#Full-time Airstreaming | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

the-hinky-panda · 6 months

Text

The Gin Blossom: Part I

Title: The Gin Blossom

Rating: Explicit

Pairing: Gilly Lopez x Reader

Summary: You thought you had your life all planned out until everything changed. Finding yourself a young widow, you turn an Airstream trailer into a food truck and tour the southwest. You met Riz and Songbird (from @bullet-prooflove's stories) and when they invite you to visit the revitalized town of Santo Padre, you find that maybe home isn't out of reach for you.

Big things were happening in Santo Padre.

You had heard about the revitalization of the quiet bordertown through the music and cultural festivals that you traveled to throughout the southwest. So it didn’t surprise you when Songbird contacted you about bringing your food and gin truck to her hometown. She was going to be doing a small concert with a couple of local bands and wanted to throw you some business.

Honestly, you were just happy to see her and Riz again. You had friends on the road but there was something different about them. They were real, warm, and good people. You could see the love they held for each other. Some people that are in love tend to close others out of their world, but they never did with you. Often after musicians would do a set, you would offer them a free meal and gin blossom special cocktail and Songbird was given the same treatment. Riz of course joined her and you got tired of leaning out of the open window to carry on the easy flowing conversation. You did something you never did and invited them into the trailer with you. The three of you spent hours sitting in the galley kitchen of the rehabbed Airstream trailer, eating, drinking, and laughing into the morning hours.

The third time you ran into them, it had been the anniversary of Dylan’s, your husband’s, death. You were in a bad way mentally, emotionally. Riz hung out with you until Songbird’s set started. He must have said something to her after the concert because as you were packing up the food and cleaning up the small kitchen in the airstream, she came to you, took your hand.

Come with us tonight.

So you did. They took you back to the plush hotel room that the concert sponsors paid for their performers. The room was twice the size of your airstream with a full size kitchen, living room, and large bedroom. You brought your favorite gin, a pale purple lavender infused bottle, and the three of you sat around in the living room area drinking and sharing the things that had broken your hearts. Songbird talked about her ex, Riz about growing up in an orphanage. You spoke about Dylan, your handsome, brave, kindhearted Dylan who had lost his battle with depression and PTSD.

They take you to bed with them that evening. You had never done anything like that before but the shared pain, the hope of finding something that helps glue the pieces back together, created a spiritual bond between the three of you that night. You wake up the next morning between the two of them, a tangle of legs and arms, the scent of cigarette smoke, Songbird’s perfume and Riz’s aftershave surrounding you.

It was the first time in two years that you hadn’t felt lonely.

You ran into them a few more times after that night until you heard that Songbird had canceled her tour and returned back to her hometown. It didn’t surprise you. One of things that you two frequently talked about was the concept of home and what it meant. She had found hers with Riz, in Santo Padre. You, you were still looking. So you pull up to the bar on the outskirts of town, park the truck and Airstream trailer in the back like you had been instructed and let out a long sigh. The moment of peace quickly evaporates as Songbird and Riz appear in front of the truck. Songbird is making her smiling way to the driver’s side while Riz hits the hood of the truck a couple times.

“I’m hungry. When’s the food going to be ready?”

You get out of the truck, give Songbird a hug and Riz the middle finger.

“We are so happy you’re here.” Songbird gives Riz a mirthful glare. “Contrary to other’s greetings.”

And you wonder if this is what it feels like to come home.

***

The local concert is a hit.

Hundreds of people come out to Joanna and EZ’s bar and they truly have something for everyone. The bands range from folk and acoustic to heavy metal. Although most of the heavy metal musicians are teenagers who have relieved parents in the audience, thankful that the screaming is not happening in their garage anymore. They’ve given you space in the family friendly area so you can get a wide range of foot traffic. The desert days are hot but the nights are still chilly so you choose for the menu this evening a gourmet toasted cheese sandwich that you cut into cubes and put on skewers to go with plastic cups of creamy tomato soup. For those looking for a drink other than on tap beer, you have a special orange blossom honey gin that pairs nicely with the cheese.

Riz brings members of the MC over to meet you as you pass food and gin out of the open bar window of the food truck. You tell them that the first drink is on you, something you frequently do when you want to be asked back at a venue. You meet Bishop, Taza, and Hank first. All three are polite and gracious in their welcoming. As the three leaders of the MC, they’re consistently moving through the crowd, making an appearance and their presence known. You have a feeling this is keeping the crowd polite and manageable.

Riz takes to leaning against the side of the airstream and waving at certain people he knows, introducing you to more club members as they wander past. You briefly meet Felipe Reyes, EZ’s father, when he brings you a plate of ribs from the smoker he was manning. You trade him some soup, sandwich, and gin in return. A few minutes later, you hear Riz whistle off towards the left to an area where you can’t see. He knocks on the side of the trailer to get your attention.

“This is a cool group of people,” he says before stepping out to greet the newcomers. It’s a trio of people that are ushered over to you, a thin man with his hair in braids, and two young women, a petite blonde and a dark haired girl with the same eyes as the man. Riz slaps the shoulder of the man. “This is Coco and his daughter Letty, and this,” he gives the blonde a one-armed hug, “is Stitches our medic. And rumor has it-“

“Don’t,” Stitches shakes her head.

“She and Coco eloped a couple weeks ago.”

The man chuckles as he blows out a steady stream of cigarette smoke. “How do you find this shit out, man?”

“I have eyes everywhere.”

You roll your eyes but pass two glasses of gin down to Coco and Stitches. “Congratulations!”

Letty also reaches for a glass but Coco slaps her hand away. “Uh huh. Not in public.”

Letty perks up. “So at home?”

“Nope,” Stitches answers. “Not there either. And if you think about sneaking something here, I will spend the rest of the evening with my arms around your neck yelling ‘This is my daughter and I looooooove her.’”

Coco laughs. “And I record it and put it up on TikTok.”

Letty crosses her arms. “I hate you both right now.”

Stitches gratefully accepts the grilled cheese and soup. “How’s that different from any other time?”

You and Riz laugh. “I told you they were fun.”

“They could have their own sitcom,” you comment.

There’s a lull after Coco, Stitches, and Letty move off into the crowd. Songbird is getting ready to do her set so Riz steps away to watch it. You can see the stage from your truck and notice she’s wearing that black silk dress that always seems to make Riz and her disappear for twenty minute intervals at venues like this. It makes you chuckle but also wonder if you’re ever going to find the love of your life, someone that looks at you the way Riz stares at his Songbird when she’s on stage. It’s pure adoration and affection and it makes your heart long for someone to feel that deeply about you.

You thought you had it once upon a time, and you did for a few months. You and Dylan had met when you were both stationed in Fallujah. You were a Marine tank mechanic and he was a gunnery sergeant. It was a match made in heaven. Or so you had thought. It had been great the first few weeks back stateside. You eloped two months of being back home. Your sister, the only living relative you had left, was happy but unsure of the quickness. You had explained to her that meeting someone in a combat situation tells you everything you need to know about someone.

You wish you had been right.

The nightmares started soon after you married. Dylan would scream and thrash around, fighting ghosts that had followed him home. In the first week, you had bruises all over your ribcage and down your legs. Dylan slept in the guest room after that but his screams still woke you up. You would cry yourself to sleep in an empty bed, helpless to soothe him. He went to therapy for a short time but found alcohol soothed the demons better than anything else. Once he fell into the bottle, there was no saving him after that. There was almost no saving you either.

A boisterous laugh pulls you from your memories and you see another MC member approaching the trailer. He’s a large man with an even larger smile. Tattoos decorate his arms, even across his knuckles. There’s the edges of a rose peeking out of the collar of his t-shirt. But it’s his smile and his eyes that you notice the most. His grin reaches all the way to his warm dark eyes.

“I see the greeter is otherwise engaged,” he says, hands shoved in his kutte pockets.

“Yeah, once Songbird starts singing, he kind of loses focus on everything else.”

He extends his hand towards you, a wide, strong grip. “I’m Gilly.”

And you’re a goner.

#gilly lopez x reader #gilly lopex x you #gilberto gilly lopez #gilly lopez fic #gilberto gilly lopez fic

23 notes · View notes

dotthings · 3 days

Text

That new promo photo of the Shaw brothers sure had some spn vibes--the animal skulls on the wall, the candelight, the dried flowers, the lighting, the wardrobe. Also, episode 9 fyi was filmed in a very familiar location that's been on spn...3 times? 4 times? And often gets used in shows filmed in Vancouver when a spooky location is needed. And the plot involved talk of ghosts and demons and had some atmospheric spookiness no one from spn would be ashamed of (Tracker still isn't a supernatural genre show). And because Tracker is filmed in Vancouver, there's a lot of familiar locations, not just that one.

Colter saves people, and connects with the people he meets in each city or town where he saves someone, similar to spn only not monsters or ghosts as the culprits. The Shaw family backstory is full of generational trauma and an abusive father who is terrified of something, it's all very mysterious so far, and wants to protect his loved ones but goes about it in a way that isn't greatest dad ever. The mom is still alive in this one. Her name is Mary. Given the producer on Tracker, Ellwood Reid, worked on Big Sky and custom wrote Beau Arlen for Jensen, at this point I'm assuming the guy is a fan of spn and is having the time of his life. Not particularly into linear broadcast procedural dramas, I prefer genre, so I'm having fun with the spn touches of it, but I do enjoy thrillers and mysteries. Caught up on Tracker a few weeks ago when I saw the speculation about Jensen being cast and it seemed inevitable so I watched and wound up enjoying it. (No slight on Justin Hartley who is a gift to TV, it's just that I don't usually watch this style of show). Tracker's more to the thriller end of things rather than alphabet soup spinoff style and I am liking the gestalt--the cinematography is also very pretty.

Also fun is that Colter, the lone wolf who lives in an airstream and travels from town to town saving people, hunting finding things, yet he has this collection of people he works with that he cares about and who care about him. Colter tries to keep himself emotionally distanced due to reasons, and yet his empathy and big heart keeps showing. It's pretty much Batman. He works alone! He's a loner! He is the night! Except for all these people he obviously cares about in his life. It's actually very soft and has an ensemble cast, along with the rugged "lone wolf fights crime" label and format.

#Tracker CBS #spn

7 notes · View notes

cerebellam · 1 year

Text

Something Worth Living For - Chapter 6

Ash Williams x Female Reader

Summary: Feeling hopeless, you decide to drown away your sorrows. Turns out you can’t handle your liquor (or ketamine)

Warning(s): Language, alcohol consumption and intoxication, accidental drug use (ketamine), sexual themes and language, large age gap, feelings of negative self worth

Masterlist: X

A/N: Sorry for the delay as always. This chapter was really fun considering I’ve been on vacation drinking A LOT, so I had some inspiration 😂 More to come soon! 😉

A blonde highlighted bartender approached you at the bar top, a glass in his hands. The man had an almost ‘surfer boy turned stoner’ type of charm to him. He gave you a friendly grin.

“Hey there, what can I getcha?”

“Something strong please. Anything.” You almost pleaded, a half-smile on your lips.

The man winked. “One Pink Fuck, comin’ right up!” He flipped the glass in his hands and set it down on the counter. Huh, that was the drink Ash had mentioned the other night.

You returned a smile, watching as the man assembled your cocktail. You saw him pour a myriad of different alcohols, the liquid becoming a pretty shade of pink lemonade.

You felt someone approach your side. Ash’s blue shirt came into your peripheral vision.

“Ugh. Chet, what the fuck are you making? Don’t give her a Pink Fuck!”

The bartender, Chet, shrugged. “She wanted something strong, man! Who am I to deny a pretty patron?”

You blushed, turning to Ash. “Yeah, the pretty patron needs something strong.”

He sighed. “Look, Y/N. I know this is a lot. Let’s just get back to the airstream and talk about this, huh?”

“I don’t think talking is going to change the fact that I’m engaged, apparently.”

