She pulled back to look at me and smiled. “They’re really not sad tears. I’m so moved by how strong our love is for each other, and if anything, I’m more upset at myself for doubting it. I need you so much, Gunner, that it scares me.”
“I feel the same way.”
She stood up and smiled as she walked over to the bathtub and climbed in. When she sat down, she let out a long sigh and sank until the water reached her neck. I got up and crawled in behind her. I wasn’t sure how long we were in the tub, just soaking in silence. I ran my fingers along her body, and I could feel how relaxed she was.
“I think we should do this at least once a week after the kids go to bed,” she said.
I chuckled. “Soak in a hot bath with my naked wife. Hell yeah.”
She turned around and gave me a smoldering look as she sat on me and wrapped her legs around me.
“Not just soak in the tub…but make love in it as well.”
I wasn’t sure how the ole boy was keeping up, but he hadn’t failed me yet. Ellie positioned herself and slowly sank down on me. She dropped her head back and moaned as she began moving slowly.
“Ellie…” I whispered.
She looked into my eyes and smiled at me.
“Faster, baby…go faster.”
She picked up speed, and I felt the build happening way too fast. She placed her hands on the sides of the tub and lifted herself more before coming down harder.
“Fuck.” I hissed through teeth.
The water began splashing out onto the floor, and the sound seemed to turn Ellie on even more.
“Yes. Oh God, yes. Gunner…I’m coming. I’m coming.”
I dropped my head back and held off for as long as I could before it felt like I exploded inside of her. I grabbed her and pulled her body close to mine, holding her, as I poured myself into her. I never wanted this feeling to end…ever.
I spun Ellie around on the dance floor as she laughed. I knew she never got the chance to just let her hair down, so tonight, it was all about her. We danced so much that I felt like I could puke if I had to spin around one more time.
Ellie leaned in and shouted, “I think I need to leave! I’m exhausted, Gunner.”
Thank God. I nodded my head and pointed to the bar. “I need a water really quick.”
She smiled and grabbed my hand as we made our way to the bar. I ordered two waters, and when I handed Ellie the water, she downed the bottle in one drink. I followed and drank it down in one drink, too.
As soon as we got outside, we both sighed and then laughed. She jumped into my arms, and I spun her around.
“Jesus, I’m not cut out for this kind of stuff anymore. Sex all day and dancing all night—it’s too much!”
I laughed. “I agree. My damn feet are killing me.”
“Hotel?” Ellie asked.
“Yes.”
By the time we got back to our hotel and showered, we were exhausted. Ellie crawled under the covers, naked, and I followed. I pulled her right up next to my body and took in everything about her—the way she smelled, the feel of her skin against mine, and her slow and steady breathing.
She’s my everything. She will always be my everything. I closed my eyes and listened to her breathing become slow and steady as she drifted off to sleep.
“I love you, Ellie.”
“I love you, Drew. I love you more than anything.”
I smiled as I began to drift off to sleep. I dreamed of walking along the river with Ellie as we held hands, forever in love. Always.
I opened my eyes and smiled when I saw the hint of daylight shining through the curtains. I glanced over to the clock and saw it was ten thirty in the morning. I sat up quickly and searched for my phone. I grabbed it and saw a text conversation between Alex and Gunner.
Alex: Good morning, Mama and Daddy. Colt is being a brat, but I’m excusing it since I’m sure he misses you both something awful, just like I do. You’re still coming home tomorrow, right?
Me: Hey, baby girl. It’s Daddy. Smack Colt around a little bit and show him who’s boss. Yes, sweetheart, we will be home tomorrow. Mommy and Daddy miss you and Colt so much, but we’re having a lot of fun.
Alex: Have you bought Mommy flowers yet?
Me: No. Do you think I should?
Alex: Yep. Daddy, pick some off the side of the road. You know, get the daisy ones she loves so much. I think she would like that so much better. It shows you put more effort into it by picking them.
Me: When did you grow up? I’ll try my best, but trying to find flowers here in Austin on the side of the road is kind of hard. It’s a big city and all.
