself right at home on my stomach, curling up in a tight ball. It made me even more grateful Everson had cleaned me up first.

Everson watched us for a second with a smile before joining us in bed. He rested on his side next to me, reaching over to pet Zell. His efforts were rewarded with happy purrs and a nuzzle from my spoiled cat.

"This really is what happiness is," Everson murmured.

"I couldn't agree more." It felt like I finally had everything I had always been too scared to dream about having. That was normally the part where my self-doubts kicked in, but they were shockingly silent for once. My desire to believe Everson somehow outweighed my normal pessimism. It was remarkable how easily I wanted to trust him.

"Can I stay here tonight?"

"Of course. I'd love that." As far as I was concerned, he was always welcome in my house. I had a feeling he would be what turned it into a home. "Do you have any plans for tomorrow?"

"Nope, I'm totally free if you want to do something."

It took a moment for my sex-addled mind to come up with anything resembling a plan. "I can make you breakfast in the morning, and then maybe we could go for a stroll on the beach? After that, we could do anything you wanted. Although, we should probably pick up your car at some point."

"That sounds heavenly." Everson gave a contented hum. "We could go to the Brewhaha Café, or we could stay here and watch movies if that's more your speed. I like taking it easy on my days off, especially in the summer. Actually, I've been curious to check out Double Domination with Rook Warrick, if you're interested in that."

His answer surprised me since I assumed he'd like doing outdoorsy things, given where he worked. "I missed that when it came out in theaters, so I'd enjoy watching that. It got stellar reviews from everything I heard. But I'm surprised Mr. Fairytale wants to watch an action movie. Isn't something with a happily ever after more your speed?"

"Normally, you're right. But I'm a big fan of Rook's, so I'll watch anything he's in. Have you heard of his new Valor of Vengeance movie that's coming out later this year? He and Kieran Aiello are teaming up, so it should be spectacular."

"No, but that's great casting. We should go see it when it comes out later."

Everson's pleased smile filled my heart with happiness. "That would be amazing." He studied me for a long moment. "How is it I feel like I've known you forever, even though it's only been two days?"

I couldn't help but agree. "It does feel like longer than that, doesn't it?" Everson reached down and brought my hand up to kiss the back of it. "I'll never stop being grateful I went over to help you stand up after tying your shoe."

His comment filled me with unexpected warm fuzzies. "I bet you got more than you bargained for with that."

He chuckled, looking at me with so much affection that it took my breath away. "And I'm so glad I did. Thanks for taking a chance on me. I'm sure you spent at least half the time wanting to run away."

I grinned at his accurate assessment. "Maybe a little. But I'm so happy I risked it and stayed." I'd always be grateful I never talked myself out of what was looking like it'd become the best thing that ever happened to me.