***
“Now, have you got enough blankets, love?” Emma fusses as we get ready to turn the lights down at bedtime.
“It’s fine, thank you. Plenty.”
“You get cold, there are more in the linen closet just down the hall. Gunner’s room is downstairs if you need him.”
“Yeah, which I'd like to get my old room back, some time soon.” Gunner gripes.
“Well, y’all can have it back anytime, doll. We only had you downstairs because of your arm.”
“I know, but geez.”
“You want me to help you move your stuff now?” Blake asks.
“Naw, I'll do it tomorrow.” Gunner relents. “Goodnight all.” he says, giving me a fleeting look. I know that it would be disrespectful for him to kiss me in front of his mama, especially since I’m not sure if he wants the family to know that we’re together now.
“Goodnight.” I say to him. He turns down the hall to his room. Blake heads out the door to the guesthouse, where Ruby awaits him. Tucker, Zack, Myra and Kate left about thirty minutes ago, when Kate couldn’t keep her eyes open any longer. Myra the same.
“Goodnight, love.” Emma says, heading upstairs. “You sure y’all don’t want some tea first?”
“’Lan sakes, mama! Quit fussing!” Austin blurts from upstairs, overhearing.
“Alright, goodness!” Emma mutters, walking upstairs.
I walk upstairs after her, get ready for bed, and lay there, reading through some notes from school, when I hear a soft knock at the door. I'm thinking it’s Emma checking up on me, but when I open the door, I see Gunner standing there, in just a pair of jeans. No shirt, no socks, no hat. I bite my lip as he slips inside, closing the door quietly. “Thought I’d come and say goodnight properly.” he murmurs, bringing me close to him. He kisses my lips chastely, and then, something in my eyes must tell him something...
...because he locks the door and turns off the light.
***
Gunner
I tossed and turned for about ten minutes, and then I gave up. I can’t not say goodnight to Ava after making love with her earlier. It’s just not right. Now, look, I had no intentions of starting anything with her. I just wanted to kiss her and tell her I loved her. But that look in her eyes told me she wanted more. And if my baby wants more, more she shall have, if it’s up to me. It takes one kiss and that look in her to tell me. So, I lock the door, turn out the light, and trail my hands up her pyjama shirt, skating them along her thighs, pulling it right over her head, wasting no time.
Her hands are immediately on the waistband of my jeans, as she asks, through ragged breaths and whispers, if it’s safe to do this with my family on the same floor. “We’ll be quiet, darlin’.” I promise. Which means that this calls for some slow, easy lovemaking, not the hungry, marathon sex we had earlier. Before my pants come off, I pull the condom out of my wallet inside my pocket, and tuck it between her breasts for safekeeping. “God, you’re killing me.” I whisper between her lips as I realize that she’s pantiless.
She figures it out quick enough and smiles against my lips. “You’re a naughty thing, too.” She comments, as my jeans come down, and I'm not wearing any briefs, either. I figure by the way that she’s biting my bottom lip, that she’s ready already, so I pull the condom out and slide it on, and then lift her, impaling her with me, filling her completely, while buffering her moans with deep kisses. My injury is a distant memory as inhuman strength has come to me, hugging her against my body.
Our kisses are a battle of tongues and lips, as I thrust in and out of her, listening to our skin slapping in the silence, competing with the sound of the suction between our lips. We’re both breathless as she bounces against me, keeping our rhythm, filling herself with me completely, as I gently rest her back against the nearest wall, and edge her so I can suck her breasts. Her back arches against the wall, as she muffles a moan behind her lips, grasping my hair so tight it almost hurts.
Her insides clench in record time, as I slap my lips against hers, quieting her as she comes, and then takes me with her, while we kiss and suck each other’s lips in a fit of ecstasy. Our chests heave as the aftershocks finally subside and she relaxes against my shoulder. I carry her to the bed, laying her down gently, and take care of the condom. When I'm through, I peel back the covers, joining her in bed. “You think anyone heard us?” She whispers, still slightly winded.
“No, I don’t think so, darlin’.” I kiss her shoulder. “Sleep, baby.”
“Is it safe for you to stay in here with me?”
“If you’re okay with it, it is.”
My eyes are adjusted to the darkness, and I can see her looking at me. “Do you think your mama will be upset?”
“Not if I tell her that I love you, and that’s why I'm here, she won’t.” I lick my lips. “But my mama’s no fool. She already knows, darlin’. You worry too much.”
“I just don’t want her to think that I’m...you know...a whore or something.”
“If my mama thought you were a whore, she wouldn’t let you through the front door let alone stay here.”
“Are you sure?”
