CHAPTER 143: GIVING UP MEAT

Cassidy was awakened by a soft voice—Claire calling her name gently while knocking on the door.

She opened her eyes, blinking to adjust to the light in the room. She glanced at Zeke, who was still asleep beside her, holding her close. Then she looked toward the large window, where the bright morning sun shone through the curtains.

Cassidy grabbed her phone from the bedside table and checked the time. She was surprised to see it was already 11 a.m., almost noon.

Claire must be surprised too—Cassidy usually wakes up around 7 a.m., and 8 a.m. is the latest she ever sleeps in. But today, she was still in bed while the sun was high in the sky.

With her sore, naked body, Cassidy slowly lifted herself from the bed, careful not to wake Zeke. She then walked to the walk-in closet connected to her room to grab some pajamas to wear.

When she saw her reflection in the mirror inside the closet, Cassidy gasped and blushed with embarrassment. Her body was covered in marks from her lovemaking with Zeke earlier that morning. Even her neck wasn’t spared from Zeke’s hickeys.

Cassidy scolded Zeke for being too rough and leaving marks on her body. She quickly grabbed her pajamas and put them on.

After putting on her pajamas, Cassidy opened the door but didn’t see Claire there. It seemed Claire had already left since Cassidy hadn’t answered earlier.

She then walked toward Claire’s playroom to check on her. Sure enough, Claire was in her playroom, playing with her dolls.

"Hey, sweetheart..." Cassidy greeted as she entered.

"Mommy!" Claire exclaimed and ran to hug Cassidy.

"Sorry, sweetheart, I woke up late."

"It’s okay, Mommy," Claire said. "Grandma Clara said Mommy and Daddy were tired, so you slept late."

Hearing Claire’s words made Cass’s heart stop for a moment. Her lips twitched. Where did Clara find out that Zeke had stayed and slept with her? Had their lovemaking been so loud that Clara actually overheard it?

Cassidy instinctively covered her face, feeling embarrassed at the thought that Clara might have overheard.

"Did daddy sleep with mommy?" Claire asked, her voice curious and gentle.

Cassidy nodded quietly.

"Why didn’t Mommy and Daddy ask me to sleep with you guys?"

Cassidy froze for a moment, feeling a little embarrassed. "You were already asleep, sweetheart. Mommy and Daddy didn’t want to wake you."

Claire thought for a moment, then nodded. "Okay... But if you and Daddy sleep together again, you have to ask me to join, okay? Promise?"

Cassidy smiled warmly. "I promise, sweetheart."

"Is Daddy still sleeping?" Claire asked.

Cassidy nodded. "Yeah, he’s still asleep."

Claire’s eyes brightened with excitement. "I’m going to wake him up!" she said, already starting to run toward Cassidy’s bedroom.

Cassidy’s heart skipped a beat, suddenly nervous. She quickly grabbed Claire’s arm, trying to stop her. She didn’t want Claire to find Zeke sleeping naked.

"Hey, sweetheart, don’t wake Daddy just yet," Cassidy said, her voice a bit shaky. "He’s really tired and needs to rest more. He’ll wake up on his own soon, okay?"

Cassidy hoped her excuse would work as she tried to hide how flustered she felt.

Claire stopped and looked at Cassidy. "Is Daddy really super tired?" she asked, her voice soft and caring.

"Yes," Cassidy said simply.

"Okay. Then we’ll wait for him to wake up," Claire said, turning back to her dolls. "Come play with me, Mommy," she said, reaching for Cassidy’s hand.

Cassidy breathed out slowly, feeling relieved she had stopped Claire.

An hour later, Zeke stepped out of Cassidy’s room wearing his work clothes from yesterday. He saw Claire and Cassidy playing together in the playroom.

"Daddy, did you get enough rest?" Claire asked as soon as she saw Zeke open the door.

Zeke glanced briefly at Cassidy, who gave him a quick, sharp look.

"Yeah," Zeke replied, then asked, "What are you two playing?"

"Me and Mommy are playing with Sparkle and Browny. Come play with us, Daddy."

Zeke wanted to stay longer, but his phone had been ringing nonstop. Andrew must be worried since he hadn’t heard from him or seen him at the office.

With a heavy heart, Zeke said, "I’m sorry, princess. I have to go because Daddy has work to do."

Claire pouted, but she understood.

"Come on, give Daddy a hug before I go," Zeke said softly.

She jumped up and threw her arms around Zeke. He pulled her close, holding her tight, then gently kissed the top of her head.

"Are you going to come back after work, Daddy?" she asked, her eyes wide and hopeful.

"Absolutely, princess," he replied with a warm smile.

Claire’s face instantly lit up with joy.

Cassidy stood up and looked down at Claire with a gentle smile. "Sweetheart, can you play for a little while? Mommy’s going to walk Daddy to the door."

"Okay, Mommy," Claire agreed happily.

Cassidy and Zeke stepped out of Claire’s playroom. Suddenly, Cassidy pinched Zeke’s waist.

"Ouch," Zeke muttered, wincing. "Baby, that hurts. Why are you mad at me?" he asked, rubbing the spot she pinched.

"You know, because of you, I woke up late. And it seems like Clara heard us. I’m so embarrassed. I don’t even know where to hide my face."

Zeke smiled at her words. "You don’t have to be embarrassed. Clara will understand. Next, I’ll install soundproofing in your room so you can moan and scream as loud as you want, and Clara won’t hear a thing," he teased.

Cassidy playfully hit his hand.

"Don’t joke around. Besides, I don’t think we’ll be able to do that again anytime soon."

"Why not? Was my performance or service not good enough?"

Cassidy blushed and lightly jabbed his hand again.

"Claire said if we’re sleeping together, we have to invite her to sleep with us, and I already promised her."

Zeke frowned when he heard Cassidy’s words, but he didn’t say anything. If Claire wanted to sleep with them, he’d have to make it happen.

Even if it meant giving up meat again, something he’d just started eating again, Zeke was determined to control himself for Claire’s sake.

***