Chapter 8
CHAPTER EIGHT
Raemina
I woke with a start and jolted upright, the unfamiliar room setting off my inner warning bells.
Until I glanced next to me and saw a very handsome man sleeping, his naked body only partially hidden beneath the sheets.
And it all came tumbling back.
The caresses, the kisses, the orgasms…my God.
I had no idea sex could be so damn good. And all I wanted was more, more, more.
Yet why did I feel as if I were forgetting something?
Shit! My test!
I scrambled out of bed and looked around for my bag, or at least a clock. The test started at eight am and if I didn’t log on in time, I’d miss it. There weren’t any makeups without a doctor’s note, and I highly doubted my doc would give me one for having a passionate, wild night of sex.
The bedroom wasn’t any help. I quickly tip toed out the door and down the hall in search of something, anything that could tell me the damn time. Finally in the kitchen, I spotted the time on the oven. Seven thirty-eight.
Fuck!
I’d never make it home in time.
I spotted my bag on the kitchen chair and fished my phone from it, several missed calls and messages from Trish.
Trish: When I woke up this morning, you weren’t here. And from the looks of your room, you didn’t come home last night. Are you okay?
Trish: You’re not answering your phone. What the hell is going on?
Trish: You better be with the hot mountain man!
Trish: Hello lady, stop fucking and wake up! Put your best friend out of her damn misery!
Trish: Okay, that’s it. I’m calling the cops.
She sent that message ten minutes ago. I’m surprised I didn’t see cop lights yet.
Me: Hi, I’m alive. No need to send help. Yes, I’m at Gunner’s house
Trish: You’re lucky I love you too much to hurt you
Me: I’m screwed though. I have a test in fifteen minutes and no computer. Why do I do this to myself?
Trish: GIRL! Does he have a computer you could borrow?
Me: Not sure. Let me find out. I love you
Trish: Love you too girl. And come home for dinner later so you can dish out the juicy gossip!
Me: Xoxo
“Everything okay?” Gunner appeared in the kitchen, concern etched across his face. But all I could notice was how damn good he looked. His morning after a night of fucking face did not disappoint.
His shaggy brown hair fell in front of his sleepy eyes and his sexy smile made me want to take him back to bed and forget the entire day.
A light stubble grazed his jaw and cheeks, and I remembered the friction of his face between my legs the night before. I nearly panted on the spot.
Focus. Time is ticking.
“I’m freaking out. I have a test in less than twenty minutes, and I don’t have my laptop on me. I need to get home.”
“Ok, don’t worry. I can take you to your car or straight home, if that’s what you want.”
“Yeah, I’ll get my car later.”
“If it’s easier, you can use my computer. As long as you can log on to your school.”
“Really?” Hope tugged at my voice. I checked the clock once more. Seven forty-six.
“Yeah, I’ll go grab my laptop.”
I collapsed in one of the kitchen seats while Gunner ran upstairs.
He was back in a second with his laptop tucked under his arm.
Once it was open to a black internet tab, I logged into my email and grabbed a link for the college’s internal server.
With only eight minutes to spare, I was in and ready to go. “Phew, I made it in!”
“Good. I’m going to run to the diner and grab us some coffee and breakfast. I have little here to make and you’re going to need a treat after. How do you take your coffee?”
“Hot regular. But if they have cold brew, I’ll take one with cream and sugar.”
“A girl after my own heart. I can only drink it cold. It’s too bitter when it’s hot.” He kissed the top of my head.
I looked up at him through my long lashes and smiled. “Thank you. You’re a lifesaver. Before you go, can you pass me my bag in the kitchen? I want to review my flash cards in the five minutes I have left.”
Gunner retrieved my bag and pulled the cards out. “I’ll help. I’m already a pro from last night.” He grinned playfully and sat across from me, shuffling the flash cards carefully. “Alright, ready for the lightning round?”
I smirked. “Yep, I’m ready. Go.”
Gunner quizzed me until his computer buzzed, signaling the testing was about to begin. I was more confident with the material fresh in my head.
I breezed through the quiz and when I finished, I hit submit and covered my eyes with my hands. I couldn’t look, I couldn’t bear to see a failing grade.
“Someone just tell me!” I cried out loud to none in particular.
But Gunnar hadn’t returned yet, and it was only me. I had to face it, whatever it was.
I uncovered my eyes and a flashing grade of eighty-five danced on my screen.
Eighty-five?
Eighty-five?!
Oh, my God! Yes! Time to celebrate!
I jumped up from my chair and cheered as Gunnar walked through the door, holding a tray with two coffees and a white paper bag sitting between them.
“You passed?” He asked, his eyes beaming brightly.
“Yes! Eighty-five, baby!” I held up my hand for a high five and he delivered, both of us cheering. He set the tray on the table and wrapped me in my arms.
“I’m so proud of you, Rae. I love that you’re studying your passion and following your dream.”
I leaned back and looked into his arms. “Thank you. But without you, I would’ve missed the whole thing, so I can’t thank you enough. Having access to your computer came in handy.”
“And thankfully, you woke up on time. When I saw you weren’t in bed, I got scared you left.”
“I wouldn’t do that. Not after the night we had.” My face warmed as I leaned close to kiss him.
“Oh yeah? Tell me more.” Gunner grinned before covering my mouth with his and slipping his tongue inside. We kissed and kissed, tasting, exploring, taking our time, and savoring the other. And when we broke apart, I held onto him, dizzy with his kisses.
I could deny it all I wanted, but I was falling for this man. Hard and fast.
And the thought brought me crashing to the present.
My boss won’t approve. What are we even doing?
I kissed him once more, then turned towards the coffee. “I’m starving.”
“I got us bagels and cream cheese.” He said as he handed me an iced coffee and sat down at the table. He cleared away his laptop and pulled the food out.
“Are you working today?” I asked after a sip while taking a seat next to him.
“No, actually, I’m off today. What about you?”
“I’m off too. I have a class at noon, but besides that, I’m free.”
Gunner elbowed me in the side gently, a teasing smile stretched across his sexy lips. “Are you asking to spend the day with me?”
“Maybe…” I played with the straw, using my mouth, and Gunner’s eyes darkened as he watched me. Fuck, I couldn’t resist this man. No matter how hard I tried. It was damn useless. And it was giving me fucking whiplash. A bad, bad case of it. Completely incurable. “Or maybe spend it in your bed…”
His eyebrows raised. “Are you sure that’s what you’re asking? Because I can make that happen.” Gunner’s voice was low and growly.
“Can you?”
Gunner put down the bagel in his hand and gripped the table, white knuckling it with both hands. “Raemina…”
“Yes?” I batted my eyelashes.
“That’s it. Fuck this food.” He stood abruptly, his chair clattering to the floor behind him. He lifted me into his arms and tossed me over his shoulder like I weighed nothing.
I yelped, laughing and giggling like a teen girl confessing her crush to her best friend. Then he slapped my ass and carried me upstairs.