THIRTY-ONE
Belle
Of course he’s working late. I cry out in frustration as the fiddly metal tabs on the back of the picture frame refuse to bend back down.
I planned this weekend since Tuesday. Since I realised that I needed to do something pretty epic to break the news.
“Hey, dove.”
I shunt the present under the bed, pulling my sketchbook across so it appears as though I’ve been drawing.
Zeus appears at the bedroom door, stripped to his underwear as always, yet more tired than I’ve ever seen him.
“I hate how they’re making you work such long days.”
He shrugs, flopping onto the foot of the bed, stomach first. “Jerry wants to make a good impression out of the gate, and that means a quality job at a quick turnaround.”
“He won’t have any quality workers left if he keeps this bullshit up.”
“Ugh.” Zeus flops an arm out toward me, telling he’s had enough of talking about work.
“I need you to have a shower and get dressed again.”
He lifts his head, long hair over his face as he frowns at me. “Why?”
“I made plans.”
Zeus rolls to his back, jackknifing to sit up when the realisation hits him. “Sharon’s car is in the driveway.”
I nod, eyebrows raised. “I know. I asked to borrow it.”
“When did you get that?”
“While you were at work.”
“Dove.” He carefully sets my drawing materials aside. “Why do I have you?”
“What do you mean?” I scoot closer, placing his head in my lap.
He closes his eyes as I run my fingers through his hair. “You’re right, baby. I haven’t given you a lot of attention this past week. Fuck, two, even. I don’t deserve you doing something for me; I should be doing something for you.”
“How do you know it’s not a bad surprise?” I tease.
He opens his eyes, piercing me with those baby blues as he smiles. “You wouldn’t be that cruel.”
“Wouldn’t I?” Because to be honest, as excited as I am about this, I really don’t know how he’ll take the news. “Come on. You need a shower so we can hit the road.”
He throws a mock salute. “Yes, ma’am.”
***
I pull in to the car park of the hotel and leave Zeus asleep in the passenger seat as I go in to confirm our booking. I phoned ahead while he was in the shower to let them know that we were still coming.
By the time I get back out to Sharon’s hatchback, Zeus sits sideways in the seat, his legs slung out the open door.
“This your surprise?” He grins as I approach.
“Yep.” I reach out for him, doing my best to hoist his heavy arse out of the car. “I figured a dirty weekend away might be in order since when we’re at home we just stay in our routine.”
He pushes to his feet, chuckling as I lead him to the back of the car to get the bags I snuck out while he dressed.
He follows me to our room, stupid grin on his face as I unlock the door. I push it wide, making a grand gesture for him to go first.
“I’m so fucking lucky,” he mutters, shaking his head.
Zeus ditches the bags, groaning as he drops them off his shoulders. “Look at the size of that bed.” He turns to look at me, concern clear in his eyes. “How much did you spend on this?”
“Doesn’t matter.” I wave his question away. “I want you to relax, babe. We’re here to enjoy ourselves—no housework, no obligations, no visitors.”
Zeus launches himself on the bed—the super-king barely compresses beneath his weight. He starfishes in the centre of the mattress, moaning as he lets his eyes slip closed. “Fuck, this is comfy.”
Like he’ll notice soon. I snatch up the bag with my other expensive purchase in it, and head for the bathroom. “Back soon, baby.”
He mumbles something incomprehensible as I slip into the adjacent room and shut the door. I’ve always been a tomboy, preferring my tank tops and shorts over dresses, so he better fucking appreciate the fact I dropped more than one hundred dollars on a lacy set of lingerie that the saleswoman convinced me was a sure winner.
I check my reflection out in the long mirror, running my hands over my flat stomach. Things are about to change in a big way.
After a little fluff of my hair so that it sits just right over my shoulders, I open the door, ready to seduce my man.
My hard-come-by confidence bursts like a balloon when I catch sight of Zeus fast asleep. Fuck. I can’t be mad at him really. He works damn hard. But one night. I wanted one night.
I step across to the bed anyway, and crawl on top. He doesn’t stir, no thanks to the fucking independent sleep zones, I bet. I had to go and pay for luxury, didn’t I? Pay half the price at a cheap motel and I could guarantee he’d be awake thanks to the rock and roll of the shot springs.
“Babe. You awake?”
I give him a little nudge, pissed off that even when he’s flaked out on me, the sight of the man still turns me on. Bad timing, Belle. It’s no use. There’s no point trying to wake him, especially at the end of the work week.
“Always tomorrow,” I mutter to myself as I rise from the bed to smack the light off.
I paid for two nights. I had just hoped I’d get two nights worth of quality time.
But hey, I suppose when you both work over fifty hours a week, then this is quality time.
Welcome to your adult life.