are at heads of the table. The smell of spicy meat and cheese hits me, and my stomach gowls again.
"Guests first," Silvia says. We wash our hands, and she gives us plates.
"I won't argue." I step in front of Dirk and load my plate with tacos, beans, rice, and a few pieces of quesadillas.
Dirk does the same, and we sit down. While the others are getting food, he leans into me. "Your plate has as much food on it as mine does."
I glance at our plates then shrug. "I'm hungry. Are you worried I'll get fat?"
He sternly says, "No. I just don't believe you're going to get all that down."
"Watch me."
Everyone makes us feel welcome. Gloria sits next to me, and anytime my water is low, she refills it.
"You're spoiling me," I tell her.
She beams. "After dinner, I'll show you my room. Teresa and I share it, but we could make a tent—"
"Gloria, Zoe is not sleeping in your room," Silvia tells her.
"But mom—"
"No. Final decision."
Gloria pouts, and I lean down to her ear. "Do you like stories?"
"Yes."
"When it's time for bed, why don't I tell you a story?"
Her face lights up. "Okay!"
I put my arm around her and hug her then go back to eating my food.
"How long are you here?" David asks.
Dirk shakes his head. "I'm not sure. I hope that's okay?"
"You know you can stay as long as you want."
"Thanks."
"It's vital that no one discusses Zoe being here."
"We got it. But it's a good thing school is out. Gloria can't ever keep secrets," Bruno states.
"That's not true," she shrieks.
"Yes, it is."
"Is not!"
"Enough," David says. He turns to Bruno. "And stop teasing your sister."
"Just telling the truth."
"I said enough."
Gloria grabs my hand. "I won't tell anyone. But why can't I?"
"See," Bruno mutters.
"Bruno," his dad warns.
I look at Gloria and try to figure out what to say to her.
Dirk steps in. "You know how Zoe is super famous?"
"Yes."
"Have you ever watched her get swarmed by people on tv?"
Her eyes widen. "Yes. Do you get hurt when they do that?"
I decide to answer her honestly. "Sometimes."
"If anyone knows she's here, there will be crowds of people outside the house. We don't want that, right?"
She shakes her head. "No."
"So, we have to keep this top secret, okay?"
"Okay."
We get done with dinner, and even though they insist I don't, I help Silvia, Teresa, and Gloria clean up. The men go outside to do some things in the barn, but before Dirk leaves, he looks at my plate. "I'm impressed."
"Told you I could put it away."
He smiles, kisses my head, and leaves with the men.
It becomes dark. I tell Gloria a story and sing her to sleep. When I come out, Silvia has converted their den into a bedroom for Dirk and me. I yawn. "What time is it?"
"It's after nine."
"I don't know why I'm so tired. I'm usually up a lot later."
"It sounds like you've been through a lot. Your body probably needs a rest. Go to bed. They might be out there for quite a while. That machine they are working on is like our problem child."
I yawn again. "Okay. We can talk tomorrow?"
"Of course."
"Thank you for your hospitality. Everyone has been so nice."
She smiles. "Of course. Make yourself at home."
I go into the bedroom, brush my teeth, wash my face, and fall asleep in bed.
When Dirk comes in bed, I stir. "Hey."
He kisses my head. "Hey, sweetheart. Go back to sleep."
"What time is it?"
"After midnight."
I inhale his scent, and my flutters go crazy. Like the middle of last night, a craving for him so intense consumes me, and I have to have him.
We have sex, and I fall asleep. I wake up a few hours later, and he's sleeping, but I have to have him again. I slide on top of him and kiss him. He doesn't even open his eyes when he moves his hands to my hips and guides me on his manhood.
"Oh, God!" I cry out, the sensations of every touch more potent than ever.
It doesn't take long before he holds his hand over my mouth as multiple orgasms rip through my body.
As soon as we finish, I fall asleep.
The next morning, I open my eyes, and Dirk is stroking my back.
"What are you smiling at me like that for?"
"I'm wondering if you're going to—"
I jump up and run to the bathroom and throw up.
Dirk follows me and holds my hair and rubs my back, just like the day before. When I finish, he says, "Zoe, we