Chapter 17
Thallos woke to find Marigold's head on his chest, her arm around his waist, and her leg slung over his and grinned. Awake she might have some doubts about expressing her feelings, but her body knew what it wanted. And apparently it wanted him.
He shifted slightly, hoping not to wake her, but her eyes opened, green and sleepy and even more beautiful than when she was fully awake.
"Morning," she murmured, tightening her arm around him.
"Morning."
She yawned. "What time is it?"
"Late enough that we've officially spent the entire night together."
Her eyes widened slightly, then she blushed and ducked her head. But she didn't pull away.
"Does that scare you?" he asked gently.
"A little." She drew circles on his chest with one finger. "But not in a bad way."
"How do you mean?"
"I'm not used to… this. Waking up with someone. Not having to sneak away before dawn." She looked up at him, her expression serious. "I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop."
"There is no other shoe." He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Just this. Just us."
She took a breath, visibly gathering herself. "In that case… good morning."
"Very good morning." He leaned down and kissed her, slow and sweet. "How do you feel about breakfast?"
"Depends. What are you offering?"
"Pancakes. Or I could make you breakfast in bed."
Her lips curved. "I've never had breakfast in bed."
"Then you're long overdue."
He started to extricate himself from her embrace, but she pulled him back over her.
"Don't go yet." Her hand slid down his back, nails lightly scraping. "I had other ideas for how to start the morning."
"Oh?" He smiled against her neck, nibbling at the sensitive skin there. "What kind of ideas?"
She reached between them, freeing his rapidly hardening cock from its sheath. "This kind of idea."
"Very good idea," he managed, his voice rough. "Excellent thinking."
She guided him to her entrance, already slick and ready for him, and he sank into her with a groan. There was nothing rushed about their lovemaking this morning, nothing frantic. Just the slow, sweet slide of bodies that knew each other now, that had learned each other's rhythms and responses.
She was making soft, breathy sounds beneath him, her hips rising to meet his thrusts, and he thought he'd never heard anything so beautiful.
"I'm close," she whispered, her hands gripping his shoulders.
He reached between them to circle her clit with his thumb, and she shattered around him, her body clenching and pulsing. The sensation pushed him over the edge, and he followed her into pleasure, spilling himself inside her with a shout of her name.
Afterwards, they lay tangled together, catching their breath.
"Now I'm starving," she said.
"Then I'll get started on breakfast. Unless you're going to delay me again?" He gave her hips a teasing nudge, and her eyes widened.
"Again? Are you really that insatiable?"
"I'm a satyr, remember? I have a reputation to maintain." He kissed her forehead. "But no, I'll be a gentleman. This time."
Her laugh followed him out of bed, and he felt like he could conquer the world.
Breakfast was a leisurely affair. They ate in bed, sharing pancakes and conversation, and he discovered that Marigold in the morning sun was even more delightful than Marigold in candlelight. More relaxed. More open. More willing to laugh.
"I can't believe you've never had breakfast in bed before," he said, feeding her another bite of syrup-drenched pancake.
"Who was going to bring it to me?" She rolled her eyes. "My mother doesn't like to get up before noon."
"Your mother sounds… interesting."
"That's one word for it." She took the last bite from his fingers, her lips closing around his thumb in a way that made him suddenly reconsider his gentlemanly intentions. "She's not a bad person. Just… scattered. Impulsive. Always looking for something better."
"That's rough."
"It's life." She shrugged. "And I'm here now, in Harmony Glen, with my own shop and my own life. So it worked out." She hesitated. "I know your mom is gone, but do you have any other family?"
"A brother. Silas." He could see the questions in her eyes, but the last thing he wanted to do was spoil their first morning together by talking about his brother. "Are you opening the shop today?"
"I have to. I have several orders I need to fulfill."
"Maybe you could close up early? We could have a picnic this afternoon."
"In the meadow?"
"Absolutely." He took her empty plate and set it on the nightstand. "And since all the workers will be gone, we could get more… comfortable."
"I think that could be arranged." She stretched, completely unconcerned about her nakedness, and his eyes followed the movement of her breasts. "And yes, I'd like that. A picnic."
They washed up together in his small bathroom, his cock at half-mast the entire time, but he resisted the urge to press her up against the shower wall. Mostly.
She dressed in her clothes from the night before, and he found himself admiring how the green dress looked even better on her this morning. Or maybe that was just his heart talking.
"I'll see you at the picnic," he said at the door, then remembered his manners. "Or I could walk you home first?"
"I'm fine." She smiled, standing on her toes to kiss him quickly. "But I like that you asked."
He watched her walk away, a spring in her step that hadn't been there before, and wondered how he'd gotten so lucky.
The morning passed in a haze of contentment. He checked in with his head gardener, reviewed the upcoming wine shipments, and even returned a few customer emails, all while feeling like he was floating several inches above the ground.
He was halfway through stacking cases of the new vintage when his phone buzzed. He pulled it out, hoping it was Marigold, but his smile vanished as soon as he saw the name on the text.
Silas: Coming to town. Business to discuss.
Fuck. Now what? He hadn't seen Silas in more than two years and he would have been just as happy to go another two.
When?
Of course there was no answer. Silas wouldn't deign to share his plans with anyone. Thallos was actually surprised that he even let him know he was coming.
His pleasure in the day disappearing, he decided it was time to wrap things up and get ready for his picnic. If anyone could help him forget about Silas, it was Marigold.