Page 23 of Protecting my Zinnia

"Don't apologize to me." Mom snaps her fingers and points to Zinnia. "Do it to her."

Dropping to my knees, I take Zinnia's hands in mine. "I am truly sorry. I will be far more careful to listen to you in the future, and do everything in my power to be reasonable."

"Thank you," Zinnia says, squeezing my hands. Her sweet smile tells me that I'm truly forgiven. "And you were right to check with Marty about the keys. The plumber still accidentally had one. It's being dropped off tomorrow."

Standing slowly, I pull her to my chest, breathing her in as I feel her delicate body press against mine.

"Time and place, kids," Mom says from behind me. "Zinnia, I need you to peek into the oven and describe the level of golden brown to me."

By the time Renee returns and the ladies decide that I'm permitted to scrub the dishes for them, Zinnia has reported the good news that she's not leaving to her sisters, and Mom has whispered to me that Zinnia is "a keeper."

As we walk to the truck, Zinnia examines her flowers. "These are lovely, thank you. You're very sweet."

"Not nearly as sweet as you." Before I throw the truck into gear, I ask, "Your place or mine?"

Zinnia leans over, pulling my face to hers for a kiss that I feel along the back of my legs. Through my stomach. Everywhere. "Your place," she finally breathes.

"Your wish is my command."

Halfway there, I burst into laughter. "What?" she asks, already giggling with me.

"I just realized that for the rest of our lives, it's going to be you and Mom against me. You're going to be a team."

Her mouth falls open in delight. "That's awesome."

When I park in the driveway, I turn to her. "Let me say this before I start tearing your clothes off, gorgeous."

"Okay," she laughs.

"I need to feel like I'm protecting you."

She squeezes my hand. "Your Mom told me about your Dad leaving. How you became the man of the house. So I guess I can understand."

"Yes, but you need to be independent. You need your own space, your own life. Your own rules. When I'm hovering too much, or my overprotective instincts kick in, please, feel free to assert your independence and tell me off."

"Deal." Walking into the house, Zinnia looks up with me with a grin. "You know, between Aunt Doug and your Mom, you might be in trouble. Both of those women…" She shakes her head, and I chuckle, knowing what she's trying carefully not to say.

"Have no fucks to give?"

"None at all."

Zinnia clasps my hand, walking directly to the bedroom. When we get there, she places her palms on my chest, backing me against the wall. "Who am I?" she asks.

Searching her eyes, I can't tell what kind of answer she's hoping for. "A strong and beautiful independent woman."

She smiles, then runs a tongue slowly across her bottom lip. "Yes. And?"

"A grown adult, who does not need supervision, or a man breathing down her neck."

She nods. "Unless I have a freshly replaced hip. Seriously, she's amazing, but you're right, your mother was a handful. She kept wanting to jump up and get things."

"Noted. Overprotection will be tolerated if you're ever sick or injured."

"Good boy. What else?"

I'm not sure why her calling me a good boy sends yet another blast of lust through my veins. Maybe because it sounds like she's calling me hers.

"My sexy girlfriend, and even though I know it's far too soon to tell her, I already love her with all my heart and soul."