Love Me for Eternity || Bruno Madrigal

Chapter 44: Dolores' Gift

You woke up sore that morning.

It was a wonder to you on how time could be so fleeting. You and Bruno had tried for a child in earnest, finding yourselves entangled in each other's arms every passing minute when the sun had hid itself from the lush valleys of the village. You were thankful that you had momentarily stepped down from your watchman duties—you were afraid you wouldn't have enough sleep with your nightly activities with your husband.

As much as you loved to divulge yourself in a passionate waltz of eros, especially with Bruno's newfound persona, Alessandro, you were afraid that making this a regular occurrence would hinder your ability to walk.

It's been four months since you have decided to try again for a child, four months since Bruno introduced Alessandro to your bed, and four months of passion-filled nights of no luck for conception. Bruno worried at the fact that maybe he couldn't give you a family after eleven years of waiting, but you quickly assured him that it wasn't the case—the both of you were just as energetic as you were in your twenties, but you knew things like these take time.

The man beside you groaned, tucked away in a blissful slumber under the sheets. You found yourself staring at his face, blissfully unaware of the hand that snaked its way to his cheek and caressed the bags that decorated his skin. You traced the lines that started to form on his forehead, the brows of his eyes that rested and free of worries, and you giggled at how his stubble tickled your hand just right. You felt a contented smile make itself to your lips when he shifted in his sleep and fluttered one eye open. You kissed his nose as soon as he puckered his lips for a kiss.

"Good morning to you too, tonto." You grinned. He pouted and brought his arms around your waist and pulled you closer. You squealed as you were pressed against his bare chest, your hands trying their best to fend your face from the shower of kisses he peppered across your cheeks.

"This is what you get for not giving me my morning kiss." He laughed and continued to hold you down by the waist and trail kisses anywhere his lips could land. You struggled desperately in an attempt to escape, but you were far too sore to move. It doesn't help that he's tickling your most sensitive spots and making you double over in uncontrollable laughter.

"No—stop! Unhand me, wretched beast!"

"Never!"

"I swear when I get out of this—!"

"What're you gonna do? Slay me?" He pressed a sensitive spot on your side. You immediately squirmed and tried to fight your way out of his hold.

"No—! Not there! That spot's too much!"

"What are you supposed to say, hm?"

"I'm not saying anything to you!"

"Suit yourself. I guess I'll continue to hold you like this for the rest of the day." He purposely nuzzled his chin on the crook of your neck and successfully tickled your shoulder with his stubble. You felt him kiss the skin littered with hickeys and made his way down the dip of your collarbone, painting more marks on your skin. You hoped your dress was enough to cover the bruises that scattered across your upper body and shoulders. Julieta had been giving you the knowing side-eye everytime you sneaked in an arepa even before you started breakfast.

Out of breath and obviously flustered, you managed to sputter out an apology. It was barely coherent with your fits of laughter. You tried kicking yourself free while he continued his assault but he was far too strong for you.

"Okay, okay! Stop—I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Los siento, amor! I'll give you your morning kiss! Just stop tickling me!"

You gave Bruno his well-deserved morning kiss, pulling yourself away before things get a bit a little too heated.