Page 13 of Gunner
Kade Fuller. Army. O negative.
Knowing the handsome man who I could hear pacing outside the door defended our country made me fall a little more for him. I looked down at Bear and whispered, “I hope your daddy is for real.”
He licked my hand, and for the first time tonight, I chuckled. Taking the fastest shower in history, I washed the scrapes on my knees and avoided washing my hair because of the minor cut and knot. I used a washrag to remove as much of the dried blood from my scalp and pulled on his clothes, feeling wrapped in his embrace and surrounded by his woodsy scent.
Bear watched from his prone position on the floor, and when I opened the door, Kade, I mean Gunner, was waiting for me.
“Are you okay?” he asked, worry etched on his face.
Needing to be brave, I walked up to him and wrapped my arms around his waist, hugging my face to his chest. He enveloped me in his powerful arms, and I felt Bear lean against the back of my legs. His heartbeat was steady, and he slowly ran his hand through the back of my long, black hair.
Fear that he would feel the scars on my back, I propped my chin on his chest and looked up at him. His amber eyes flecked with green around the edges stared into mine.
“Is this crazy?” I whispered, and he pulled back, linking his fingers with mine and tugging me toward his bed.
I crawled in, and he covered me with the blanket before sitting on the edge, his hand in mine. I wanted to unburden my soul, but I met him less than two hours ago. What kind of crazy person was I to be here, with him, alone?
“I’ll stay in the clubhouse if that will make you more comfortable. I never want to do anything that makes you feel pressured,” he explained, and I shook my head.
“I don’t want you to leave,” I admitted and felt the bed shake from Bear jumping up.
The German shepherd leaned against my leg and looked at us before settling in for rest. Gunner kissed the back of my hand and stood from the bed. He went into the bathroom and returned wearing a pair of shorts and a fitted shirt, showing off his muscles and toned body. Fresh ink on his arm with the MC’s colors was shiny under cling wrap.
My mouth watered, and I clenched my legs together as he turned off the lights, leaving the bathroom sink light on to light the path. Settling on his side of the bed with Bear in between us, he laid on his side, and I matched his position. We stared at each other, and I brought my hand up to his, joining our fingers together. He smiled, kissed my hand again, and whispered, “Sleep well, Sadie. I promise I won’t let anything happen to you.”
“Good night, Gunner.”
“Kade. You can call me Kade.”
“Good night, Kade,” I replied and smiled before closing my eyes.
“Good night, sweet Sadie.”
Sometime in the night, Bear left his position as official separator, and when I woke the next morning, I was tucked into Kade’s chest with his arm wrapped around me. Bear was pressed against my back, and I watched Kade sleep, the worry missing from his face. He was handsome with blond hair that reminded me of a Viking. Strong, capable, sexy, and from the feel against my hip, very well endowed.
There was a boldness, a newfound confidence in me that made me braver than I’d ever been. I leaned up, kissing him on his soft lips, and he shifted, his eyes opening and a smile breaking out on his face.
“Good morning, beautiful,” he said and pulled me tighter to his body. “Did you sleep well?”
“Better than I have in years,” I admitted and realized it was true.
Being wrapped in his arms gave me a peace I had never experienced in my entire life. I was always wary of my environment and surroundings, but being with him took all of it away.
“I’m glad,” he explained and kissed me on the side of my head.
The sound of motorcycles leaving the club sounded into the small cabin, and I stretched in his hold. His hand on my back stopped, and I could feel his fingers grazing the three thick scars running across my spine. His gaze turned worrisome, and I smiled and shook my head.
“That’s all in the past,” I whispered, and his lips drew in before he blew out a breath.
Bear sat up and nudged his hand, causing Kade to shift his touch to my side and the tension to drain from his body. If things worked out between us, one day, I would tell him about what happened, but for today, there was no need to add any additional drama and pain to an already strained situation. The conversation last night about Callahan, the new ringleader of the Flats, would have to be dealt with, even if the MC wouldn’t let me be involved.
“What’s going to happen now?” I asked, and he shifted me until I was halfway stretched across him. He angled his hard length away from me and caressed my face, his thumb brushing over the much smaller bump on my head.
“First thing is to get you some breakfast and see what the Pres decided. After that, whatever you want to happen.” He smiled, and I leaned down, pressing my lips to his again.
His tongue swept against the seam of my lips, and I opened my mouth, our tongues meeting in the middle as we gently explored each other. He kept his hands where they were, and a lightning bolt shot through my body as the kiss grew in intensity. He pulled back, and I leaned into his hand as he stroked my cheek and watched me.
I felt cherished, safe, and faster than I thought possible, I was falling head over heels for Kade.
