Chapter 13
Gunner
To say the girl drives me crazy is an understatement. Crazy isn’t the right word for it. I’m constantly hard around her, and seeing her full of my baby? Fuck me, I didn’t know I had that kink, but all I want to do is be inside her. And she lets me, too. She spreads those sexy thighs for me and lets me take her when and where I want.
“You stare at her a lot.”
“And?”
“It’s almost creepy,” Rick tells me. I chuckle and pull my attention back to him.
“I can’t help it.”
“I can see that,” he smiles.
“How long have you known her?”
“Years. She kinda found me when I was at my lowest,” he reveals.
“You come from money.” Yes, I looked into the man who spends so much time with Nat. I want to know who he is and what he’s all about.
“You know about me. Nat?” I shake my head.
“No. I looked into you. If you’re around her, I wanna know more.”
“Did you also check up on her?” I shake my head once more.
“No. I want Nat to come to me when she’s ready,” I admit to him.
“My parents are wealthy, yes. But I don’t fit in there. They want me to be in the perfect straight box, and that’s just not who I am. Nat doesn’t care that I like men. She doesn’t care I’m different.”
“And you don’t care about her past.”
“Nope. We’re two fucked up peas in a pod. We don’t usually talk about the past.”
“Why homeless?”
“Not completely homeless all the time. When we have the money, we stay in hotels and things, but money runs out. And there are times I think Nat would rather stay on the streets. She says they can’t find her there.”
“Her family?” Rick sighs and nods his head.
“I don’t know all the details. Her mom and dad are some really shady people, and her ex? Well, he’s not a good guy. He hurt her.”
“How do you know?”
“She’s willing to stay on the streets and not in hotels. Isn’t that enough?” I nod my head. I suppose that’s a good enough reason.
“And you watch out for her.”
“What kind of man would I be if I didn’t?”
“And what about me?”
“What about you?”
“You didn’t keep her away from me,” I remind him.
“She liked you. I wasn’t going to stand in her way of that. She needed to let loose and have a little fun.”
“And then she got pregnant.”
“Well, yeah. But I think she’s happy. She looks happy.”
“You think she’ll run?”
“That’s a tough one, Gunner. She’s lived a rough life for years. She’s been on the street; it’s what she’s used to.”
“You’ll tell me, yeah? If she wants to run?”
“Of course. I don’t want her out there like this. She needs stability and someplace safe for that baby.”
“Thanks, Rick.” He smiles and grabs his beer as I shove out of my seat. I walk over to the bar and stand next to Locke, keeping my eyes on Nat the whole time.
“You good?”
“Yeah, I’m good. Everything straight?” I ask him.
“Yeah, it’s all good. Everything’s runnin’ smoothly. No issues right now. We’re good.”
“Thank fuck. It’s almost Christmas.”
“You buyin’ me a present, Prez?” I shove at Locke and flip him off.
“Fuck no. I don’t like you that much.”
“Speakin’ of. Kiki is draggin’ all the decorations up from the basement.”
“I bet she is. She’s always loved Christmas,” I tell him.
“Well, it’s about to look like Christmas in here.” He nods toward Kiki and the stack of totes she has in her hands.
“Go help the woman.”
“Hell no, Prez. I was told to stay out of it.” I watch Nat rush over and grab one of the totes. Instead of letting her, I walk over and grab it from her hands.
“No liftin’.”
“What?”
“You’re not liftin’ shit.”
“The doctor didn’t say that,” Nat says, looking confused.
“No. I did. You want somethin’ moved, you tell me.” She smiles, and it takes my breath away.
“Yes, sir.”
“Keep sayin’ that, and I’m gonna bend you over that table again,” I warn. Her cheeks turn pink as she smiles at me. I carry the tote over to Kiki and set it on the floor. Then I turn back to Nat, who has made her way over to us and wrap my arms around her. I pull her in close and inhale her scent.
“What do you want for Christmas, Nat?”
“I don’t need anything.”
“Didn’t ask you that.”
“I have everything I need right now, Gunner. Thank you.” I press my lips to hers and kiss her gently before pulling back.
“I’m glad I can give you that.”
“You give me more than I deserve.”
“No. You deserve the world, Nat. And so does this baby,” I tell her as I slide my hand down to her bump.
“And you’re sure you’re ready for this?” she asks, a smile on her face.
“Damn right, I am. I can’t wait to see what he looks like. I bet he looks just like you.”
“I don’t know. Hodge looks a lot like you, and he’s not bad to look at,” she teases.
“You got a thing for my son, Nat?”
“No. I’m just saying.”
“I’m just gonna bend your ass over and spank it hard if you keep that up,” I warn her. Nat laughs, and it’s the perfect sound. I love hearing her laugh and seeing her smile.
“Seriously though, I can’t thank you enough, Gunner.”
“You don’t need to thank me, baby girl. I like havin’ you here. I more than like it.”