Both Lorena and Zachary were embarrassed and quickly bid their farewells and scurried to Lorena's room at the inn. Once inside, Lorena quickly closed the door and turned to face him. She got down on one knee and solemnly spoke.
"This subordinate apologizes for running away. This subordinate will gladly take any punishment dealt."
Zachary was at a loss. This woman! She still thought he thought of her as his subordinate! He wouldn't travel all of this way just for a servant! He would, at most, send someone over to deal with them. But a punishment? He thought of the perfect one.
"Stand up, Lorena."
She complied. She couldn't help her heart skipping a beat and steadily beat faster as she heard her name come from his mouth. She kept her gaze fixed on the floor.
Zachary walked over, held her chin and gently raised her head so that she looked into his eyes. He smiled warmly to her and dropped words that would change her life forever.
"Your punishment is never being able to leave my side. You are never allowed to run off, and you must let me love you and dote on you for the rest of your days. And, mark my words, if I catch you with another man, he will never see the light of day again."
Lorena was stunned. Did this mean that he felt the same way as her? Did he... love her? Or was this a temporary thing? She didn't pay any heed to the last sentence, because nobody could or would ever match up to Zachary, but the second made her mind kick into overdrive. Love and dote on her? Zachary? That was more than she could ever ask for.
Zachary was surprised when her eyes welled up with tears. Did she really hate the thought that much? Was she just going to run away again? No, he wouldn't let her! But he would? All of Zachary's insecurities hit him like a freak train and he suddenly felt less confident.
Noticing Zachary's shift in mood, she quickly explained.
"They're tears of happiness, silly. I will gladly accept this 'punishment'. I will love you for the rest of your life, but if I catch you with another woman again, I will kill her. I will cut off her lips, starve her, and then skin her alive."
She spoke these bone-chilling words with a beautiful smile. Zachary could only nod dumbly. She didn't have to worry about him so much as looking at another woman. The fact that she had accepted his request was thrilling for Zachary. She was finally his. After all of the pain, grief, insecurities, and doubts, they finally made their way back to one another.
Zachary lowered his head and gave a sweet, yet chaste kiss. Lorena gladly received it and even grabbed the back of his neck to deepen the kiss. He followed in kind and started to nibble on her bottom lip. She gladly opened her mouth and their tongues fought for dominance. Neither one was really willing to admit defeat. Finally, Lorena won and she proceeded to push him over.
Zachary was surprised and caught off guard. His eyes went wide and the felt himself fall... right onto the bed. He'd never been in this position before. Sure, he'd had sex a few times, but it wasn't anything special. And he was always the dominant one. Seemed like this time was different.
He looked up to Lorena and saw her with a devilish smirk as she straddled him. She took out her ponytail in one swift motion and pushed him down on the bed. What happens after that is up to you.