Only for You

47: Happily Ever After

Three years later

The soft glow of the early morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting golden streaks across the bedroom. Fatima stirred, stretching her limbs as she let out a soft yawn. She blinked, reaching for her phone on the nightstand. 6:30 a.m.—enough time to do her morning routine before the boys woke up.

Just as she started to slip out of bed, a deep, sleepy voice rumbled behind her.

"Where you tryna sneak off to?"

She turned, glancing over her shoulder to find Zac watching her, his head resting against his pillow, one arm tucked under it. His voice was raspy from sleep, his bare chest warm from where their bodies had been pressed together all night.

"I thought you were still sleeping," she murmured.

"I've been up for hours," he smirked before letting out a long yawn.

Fatima laughed. "You're such a bad liar."

Before she could react, Zac's strong arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her back into his warmth. "Baby!" she squealed, giggling as he buried his face in her neck, pressing slow, lazy kisses to her skin.

"Good morning, Mrs. Taylor," he murmured against her shoulder.

A familiar warmth spread through her chest. Three years in, and that still never got old.

"Good morning, Mr. Taylor," she whispered back, her fingers brushing through his beard.

Zac tightened his hold, his body heat sinking into her skin. "Stay a little longer," he mumbled.

Fatima laughed, pushing at his chest. "You know I'd love to but I can't."

He groaned, clearly unbothered. "The world can wait."

She finally wiggled free from his grasp, slipping out of bed and stretching again before heading toward the bathroom.

Zac watched her go, his gaze lazy but appreciative. "You know I'm just gonna follow you, right?"

Fatima shot him a look over her shoulder, shaking her head with a smirk. "You can't give me five minutes?"

Zac smirked, propping himself up on one elbow. "I mean... I could..."

She rolled her eyes but didn't argue as she entered the bathroom, turning on the shower. She quickly took care of her morning business before stepping under the warm spray, letting the heat relax her muscles.

Five minutes later, she felt a shift in the air before she even heard him.

She smirked. "Seriously?"

Zac's deep chuckle sounded from behind her as he slid into the shower, his hands immediately finding her waist. "I warned you."

Fatima sighed dramatically, though she didn't move away when his arms wrapped around her, pulling her bare body against his.

"You have a whole game to focus on today," she reminded him.

"I know," he murmured, pressing a slow, deliberate kiss to her wet shoulder. "But I play better when I start my day right."

Fatima shook her head, grabbing her loofah. "Is that so?"

"Mmhm." His hands roamed lazily over her hips. "Come on, baby. Give me some pregame motivation."

She bit her lip, turning to face him, her fingers tracing the hard lines of his chest. He tilted her chin up, his fingers brushing against her soft skin before capturing her lips in a deep, consuming kiss.