Chapter 541: Zip me up

[Zoren’s Place]

Zoren rested his cheek on his knuckles, seated on the couch in his room, his eyes on his beautiful wife, all dressed up before him.

"Pretty?" she asked, a wide grin on her face. "Like it?"

Penny had three dress choices for tonight’s event and had shown him each one. Honestly, Zoren didn’t know why she was asking him when she knew he couldn’t see well. Not that he didn’t enjoy the experience, but there was something off.

"That one is perfect," he said casually, reaching out a hand to her.

Penny smirked, knowing it was the first dress she’d picked and also the one he’d liked the most. She marched over and shamelessly sat on his lap, aware that it was exactly where he’d want her.

"Why are you asking me which one I like when I can’t even see properly?" he asked, wrapping an arm around her waist as soon as she settled on his lap. "Is something wrong?"

"No problem! You can see colors, can’t you?" Penny pouted a little, playing it off coolly.

They had been fine since morning and lunch, but when they sent off Nina, he noticed something strange in Penny’s gaze. She acted as usual, but Zoren could feel that something was bothering her.

"Was it the dress?" he guessed, watching her brows rise. "Were you... bothered by the dress that Miss Miller received?"

Penny blinked at him before a corner of her lips curled up. "I’m not jealous," she clarified. "And I’m not bothered at all."

"Then, why do I feel like something’s wrong?"

"I don’t know." Penny shrugged. "I’m aware you’re keeping her around for obvious reasons, and to make it believable, of course, you’d give her gifts. Don’t worry about it, Renren. I’m alright, and there’s nothing wrong, okay?"

To affirm her reassurance, she leaned in and planted a soft kiss on his cheek. When she drew back, her lips stretched into a smile.

"I’ll go fix myself and finish the look." She tapped his shoulder three times before trying to pull away. But Zoren didn’t budge, simply pulling her closer.

"I didn’t send them."

"Hmm?"

"She’s not my woman. Why would I bother?" His eyes softened as his lips curled up. "I didn’t even order such a thing. I wouldn’t have known about it if you hadn’t called and explained. If someone’s using my name for that, it must be Benjamin."

For a second, Penny furrowed her brows before a chuckle escaped her. Hearing that explanation somehow lifted off the faint — very faint — frustration that struck her when she heard, "Mr. Pierson sent you another dress."

Even though Penny knew Zoren might do such a thing, it wouldn’t be from the bottom of his heart. She tried to ignore it, hoping that if she kept ignoring it, she would eventually forget. But hearing him explain his side, even though she hadn’t intended to bring it up, made her feel silly.

"Really?" she asked, smiling as his lips stretched. "How did you know I was a little upset? I thought I hid it pretty well."

"That time... in the park," he paused, waiting for her to meet his gaze. "I vowed I wouldn’t be so blind, letting you deceive me for my sake. I pick up on things easily. For instance, when you lie... you sound more natural than when you tell the truth. It’s tricky to explain."

"Bottom line is, you know when I’m lying?" she clarified, smiling as he nodded. Penny pursed her lips and lightly pushed his shoulder. "Fine. There was... just a little bit of jealousy when you gave another woman a gift."

She pouted. "I’m being petty, aren’t I?"

Zoren chuckled softly, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "I like it when you’re jealous."

"It’s petty."

"And it’s valid," he replied almost immediately. "It’s flattering for me, too."

"Renren," Penny sighed, wrapping her arms around his neck, her eyes scanning his face. She couldn’t help but appreciate this man’s existence.

If this had happened before, Penny would’ve successfully shrugged off the alien feeling by distracting herself with other things. But now, she realized she didn’t have to. He would give her peace, even if she didn’t ask.

"Still going to the event?" he asked meaningfully after a while, the question snapping her back to reality.

Penny instinctively drew her head back, squinting at him. "Yes, Renren. This charity event is important to me. You’re more important, of course, but I have to go."

"That’s sad..." he sighed.

"Are you sure you don’t want to come with me?" she asked.

"Do you want me to?"

Penny paused, biting her tongue as she realized she was getting too comfortable. They had agreed to keep their relationship private to avoid unnecessary trouble. It wasn’t a problem, as their privacy was their luxury.

"Hehe, nope!" she playfully laughed it off, retrieving her arms from his shoulders and readjusting her position. "Zip me up."

Penny turned, presenting her back and the open zipper that reached down to her waist. A mischievous smile curled her lips as she glanced over her shoulder.

Zoren smirked, tracing her spine with his fingertips before sliding down to her lower back. He leaned in, placing a soft kiss on her back before carefully pulling up the zipper. Just as he reached the top, Penny quickly jumped away, trying to escape whatever plans he had while zipping her up.

But as fast as she moved, Zoren was quicker, reaching out to pull her back. To his surprise, Penny was even faster, gracefully spinning around and lifting her foot to push him back.

For a moment, Zoren was stunned as his back hit the backrest with her foot on his chest. He looked up at her, sensing the triumphant expression she wore.

"Not done," she teased, pointing to the untied straps of her stilettos.

"Well..." He let out a dry laugh, shrugging in defeat as he gently wrapped the straps around her ankle and tied them. When he finished, he leaned in and planted a sensual kiss on her shin, his eyes locked on hers. "Other one?"

’Oh, my god...’Penny bit her lip as she watched him. ’Why is he so seductive and why am I so easily seduced?!’

She almost wept, teetering on the verge of ditching the party to roll under the sheets with him.