Page 115 of Gunner

That was a lie.

Greg’s life wasn’t sacred.

The bed dipped and Gunner inched in behind me. Wrapping his big arm around my waist, he pulled me back against his chest. With his mouth against my hair, he murmured to me,“Haizley, you need to talk to me. Tell me what happened, baby. Let me help you through this.”

“What do you want to know?”

“How did he get into the house?”

I released a sardonic laugh. “I literally opened the freaking door for him. I was distracted and didn’t check.”

That first sentence opened the floodgates, and I told Gunner everything. How Greg confessed about Aspen and all the women he had raped. His threats against not only me but how he alluded to ending the life of every future woman he intended to harm. All of it.

Except how it affected me.

“What about you, baby?”

Turning in his arms, I looked into his beautiful green eyes. “What about me?”

“You took a life tonight, Haizley. A life that deserved to be taken, but still. It affects people. Makes them feel guilty.”

“That’s just it, Gunner. I don’t feel guilty for killing that bastard. I feel guilty that I don’t feel guilty. What does that say about me as a person?”

“It says that you’re the fuckin’ strongest woman I know. That motherfucker got what he deserved. I wish it hadn’t been you to put him down. But I’m fucking glad you did.”

He leaned over and pressed his lips to mine and suddenly, the feelings I had been battling evaporated. Gunner’s tongue swirled with mine as he moved over me. The weight of him gave me a sense of security I didn’t realize I needed.

There was something about the tender way he held me and kissed me. Like he wasn’t trying to build up the tension in my body. He simply wanted to be close to me. Wanted me to feel what he was feeling. His hands never moved from my back. They didn’t slip lower to my ass, or around the front to my breasts.

This wasn’t a kiss that promised more carnal activities. It was a kiss that spoke to my soul. It showed his love for me. His care of me.

That kiss broke me.

The tears I had been longing for broke free, and I cried into Gunner’s mouth. He didn’t pull away. He continued his deep assault on my mouth as I cried.

I cried for the women Greg had assaulted.

I cried for Aspen and Amber and everything they had been through.

I cried for me.

For the teenage girl who lost her parents.

For the college girl who had no one at graduation to cheer for her accomplishments.

And for the woman who for so long believed she needed to take care of everyone else, who finally had someone that wanted to take care of her.

When Gunner finally pulled back, he directed my head to his chest.

“Sleep, little lamb.”

And I did.

In his arms.

Where I felt safe, and protected, and loved.

The next morning when I finally woke up, I was alone. Reaching over, the sheets were still warm, and I smiled knowing Gunner was likely still here.

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