Alex: Ha-ha. I miss y’all. See you tomorrow. Kiss Mommy.
Me: I miss you and Colt, baby. See you tomorrow, and I will give Mommy a kiss.
I smiled as I set my phone down. “Gunner?” Looking toward the bathroom, I slowly got out of bed. I grinned as I felt every sore muscle in my body from the last two evenings while I made my way to the bathroom. I walked into the bathroom only to find it empty. Reaching for my robe, I put it on as I headed back out and picked up my cell phone.
Me: Where are you?
Gunner: Morning, sweetheart! Be right up!
Me: Okay. ☺
I set my phone down and walked over to the Victoria’s Secret bag. There were panties, a bra, and a baby-doll nightie in the bag. I slipped the nightie on and turned to look at myself in the mirror.
“Not bad for a mom with two kids,” I said as I looked at my toned body.
Of course, walking every day with Ari and Emma and working in the garden and around the ranch had contributed to much of my toned body.
I spun around, reached for the vibrator, and pulled it out. I smiled as I reached for the handcuffs and headed back to the bed. I slipped both under my pillow and lay down on the bed. I moved and pulled my leg up, trying to pull off the seductive look, but it felt awkward. Then, I turned a different way, but that felt forced. I got up on my knees, and I was about to try another position when the door opened. I looked up, and Gunner stopped dead in his tracks. I smiled and bit down on my lip as I tried my best to look sexy.
“Jesus H. Christ.” Gunner shut the door. Then, he set two cups of coffee, a bag, and some flowers he had in his hand on the table. He lifted his T-shirt over his head and quickly stripped out of his jeans.
I smiled as I felt my core tighten. I began chewing on my lower lip. I was always a nervous wreck when we played like this. I wasn’t sure why I enjoyed playing so much, but I was always afraid Gunner would think less of me even though he had repeated that he loved to play with vibrators on me.
He was on the bed and pushing me down before I could even say a word. His hand moved up the baby-doll nightie, and he began twisting and pulling on my nipple as he kissed me. I let out a moan as I reached my other hand under the pillow. I reached around for the handcuffs before pulling them out and holding them up.
Gunner pulled back and smiled as he took them and grabbed my left hand. He put the cuff on my left wrist and then grabbed my right hand. He looked at the headboard and made a face. He sat up and looked around. He got up and used his finger to motion for me to stand up. I stood, and he led me over to a chair.
“Sit down, Ellie, and spread your legs open…wide.”
I instantly felt a rush of wetness between my legs. I did as he’d asked. He walked behind me, took my arms, and placed them behind the back of the chair. Then, he handcuffed my right hand to my left.
He walked around to the front again. “Move to the edge of the chair, baby.”
I did just that, and my body clenched in anticipation for what he was about to do.
“Do you like when I make you come with my mouth, Ells?”
I nodded my head. “Yes…very much.”
He dropped to his knees and pushed the chair back, causing me to let out a gasp.
“Damn, you’re so beautiful.” He licked his lips and held the chair back just enough to tilt me back, giving him a better angle.<
br />
When he brushed his tongue across my clit, I jumped. “Oh God.”
“Yeah, baby…let me hear how good it feels.”
He licked me again, and I jumped again at the feel of his tongue making a pass over my sensitive bud.
“Gunner, please don’t tease me.”
Then, he pushed his fingers in as he began massaging the area that he knew drove me mad.
“God, Ellie, I love making you come. I could do this all day.”
He buried his mouth over my clit, and he began moving his fingers in and out as he sucked and licked me.
“Oh God. Oh God….oh God, oh God, oh God!” I called out.
I looked down, and having my hands tied and my legs spread open to him made it seem hotter.
Gunner flicked his tongue quickly against my clit and moved his fingers in and out so fast that I could feel my toes beginning to curl.
“Gunner…oh God…ah…yes…yes…I’m coming! Oh, yes!”
