His Unwanted Bride ~Editing~

Chapter Thirty Six: Alexios

     I slowly opened my eyes and felt a warmth in my arms. I looked to see a sleeping Tabitha beside me. I buried my face in her neck and began to kiss it softly. I ran my finger tips up and down her side.
    She slowly turned in my arms and moaned softly until she was laying on her back facing upwards.
     "Good morning my love," I spoke leaning down and kissing her lips.
     She let out a hungry little purr as she wrapped her arm around the back of my neck and pulled me closer to kiss her. Then I remembered something she told me last night.
     "How did you sleep, wife," I growled playfully.
      "Mmmm I love it when you call me that," she smiled.
      "Good because I love calling you that. You're mine," I growled playfully pulling her closer to me and climbing on top of her. I saw no traces of insecurity or worry in her eyes. "I need to ask you something." I spoke looking down at her.
      "Y-yes?" She spoke.
      "I know you've gone through horrible things, and I wont ask you about them this early in the morning, at least not without coffee. But how can you trust me, even though we've only just met? I didn't leave you the greatest first impression when we finally got to speak with one another after years of wanting you and trying to find you. You should hate me," I spoke sadly looking down at her.
      In response, she smiled sadly. "Listen here Mr. Laventis, I'm not going to lie, I was thoroughly hurt by you when we first met. I felt like I was being punished by being forced to marry someone who not only didn't love me, but hated me. I felt stuck and didn't know what to make of the new life I was being forced to live. But I knew you had kindness inside you. I saw it the very first day I saw you. It was you who first taught me that people could be kind, even to people they'd never met with before. It was you who showed me that good things do exist. That's why I was so crushed when you refused to show that side of yourself to me. But now I know you were protecting yourself because on the inside you were hurting just as badly as I was," she explained reaching up to cup my face.
     I was overwhelmed with the desire to show her my affection. I hungrily pressed my lips against hers. "I love you so much," I whispered between kisses and she purred in response. Her body arched up against mine as if she wanted more. Then there was a knock at the bedroom door.
     "Tabitha, are you awake?" Clarissa's small voice came from the door. I rolled onto my side next to Tabitha, still under the covers and crossed my arms behind my head.
      "Come on in Sweetheart," I called out. An excited Clarissa opened the door and came running into our room. She was already dressed in a purple flowy dress my mother had gotten her, but she didn't have shoes on.
     "Good morning, I tried to let you both sleep, but my tummy is grumbling," she spoke, pointing to her stomach.
     "It's alright, we were just waking up,"  Tabitha beamed at her.
     "How about I take you two ladies out to breakfast this morning?" I smiled at them. Tabitha glanced at me with an 'are you sure' look. "I am positive, Wife," I smirked, knowing how much she loved it when I called her that.
     "Just making sure, husband," she replied. The sound if her words filled me with a protective possessiveness. I wanted to claim here here and now, but I had to wait.
     Clarissa looked up at us, scrunching her face. "Grownups are gross," she proclaimed getting ready to climb out of the bed. Tabitha and I locked eyes and I knew we had the same idea. We silently counted to three before we pulled Clarissa back and kissed her on either cheek making gross kissy noises.
     "Blech! Ugh gross!" she yelled out wiping her cheeks. "I'm gonna go put my shoes on and read a book until you guys are ready!" she yelled with a giggle as she climbed out of our bed and ran to her room.