Chapter One Hundred and Sixty-Two
Marella lit the two candles and placed the small wrapped box next to Lee’s plate. It was their anniversary, and officially they’d been together for eight years. She smiled to herself as she looked at the romantic atmosphere she’d created. She'd been extremely lucky to have met her soulmate at the age of seventeen, very few people ever met theirs. They'd had great times and some bad times but the great was far better than the bad and she knew that they'd both gotten a second chance.
Lee had texted her half an hour earlier to let her know he was on his way home. She’d cooked, okay, she’d ordered in, but the food was ready, Lee’s favourite bottle of wine was chilling in the fridge and she was happier than she thought she’d ever be. She was still a bit apprehensive but Lee had changed overnight. Their time apart had changed him and now he told her he loved her every chance he got. Marella smiled at the thought, she loved hearing him say it.
Lee played the lead role in every dream. His presence sucked her in, made her stomach flutter, even after all these years, she still wasn’t used to what a single glance from him did to her. She knew she’d never love anyone else. Lee Munroe was her beginning and her end, the only man she'd ever loved and she was never letting go of him again.
Marella’s smile got bigger as she heard a car door shut and she leaned against the wall next to the stairs. She’d be the first thing Lee saw when he walked inside. She heard his key in the lock and bit her lower lip as the door opened and closed with a thud.
Lee looked up and halted in his steps. He smiled as he stepped towards her and picked her up to kiss her. Her back hit the wall behind her and Lee nipped at her lips. “I’m sorry I’m late.”
Marella wrapped her legs around him and he pushed himself against her. “It’s okay.” She inhaled his scent and closed her eyes.
“What’s for dinner? Do you want to go out or order in?”
“I’ve got dinner ready,” she murmured as Lee’s hands squeezed her ass.
“You cooked?” he asked her leaning back a little to watch her face.
Marella laughed. “I ordered in.”
“I’m starving but I’m thinking dinner can wait.”
He hoisted Marella over his shoulder and took the stairs two at a time. Marella bounced on the bed as Lee started pulling his clothes off. Marella watched him in rapt fascination as his naked body came into view and her breath hitched. He was the perfect male specimen with his large hands, broad shoulders, large ... everything.
“I love you, Lee,” she murmured as he pulled her closer to the edge of the bed.
He undressed her slowly, kissing his way across her body, his hands roaming before he finally sank deep inside her. His thrusts were gentle at first, speeding up as Marella urged him to take her over the edge, her moans and his groans filling the room.
When they reached their climaxes together, Lee pulled Marella on top of him as their breathing settled and Marella lay with her head over his heart. “I love you too,” Lee whispered as he kissed the side of her head.
“What did you get me?”
Lee shifted her and leaned against the headboard. “Was I supposed to get you something?”
Marella looked at him through narrowed eyes. Lee had never forgotten an anniversary. “It’s our anniversary.”
A smile started on his lips and then he laughed. “It’s in my jacket pocket.”
“What is it?” Lee’s arms hadn’t loosened and she couldn’t move.
“It’s a buy one get one free voucher from the coffee shop.”
“Lee!” Marella swatted his arm as he laughed loudly.
“What did you get me?”
“Who says I got you anything?” Marella bit her lip.
“I feel so used now,” Lee said as he pulled her down for another kiss.
“If you want your present, then you’ll have to go downstairs.”
Lee pushed Marella off him and she yelped as he stood up and walked to their closet. He pulled a pair of sweatpants on and turned back to look at her. “Come on, woman, I want my present.”
Marella laughed as Lee offered her his hand and she pulled her clothes back on. She took his hand again as they walked down the stairs and she headed to the kitchen to warm up their food. Lee sat at the head of the table when she walked back in with their plates.
He kept staring at the small wrapped box and his excitement had her smiling. She went back for the wine and gave it to Lee along with a bottle opener. He poured a small amount in his glass and watched her as she sat down.
“You can open your present now,” Marella said as she watched him intently.
Lee grabbed the box and tore the wrapping off that she had so carefully wrapped. She shook her head as he opened the box and took the photo out. He stared at it for a good couple of minutes before his eyes found hers.
“Really?” His voice cracked and a hundred different emotions flitted through his eyes.
Marella nodded as her own tears gathered and then Lee pushed his chair back and she was in his arms as he sat down on her chair with his hand on her stomach. He lowered his head to her stomach and kissed it, his hand hovering over it.
“How far along are you?”
“Eleven weeks,” she answered.
Lee’s tears ran down his cheeks as he hugged her tightly to him, his one hand never moving away from her stomach. “Are you happy, Lee?” Her eyes searched for something in his.
“This is the best present you could ever give me. I’m very happy, Marella.”
