Page 73 of Since Day One

“What?” I asked.

“You’re sitting so far away,” he grumbled.

“You can move to the middle, too,” I replied, and he rolled his eyes, but unbuckled and slid over anyway.

“I’m upset about this,” he pouted, clicking the middle button into place and sliding a hand over my thigh. The moment he touched me, though, the frown melted away, and his shoulders relaxed. I shifted my hips to lean closer to him and rested my head against his shoulder.

“Thank you for moving,” I whispered, and he stretched his legs out in front of him down the aisle.

“The seat’s kind of small, but there is quite a bit of legroom here,” he said, moving his hand from my thigh and slinging an arm around my shoulders. I lifted my head and smiled, looking at his eyes for a moment before cuddling in tighter.

“Read to me,” I quietly said, and he smiled. Reaching into his pants pocket, he pulled out his phone and opened a new western novel. His voice was quiet and tender as he began softly reading, the music drowning out his words to everyone except for me. That moment was precious and perfect.

“Gunnar,” I giggled as he attempted to shove his tongue down my throat once more.

“Your family is here.” I pressed a hand against his chest, whispering my protest as he tried to kiss me again and again. He didn’t seem to care as he stretched the belt even wider and threw a leg over my lap.

“So?” he said, and grabbed my face, planting a very aggressive kiss and biting down on my bottom lip.

“Will you quit? I don’t need to see that,” Ruger complained from the front, and Gunnar paused, his eyes narrowing.

“I just watched you make out with your wife for the past half hour, so mind your own damn business,” Gunnar replied, and I stifled my laugh as he winked.

“Language!” Katherine shouted from the front.

“Sorry, Mom,” Gunnar quickly said.

“Ha!” Ruger pointed in triumph.

“And Gunnar is right. Now, turn around and let them be,” Katherine scolded, and Ruger folded his arms, collapsed in the seat, and frowned. Gunnar chuckled and leaned the side of his face against the seat.

“Mama says we can kiss.” He wiggled his brows, and I blushed.

“But I didn’t say we could,” I answered, and he pouted.

“Fine,” he grumbled, backing away.

I launched a hand forward and snuck it around the back of his head, wrapping my fingers into the base of his curly hair and tugging him back toward me. He kept his eyes narrowed until I leaned forward with a smile. “Now I do.”

He grinned and shoved his tongue in my mouth without waiting for any more permission. It felt a little strange to so openly kiss in front of his parents, but they didn’t seem to even notice, both absorbed in their own conversation. Jesse and Ruger were also oblivious to what we were doing, despite the earlier protest.

So, I let him have whatever way he wanted. His hands gripped tightly against my hips as he unbuckled his seat belt to give himself more freedom of movement. My heart raced in my chest as his tongue worked its way around my mouth and across my lips before one hand gripped my chin and tilted it up. His lips left my mouth and trailed along my neck, biting gently and leaving a trail of hot moisture in its wake.

I giggled as his mustache tickled, the soft bristles of his stubble brushing gently against my skin as he brought his mouth back to mine. His lips were soft and soothing, just as needy as before, but a little more polite as he parted them open and traced his tongue against my mouth, searching for permission again.

Granting him without hesitation, I settled into his taste, enjoying every lick, every bite that ended up upon my lips and tongue, and felt his fingers trace along the edge of my body while I gripped tighter into his hair.

It didn’t last long enough as Jack exited the freeway, and I realized we were coming to the end of the five-hour drive. Gunnar slowly pulled back and glanced out the window at the rising tide of buildings that crowded the valley. Beautiful mountains still crowned the horizon, but trees and natural outdoors were stretched thin.

Gunnar slid away from me, buckling himself back into the seat, but rested a hand against my thigh as I watched the buildings fly by. We hit stop lights and listened to the soft music that was playing in the background. Even Jesse and Ruger had stopped talking and were watching the passing scenery.

So different from the isolation we’d been living in, different from the world I experienced back home in Texas. This would be an adjustment, and I was glad I didn’t live in a place like this all the time.

Jack signaled and entered a parking lot to a restaurant that was extremely packed and lively on this Thursday night, the line trailing out the door of the authentic Mexican cantina. The large, brick building was painted with the most elaborate colors, lights streaming from the windows, and music bouncing in the background. The entrance was at the side of the building, while we parked out back and were now slowly exiting the van.

Gunnar offered a hand to help me down, and I hopped out, landing on the pavement, smelling the crisp scent of spices dancing through the air. Gunnar slid the door closed and smiled as I looked around me. The city lights began to pop on as the sun settled below the horizon. I couldn’t help but smile as Gunnar stepped closer to me. I liked being here with him.

Jesse sidled up beside me, her hand in Ruger’s as we began to walk behind their parents. “Katherine told me that Sandra has another new boyfriend,” she said, making both Ruger and Gunnar groan.

---