Chet perked up at this, offering a goofy grin. “Oh hey congrats!”

“No, you idiot. It’s an arranged marriage,” Ash sighed, voice dripping with exasperation.

His smile fell. “Oh. Yikes.”

You nodded in agreement. “Yeah.”

You both watched Chet finish making your drink in silence. He placed the drink in front of you.

“There you are, an Elk Grove specialty. Don’t waste any time, now. Throw that baby back!”

Ash’s mechanical hand suddenly reached across to block you. “Y/N, I’m warning you. Don’t drink that.”

You scoffed, pushing away his arm. “Or else what? What are you, my dad?”

Seriously, who did he think he was? You were engaged to a fucking demon for heaven’s sake. You were allowed to mourn this more than unsavory union in your own way.

Ash frowned and leaned in closer to you. “Watch it, or else daddy’ll have to teach you a lesson.”

You shrugged, trying your best to ignore the heat flushing over your body and in your core at his threat. You quickly took the glass and raised the rosé colored liquid to your lips before he could protest. It was sweet, leaving a slight tingle on your tongue.

You turned back to Ash and he sighed, defeated. He watched you, dumbstruck, as you sensually licked the remaining alcohol from your lips. “And what lesson is that?”

Ash was at a loss for words.

You winked, casually turning back to the bartender. You raised the glass in your hands and inspected its contents. “That’s pretty good, Chet! One bartender to another- what’s in this?”

“Vodka, strawberry liqueur, grenadine, lemonade, ketamine, a little sprinkle of orange zest and nutmeg…”

You almost choked, coughing on your final gulp.

“Did you just say ketamine?!”

“Only the special-est K for my customers!” Chet beamed.

You blinked, setting the glass onto the countertop with a ‘thud’. You turned back to Ash with wide eyes.

“Hey, I warned you.”

The tingle on your tongue had now turned into a full on numb sensation. There was no way this was going to end well for you.

Ash’s annoyance quickly dissipated into a chuckle. The damage had been done.

“Seriously, have I ever steered you wrong before? You have to build an immunity up to this stuff. Chet, go ahead and make me one.”

“Already ahead of you, brother.”

Chet poured two more servings from the silver cocktail shaker, passing a glass to Ash. They raised their cups in a cheers.

“To kicking evil’s ass. Seriously, Y/N. We’re going to get this fucker. No worries.”

You gulped. “Well now I’m not worried about that, am I gonna like…have a heart attack now? Die or something?!”

Ash and Chet shared a look before joining in together in an uproarious laughter. “Yeah no, but seriously, you’re in for a treat.”

You rolled your eyes, making your way over to an empty barstool. A very warm feeling suddenly began to spread over you, flushing your face and heating your chest.

“Woah…” You took another step forward and almost missed your footing completely. Ash quickly caught you in his arms as you stumbled forward.

“Yeah, okay, champ. Let’s get you out of here.”

“Mhmmm,” you giggled. “You’re strong.”

You sloppily dragged a finger down his bicep.

“And you’re drunker than who shot John, come on.”

A feeling of euphoria had taken over you, and you could hardly see straight. All you knew was that the man holding you in his arms right now felt strong, safe, and…ridiculously handsome right now.

You both were soon approached by Kelly and Pablo, leaving Ruby to sulk alone at her table.

“Is she okay?” The two looked at each other knowingly. “Pink Fuck,” they said in unison.

Ash nodded. “Yeah, I’m gonna go ahead and get this one back somewhere where she can’t do anymore damage.”

Kelly eyed you, sighing wistfully. “Yeah, remember the first time I tried that stuff?”

“Yeah, you KO’d pretty hard, Kel,” chuckled Pablo.

“But it felt so nice! Lemme have a glass-“

Ash quickly cut her off, struggling to keep you standing straight. “No can do. No more room to babysit tonight.”

She rolled her eyes, turning back to the bar. “Ugh, fine. Fuck it, bring on the beer I guess.”

“That’s my little alcoholic.”

She quickly turned back to flick Ash off. Pablo smiled.

“Get her home safe, Jefe! We’ll brainstorm some ideas on how to get Baal.”

“Thanks Pablo. You’re a real pal.”

Your vision was completely blurred as you crashed down onto a soft surface. Where were you? You giggled, smoothing your arms over what you could only assume was a bedspread. You were in the Airstream. On Ash’s bed. This could be fun.

“Alright, you can sleep this off here. I’ll take the couch. We’ll go back to killing evil tomorrow.”

You quickly sat up to the edge of the bed and reached a hand out, grabbing his. You smirked and with one swift move, pulled the man standing before you to his knees.

“Y/N, what are you-“

“Shhh,” you whispered, sloppily hanging a finger on his lips. “Kiss me, Ash.”

The older man gulped, staring at you intently with brown eyes. “Y/N, you’re very very intoxicated right now. And depressed. That’s a combo that equals no bueno.”

You pouted, trailing your fingers across his jaw. The alcohol and apparent drugs running through your system gave you a surge of confidence you didn’t normally have. “Ash, please.”

He shook his head. “I can’t, Y/N.”

Somewhere deep inside of you wondered if he didn’t want you. What kind of man like him, a Jefe, would want just some girl like you?

He stood to his feet, turning to leave. You didn’t want to see him go quite yet.

“Ash?”

“Yeah, doll?”

“Will you at least sleep next to me? You don’t have to sleep on the couch,” you slurred.

“I’m not quite so sure that’s a good idea-“

“Please? I’m afraid of seeing him again in my dreams…Baal.”

He couldn’t resist the e/c, doe-eyed look in your plea. Ash wanted nothing more than to have taken you up on your offer, and make sweet sweet love to you all night long. But he knew better.

A deep reluctance filled his veins as he defeatedly crawled into the bed next to you, and you immediately inched to his side. You snuggled into his chest, breathing in the faint smell of aftershave and motor oil. You snaked a leg around his and held him close.

“Thank you,” you breathed, slowly drifting off into a deep sleep- the safest you had felt in days.

Chapter 7 coming soon!

#ash williams x reader #ash williams x you #Ash Williams #evil dead #evil dead 2 #bruce campbell #ash williams fanfic #ashley j williams #kelly maxwell #Pablo Simon Bolivar #chet kaminski #ruby knowby

114 notes · View notes

thebiggerbear · 3 months

Text

Their Silent Thunder Matches Mine Chapter 2

A/N: I rewrote this chapter so many times, trying to get it just right. Sorry if it isn't that great but hopefully it's not too bad.

Unbeta'd so all mistakes are mine.

Warnings: implied sex

Series taglist: @deans-spinster-witch

Series Masterlist

<-->

Cassie jerked awake, halfway opening an eye. There was an incessant pounding inside her skull and since when had the sun ever been that bright? God, how much did she drink last night? She tried to remember but it made the pounding that much worse so she gave up on it for now. She’d think about it later when it didn’t hurt so much.

As her senses quickly returned, she realized what woke her when she heard the ringing of the alarm on her phone somewhere nearby. She closed her eye and groaned quietly. Her hand shot out and she felt around for the offending device on her night stand, only to have her fingers meet empty air. She slowly lifted her head and opened her eyes as much as she could. No nightstand. That was odd; maybe she crashed on the other side of her bed?

Before she could think on that too much, the continued ringing reinforced the need to find that ridiculously loud phone. Everything was still kind of blurry but she forced her eyes open wider and sat up, holding the bedsheet to her apparently naked chest. So she slept in the nude last night, great. Thank God Kai hadn’t woken up before she did and walked in on her like this.

Once her vision cleared, she glanced at her surroundings. This was not her bedroom. Nothing was in the right place, it was too small, the blinds were the cheap kind she hated that never kept out the sunlight when you wanted them to, the cowboy hat hanging up on the makeshift hook on the wall was not hers, the trailer beyond that was not hers, and— Her eyes widened. A trailer . It was obvious that she had not gone home last night. Not to mention she was incredibly sore like she had gotten one hell of a workout. And she was in a goddamn trailer! She only knew of one person who owned an Airstream with a sparsely decorated interior that suspiciously looked like this one. Sure enough, her eyes landed on a framed picture of Emily from one of her middle school years on the wall, her bright smile on display as well as a full set of braces. Cassie’s jaw dropped as flashes from last night suddenly came back to her in a rush.

As she predicted, the cute guy from the pool table made his way over to her and offered to buy her the beer she just asked for. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Beau ushering an eager Jenny out of the bar, neither of them looking back. She gave the guy a megawatt smile and accepted his offer, ordering a second beer when the bartender placed her first bottle in front of her. She tipped the drink to the guy’s and when they both took a long pull of the carbonated liquid after he said he appreciated a beautiful woman who could drink, Cassie considered accepting his offer to go home with him later on when he would most likely stop beating around the bush and just outright ask her. And while his hair was dark, his eyes were the wrong color, there was no gruffness or twang that escaped when he spoke, and he had no beard to speak of, she could make do. This was reaffirmed when Cassie said she wanted to dance and he was all too willing, even giving her money to use for the jukebox and telling her to pick a good one. She gave him a coy smile and did just that, more than happy to let loose and not think about anything else for the rest of the night. The only thing she had to remember to do was text Denise and make certain that Kai could stay with her for the night. And one glance at the guy’s smile when she returned to him and he held out a hand to her to lead her to the spot on the floor where others were dancing had her pretty sure that she would be sending that text very soon.

They had been dancing, her holding onto him as tightly as she dared and his hands were now resting on the seat of her jeans. She had worked hard to keep the fleeting images of the undersheriff actually being under the sheriff in his trailer out of her mind, tightening her hold on her dancing partner whenever they tried to come back and take root. She had shared a few dances with this guy already, but Cassie was reluctant for them to end. His cologne was the wrong scent but if she kept her eyes closed most of the time, she could imagine he was someone else. It was an odd mix of feelings: wanting to be held but being held by the wrong person. Although, the three beers she’d consumed in succession did help. And while she hadn’t completely made her mind up yet on whether she would go home with Liam or not (she was pretty sure he had said Liam was his name when she’d asked), she couldn’t deny that he was strong, he didn’t say much which was fine by her because his voice ruined the illusion every time, and his attention was laser focused on her. She wasn’t drunk by any means, but she was definitely enjoying that all-too familiar buzz. She couldn’t help but smile and close her eyes when he leaned down to kiss her neck.

“Cass.”

Her brows furrowed in confusion. How did Liam suddenly sound like Beau? Had she tipped over into the realm of intoxication without her realizing it? Or had she delved so far into the illusion that she had convinced herself that Liam was Beau? When his tongue swiped against her skin and his hands roamed lower than they had before, she dug her teeth into her bottom lip and found that she didn’t mind all that much.

“Cass!”

Her eyes snapped open to find one very irritated Sheriff Arlen scowling over at her. So now she had started to imagine he was there as well? She really must be drunk.

Liam’s dark head swiveled up, eyes narrowed, and Beau moved his glare over to him. Oh, so she wasn’t hallucinating after all. A part of her was relieved at that knowledge but the other part was embarrassed and worried. Beau wasn’t supposed to see her like this, not in these circumstances, not hurting like this and wanting to throw all caution to the wind even if only for a night so she could forget everything. Not that she ever planned to tell him how she felt, but how could he ever see her as anything more than a friend now? That dangerous thought surprised her and she shut it down quickly. Maybe she drank more than she thought…

It was very rare to see Beau angry and she had witnessed the intimidating sheriff glare he adopted when he was working in that capacity, but she had never quite seen the icy and menacing look he was currently directing at Liam. “I’d like to cut in.”

Before Cassie could say anything, Liam bit out, “She’s already dancing with me . Why don’t you go find somebody else, old man?”

She frowned up at him, not happy that he was insulting her friend. That was completely uncalled for. “Don’t call him that,” she warned. “And I can decide who I want to dance with, thank you.” But neither man appeared to hear her.

