Worth It - Lisa Oliver Page 0,78
shaped house, every one of them hosting French doors out to large balcony spaces. And the views – Paulie knew he could wake up happily every day of his life and find comfort in the stunning scenery. For once, he didn’t find himself thinking about the cost of heating the big place, or how hard it would be to maintain it. He was in love with the wood, and the tiles, and the plush curtains. Even the way the stove was built into a cunning corner of the long kitchen tugged at his heart. Keeping his hands in his pockets was the only way to stop himself from reaching out, touching, just to see if it was all real.
The only thing that held Paulie back from truly enjoying the walk around, and yes, he knew it was a tug from his past, was the price tag. Leaning on the balcony rail, he stared out over the landscape, imagining the sun rising over the mountains he could see in the distance. Surely, this view is worth the price?
He felt Zeus standing behind him. “It is a lovely home.” Zeus’s arms around his middle always made Paulie feel special.
“I’m probably being selfish.” Paulie voiced his fears. “I didn’t want you spending money on a castle for us, or even that house in New York, and then I bring you here because I fell in love with the photos and it’s twice the price.” Turning in his mate’s arms, he rested his hands around Zeus’s neck. “I don’t know what your financial situation is like. Can we even afford it?”
“And there’s the Paulie I know and love,” Zeus chuckled. “I did worry there that I might have lost you to plaster walls and wood trims. Yes, my beloved, we can afford this, and the next ranch over – hell, we could buy the whole of Montana if you wanted it. Probably the whole country if I could find someone to take the money. Money is one thing we’ll never have to worry about.”
“It’s peaceful here.” Paulie glanced over his shoulder at the never-ending view and then back at his mate, his fingers stroking over the tattoo Zeus wore with pride. “I never had any peace or security until I met you. I’m so lucky. You’ve given me so much already. I feel bad asking for this house.”
“I haven’t even begun to give you anything yet, my honeybuns.” Zeus’s face was so serious. “One day you’ll understand what you’ve done for me, how much you give me every time you bless me with your smile. But for now, please accept that I would give you the sun, moon, and all the stars if I could, and it could never repay a fraction of what you’ve given me. You took my life and shook it upside down and I love you for it.”
“Even though you’re stuck with me and only me for the rest of time? No more dalliances?” Paulie kept his tone light and teasing. He didn’t doubt his mate’s commitment.
“You, my Paulie, have made that totally worth it.”
“I hope you still think that in a thousand years or so.” Paulie smiled, and then standing on tip toes, he tilted his face up for a kiss. “Did you want to call the agent about this house, or take us back to bed?” He asked when he finally pulled back to take a breath.
“I’ll call the agent in the morning,” Zeus growled, holding him tight and sending their molecules to the stars and beyond.
Epilogue
New Year’s Eve
“Zeus.” Paulie rolled across the mattress, his hands rubbing the tight band across his belly. “ZEUS!” He panted as another wave of pain hit him. Of course, their baby would decide to turn up on the one night ancient gods liked to party. Paulie had been sure gods wouldn’t celebrate any of the customs enjoyed on earth. For all he knew, gods from different pantheons all celebrated different special feast days or… “Zeus, you limp dicked toga wearing asshole, where are you?” The last words yelled at the ceiling.
Paulie twisted and turned again, his tiger warring with him, desperate to get out. “I can’t.” Paulie sobbed as another pain wrecked him. “What if a shift hurts the baby? Zeus. Zeus. ZEUS!”
Damn it, it wasn’t like his mate not to come when he called. Zeus hadn’t even wanted to go to the party, certain Paulie would give birth the moment he translocated. It’d been Paulie who’d convinced him to go, reminding