I cried out like a crazy person, but I couldn’t help it. The orgasm ripped through my body like a tornado. I didn’t want it to end. I dropped my head back and felt Gunner pull me further to the edge. He pushed the chair back more as he pushed his finger into my ass, and I fell over the edge again.
“Holy shit!” I cried out as another orgasm ripped through my body.
I opened my eyes when Gunner started taking off the cuffs. He picked me up and carried me to the bed. Once he laid me down, I reached under the pillow and pulled out the vibrator.
“Again,” I whispered.
The smile that spread across Gunner’s face was priceless. He turned the vibrator on and touched it to my right nipple. I jerked and held my breath as I waited for him to move it down farther. He moved it to the other side and then slowly down my stomach. I could hardly stand the wait.
When he gently pushed the vibrator inside me, he turned it on high. Within seconds, I was calling out his name.
I was flying so high from each orgasm. I could barely feel Gunner moving over me and pushing inside me. He lifted me up, and I wrapped my legs and arms around him. I leaned my forehead to his, and we just sat there. Nothing needed to be said. It was just the two of us as one.
“I love you so much, Ellie.”
“I love you, too, Gunner.”
I slowly began moving up and down, and I dropped my head back. The friction our bodies created when we were together was more than powerful. Gunner kissed all along my neck, whispering how much he loved me between each tender kiss.
Gunner moved and lay me down on the bed as he began to slowly and sweetly make love to me. I’d never felt so much love in my life. It was as if he was trying to tell me how much he wanted me and how much he loved me through every movement, every kiss.
I pushed my hands through his hair and arched my back when I felt him growing bigger inside me.
He placed his lips near my ear. “I’m coming, baby. Oh God…Ellie, I’m coming.”
Gunner practically collapsed on top of me. He rolled over and pulled me next to him. Once our breathing slowed down, I could feel myself drifting back to sleep. I was so tired that I could hardly keep my eyes open.
“Gunner?” I whispered.
“Yeah, baby?”
“I miss the kids.”
He kissed my back and said, “We’ll be home by the time they get off the bus.”
I smiled, closed my eyes, and slipped into a deep sleep.
I dreamed of Alex walking toward me in a beautiful white gown. My baby girl is all grown-up.
After sleeping for another hour, Ellie and I woke up, packed our things, and began heading back to Mason in our separate cars. I wished I would have had someone drive me to Austin, so I could be with her right now, but I used the time to make a phone call to Jeff.
“Hello?”
“Jeff, how are things going at the ranch?”
“Good. It’s been pretty quiet, believe it or not. Josh stopped by and helped out with the feeding, much to Luke’s disappointment.”
I laughed and shook my head. “That boy is going to make one hell of a rancher someday, if he keeps it up.”
Jeff chuckled. “Tell me about it. He’s already told Ari and me to start saving our money because he intends on going to A&M and having at least three girlfriends.”
“Ah hell, I’m sure Ari set him straight on that one.”
“To be honest, I have no idea where the boy gets it from.”
I let out a gruff laugh. “Yeah, right. When are you leaving for Kentucky?”
“Two days. Ari is beyond excited, and she’s already packing. She almost changed her mind, but I talked her into going. I think we need some time alone.”
“I’m telling you, Jeff. Do it. It’s made a world of difference for Ells and me.”
“I’m glad, Gunner. I’m also glad to hear you dumped that damn part-time job.”
I laughed. “Yeah. Well, I thought I missed that shit, but it turns out I was missing something else.”
“You douche. That’s my sister, asshole.”
I chuckled. “We are on our way home. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Sounds good. Drive safe.”
Ellie and I were sitting on the back of my tailgate when the school bus drove up. I could see Alex’s and Colt’s faces light up when they saw us.
Ellie let out a little, “Eep!” as she jumped off the tailgate.
When Alex stepped off the steps of the bus, she ran as fast as she could into Ellie’s arms.
“Oh, Mama! I missed you so much! You look so beautiful. Did you and Daddy have fun? Y’all aren’t mad at each other anymore, are you?”