Instead, Beau straightened up and put his hands on his hips, revealing the badge clipped to his belt that had been hidden beneath his jacket. “I said, I’d like to cut in,” he growled. “You want to keep dancing? Fine. You and I can dance all the way down to the station if you’d like.”

Liam glanced at the badge, Beau, Cassie, and then scoffed, obviously deciding she wasn’t worth it and letting her go. “Whatever, man. Fucking cops.” She watched as he stormed off back to his friends who were still engaged in their pool game, obviously pissed off. She ended up shaking her head. And to think she had almost been ready to go home with him, thinking he was a suitable temporary replacement for the man standing next to her.

Beau filled her vision and his hands gripped her hips, pulling her in closer to him. While she was not exactly happy with him, she didn’t resist. How could she when this is what she had really been craving all night?

“You okay?” He murmured to her hairline.

She wound her fingers into his jacket, holding him closer, and laid her head down on his chest. “Yeah.” She smelled the familiar scent of the cologne she had been trying to imagine earlier and she closed her eyes. “Just let me know when you’re going to lift a leg.”

“Lift a leg?”

“You know, to pee on me.”

“Cassie, I—” He went to move her back, presumably to look at her, but she held on tightly.

“Don’t you dare stop holding me,” she commanded.

“Okay,” he chuckled, strengthening his grip on her just the way she liked and making her smile.

“Perfect,” she whispered.

Her eyes nearly watered when she felt him press a kiss to her head and whispered back, “Yeah.”

They danced in silence, with him holding her, and at the risk of sounding like a familiar fairy tale from long ago, for Cassie, his embrace was just right. She realized she had been a fool to think she could find how he made her feel in anyone else, even if only for a night or a few dances.

When the song was over, then she pulled back to glance up at him. His features had softened considerably since she had last seen them a few minutes earlier and the ice in his gaze had melted away to the familiar warmth they always exuded when he looked at her.

He reached up and stroked her cheek with his thumb. “You ready to go?”

Cassie gently cradled his wrist with her hand and was about to agree when another song she loved came on. She shook her head. “One more.” She wasn’t ready for this night to end just yet.

His eyes quickly glanced behind her before he gave her a warm smile. “I’d love to, sweetheart, but I think we should head out before that becomes a problem.” He nodded his head in the direction he had been looking and she turned around to see Liam glaring over at them, talking heatedly to his friends who were now also glaring. She was pretty sure that the only reason they hadn’t approached them already was due to Beau being the sheriff.

“Unbelievable.” She hated this typical male bravado crap, it was such a turnoff. Did any one of them ask her what she wanted to do? Since when did one drink, a few dances, a kiss to her neck, and hands on her ass automatically make her belong to someone else?

“It doesn’t,” Beau stated, and she winced, realizing she had mistakenly said that last part out loud. She swung her head back to find his eyes intently focused on her. “We can dance as many times as you want once I get you home, darlin’, but right now, I think we should make our exit.”

“I can drive, I’m not drunk.” She had no idea why she said it. Yes, she wasn’t drunk, but she wasn’t in any shape to drive right then; she was too tipsy. So tipsy in fact that she hadn’t even realized that she had wrapped her arms around his neck and moved closer. “I’m not,” she insisted, refusing to focus on how much she liked it when his arms secured around her waist in response, keeping her that close.

He gave her a look of disbelief. “You’re not, huh?”

“I’m not.” She went to move her foot when she started to stumble and Beau kept her upright, making her laugh. “Oh, okay…yes, I am buzzing a little, but I promise you, Sheriff Arlen.” She lifted up and stopped a few inches away from his lips, staring right into his eyes. “I am not drunk,” she murmured.

They watched one another, the outside world ceasing to matter in that moment. She thought his breathing had picked up; she knew hers had. And when her eyes fluttered down to his lips, making her tongue peek out to wet her own, she could have sworn he was moving closer and closer.

A glass loudly breaking jolted them and they both turned to see where the sound had come from. A young red-faced bartender was hurrying to get a broom as people drunkenly clapped and laughed, leaving the glasses she had accidentally dropped on the floor behind. Cassie felt bad for the girl but she also kind of wanted to scream, especially when Beau cleared his throat and moved back an appropriate distance, keeping only his hand at her back to keep her steady.

“I should get you home,” he insisted. When she went to protest, he cut her off. “Don’t. You’re in no shape to drive and we both know it. We’ll get your truck in the morning. So grab your things, Dewell, and let’s go.” Cassie tried to tamp down the hurt at him using her last name. He never used her last name.

She pressed her lips into a thin line to keep from snapping at him that she would be fine on her own and instead, did as he requested. She lifted her jacket from her stool, slapped a $20 bill down on the bar, and allowed him to lead her outside. She noticed that he glanced over to the pool table area quickly before they walked out the door.

While the cold air was refreshing and somewhat sobering, Cassie shivered and began to slip her jacket on. Beau helped her and then he slung an arm around her waist. pulling her into his body for warmth. She smiled a little at the gesture; Beau was still not used to the Montana cold and even though she was, he still rubbed at her upper arm to try to warm her up.

“I thought you left with Jenny.” She felt slightly guilty that she hadn’t even thought to ask where Jenny was all of this time.

He shook his head. “She was okay to drive. You’re not.” He stated it so matter-of-factly, as if that was all there was to it.

“You were gone a while.”

“Only fifteen, maybe twenty minutes.” He stopped them in front of Pedro and dug into his pocket for his keys. “I underestimated how quickly you could get into trouble,” he teased before leading her over to the passenger door.

“Twenty minutes?” There was no way it had only been twenty minutes. She and Liam had shared at least three beers together, at least three dances — or maybe it was two… Regardless, there was no way it had been that short amount of time. Okay, yes, she had pounded those beers back but she was no lightweight.

He gave her a knowing look. “Like I said, you’re not in any condition to drive.”

“But, Beau, I’m not drunk, really.”

“Uh huh.” He opened the door and indicated for her to get in.

“No, no, Beau, listen to me.” She turned and gripped the lapels of his jacket, making him focus on her and hear what she was saying. She didn’t know why but it was super important to her that Beau knew that she wasn’t wasted. “I promise you, I’m not drunk. If you want to take me home, that’s fine. You’re right, I shouldn’t be driving. But I am not drunk. I need you to know that.”

“Okay,” he agreed.

“I’m serious, Beau.”

“So am I. Now, come on, get in the car. It’s freezing out here. Did you know there’s a wind chill air warning for tonight? Jesus.” Cassie felt bad when she saw him shudder at the bite of the icy air flowing around them and hopped into Pedro, not feeling that she had thoroughly convinced him of her lacking state of inebriation.

He closed her door, made his way around to the driver side, and got in. He started the car up and put the heat on blast, aiming all of his vents in her direction. She smiled and assured him, “I’m okay.”

Beau blew into his hands and rubbed them together. “I know you are, but I’m not. Wow. This is… Have I ever told you how hot Texas gets? The last time Houston even got any snow… Okay, yeah, it happened last year, but it’s rare.” He blew warm air into his hands again. “So rare.”

Cassie chuckled and laid her head against the headrest, smiling over at him.

He noticed her watching him and he laughed to himself. “What? It’s cold .”

She shook her head but didn’t say anything. This was the guy who had somehow magically appeared in her life, who immediately insisted on them being friends, and who had snuck his way into her heart. Just when she didn’t think any part of that particular organ was left standing that could allow room for anyone else.

A layer of quiet shrouded them in the old car and only the sounds of the heater and the engine could be heard. Their eyes never left one another and Cassie could feel her heart rate beginning to pick up when she saw him lick his lips nervously. The action made her smile even wider.

“I’m glad you’re here,” she nearly whispered.

He chuckled, ducking his head in that cute aw-shucks manner he had. “I’m sure you are. Comes in handy when you need a ride,” he teased.

She laughed as well but she made sure to explain what she really meant. “No. I meant, I’m glad you’re here in Montana.” He gave her a bright smile in response and she couldn’t help adding, “With me.”

His smile slowly began to fade and that worried her but before she could backtrack and apologize, he turned to her with a sober expression. “Just tell me why.”

Cassie knew what he was really asking and she contemplated lying, but she had an opening to tell him. If she didn’t take it now, when would she? Even if he did push her back into the friend zone and then break her heart by telling her that he only saw her blonde best friend in that light? She’d kick herself down the road if she didn’t at least take the chance to tell him. No time like the present. She braced herself and spoke honestly, “I like the way you hold me.” Wait, what? She had meant to tell him something completely different. Damn alcohol.

That brought him up short. He obviously hadn’t been expecting that answer; neither had she to be perfectly honest. She wanted to be honest with him but there was quite a difference between honest and blunt. “Then why—”

“I thought maybe he could.” She shrugged, deciding to no longer worry over how direct she was being. The cat was already out of the bag, might as well give it a name and let it make itself at home. “He wasn’t you but… Even if it was just for a little while. A dance or two...”

And there it was, the truth she hadn’t been willing to tell him before this moment, the very thing she kept pushing further and further down each time it tried to make its presence known, unwilling to let it see the light of day. Something she figured was good reason when she saw his jaw tighten and he appeared to be struggling to form a response, as if he was warring with himself internally.

She turned her head to look out at the parking lot, unable to meet his eyes when she said what she was going to say next. “It’s okay. You don’t have to say it. We’re just friends, I get it. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said anything. Guess I must be more tipsy than I thought,” she attempted to joke, ignoring the familiar burning in the corners of her eyes.

Hands framed her face and turned her to look at him. He was a lot closer than she anticipated, having begun to lean over towards her. His eyes flickered back and forth between her and her mouth. When she didn’t move away or tense up, Beau slowly moved forward and gently pulled her to meet him. She knew what was happening, what he intended to do, and she wouldn’t dream of putting a stop to it. As they inched closer and closer, her heart thumping wildly in her chest, she found herself not really caring about the rest of the world right then. And when their eyes closed and his lips made contact with hers, when he kissed her so soundly, making her heart, stomach, and…other parts of her flutter, all thought of anything that wasn’t Beau Arlen went straight out the window.

When he broke away, placing his forehead against hers and stroking her cheek, her lips tingled and she was eager to get his back on them as soon as they both caught their breath. That didn’t mean she couldn’t kiss other parts of him though while she waited. She went to move into his neck when he gently held her back.

At her pout, Beau chuckled and pecked her lips before moving back slightly, smiling down at her. “I can’t. You’re drunk, sweetheart.”

Her jaw dropped. “I’m not. I told you.”

“You just said it.”

“I only said that because I didn’t think you’d want…” She purposely let that statement trail off.

“Oh, I want everything at the end of that sentence. Every single bit,” he promised. “But Cass, you’re intoxicated and for us to do anything more than this…it wouldn’t be right.” He rubbed his thumb tenderly along her cheekbone. “And you mean too much to me for us to jump right into this without talking it over first.”

“Beau.” She pushed him back and crawled over onto his side of the car, resting her back comfortably against the steering wheel, making sure she didn’t accidentally hit the horn. It was a tight fit but she was determined to make it work. His hands were on her hips helping to keep her steady and she laid her hands on his shoulders to help her stay upright. “I’m not drunk, I promise. A little buzzed, yes, but I’m telling you, I’m fine.” He went to say something when she cut him off. “Anything that happens tonight is because I want it to.”

“Okay, but that guy in there that you never met before tonight? His hands were all over you, he was even kissing on you. If you’re fine, then how—”

She ran her thumb along his bottom lip, studying him. She chose to throw all caution out the window and just say it; she had already come this far. “Because I wanted it to be you,” she murmured sadly.

His eyes softened and he gripped the back of her neck, pushing her down to meet him. He slipped his tongue into her mouth, touching it against hers, and Cassie felt as if electricity surged through her very being. It was all Beau could do to keep upright in the seat and prevent her from activating the horn repeatedly.

“We should talk about this,” Beau panted against her lips a minute later.

