Fighting to Survive (As the World Dies #2)(40)

He vigorously scrubbed his wet hair with the towel, trying to dry it as he entered the bedroom. Pepe was lying in his new doggie bed nearby, wagging his tail despite his sleepy expression.

“Hey, is Pepe going to sleep with us?” Eric asked. He was used to the little guy snuggling down with them.

“Absolutely, not,” Stacey answered.

Eric finally looked toward the bed. Stacey was laying across it naked and beautiful. She had insisted in showering first and now he understood why. She was smiling with the sweetest, yet most sultry smile he had ever seen on her lovely face.

“Sorry, Pepe. You're out of luck,” Eric stammered. He dropped his towels and walked transfixed to the bed.

Stacey laughed with delight and held out her arms to him. “At last, we can make this official!”

“And no one will hear us!” Eric answered as he slid naked over her form.

She plucked his glasses off and tossed them onto a chair nearby. “Tell me you love me.”

“I love you,” Eric whispered.





***

Lenore opened up her hotel room door and stared out at Ken with her most grumpy expression. He was dressed in his new pajamas and held Cher's cat carrier in one hand and a bottle of champagne in the other.

“Slumber party!” He exclaimed with a grin.

“No,” Lenore answered, and shut the door.

She knew it wouldn't deter him and waited for the knock she knew was coming.

“Lenore, let me in. I'm your best girlfriend.”

Lenore harrumphed at this.

“You love me. Please, Lenore. Let me in. I'm afraid of zombies and I can't sleep alone. Please! I know you have two queens in there.”

Lenore looked over her shoulder at the two beds.

“Another one won't hurt,” his voice pleaded through the door.

Finally, she opened it and stared out at him. “One word about Daniel Craig, Clive Owen or Hugh Jackman, and I'm throwing you out!”

Ken grinned and hurried past her. “Yay!”

Lenore shut the door, grumbling, but a small smile managed to creep onto her lips. At least she had her best friend in this stupid world even if he was annoying sometimes.





***

Peggy tucked Cody into his bed along with his stuffed bear. Her son looked up at her anxiously, his hands gripping her sleeve.

“I don't want to sleep alone in here, Mommy,” he whispered.

“Cody, the zombies can't get in here. We're safe. The zombies are far away, I promise,” Peggy kissed his forehead.

She was looking forward to her first night of real sleep without him clinging or waking her up with his nightmares.

“Promise?”

“Yes, Cody, I promise,” Peggy answered, and felt for the first time in a long time, she wasn't lying.

Sighing, her little boy settled down in his new bed and held tightly to his bear. “Okay, cause Teddy doesn't like zombies.”

“I know, honey. I know.” She kissed his cheek and tucked in his covers.

As she left his room, she looked back at him one more time and felt a wonderful sense of relief that at last they were truly safe.

***

“Shit,” Juan exclaimed as Jenni almost slipped and fell head first into the tub.

She had been trying to maneuver on her sprained leg while grabbing the bottle of champagne off the counter that Ken had stolen before she nearly fell.

Juan grabbed hold of her naked hips with his sudsy hands and held her steady as she finally managed to get into the tub without killing both of them. Lowering herself into the mountains of white bubbles, so she was straddling his lap, she grinned.

“See, nothing to it?” She took a long swallow of champagne and handed him the bottle.

Juan laughed and gulped down some of the warm champagne. “Shit, that's nasty.”

Jenni giggled and pressed her bare breasts against his chest. “Almost as nasty as me?”

“Shit, girl.” Juan grinned. “No one is as nasty as you.”

Laughing, she kissed him and they both nearly went under the bubbles before Juan managed to grab the edge of the tub.

“You're trying to drown us!”

“Oh, shut up and kiss me.”

Juan obliged. The champagne bottle fell off the edge of the tub and onto the floor.

Neither one of them noticed.





***

Katie awoke a few hours later to gentle snoring. She felt a little disoriented by the sound and the body she felt in her arms. Lydia had always snored, but the body pressed against hers was not one bit female.

It was Travis.

He was sound asleep. His arms were around her body with his body spooned up against hers. The lamp next to the bed was still lit. When she turned her head she suppressed a giggle. He was so deeply asleep his mouth was hanging open.

Stretching a little, she managed to turn in his arms and readjust herself. Her body was really aching and her bruises felt even more painful. Looking at Travis’ arm draped over her waist, she could see where the zombies had grabbed onto it. Their distinct hand prints were pressed into his flesh.

They had both been immensely lucky today.

Stirring, Travis turned onto his back, his arm slung over his forehead, looking quite serene.

She had really grown to love his face. It was so strong and yet kind. Propping herself up, she stared at him and slid her hand under his T-shirt along the length of his chest. He was so very manly and muscular it was almost intimidating. But she enjoyed the feel of his skin under her hand and felt the surprising pulse of desire inside of her.