The Struggles of Growing Up-Completed

Chapter 21

I wake up to Zach spooning me.

I almost laugh, that's such a weird phrase.

I'm completely overwrought with jet lag but I can't wait to just wake up and be with him. I let him sleep peacefully a little longer though, and I like the feeling of his arm around me, it makes me feel so safe.

I decide not to reject him if he does want to be with me. I really want to be with him, and more rejection wouldn't be good for him. Besides, I know he wouldn't appreciate me babying him, I would be emasculating him. I can't do that. We're in the city of love, I want us to fall in love again.

He shuffles and I pretend to be asleep. He laughs and reaches over me to get his glasses.

"You were so awake." He says. I scoff and face him.

"What! How do you know?"

"Because I was awake too." He chuckles. I push his arm a little, and leave my hand there. I kiss him slowly on the lips.

"Let's go to breakfast." He says, getting up. I frown.

"What?" I whisper so he doesn't hear. I groan into the pillow. He did not just get up. I'm starting to realize that I'm the one interested in jumping his bones, not the other way around. He's playing me, making me want more, right?

Holy hell Im going insane.

I get up and change into some pants and a light shirt. It's definitely cooler here than in California, but still warm.

Zach walks out of the bathroom shirtless and I stand frozen in shock. He is hot, and I've seen him shirtless before but not in a while. I instantly remember when we first lived together, the first morning when I walked in on him shirtless in the bathroom and O had just wanted to brush my teeth. I feel 16 again, checking him out.

Zach smirks. "Are you checking me out Emmaline."

Oh my god what is he doing to me.

"Yes." I say. Two can play at that game.

"Oh really?" He chuckles. I nod, with the same goofy smile. He steps dangerously close to me, then says he needs to put on a shirt.

Oh my gosh. I let out a breath.

We both change into some casual clothes and go downstairs to have some breakfast.

"What would you two like to eat?" The waiter asks in a heavy accent. I look at Zach.

"My wife and I will both have the chefs choice."

Did he just say wife?

"Did you refer to me as your wife?" I ask him.

"What? Did I?" He flushes and rearranges his glasses. I don't want to push him further.

I just smile at him, leaving it all up in the air. He did say it, and I don't know if it scares me or flatters me.

***

"I wonder how long it will take the reporters to figure out we fled the country." I laugh as I tell Zach. We're walking down Champs d' Elyse.

He gives it a thought. "I give it one more day before we are recognized." He says nonchalantly.

I sigh. "Well then we better make the most of today because I'm guessing tomorrow it might be safer to stay in the hotel."

"I wouldn't mind staying in the room with you." I raise my eyebrows at him. Is it me, or are there a lot of double meanings lately? What is with my guy?