“We will. Tomorrow,” she promised before diving back in for another kiss.

And that’s how she ended up staying in his lap in his car with the seat rolled as far back as it could go as they indulged in one hell of a makeout session, with her kissing him like her life depended on it. Neither of them cared that the Sheriff’s car could be seen by patrons and passersby alike in The Boot Heel Bar parking lot or that it gave the occasional shake or wobble. Neither of them cared that the windows were so fogged up that even though no one could see exactly who was inside it was pretty obvious that the Sheriff had someone with him and that they weren’t listening to music on the radio or shooting the breeze. Cassie didn’t even care that she was only down to one top layer, her other layers having been tossed somewhere in this old heap of a car alongside Beau’s jacket.

When they both needed air, Cassie broke away and moved to his neck, choosing that moment to roll her jean-clad hips against him. “Fuck,” Beau ground out and his fingers dug into the small of her back. She had never heard Beau use that particular F-word in all of the months she’d known him, but so far tonight, this was his fifth time using it. She smirked, nipping at his neck and then kissing her way to his throat.

“H-Hey, is it okay if I touch you?” Beau asked breathlessly.

“Mmm, you better, Cowboy,” she teased near his ear and then rolled her hips again, making him curse once more which caused both of them to chuckle.

She expected him to go in for the kill, right where she wanted him, but instead, his hands moved off of her back and slid down to her ass, gently squeezing. Cassie stopped teasing the lobe of his ear with her tongue and froze, not expecting that one. Beau unfortunately noticed this and his hands immediately flew off of her as if they had been burned. She pulled back to see uncertainty lining his expression. “I’m sorry,” he stammered. “I shouldn’t have—”

Cassie smirked and leaned down until she was hovering above him. “Looks to me like you’re blushing, Sheriff.” When he didn’t say anything, only watched her, she pressed a teasing kiss to the corner of his mouth. “I thought you said it wasn’t possible for Texans to blush.”

“Cass.” At the seriousness of his tone, she sat up to glance down at him. Was he regretting making the first move? Or was he regretting that he made the first move with her ?

Seeming to know she was stuck in her head just like he always did, he cupped her cheek and tenderly stroked her skin reassuringly. “You sure you’re okay with this?”

Instead of replying, she turned his question back on him. “Are you?” While she thought she knew the answer to that one a moment ago, now she wasn’t so sure. He had been the one to kiss her, sure, but maybe he was regretting it. Maybe he was worried what this might do to their friendship and occasional partnership. Maybe she should be worried about that, too, but if she let that one thought in, a whole bunch of other ones were going to come knocking and she wasn’t prepared to deal with that just yet.

He gave her an affectionate smile. “I’ve been wanting this for a while now.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Really…”

His eyes widened slightly with realization and he began to stammer again, his cheeks burning. “No. I mean— Okay, no, what I meant was— I— I’ve been wanting to kiss you for a while, that’s all I meant.” He held up his hands in surrender, chuckling nervously with boyish grin intact, though his blush didn’t die down at all. If this were any other time, she would have thought it cute but now…now she had other things on her mind. After a moment, she decided to go all in. Cassie had always been a bit of an adventurer. She loved to take risks, get the adrenaline pumping, and jump headfirst once she had made a decision, as her dad had always told her.

And right now, she got that all-too familiar excitement before she was about to make said leap.

“Awww,” she teased. “You’re still blushing.”

“What? No… No, I’m not.”

“You are!”

“No, no. See, that’s just my blood pressure, which you have done one hell of a job raising by the way. Okay? You have had zero mercy on me and I’m simply reacting to the increased blood pressure levels and I—”

As he rambled, she quickly undid the buttons of her shirt. “Oh, then will this help?” She opened it and then peeled it off of her shoulders before tossing it in the passenger seat, noting his sudden silence. Now, she was only in her bra and she watched in amusement as his eyes roved over her appreciatively.

“Yeah, that’s not…really helping in the blood pressure department, but you are one hell of a beautiful sight.”

He said it so earnestly that Cassie could feel her own cheeks start to heat up in a blush, and she ducked her head, locating his hands and placing them back on her bare sides. His skin was warm and she could feel the calluses on his fingers as they reverently roamed over her rib cage and down to her stomach, stopping just short of the top of her jeans. Beau glanced up at her, waiting for her to give the go ahead for him to continue, and Cassie gave him a coy smile before leaning down to stop right above his lips.

“So tell me, is it true what they say? Is everything really bigger in Texas?” She bit into his bottom lip with her teeth and tugged before letting him go, while at the same time she snuck her hand down and squeezed him, making him grunt and then let out a chuckle. His eyes darkened and his hands flew to her ass, squeezed, and yanked her roughly up against him, making her feel the evidence of her teasing while also causing her to inhale sharply at the unexpected action. He bucked his hips up into her, prompting her to bite her lip to keep a moan from escaping. She could see it in his gaze as he watched her; she had successfully stoked the fire. There would be no more questions or hesitations tonight. Tomorrow wasn’t even a thought; only the here and now.

Beau smirked up at her. “You bet your sweet ass it is, darlin’. Now, c’mere.” He tangled his fingers in the back of her hair and tugged her down to him, covering her mouth with his and proceeding to devour her, body and soul.

And that’s how she had ended up in his bed inside his too small trailer the next morning, her body sore as hell and lacking clothes, her teeth sawing into her bottom lip when she thought back to all of the passion Beau had unleashed on her last night. Well, that explained the soreness.

She forced herself to focus on the immediate problem at hand. While a part of her felt as if this was a good thing, something she had been wanting for the longest time, especially when she recalled Beau’s words from the night before, the other part knew this had been a bad decision on her part. Jenny.

Not once had she given a thought to her best friend last night and now here she was, naked and experiencing a pleasant form of exhaustion, in the bed of the man that the blonde had her sights set on. They had gotten past Cody but would they be able to get past this one? Especially since she had no idea where Beau stood on how he felt about his undersheriff just yet? He returned Cassie’s feelings, he had stated as much the night before, but that didn’t mean… She refused to let that thought in, trying to keep it locked away but to no avail. But that didn’t mean that with Jenny in the mix, it might not change. Cody had slept with Jenny after all, not even a few hours after she broke it off with him. What if Beau also had feelings for Jenny? Why hadn’t she at least asked him once last night before they ended up in bed together? What if he didn’t even realize how he felt about the blonde and might not know it until the issue came to the forefront? And she had gone and slept with Beau, creating a crapstorm of epic proportions with her best friends, and for what? Some truly amazing sex? One night of intoxicated bliss with the first man she had truly let into her heart since Cody? Jenny was never going to forgive her. Beau was never going to forgive her. Shit.

The ringing stopped suddenly, jerking her out of the chaotic spiral her thoughts were about to go down, and she froze when she heard movement behind her. She bit into her bottom lip and squeezed her eyes shut, hoping beyond hope that she wouldn’t be seen or noticed, not until she was ready. And honestly, she wasn’t sure she ever would be. She wasn’t sure she’d ever be able to face him again. Cassie winced when she heard a quiet cough but she remained still. Just when she thought she was safe, arms gently snaked around her and pulled her back into an embrace, spooning her from behind.

“Morning, Beautiful,” Beau’s gruff voice murmured into her ear from behind, confirming her worst fears. “Hope you don’t mind but I saw the text that was making your phone ring when I went to shut it off. It was Denise. She said she and Kai had fun last night and you can pick him up anytime for school or she can bring him if you want,” he said in between peppering her shoulder with tender kisses. She couldn’t deny that his morning voice alongside his affection was definitely something worth waking up to, even in this state.

Cassie kept her gaze trained on the wall in front of her, choosing on one spot to delay the inevitable freak out she was going to have. Why did this have to be so complicated? Why couldn’t she just enjoy being here with him, in this moment together? When Beau let his lips linger against her skin, gazing down at her, she slowly closed her eyes, hoping he would think she was still tired and wanted to sleep. She just couldn’t look him in the eyes right then. If she did, he would know everything she was thinking and feeling within seconds. She couldn’t do that to him, not when she knew this was all her fault to begin with. And he was vulnerable…any type of rejection or dismissal of what occurred as a casual one night stand was not only bound to hurt him but crack his slowly healing heart even further. What the hell had she been thinking? How could she do this to him? And how could she do this to Jenny, again?

“Tired?”

She forced a faint smile to her face and nodded. “Mmm.”

He chuckled and pressed a kiss to the juncture between her neck and her shoulder. “You should be.”

Cassie rolled her eyes behind her eyelids. “Really?”

She heard him laugh and felt his lips on her neck. “I know I am.”

Cassie couldn’t help the smile tipping the corner of her lips upward. He just had that effect on her, looming crisis and ensuing freakout or not. “You’re ridiculous.”

“Tell you what, how about you get a little more rest and I’ll get up to make us some coffee?” He whispered into her ear, nosing at her lobe. “And I’ll make us something to eat to prove to you that I can indeed cook, and bring it all in here to you when it’s ready? How does that sound? Good?”

She smiled and nodded, snuggling further under the sheet. “Okay. But if you start burning the place down, let me know so I can get up to help you put out the fire. You know, like last time.”

Another chuckle sounded in her ear. “The only fire happening in this place is what occurred in this bedroom last night.”

“Oh my God,” she groaned, burying her face into her pillow and making him snicker. “You did not just say that.”

“Just speaking the truth.” He pressed a kiss to a tender spot on her neck that made her sure she was going to have to wear a turtleneck today. She could only imagine the incessant questions Denise would ask her if she saw any hickeys. Despite herself, she let out a quiet moan when she felt his tongue soothing her skin after applying the gentlest amount of suction. “I’m going to have to make sure the trailer’s still in the same spot as it was yesterday. That we didn’t somehow move it in the middle of the night.”

She pushed at him and he laughed, dropping a kiss to her shoulder blade. “I mean it. Don’t burn the place down.”

“Not happening.”

“Yep. You also said the very same thing last time.”

“Nah, this time will be different. I am very determined not to get distracted by the beautiful woman in my bed and I will do whatever I have to do to keep her in it.” He lifted the sheet and began to trail kisses down her exposed back.

“So you’re saying last time happened because you had another woman in bed you were distracted by? I don’t remember seeing or hearing that one and I was here for the Big Arlen Blaze of ‘22.”

She didn’t need to open her eyes and look over her shoulder to know he was staring down at her in mock annoyance. “Wiseass,” he grumbled, making her chuckle. He then hugged her to him tightly and buried his face into her neck, letting out what sounded like a contented sigh against her skin.

Cassie didn’t know what to do so she kept her eyes closed and didn’t move.

After a few minutes of quiet between them, with him holding her like this, he murmured, “Last night was amazing, Cassie. I’m really…glad it happened.”

Cassie’s eyes popped open and she found her focal point on the wall once more. “Yeah, me too,” she whispered. The swirling chaos inside her head got worse and her guilt tripled when she felt his lips tip up in a grin against her and his arms squeezed her in a silent acknowledgement of her words.

A moment later, he let her go and kissed the side of her head before getting to his feet. “Alright, I’m gonna go get everything started. You rest up and I’ll be back before you know it. Hell, I might even be able to find that George Foreman grill,” he laughed. “I’m feeling lucky.”

She turned her head on the pillow to watch him as he got dressed. There was a part of her that wanted to beg him to stay here with her for a little while longer, to keep the world at bay where she would have to deal with the consequences of her decisions, and the other part wanted to run like hell and avoid them, pretend they didn’t exist.

As he was buttoning up his shirt, he glanced up and caught her watching him. She gave him the warmest smile she could muster and he returned it, watching her back. If this were anyone else, this would be the start of something new, something promising, but sadly, this wasn’t someone else; this was Beau. He was off-limits and she knew that. She had always known that. The regret and guilt started to consume her even more when he gestured towards a table in the corner behind him. On top of it sat the clothes she had discarded, arranged in a semi-neat pile. She sat up to get a better look and her brows furrowed in confusion. A flash of memory from last night played in her mind and she suddenly remembered her clothes had been strewn everywhere inside his car. She also remembered that Beau had carried her into the trailer since she was wrapped around his body, nearly tripping twice as he made his way up the stairs since their lips were glued together, making him curse the goddamn stairs which elicited a laugh from her.

