Chapter Thirty Five

Chapter Thirty Five
Elizabeth’s POV
Zen hopped out of the bed, anxiously rushing to get dressed for the day. After reminding him that we didn’t exactly have any special plans, I decided to get up and join him. I had slept so peacefully last night in his arms that I wasn’t ready for it to end. Still, I was hungry and we needed to go to the grocery store. I didn’t want to keep eating out, especially if I was supposed to start serious training. I texted Agent Smith letting him know that Zen and I would be going to the grocery store, before selecting a pair of skinny jeans and an oversized caramel colored knit sweater from the closet. I got dressed, then walked over to the bathroom to finish getting ready. I brushed my hair, running my hands through it several times to give it some more volume. Once I was happy with it, I sprayed a little bit of the body mist Zen had gotten me on my neck and wrists. I brushed my teeth and debated putting on makeup, but didn’t want to have to wash it off later so decided against it.
On second thought… My last glance in the mirror reminded me of the bruise forming on my cheek. For the sake of Zen’s conscience, I put on some foundation and a little mascara. Feeling much more awake, I skipped down the hall to the living room. Zen was reviewing the previous night’s camera footage on the flat screen with an unlit cigarette in his hand. I pressed my chest against his back, feeling the presence of his pistol on my stomach while I wrapped my arms around him.
He leaned back into me, sighing in contentment and covering my hands with his. He smelled amazing, like high end cologne and menthol, exactly how he did when I first met him, which told me he had already smoked one cigarette already. He must’ve been stressed. I took the unlit cigarette from his hand, digging into his front pocket for his lighter. Then I backed away so I could put it into my mouth to light it.
“You look unreasonably sexy when you do that.” He informed me, smirking. I giggled, handing it over to him with a little bit of pride on my face.
“Yea, well, you look unreasonably sexy all the time. So, I guess we’re even.” He blushed lightly, quickly bringing it to his mouth and taking a long drag. I loved the way his long black eyelashes fluttered when he inhaled the smoke. It made me melt a little inside. He exhaled just over my shoulder, pulling me towards him and wrapping his arms around me so that my back was against his front. One hand stayed firmly on my stomach, and he used the other to lift the cigarette to my mouth. I could feel his breath on my ear and it was giving me goosebumps. I leaned forward, taking it between my teeth and inhaling. Before I had the chance to let it out, he turned my face up to meet his, capturing my lips like he did at the mall. I blew the smoke into his mouth and he moaned against me.
“Fuck. It tastes so much better coming from you.” He purred, making my core burn. Before I could act on it my stomach let out a low grumble. I let out an embarrassed laugh, making him chuckle in response.
“I told Tom we would head to the grocery store. I’m a little hungry.” I explained. He nodded, taking another drag and releasing me.
“Sounds good, Princess. Just let me grab the key from the mailbox before we leave. Looks like the old housekeeper dropped it off last night.” With one last kiss on my cheek, he walked out the front door. I don’t know why, but something made me want to watch him. I peered out the floor to ceiling length window beside the front door, licking my lips at the way his hips subtly swung when he walked in his dark jeans and black hoodie. That was when the cougar appeared.
The blonde bimbo from down the road ‘casually’ approached him, as if she hadn’t been waiting for him all along. I clenched my teeth, fighting the urge to growl at her like a rabid dog. She glanced at the front door before taking another step closer to him, reaching out to touch his elbow. Oh, hell no. Within seconds, I was by his side, and he had an eyebrow raised in amusement. Oh, shut up. Now to test my acting.
“Oh, hi! Janet, right?”
“Janice, actually. I was just telling your husband here about a neighborhood Halloween party that we’ll be throwing in a couple of months! It’s a masquerade, of course, located at yours truly. Actually, come to think of it, my son is right around your age and he will be in town. He’s been in college in San Francisco studying medicine. I’m sure he would just love to meet you, Abigail!” She exclaimed, a fake smile plastered on her fake face. Zen tensed at her suggestion. Was she really trying to set me up with her son in front of my fake husband? How shameless could one woman be? I waved my hand in front of my face, brushing her off.
“Well, we’ll see, but I’m not sure we will still be living at Tom’s at that point.” Completely ignoring me like the witch she was, she grabbed onto my waving hand and looked at it in faux concern.
“Oh, darling, where’s your wedding ring?” I opened my mouth to answer, but thankfully Zen stepped in.
“We are both getting them sized right now. They should be done at the end of the week, right baby?” He asked, smiling sweetly at me. Oh, he’s good.
“Yup. I’ll be glad to have it back. It reminds me of how much you love me, sweetie.” I grinned back at him and he raised a brow again, trying not to laugh. It was a low blow, but I was still a little salty about last night and this witch with a b was not helping my mood. She interrupted our secret banter by shoving her wedding ring in my face.
“Oh I know exactly what you mean! When my darling Reginald got me this beautiful blue diamond ring, I nearly died. It cost him nearly as much as our house, would you believe it?” It was honestly one of the ugliest rings I had ever seen. It looked like a piece of costume jewelry. Noticing my scowl, Zen grabbed onto my hand.
“Yes, it’s beautiful; a truly exquisite cut. But we had better get going. We have to run to the grocery store. I get a little grumpy and hostile when I’m hungry. I hope you understand.” He smiled brightly at her as I poked him hard in the ribs. I knew he was talking about me. He dismissed us kindly, pulling me back into the front door and dropping the key in the drawer of the end table. Once fully inside, he let out a loud laugh, clutching at his stomach. I fought the urge to smile at the beautiful sound of his laughter, and instead glared at him with my arms crossed in front of my chest.
“Hilarious.” I said bitterly. He tried to stifle his laughter, but every time he looked at my angry expression, he laughed harder.
“I’m sorry, baby. Please don’t be mad at me.” He begged, giving me the most adorable puppy dog eyes. He cheats.
“You’d better keep apologizing, because I haven’t forgiven you.” I declared, walking to the garage door so I could get in the car. I really was starving. He stepped quickly after me, all the way to the van door so he could open it for me.
“Princess.” He begged again.
“Nope.” I exaggeratedly jerked my head away from him after he helped me into the seat, my arms pushing up my breasts with how they were crossed. I knew he saw it, because I could see him lick his lips from the corner of my eye.
“Baby, come on. You know I love you.” My eyes darted to his in one second flat. He blinked rapidly, clearly as surprised by his words as I was. “I-I mean, I…”
“Food. Now.” I demanded. I didn’t want him to take it back. I wanted to remember the first time he said that to me while conscious without his insecurity attached. He nodded at me appreciatively before shutting the door and walking around to the driver side. His mouth was moving subtly, but I could tell he was talking to himself. Yea, now we both said it on accident. We’re both crazy.