My heart hurt from hearing our daughter ask that. Colt came running up, and I leaned down and caught him in my arms.
“Daddy! Uncle Jeff said I can shoot my first deer before deer season is up!”
I looked at him and smiled. “He did, huh? I’ll have to talk to him about that.”
Alex pulled back and allowed Colt to run into Ellie’s arms.
“Mama, I missed you so much. No one makes pancakes or bacon like you do. Poor Grams just couldn’t make the bacon the same, Mama. Thank goodness you’re home!”
We all started laughing as Ellie stood and picked up Colt. I looked at how big our son was getting, and I felt tears building in my eyes. When I glanced down at Alex, she was watching Ellie and Colt with a smile. As much as she acted like she couldn’t stand her younger brother, she loved him more than life itself. I picked her up, and she let out a small scream as I carried her to the truck.
After everyone piled into the truck, Ellie turned and looked at Alex and Colt. “It’s y’all’s night tonight. Dinner in? Dinner out? What do you want to do?”
I looked in the rearview mirror at Alex and Colt whispering back and forth to each other. I put the truck in drive and began making my way back to the house. I knew my kids, and I knew they would want to stay home.
Alex cleared her throat. “Colt and I would like to grill hot dogs on the fire pit and then make s’mores.”
I glanced over at Ellie, and she smiled and winked at me.
“Then, I think we’d like to watch Cars!” Colt said with a big smile.
Ellie and I both started laughing.
I grabbed her hand and pulled it to my lips. “Do y’all know that was the first movie Mommy and I watched together? It’s kind of a special movie to us.”
“Really?” Alex let out a giggle. “Then, we have to watch it tonight!”
Ellie tilted her head and gave me the sweetest smile ever. “I think that sounds like the most perfect night ever.”
Both kids yelled, “Yeah!”
“All right, let’s head home and get homework and chores done. Then, we can plan our night.”
Alex and Colt both whined and began arguing over who had to feed the dogs. I squeezed Ellie’s hand as I looked at her.
She smiled as she said, “I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
I laughed and said, “Agreed.”
>
By the time Colt had his fifth s’more, I was pretty sure he was going to throw up.
Ellie reached for the chocolate bars and marshmallows. “No more, young man. Now, both of y’all, go on in and get cleaned up. We’ll watch Cars in a bit after everything is cleaned up and put away.”
“Yes!” Colt yelled. He jumped up and began wiping chocolate and marshmallows on his pants.
Following him into the house, Alex said, “Colt, I will never get used to the way you eat. Ever. I don’t care if we are old and gray and living together in an old folks’ home. I will never get used to you being a pig.”
“Hey! Alex, don’t call your brother names!” I called out after them.
They were both in a full-blown argument and couldn’t even hear me at this point.
I helped Ellie clean up. We popped some popcorn and put the Cars movie in. It didn’t take long before both kids were sound asleep. Alex was snuggled next to me, and Colt was lying across Ellie.
I motioned to her that I was going to carry them up to their beds.
Ellie smiled, nodded her head, and mouthed, Ka-chow, to me.
I began laughing and wiggled my eyebrows up and down. When she nodded her head, I knew we would be sneaking off to the barn tonight.
I stood and picked up Alex. I carried her upstairs and put her in her bed.
When I covered her up, she whispered, “Daddy?”
I leaned down and kissed her on the forehead. “Yeah, sweetheart?”
“I want to marry a guy like you someday.”
I felt my heart begin to slam harder in my chest. “No one will ever be good enough for my baby. No one.”
She smiled. “I love you, Daddy.”
“I love you more, Alexandra. I love you so much more.”
I shut her door and leaned against it as I tried to contain my tears. I pushed off and made my way back downstairs to get my little man.
Colt was out for the night. He didn’t even budge when I placed him in bed and covered him.
I shut his door and ran back downstairs. Ellie was in the kitchen at the back door, holding the quilt Emma had made for us for our wedding present. We only used it when we were in the barn.