“Are those…?”

“Yeah. Clothes and keys. Your phone’s by the bed. I kept it close by in case Kai or Denise called.” She was pretty sure she recalled tossing the phone somewhere in the front seat after she sent a quick text to Denise asking if Kai could stay the night, which was a lot more difficult than it should have been but someone kept trailing open-mouthed kisses down her cleavage while begging her to come home with him. She kept whispering for him to wait so she could think while she typed up the text but his lips did magical things to her, and when his hand snuck its way into her jeans to give her extra incentive to agree, she threw her head back and arched further into his touch, nearly ignoring the device altogether when his tongue swiped up her neck. She did her best to hold on while Beau took her for one hell of a ride. She was amazed she still had the thing in her hand when his hands and lips were everywhere, all over her, setting off fire in so many places, and Cassie was pretty sure she was going into sensory overload. Everything everywhere was Beau and he didn’t let up, not for one second. So when Denise replied back with an “Absolutely! 😃😃😃 Be careful and have fun! 😉” a few minutes later, Cassie dropped the phone like a hot potato and wrapped her arms around Beau’s neck, nodding and panting. “Okay, yeah, let’s go back to your place.” He had worn the brightest smile and then dove in for another heated kiss. Cassie had been ready to go right there in the front seat before the texting but Beau had been insistent on her spending the night, on their making the twenty minute drive back to his trailer for privacy, not wanting the parking lot of the bar to be the backdrop to this moment between them. And she was beyond glad that he had been the voice of reason, especially considering how…loud things had gotten at one point later on. She nearly blushed at the thought.

“Thanks. But wait…didn’t I…?”

Beau gave her his signature smirk. “You fell asleep on me, sweetheart,” he teased. This time she did blush. He had worn her out; hell, they had worn each other out if the dark circles Beau was sporting underneath his eyes were any indication. “I didn’t want you to worry about missing any calls or messages.” She nervously bit at her lip and tried to tamp down the consuming guilt. He worked to reassure her, “Only took me a few minutes. But I will say you could give Nolan Ryan one hell of a run for his money. I found things of yours in the back of Pedro that I didn’t think were possible from that distance.” He winked and she shot him a thin-lipped smile in response.

His brows creased slightly when she didn’t laugh or tease back like she normally would. He made his way towards his side of the bed, grabbing his watch and slipping his phone into the pocket of his jeans. He studied her as he clasped the watch around his wrist and ran a hand through his tousled hair that looked like he had already done that quite a few times since getting out of bed. He lightly cupped her chin with his fingers and forced her to meet his questioning gaze. “You’re not gonna get all weird on me here, are you, Cass?”

Her jaw clenched. She knew he would be able to read her like an open book if he got one good look at her. Why did she not pretend she had still been asleep? “No. Are you?”

His eyes softened slightly and he tenderly stroked her cheek. “No. I told you I’m good with how things went down.” He moved his thumb to glide along her bottom lip. “And if you’re really not, then I’d rather you just say it.”

Cassie wanted to tell him, to be honest with him about what she was thinking, what she was feeling, and how last night, while it had indeed been amazing, could never happen again. But one look into that green gaze she adored so much, one look into that handsome face that did its best to conceal the worry and expectation of the other shoe to drop, had her keeping silent. After a minute had passed with neither of them speaking, Beau let out a sigh. “Okay.” He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her lips before placing another one to her forehead. “You can use the shower if you want. Water’s hot. And the spare toothbrush is in the medicine cabinet. Or you can just stay as you are.” He waggled his eyebrows suggestively at her.

He turned to leave and only got a few feet when Cassie realized what he said. “Spare toothbrush? Do you keep them on hand for all of the women you bring back here, Casanova?” She was teasing him on the surface, and Beau had been honest with her before this about his meager love life since his divorce, but the investigator in her told herself that if she had all of the information about the situation, it would help her to compartmentalize and decide on the best course of action.

“Only the important ones,” he teased in return. He reached the doorway and smirked back at her. “Bring yours next time and there won’t be any need for a spare.” He shot her another wink and then made his way down the short hall to the kitchenette.

Cassie stared after him, completely caught off guard by his response. Important ones. Hers. Next time. No need for a spare if she brought her own. Shit.

#beau x cassie #beau x cassie fanfiction #beau and cassie #big sky fanfiction #their silent thunder matches mine

11 notes · View notes

beyondxmeasure · 10 months

Text

Beaches, boardwalks and other summer vibes...

Near You Now

When a leaky bathroom sink turns into a minor flood, Harry has to act fast. So, he thinks of the closest (and most unlikely) way to find home repair help… Grindr. The last thing he expects from this quick fix is to find anything long-term.

Climbing the Swells

One surfer out of his depth makes a bold move and an unwelcome entrance amongst some territorial locals. After things go terribly wrong, another surfer reluctantly takes mercy on him, offering some first-aid and unexpected hospitality aboard his nearby Airstream. A couple dimples and a few wayward curls go a long way to soften one surly local, and what started out a rough morning becomes a very sunny spot to the day.

Or… The one where a clumsy Harry and a stubborn Louis reconcile their grievances on the beach, with a heartfelt apology from Louis on his knees without saying a word.

I Know You Rider (Gonna Miss Me When I'm Gone)

Waiting in line at the Big Dipper, one angsty skater punk gets paired with a chilled out hippy boy, by way of a single-rider line. Together they ride one of Cypress Gardens’ oldest wooden roller coasters. Will this easy-going stranger in tie-dye make Louis forget his fear of heights, or turn their rickety ramble into a nightmare on steel wheels? Either way, it will be a ride Louis won’t soon forget.

Or… The one where Louis hates hippies and roller coasters and Harry tries to fix that with lots of fun facts, terrible puns and perhaps one very life-changing moment in a dark tunnel.

🍋 Part 2 is coming soon...ish! [*insert Louis 'soon means soon' GIF here…* 🤷😅]

I Gave Up Hope and Found You Instead

The entire village warned him not to go. Still, the peculiar boy from Eroda set sail on an odd-numbered day and, without knowing it, headed straight into the OFMD universe. While being held captive aboard the pirate ship Revenge, the boy meets a fisherman named Louis.

Tasked by the captain to teach the reluctant boy to fish, Louis struggles to hide his frustration and hold his tongue. As difficult as it was to deal with this clumsy stranger, the skilled fisherman had worse assignments and more unpleasant partners, but none of them with a smile as bright as this peculiar boy had. A moment of unexpected distress catches them off guard, and both soon find out it’s much easier to catch feelings than fish.

Freedom Always Comes With a Price

A shared dream brings them together onto the X-factor stage, but one decision changes Harry and Louis’ lives overnight. Thrust into a world of instant stardom, they’re forced to live a lie to sustain their dreams, but years of living in the shadows and under strict management take its toll.

With the band’s impending hiatus, there’s no better time for change, so they think.

Desperate for a solution, they turn to an unlikely source with a radical plan. An unfortunate accident sets everything in motion, but not how they intended. Leaving Louis’ memories altered, Harry broken-hearted and full of regret.

Can Harry figure out a way to fix everything? Will he even want to once he sees how Louis moved on after the hiatus? Will Louis ever find out the truth of their past, and can he forgive Harry after all this time?

In the end, two friends find out that memories are elusive, trust is everything, and love is the only antidote.

Subscribe here for new fic updates.

#cyantific summer fics #1d summer fics #summer fic rec #cyantific fics

18 notes · View notes

saddayfordemocracy · 1 year

Photo

@RuPublicans !

A new Instagram page is using AI to make parodies of Republicans attempting to push anti-LGBTQ+ bills.

The account, called @RuPublicans, a spin on name of the political party with a nod to the famed RuPaul, has gained nearly 100,000 followers in less than two weeks since its launch, going viral for its creative AI portraits of different Republicans in full drag.

Created by partners and digital nomads Craig and Stephen, the project sees the couple using art and technology for political activism.

The pair were traveling in an Airstream through the American West when they came up with the idea for the Instagram account, which comes at a particularly vulnerable time for LGBTQ+ rights in the U.S.

State lawmakers are introducing more anti-LGBTQ+ this year than in the past collective five years, according to Bloomberg and data from the American Civil Liberties Union. Anti-drag bills have been introduced in at least 14 states.

Images range from Steve Bannon, who has shown support for Russia’s anti LGBTQ+ government, sporting a voluminous blowout to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is now looking to expand his ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Florida law in more schools, donning a bejeweled ball gown.

Beyond the images, each person gets a drag name in the cheeky captions accompanying the posts:

Anita Filibust-Her (Mitch McConnell),

Cruzela Deville (Ted Cruz),

Lady Graham Cracker (Lindsey Graham),

Claretta Corrupta (Clarence Thomas),

Bombshell Bannon (Steve Bannon),

Hawl About Me (Josh Hawley),

Speaker Sparklebottom (Kevin McCarthy),

Rhonda Shanty (Ron DeSantis),

Mother Pence (Mike Pence),

Rudy Garland (Rudy Giuliani) ...

@RuPublicans / MidJourney

33 notes · View notes

livinginbeauty-net · 9 days

Text

A Day in Beauty

"So, what's it like to live in an Airstream?" The answer to that question changes about every two weeks. The short answer is, "It's magical." We just released a short documentary about living in Beauty, pursuing moments that add up to dreams.

Posted April 20, 2024 – Narrated by Carmen “So, what’s it like to live in an Airstream?” Shenandoah Valley, Virginia Our answer to that question changes about every two weeks. Four weeks ago the answer was, “Living in an Airstream is like living on the beach.” Galveston Island State Park, Texas Two weeks later, living in an Airstream was like living in a field of bluebonnets during an…

View On WordPress

#Airstream #Airstream Blog #Airstream Life #Airstream Travel Blogs #Airstreaming #Beaubeaux #Full-time Airstreaming #Full-time RV Living #Full-Time RVing #Living in Beauty #living simply #Living the Dream #simple living

0 notes

ask-serendipity-sky · 10 months

Note

I could be wrong but I don't think this whole "sexy, making out, grinding dancing" on an MV is Jungkook's thing. Even if Sohee ends up being indeed casted in his MV, I still don't think he'd go crazy like that. I know kpop is becoming a little bolder, a little unapologetic, but still, I don't think Jungkook is that way at all, like, it just doesn't sound like him.

Maybe she could be casted to tell a story? A love story with another actor, a mini action skit (that would be cool, imagine them being agents and shooting shit?) Like many western artists do with their mvs. Or just something very tame with Jungkook.

But, at the end of the day its all just rumors. People claim their staff were seen together but they weren't at all. Their staff coincidentally posted a photo of palm trees and in-n-out burger. Can it mean something? Yeah, it can, because one picture was two guys standing in front of an airstream with palm trees behind, and the other picture from the other staff is a picture of the sky and the palm tree, but in the corner there's a round, white "building" that's sort of rounded and technically could be the same airstream. But it's also LA. It's full of palm trees and I'd also take pictures of them if I was there. I heard that in-n-out is quite popular, too?

Now, about the dating rumors, I think that's a reach. I saw on twitter this person saying that it's not the first time Sohee and Jungkook went to LA at the same time, and that the last time Jungkook went to LA, she also did. But I never heard anything about it.

Yes, they came back to Korea on the same day. Not the same hour, though.

Hello anon,

Yeah, there are so many possibilities!

And it's one thing to speculate about her involvement, if any, in Jk's project but to go as far as to say they are dating? That's another level that also doesn't have actual facts to back it up.

You all...but there are tons of in and outs and palm trees and white buildings in California lol like every corner.

I don't listen to people on twitter. That place is toxic to me.

