Chapter Twenty Nine

Chapter Twenty Nine
Elizabeth’s POV
He dragged me back into the mall after two full hours of wandering Dillard’s. My feet were sore and I was already eager for another drag of his cigarette. Certainly one puff isn’t enough to get someone addicted, right? Maybe what I really craved was the taste and the closeness it brought to us. I could easily get addicted to that.
I asked him where we were going, but he just smiled in response. Another three hours later and we were dropping off enough bags to fill the back of the car. He bought me makeup, dresses, three different pairs of shoes, workout clothes, and even a nice set of jewelry. When I asked him why, he just kept saying that I would need a wide variety of styles in case we had to blend in somewhere other than a Denny’s.
I scowled at his words, which only made him laugh. I hated him spending so much money on me, but I knew that these items were work expenses for him. At least, that’s what I told myself. I had to tug him away from Victoria’s Secret as we walked past. He got a big kick out of watching me blush. Sexy lingerie was not an appropriate use of his money, no matter what he said.
Once we got back into the car, I collapsed into the seat. I had never shopped for so long in my life, and I was exhausted. He, on the other hand, seemed perfectly fine. He lifted my limp hand up to his lips, kissing it softly and making my insides melt. Why was he so handsome? And dangerous? And mischievous? He must’ve noticed the longing in my eyes, because he smiled slyly against my hand. “Where do you want to eat, baby? We can grab dinner on the way to the sporting goods store.” I groaned at the idea of more shopping. “Oh, stop whining. We need to get some training equipment.”
“Training equipment?” I repeated. For what?
“Yea. I have to teach you how to defend yourself with more than just that damn clever brain of yours. Don’t worry, it won’t take long. I’m eager to get you home too, baby.” He winked at me while he started the van, blasting the heater and rubbing his hands in front of a vent. I squeezed my thighs together at his implications. How was he able to say such embarrassing things so boldly? I was suddenly reminded that we had only met yesterday, we had already had sex twice, and we were living together.
It was so strange, considering the fact that I felt like I had known Zen for years. I understood him, at least it seemed like I did, and he understood me. One glance and it felt like he could read my mind, heart, and soul. I had to believe that I wouldn’t have offered myself so freely to him if that wasn’t the case. The sweet smell of menthol filled my nostrils and pulled me back to the present.
I looked up to see Zen taking a long drag, and then holding it out for me. I accepted it, taking a somewhat longer puff than I had earlier. I could feel the hot smoke filling my lungs, throat, and mouth, burning and soothing them all at once. I released it, allowing it to calm my body. I hadn’t noticed Zen lowering the windows or lighting it. I handed it back to him, and he hummed with contentment as he took another drag. “What’s on your mind, Princess?” He asked, his cool eyes scanning my face. This man was a paradox. He could make me feel frightened to the point of fainting one second, and completely relaxed and comfortable the next. I wringed my hands in my lap, glancing at the nearly empty parking lot around us.
“I just…” I stopped, unsure of how to put my thoughts into words. He moved his right hand to rest on my thigh, drawing circles with his long and slender fingers. I took a deep breath and tried again. “What are we, Zen?” His fingers froze at my words, and I desperately wished I could take them back. I sounded like a teenager in need of validation. I cringed. “I’m sorry, you really don’t need to answer that.” I assured him, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear and tugging at my seatbelt strap nervously. He sighed, giving my leg a squeeze.
“It’s not that I don’t want to answer, sweetheart. I just don’t know. I mean, fuck. I only met you yesterday. Things are going so quickly that it seems kind of stupid to try to find a label for it. We are strangers, but not at the same time. Yesterday, we were a killer and his hit. Now…”
“A Princess and her Knight?” I offered, a teasing smile on my lips. He seemed taken aback by my joke, but it didn’t take him long to laugh with me.
“That’s right, baby.” He smiled that genuine smile that I love so much, with his eyes twinkling.
“Maybe one day you could be promoted to Prince…” I whispered. His eyes took on an almost sad look, before he looked away.
“I don’t know, Elizabeth. I’m not really the Princely type.”
“I disagree.” I replied simply. I knew there was more to his denial than him not wanting a relationship with me. His words seemed more self-deprecating than anything. He gave me one last glance before putting the car into gear.
“A Knight serves and protects his Princess ‘til death. A Prince stands beside his Princess in life. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.”