Thanks for sharing.

#jikook #kookmin #asks

11 notes · View notes

pickledpascal · 22 days

Text

Bewitched

Chapter Eight: Take Me Home

Warnings: sexual situations, nudity, swearing, fluff

Word Count: 1.5k

Bewitched Masterlist

Previous Chapter |

For the longest time, Beau didn’t think he’d ever have a proper home again. He was content just living in his Airstream in the middle of nowhere depending on where his job took him. Preferably far away from Houston.

But, while trying to escape some demons, he found someone he wasn’t expecting to find. Someone to love him. For the second time. And hopefully, the last. Not to mention, she already had a family too. He was just glad they didn’t mind having him join that family.

After some deliberation, Beau wanted to make himself permanently a part of Kiera’s family. And she agreed.

“Is that the last box?” She asked as Beau entered her—their—room. She was in the middle of unpacking his clothes in some of the emptier spots of her dresser, folding them accordingly. However, she wasn’t exactly sure where to hang all the man's cowboy hats. All the hooks she had for those were taken up by her various hats. Maybe she should get more.

Beau set the box on the dresser next to the other one and nodded at her. “All my clothes, signed, sealed, and delivered. I’m yours.” He winked, squeezing Kiera’s good shoulder for a moment as he leaned over to kiss her cheek.

It’s been a few weeks since The Incident so Beau has been wanting her to take it easy on that arm. He is especially careful with touching that arm as well and, occasionally, would stop sexual situations if he felt it would strain Kiera too much. She immediately denied that it would but that didn’t mean Beau would stop worrying.

Kiera glanced at Beau, unimpressed with his word choice. “Is that all you want out of the trailer?” She asked, stuffing more clothes into other drawers.

“I don’t need anything else,” He shrugged, “Plus, I could just go out back and get something if I forgot it.”

As Kiera finished unpacking Beau’s things, with a little help from him near the end, she pushed the last drawer closed. Beau kissed her softly, smiling against her lips. He was so genuinely happy and had been ever since Kiera became a part of his life.

“I love you,” Beau whispered as they pulled away.

Kiera looked at him, amusement in her eyes. “I know.” She straightened her back a little better, bones audibly cracking as she did. “Is the Airstream where it should be?” She cocked an eyebrow.

Beau playfully rolled his eyes and nodded, “Yes, ma’am. Behind the house ‘where it should be,’ like you said.” He wrapped his arms around Kiera’s waist to bring her closer again.

There was something about how she was so close to his height that he really loved, maybe it was how much easier it was to kiss her or… reach certain places. He didn’t have to bend his neck nearly at all just to kiss his partner like he had to so many times in the past.

“I’m gonna shower.” She sighed as she pulled away, motioning to her damp clothes. “It’s fucking hot and the AC ain’t working.” She grumbled as she grabbed some clothes and closed the door to the bathroom behind her.

Beau pursed his lips. She was right, it was hot. Summer was in full effect and he didn’t expect Montana to be quite as sweltering as it was. Houston could get pretty hot so he was used to the heat, just surprised. Even he was stripped down to just a t-shirt and some jeans compared to the usual flannel he would wear over it.

He looked around the room for a moment, taking it in better than the last time he was there. He realized the walls were actually covered in wallpaper, most of it was matte black while there were glossy black leaves and branches on top. The velvet drapes were more blue than he originally thought. He rubbed the material between his index finger and thumb—those had to be expensive.

After a few moments of looking around the room, Beau heard music muffled play behind the bathroom door just as the shower turned on. Oh, so she was one of those people. It made him smile.

He knocked on the door as cogs in his mind started to turn. “Hello?” Kiera asked from behind it. “Do you need to piss? I’m not in the shower yet so you still can!”

“No, uh,” Beau coughed, a flush filling his cheeks as he properly realized what he wanted. “Can I join you?” His voice was quiet so he wasn’t sure if Kiera could hear him but he didn’t want to repeat himself.

Kiera cracked open the door, a towel wrapped around her body. “You sure?” She asked with a soft smirk.

It might've been the first time Beau had ever seen her without her piercings in. It's not like expected her to keep them all in when she showered but it was… different to say the least.

“Yeah.” He gulped. “I mean, I'm sure I'm sweaty too and,” He laughed nervously, “We wouldn't want to waste water, now, huh?”

Kiera stared at Beau for a few seconds and nodded, opening the door to let him inside. “Take your time, I'll be in the shower.” She said.

Beau nodded and looked at the sink, intentionally trying not to stare as Kiera dropped her towel and stepped into the shower. He was distracting himself as he looked at the different products—and realized how many he didn’t have—on the side of the sink until he took off his clothes. Kiera's seemed to be in a designated corner so Beau put his in the opposite corner.

The steamy air of the bathroom felt good on Beau's skin. He ran a hand through his hair, filing through all the times he and Kiera had been intimate together. This seemed to be on a new level, though he didn't expect sex at all.

He opened the glass door and stepped into the shower next to Kiera. Thankfully, the main shower head was on the ceiling so they could share the water relatively easily.

“Hey, cowboy.” Kiera smiled softly, her wet hair pulled away from her face.

Beau smiled back, still a little nervous. “Hey, honey.” He stepped closer, cupping her jaw.

She smirked at Beau's shyness. She knew it was different when they actually had sex. This was intimate but not the same kind. She pressed a kiss to his palm as water droplets rolled down her chin.

“Mind putting shampoo in my hair?” Kiera asked softly, biting the inside of her cheek.

She cherished her hair, like most Natives do, and didn't let anyone outside her family or very close friends touch it. Especially when it comes to taking care of it. So this was a large gesture of trust. One that Beau didn't realize was one.

Beau shook his head and looked through the different products on the shelf. There were a lot, not too many, but a lot. All seemed to be made with natural ingredients. One thing he learned about living with women for years is that a lot of the products they used were so much better than men's products.

He grabbed a shampoo that smelled Heavenly. And he remembered smelling it on Kiera's hair recently. He liked it then too.

Kiera turned to let Beau massage the shampoo into her scalp. He liked taking care of her like this. It was nice to get a few pleased moans from her too. He then washed it out of her hair and kissed her mildly soapy cheek. She smiled at him, reciprocating the gesture.

After the shower, the couple seemed incredibly refreshed. Kiera had put on simple clothes for once, it seemed—a black T-shirt, shorts, and socks. Not that Beau believed she had any clothes besides black but this was certainly a change.

“I was thinking we could have some stew for dinner.” Kiera said as she sat next to Beau on the back porch, crossing her legs. “Deer this time.”

Beau was looking at the Airstream in the yard, appreciating how at home it looked there. He glanced over at her and nodded. “I mean, as long as you're the one making it, I'll eat whatever.” He smiled.

“Yeah, I'm sure you would.” Kiera chuckled softly and kissed his temple. “Dalia will be home soon.” She murmured as she left his side to get into the kitchen.

Beau nodded before he started thinking about everything in his life that brought him up to this point. God, life was horrible a year or two ago. Not so much anymore.

He had someone who loved him, and now two daughters. Well… a biological daughter and soon-to-be step-daughter. Which he hoped Dalia didn't know about yet, she had a way of knowing things. It's what they were going to talk to her about during dinner.

Plus, it's not like Beau didn't already see Dalia as a daughter months beforehand—one of the many reasons Kiera liked the idea of Beau officially adopting her.

-----

tags: @deans-spinster-witch

#oc #jensen ackles #jensen ackles x oc #transgender #queer #beau arlen #beau arlen x oc #big sky #big sky fanfiction #big sky s3 #big tittied goth girl x bisexual cowboy #oc: kiera styx #bewitched #goth #goth aesthetic

2 notes · View notes

callsign-magnolia · 2 years

Text

I Hope You Dance // Ch. 10

MATURE CONTENT (18+)

A/N: This is cross posted to my Wattpad, so if this seems familiar that is why!

TW: Mental abuse, emotional abuse, slight physical abuse, death and loss.

Description: When Caila meets Rooster, sparks fly. But, she's already married, to a man who she thought loved her, and won't let her go. Rooster will fight for her, he just has to convince Caila to fight for herself.

Word Count: 6.0k

Chapter 9 | Masterlist

"What about these?" I asked holding up some Salvia. "They need full to partial sunlight so that'll be good with the way the sun goes down." He looked at them. He's been enjoying this, he was picking up any plant he thought his mom would've loved and I had to convince him to put a few back. "They come back yearly, so they won't need to be replanted next year." He nodded and set it on the large cart.

"You also said something about a tree?" I nodded. "Something smaller, no towering pines." He chuckled as we strolled through the row of trees, some already standing as tall as Rooster. "Blue Jacarandas are good. They aren't huge but they grow tall enough for shade, or even a western redbud." I looked to him and he was leaning on the handle, staring at me. "What?" He came over slowly, wrapping his arms around my waist. "Which one do you like?" I hummed as I leaned my head back on his shoulder, placing my hands over his. "This is your house, hun." He kissed my head. "And it'll be yours whenever you move in." I smiled at the thought. "Who said I was moving in?" I teased.

"I did, because when we come back, you're never leaving." I chuckled. "So pick, pretty girl. I'll buy you whatever you want." He whispered in my ear, tickling it and making me giggle. "I don't know, it's such a tough decision." He chuckled and kissed my temple. "We don't have to get one today. We can think on it." I nodded. "Yeah, I may have convinced you to spend too much money anyway." He chuckled. "You could never."

~~~

It was getting late and Rooster and I laid back in his yard, absolutely filthy, covered in dirt. "I never thought that as an adult, I would enjoy playing in the dirt." I laughed at his words. "Like I said, it's therapeutic!" He sat up and nodded, patting my thigh and leaving his hand there. "It really is." He leaned onto his side, smiling down at me. "Is this what it's going to be like?" He asked and I raised a brow. "So, domestic?" I chuckled. "I mean, we can not renew our contracts and just travel around the country in the airstream." He chuckled. "How about we renew the contracts, because I know neither of us are done yet, and we can travel around in the airstream in our off time." I laughed and nodded. "Sounds like a plan." My eyes flicked down to his lips, noticing them getting closer.

Before I could say anything he kissed me, I could feel so many emotions behind it. Passion, intensity, love. I couldn't resist, I slid my arms around his shoulders, pulling him closer as one of his held my side as another one slid under my back. He deepened the kiss as he pulled me up to straddle his lap. His kisses moved along my cheek to my jaw, his hands shifting to grab my hips, squeezing them. I leaned my head back, giving him more access to my neck, my breathing picking up. "Oh, look at you pretty girl." He muttered against my neck, placing wet opened mouth kisses along it. The name sending shivers up my spine. His hands drifted from my waist, under my shirt and up my back.

His hands covered my entire upper back, making me feel so small compared to him, and I loved it. A moan escaped my lips as he ground his hips into mine, allowing me to feel how hard he was. Suddenly he easily popped my bra open, unhooking all three hooks with ease. "Let's get this off you." He came back up to kiss me as he slid the bra straps off my shoulder and I yanked it out from under my shirt. "Goddamn. You're a fucking dream, honey." My face burned at the compliment. He leaned forward, holding me close to him until he gently placed me on the ground. I ran my hands up his chest, slowly pushing his shirt up until it came off, our lips separating just long enough for him to take it off.

I felt like I was on fire, anywhere his lips were. He kissed down my neck again before gently pulling off my shirt, my nipples hardening at the cool San Diego night air. "Rooster." I moaned as he kissed along my chest, licking in a few spots. "Oh, say my name again." He muttered as he kissed between my boobs, and down to my navel. "Bradley." He moaned against my stomach as I said his name, his hands drifting lower to my waist to remove my shorts. "Fuck, baby girl. The things you do to me." I chuckled. "And what do I do to you Rooster?" I moaned out as he started sliding my shorts off.

He grabbed my hand, taking it and laying it on top of the tent in his shorts. "You feel that?" He asked as he came up to kiss my lips again. "That's what you do to me. You make me so damn hard." I unbuttoned his shorts and he kicked them down his legs. "Come here." He muttered before pulling my hips closer, grinding into my damp core, making my whimper. "So needy honey? God, I love the noises your making." A shiver ran down my spine, making me wrap my arms around his neck and my knees come up by his waist. "Bradley." I moaned as he grabbed one of my legs, pulling it closer to his hip. "What is it, honey?" My body was so reactive to him, I've never felt like this. "Fuck me."

He chuckled before standing with me, quickly walking into the house. He stumbled as he made his way to his bedroom. He laid me on the bed before yanking my black thong down my legs, tossing them somewhere. "Rooster." I moaned out and he chuckled lifting my left leg. "Oh, baby girl. I'm not going to fuck you." A whine escaped my throat. "I'm going to make love to you." He said as he placed a kiss on my ankle, just like he did when he tied my heels in San Francisco, before making his way up my calf. "I'm going to love you, until I'm the only name you remember." My back arched slightly at his words until he kissed up my thigh so close to my core.

"I've waited so long for this." He said before placing a kiss on my soaking core, making me jump slightly. "Relax, pretty girl. I got you." I felt his tongue run up my folds making me moan loudly. He dragged his tongue up to my clit, circling it, making my body jolt. He wrapped his arms around my thighs, keeping my from squirming. "Rooster!" I cried as he sucked on my clit. "That's it, sweet girl. Cry for me." I gasped as he slid his tongue inside me, curling it. "Oh, fuck!" I tried backing away but he held me tightly as he buried his face in my pussy. I felt the knot in my stomach grow. "Come on, pretty girl. Come for me." After another minute I did, my back arching off the bed as he licked me clean.

I was breathing heavy as he crawled up my body. "You okay?" I nodded as he cradled my face. "I'm good." He kissed my neck and chest for a minute, letting me catch my breath and I smirked. I quickly pushed him onto his back, straddling him and giving a body roll, grinding down onto his hard cock. "Wan' it." I moaned out and he chuckled, nibbling one of my breasts. Suddenly he flipped us again, pinning me to the bed. I furrowed my brows, "Don't you want me on top?" He chuckled and kissed down my neck. "Do you wanna be on top?" I thought on it, I've always been on top. I've never done anything different.

"You've never been on bottom?" I bit my lip and nodded. "Oh, baby girl. Let me show you what you're missing." He kissed me again before slowly sliding off his boxers. I felt him, rock hard against my thigh before he leaned over to his night stand, grabbing a condom. I watched as he rolled it on, before he kissed me again. "You sure you're okay with this?" He asked kissing his way across my cheek. I nodded as I grabbed his cheeks. "I'm so sure. I love you and I trust you Rooster." I leaned up and kissed him, smiling.

He reached down, slowly slipping in. The burn was something I had never felt before, he hardly slipped the head in and I was grasping at his shoulders and biceps. "You okay?" He asked as he nuzzled into my neck. "Just keep going." I mumbled, and he did. Slowly pushing in more, making me whimper. "I know, honey. I know." He whispered in my ear. He was stretching me open and it was starting to feel good. "Fuck, Rooster." I moaned out as he finally bottomed out.

He stilled for a moment, leaning up and kissing my temple, my forehead, my cheeks, my nose and then my lips. "I love you." I pulled him into another kiss as he slowly pulled out a little before pushing back in, making me moan against his lips. "You like that pretty girl?" I could only nod as a moan escaped my lips. "Come on, honey. Use your words." He said as one of his hands drifted to one of my breasts, gripping harshly. "Yes." I croaked out as he found a moderate pace.

He leaned back on his knees, pulling my legs to rest over his hips. He grabbed my hips, driving into me almost carefully, I reached up and grabbed his wrists. My head tossed back as moans escaped my lips. "You take me so well, pretty girl. I've always wondered what you would look like under me, a fucked out look on your face." A moan flew out at his words, my hands letting his wrists go and trailing up my stomach, stopping just at my lower abdomen. I felt something shifting, I managed to open my eyes seeing Rooster smirking at me. One hand let go of my hip and laid over my hand, pressing it down slightly.

"Yeah, you feel that? You feel me in you? God, you take my cock so well, honey." I pushed down a little harder, feeling him a little more. He started slamming into me a little harder, making my body shift on the bed. I cried out as he leaned over, taking one of my nipples between his teeth. His hand slid down between our bodies, rolling against my clit, making me jump. "Fuck!" I cried out as he leaned his head on my shoulder. One hand resting by my side, the other rolling my clit as he started slamming into me. I kept my hand on my stomach, still feeling him there, with every thrust I could feel him push against my hand.

I felt my core tighten again, my second orgasm on the way. "That's it pretty girl, come around my cock. I wanna feel you." I moaned as he gave a particularly hard thrust. "I wanna hear all the noises you make, honey." I cried out as he rolled my clit, my back arching and my eyes clenching shut. I wanted to close my legs but Roosters body was preventing that, my body jerked as he kept thrusting into me. "S-shit! That's it, honey!" He said as he started thrusting a little faster but still being careful.

He fucked me through my orgasm as he chased his. "So full." I muttered as I felt him inside me. "What was that, baby girl? I make you feel full?" He asked as he continued to drive himself into me. "I've dreamed of getting this pussy for years, and I'm finally gonna make you mine, honey." He sped up until his hips stuttered and he stilled inside me, filling the condom. His head was thrown back as he groaned. When he finished he leaned down, laying on top of me. We were both still catching our breaths as I ran one hand through his hair and my other along his spine. His wrapped around my waist, holding me close.

"You have quite the mouth on you, Lieutenant." I swear I felt his cock twitch at the title. "What? Did you not like it?" He asked as he looked at me. "No actually, I love it. I've never had that type of experience in bed." He chuckled. "Please. I already hate the man, tell me he never failed at getting you off." I chuckled. "Never made me come once, I always had to do it myself after." He sat up and looked down at me. "You guys were together or over ten years and he never-" I shook my head. "I tried to show him one night and he massaged my thigh for fifteen minutes thinking it was my clit." He gave a loud, high-pitched laugh, almost rolling off the bed.

"Thinking back on it now, it is pretty funny but at the time, I was pissed and in need of an orgasm!" He smirked at me. "So I'm better." I huffed and looked back to him. "I'm only going to feed your ego this one time. Yes, you are way better than Aaron ever was." He leaned down and kissed me. "And you like my mouth?" I bit my lip and nodded. "Never thought words to make my body react that way." He leaned down to my ear. "Then come on baby girl. I'd like to pull one more orgasm from you." I bit my lip as a shiver went up my body. "Mm, I don't know if I can do another." I said as I bit my lip. He chuckled and leaned down, kissing me. "You can give me another, pretty girl. I'll draw it out of you, now just lay still and look pretty for me." He said as his hand slid across my stomach and down to my core.

~~~

I stayed with Rooster last night, not wanting to leave. As soon as we got up at four a.m. we both had texts from Mav.

Sleep in, meet me on the beach behind the Hard Deck at ten a.m. dress for a workout, and make sure you don't mind your clothes getting wet.

Rooster and I rolled around in bed for awhile before going back to sleep for a few hours. When we got up I went and put on a sports bra, a white tank top and some navy bike shorts before meeting him back at his house. "You ready, honey?" He asked as he took my hand and kissed my temple. "Yeah." He helped me into the Bronco and we were off.

As we arrived at the Hard Deck we could already see everyone out on the beach. Rooster came over to help me out, kissing my hand as he shut the door. We walked over and everyone cheered as we got closer. "All right, set your stuff down and I'll explain the exercise we're doing today." Mav ordered and I set my bag down next to Phoenix and Halo, when I looked up they were staring at me. "Somethings different about you, you're glowing." Phoenix said and Halo gasped coming close. "Are you pregnant?" My eyes widened and my heart broke just a little. "Halo!" Phoenix said pulling her back. "It's just a question." Phoenix rolled her eyes and looked to me.

"No, I'm not. But I did stay with Rooster last night." I admitted and I thought Phoenix and Halo were going to bust my ear drums with their high pitched squealing. "Did you guys fuck?" I giggled a little a Phoenix's wording. "Yes. But if you ask him he wouldn't call it that." She grinned. "You made love all night long!" She sing songed and swung her hips making me laugh. "He has to be good in bed. Out of ten?" Halo asked and I grinned as I quickly Dutch braided my hair. "Fifteen." They were giddy at my words as Mav called us over.

I walked over, still braiding my hair as I stood next to Rooster. His hand rested on my lower back before slipping lower, as soon as he wandered to my ass I let go of my hair and smacked his hand. "You okay Mag?" I nodded. "Thought I had a mosquito or something." Mav nodded as he explained the game, me having to restart on the braid I was working on. "This is dogfight football. You guys need to work as a team, and if you can't do that yourselves, then I'm going to teach you. We will have two teams and they will play offense and defense at the same time." I raised a brow as I finally finished the braid, dropping my arms over my chest. "I will set up the teams, and no swapping."

I stood in the line as Mav picked his two captains, Hangman and Rooster of course. "Caila, you're on Roosters team." I was the last to be picked but I was happy as I walked over, Rooster kissing my head as I walked by. We lined up, I was directly across from Coyote. "Actually, Fritz. You and Caila swap." A smirk grew on my face as we swapped, now I was directly across from Yale. "Ready for an ass whoopin'?" I asked, my accent becoming thick. He smirked as Mav blew the whistle.

After a few games and figuring out everyone's strengths and weaknesses things fell into place. I was sprinting for the end zone as I turned back, Hangman threw the ball and I caught it. Making the end zone was easy as I was way ahead of everyone else, I turned to see Rooster run up on me. "WOO!" I yelled in his face as he stopped. "You're hot when your winning." He muttered and I smirked. "Hope you aren't letting me win Bradshaw." He chuckled. "Maybe, maybe not." I glared at him as we regrouped. I stood in front of Hangman to toss him the ball, Rooster and Bob just in front of me.

Mav blew the whistle and I tossed the ball back between my legs, and sprinting past Bob, spearing Rooster who still had his ball. I sat up on my knees to see him gasping for air, "Oh! Rooster! I'm so sorry!" I said resting my hand on his stomach. He gave me a thumbs up as he tried to catch his breath. "He okay?" Mav asked, coming over. I ran my hands up his sides, feeling for any damage. "Ribs seem intact, no internal bleeding from what I can feel." I looked up to find Mav with a raised brow. "I hit him hard!" After a second he sat up, taking deep breaths. "I'm okay."

"You should've been a linebacker." Penny said walking over with a small cooler. "Maybe." I said taking a water from her. "Your kids are gonna be star athletes." I nodded just taking a moment to look across the beach. As I looked there was a mom and her baby, a few months old. A few tears gathered and I took a deep breath. "I'm gonna take a walk." I said and everyone nodded. Thankfully Rooster was a busy talking with Bob and Coyote as I slipped away. I walked across the beach before sitting a little ways behind the mom and her baby, smiling as she dunked his little feet in the water.

"Hitting hard today?" Phoenix asked as she came over and sat next to me. "Yeah, it's like everywhere I turn there is something about babies." She nodded and leaned her head on my shoulder, me leaning my head on hers. "You know, he would've been about that age now." She nodded rubbing my arm. "Probably would've been in some adorable swim shorts and a bucket hat." I wiped my eyes at the thought. "Hey." I looked up and saw Rooster who sat on my other side. "You okay?" He asked as I watched the mom run from the waves, making the baby laugh. "I will be." He took my hand, kissing my knuckles. He followed my line of sight to the mom and baby before leaning over and resting his chin on my shoulder.

"You want kids?" He asked before kissing my shoulder. I looked over and smiled at him. "Yeah, you?" He nodded with a grin. "As many as we can get." I chuckled as I let him kiss me. "So I'm not a distraction anymore?" I nodded. "You still are, I'm just tired of keeping you at a distance." He smiled before kissing my neck sweetly. "Hey guys!" We looked to see Hangman motioning us over. We all got up and walked back, me feeling a little better.

~~~

It was two and Mav released us for the day, saying we worked hard. We really did and I was in desperate need of a shower. "Caila!" Penny said rushing over. "Could you do me a favor?" I nodded as I grabbed my bag. "Could you get Amelia from school at three-thirty? Something came up." I raised a brow. "Maverick came up." She grinned widely. "Does it make me a bad mom?" I shook my head. "You deserve to be happy Penny. I'll get her." She nodded. "Thank you, she'll be so excited to see you!" I nodded and started walking towards the bronco. As I got up to it, Rooster was leaning against the hood. "What's up?" He asked nodding towards Penny who was now talking to Maverick. "She just asked me to get Amelia from school." I said as he helped me into the bronco.

"Her daughter?" I nodded. "She'll be like thirteen now, I think." He nodded as he got in. "Any plans after that?" I shrugged. "No, I figure I'll hang out with her for awhile. She's a fun kid." He held my hand on the center console the entire way home, the quiet was peaceful. As we got home I hurried to my house to shower before slipping on a sundress, it was white with small pink flowers on it, it was tea length with a slit up the thigh and spaghetti straps. I rushed back out to my jeep and took off to get Amelia.

As I pulled up I heard the bell ring and kids flooded out the doors of the tall school building. I got out and stood by the jeep, looking for Amelia. After a moment she came out, her head down, a book clutched to her chest and two boys on either side of her, close to her face laughing at her. I was thrown back, experiencing the same thing at her age, and it went on for years. It was what drove me into Aarons arms.

Drove me into Aaron's arms.

My chest clenched at the thought of Amelia having such low self-esteem that she wound up with someone like Aaron. Before I realized what I was doing I was storming over. "You're too ugly." "Hey." I said lowly, catching the boys attention, their eyes widening as my wedges stomped on the pavement. "May I ask why your bullying her?" Amelia's eyes widened, giving me a pleading look. I motioned her over and she stood next to me, I turned her to face them, lifting her chin. The boys mouths opened and closed like fishes. "There is no reason. Whether you think she is pretty or not, you never talk down to somebody. Male, female or otherwise." They continued to stand and stare. "I think you two owe her an apology." They stared some more, almost scared. "Now." I threatened.

"Sorry." One boy muttered and I huffed. "A formal apology, please." They huffed. "Amelia, we're sorry. We shouldn't have said those things." She kept her head down. "It's okay." She said quietly. "No, we never say it's okay. You accept apologies." She looked up to me and back to them. "I accept your apologies." They nodded and continued to stand there. "You may go boys, thank you for the apologies." They turned tail and ran off. I looked down to Amelia who had tears in her eyes and I sighed, pulling her into a hug. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have gotten involved." She shook her head. "I'm so tired of them being mean to me." I took her bag and walked her over to the jeep, getting her in and putting her bag in the back.

"Why were they picking on you?" I asked, wiping her tears across the console. "All the other girls are filling out and I haven't. That's how it started, then some kids overhead me telling Casey that I had a crush on this guy. He asked me out a few weeks ago, today he asked me to the fall semi-formal and I said yes." She started crying again and I grabbed her hand. "It was a joke wasn't it?" She nodded and my heart broke for her. "He said I was too ugly for him and I would never be enough." I bit my lip to hold back tears. "Where's mom?" I bit my lip. "She's out with an old friend, but if I called her I'm sure she'd come get you. Do you want me to call her?" She shook her head. "No."

We sat in silence for a moment as I thought up a game plan to make her feel better in my head. "It sucks, first mom made me cancel my movie plans with Casey and Bethany and now this." I furrowed my brows. "She made you cancel your plans?" She nodded. "She said it was because she had a surprise for me after school and that I wouldn't want to go to the movies anyway after I saw it." She looked to me and wiped her eyes. "No offense." I shook my head. "No, no you just gave me an idea. Call your friends, I'll take you three to the movies." She smiled. "You sure?" I nodded and brushed some hair away from her face. "You need your friends right now, so yes."

Amelia called her friends and I picked them up from their houses. "I'm really sorry, Amelia. I didn't want to say anything if I wasn't sure." Bethany has been apologizing since she got in the car, she had a feeling it was a joke but was unsure. "It's really okay, Beth. It's not your fault." Casey scoffed from the back passenger seat. "I should've kicked his butt. He treated you like crap the entire time you were 'dating'. He ignored you, called you names and everything." I had to bite down the remark I had, 'We don't talk bad about children, Caila'. "Mom told me you divorced that crappy husband of yours." I chuckled and nodded. "Trying, he's been blocking it. But it's okay, I got me something better." Amelia chuckled.

"A vibrator." My head whipped over to her. "AMELIA GRACE BENJAMIN!" She laughed at my reaction. "For your information, you're not incorrect but I got myself a better man." 'Ooh's' were heard over the wind whipping around us. "Caila's got a boyfriend." She sang and I nodded. "Can we meet him?" Amelia asked and I raised a brow. "Oh come on, you can't hide him from me. Besides I know his name already, just need a face now." I stayed silent for a moment before my phone was calling his through my speaker system. "Shh." I said as we waited. "Hey, pretty girl." "AW!" I chuckled as the cooed. "Hey, hun."

"Sounds like you have a car full." I nodded. "Got room for one more if you wanna join us at the movies. I can swing by and get you." I heard him moving something around before he answered. "I'll do whatever as long as it's with you, honey." I nodded. "Be there in ten." "Alright, pretty girl. I love you." A blush crept up my cheeks as the girls giggled. "I love you too." I hung up. "You girls really need to work on being quiet." They laughed. "Why would we need to do that?" Bethany asked. "Girls, there is going to come a day where you're going to be snooping on a man or a woman, and you will be listening to your friends phone calls and scrolling through their socials. Gotta be quiet or else they'll know. Gotta be stealthy like the CIA!" They laughed at my words.

We pulled into Rooster's driveway and I honked the horn. After a moment he came out looking gorgeous as ever in his dark wash Levi's, cream short sleeve henley, and a ball cap that sat backwards over his curls. He came to the drivers side and I raised a brow at him. "Out, I drive." I scoffed. "Think I'm a bad driver?" He shook his head. "Nope, I should just be driving you around. Can't have a pretty thing like you working too hard." I blushed as he opened the door. I slid out but he picked me up, my feet never touching the ground. I giggled as he walked me over to the passenger side, setting me in the seat since Amelia crawled to the middle seat in the back.

He reached over and buckled me in, kissing me sweetly before shutting my door. I turned back to the girls who were all giggly and whispering. "Ladies." They looked to me with big grins. "That is how a man should treat you." He got into the drivers seat, taking my hand and kissing it before backing out and driving us to the theater.

The girls wanted to see some comedy movie that came out a few weeks ago so we took them to that. Rooster and I sat a few rows behind them, mainly so they couldn't watch us because they're nosey. "So, why the movies?" I pursed my lips. "Some boy asked Amelia out as a joke and humiliated her. She was so upset, so I figured some time with her friends would be good for her." He tossed his arms around me and pulled me close. "God, boys can be such assholes."

I nodded as I leaned into him. "Broke my heart, cause I've been in her position." He looked down to me. "You've been there?" I nodded. "Jackson Mahoney. Star quarterback, and world-class asshole." I wrung my hands together until he rested his hands over mine. "I didn't look like this back then, I was heavier, I had real bad acne. I was not the most beautiful girl in school." Rooster leaned down, kissing my cheek and burying his face in my cheek. "I call bullshit." I laughed. "He told me I was too ugly and too heavy for him. It wasn't the first time I had heard that but it was sort of my breaking point. My self-esteem plummeted, so when Aaron called me pretty." I shook my head. "Guys never paid me much attention but he did, and I ate it up." I looked up at him and I couldn't read his expression.

"You basically said the same thing to me in that dressing room." I shook my head. "I still hate myself for that." He kissed my head. "Don't." I rested my head on his shoulder. "All those words basically pushed me into his arms. I saw the same thing happening with Amelia and I just, I couldn't stand by and let that happen to her." He cuddled into me. "You'd be a great mom." I tensed at his words as the movie started. "Let's watch the movie."

~~~

The rest of the night was quiet as we dropped off the girls and Amelia, me telling Penny what happened when we got her home. After that I rode in silence with Rooster, his hand on my thigh, rubbing it a little. As we got home he walked me up to my porch, my head resting on my shoulder, my mood ruined. "Are you okay?" I shook my head as it rested on his chest, his arms wrapped around me. "You want to talk about it?" I shook my head. "Can you stay?" He nodded. "Let me go home and change and I'll be back." He watched me walk inside before going to his house next door.

I let Dahlia out back while I went and changed. I heard the door open downstairs and I poked my head out of my room. "Roo?" It was quiet for a minute and my nerves creeped in. "It's me, honey." I grabbed my glasses from my bedside table and went downstairs. "Come here." He said opening his arms. I walked over and he pulled me close, "You sure you don't wanna talk about it?" I shook my head and walked over to the couch, laying on my back. "Cuddle with me?" He came and laid on me, his head resting on my chest.

I grabbed the remote and turned on HBO Max, I selected the latest Halloween movie, which I've seen twice and turned it on. "You like horror movies?" He asked as he wrapped his arms tighter around me. "I love them." After a few minutes I heard claws clicking on the hardwood. I looked at the end of the couch to see Dahlia putting her feet on the couch. "Oh, Dahls-" She jumped up and literally laid on top of Rooster. "Dahlia!" Rooster chuckled at her. "She's okay, the pressure is nice, but are you okay?" It was a lot of weight on me, but it was calming me and making me sleepy. "I'm perfect." I said as I ran my hands up his back, under the black t-shirt he had on. Pretty soon I was drifting off.

I don't know how long I was asleep but Dahlia's barking woke me up with a start. I jumped up, almost tossing Rooster to the floor. "Hey! Shh, it's okay." He said placing a hand on my cheek. "I ordered food, it's just being delivered." I nodded as he got up and answered the door, he walked past the couch with a smirk on his face. "What'd you order?" I heard what sounded like a giggle from my kitchen. "Hang on!" After a few minutes he came in with a metal to-go container and a glass of Riesling. He handed me the plate and a smile grew on my face as a few tears welled in my eyes.

"You remembered?" I asked as my voice broke. He handed me the container and wine as he rushed back for his food and another glass. "Of course, I remembered. You love Italian food, especially shrimp scampi. I even had them toss in tomatoes, mushrooms and asparagus." I leaned over and kissed him sweetly. "You have no idea how much this means to me." He smiled at me. "Only the best for my girl."

We ate and laughed as we talked, he made me feel so much better. I knew that no one meant to ruin my mood, hell no one knew about it, it's not anyone's fault but my own for how I'm feeling. "You want some more?" I asked and he nodded. "Surprisingly, Riesling is actually very good." I nodded as I took our empty containers and glasses, placing a kiss to his forehead. "I love you, Rooster." He smirked and kissed my lips quickly. "I love you too, Magnolia." A giggle slipped past my lips as I went into the kitchen.

I tossed the to-go containers in the trash, before washing the silverware quickly. I grabbed the bottle of Riesling from the fridge, pouring more into our glasses. I smiled as I walked back into the living room, but my smile fell as I raised my head. I thought he was looking at Laura's ultrasound, but as he reached for the frame next to it my heart sunk to my feet. "Caila." I could've flinched at how he used my real name. "What's this?" He asked as he had a sad look on his face.

"Fuck."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Taglist:

@mak-32 @rosiahills22

#bradley bradshaw #bradley rooster bradshaw #rooster top gun #pete maverick mitchell #top gun maverick #phoenix #natasha trace #bob floyd #robert bob floyd #hangman #jake hangman seresin #i hope you dance

34 notes · View notes