Chapter 31
Later that night, Link lay out the clothes he would need to head back to work in the morning. The time he'd taken off from work had been the best time in his life.
Ansley came in from the bathroom wearing only a bra and panties. She was distracted, looking at her phone. They'd just had sex, but if she walked around like that, he would be up for more.
"Looks like I have an interview on Wednesday. It's a video, so I don't have to go to DC, but if this interview goes well, I'll need to head to DC in a week or so."
“That’s great.” His voice came out husky and filled with lust.
She looked up from her phone, her eyes narrowed. “You’re horny again, aren’t you?”
“Do you blame me? You’re incredibly sexy.”
She laughed and shook her head as she moved to stand in front of him. “You’re the sexy one. I’m just average.”
“Far above average.” Link wrapped his arm around her waist and held her loosely. She could step back if she wanted to, but she didn’t want to. She liked being with him.
She could feel his cock thickening between them, so she lowered to her knees and pulled down his shorts and underwear. She slid her tongue up his cock, loving the way he moaned as she licked him. His legs shook, and she smiled to herself, loving that she had this effect on him.
This time their lovemaking was fast, both of them gasping as they came. She knew they would slow down eventually, but she liked how much he wanted her.
Link’s eyes rolled up in the back of his head as the orgasm hit. She was driving him wild. He would miss having sex with her every day, but they probably needed a break. At least he would sleep well tonight.
“I love you. I know we’ve been staying up later, but I have to get to bed soon.”
“Sure. I understand getting up early. I may not wake up when you do, but I do have an alarm for tomorrow, it’s just later than I used to wake up when I was active.”
“It’s good that you can sleep late. I’ve made up coffee for in the morning, and I’ve got my clothes laid out. I’ll try to be quiet.”
“You don’t—“
He put a finger on her lips as he shook his head. "I'm not doing anything to purposely wake you up. It's just common courtesy."
“Thank you.”
He hugged her, kissing the side of her head. “Being nice to each other will make it easier when we actually have an argument.”
She gasped and put her hand on her chest, faking shock. "Us argue?"
“You know it’s going to happen, eventually.”
Her laughter lightened the mood. “I know. It’s impossible for two people to be together and not argue about something. So yeah, if we try to operate on the principle of not being jerks to each other, maybe when we argue we won’t be total assholes.”
“Exactly.”
He was thankful that Ansley was so easygoing. He'd had contentious relationships, and that was one reason he'd stopped dating. He had enough problems with work. He didn't need to add to it with a contrary partner. With Ansley everything seemed to fit just right.
Ansley woke while Link was in the shower. She would miss him today, but this was part of life. They were together, and that was what mattered.
She brushed her teeth and then headed into the kitchen, finding the coffee just finishing brewing. She poured herself a mug, saving enough for Link.
If she knew what he wanted to eat before work, she would start making him food. The door from the bedroom opened, and he stepped out as he pulled up his pants, buttoning them.
“Hey, you’re up early.”
“Yeah, I may take a nap later.”
He came over and kissed her. It was a sweet brush of lips, and she didn't dare take it deeper. Link had to leave soon or he wouldn't make it to base on time.
“I would have started making breakfast for you, but I’m not sure what you want to eat.”
“No worries. I’m going to have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. It’s easy, and I’ll get something else later.”
“Do you always eat a peanut butter sandwich before work?”
He shook his head as he grabbed a plate and started making a sandwich. "No. I switch it up based on what I want. So you won't be able to predict what I want to eat for breakfast."
“Okay, I’ll remember that.”
Link had his sandwich made, and he poured coffee into a travel mug before checking the time.
“I have six minutes before I have to get into my car and leave.”
“That’s good. Finish eating. I’ll clean the dishes.”
“You don’t—“
“I’m here, so I can do it. You can clean the dinner dishes tonight.”
“Deal. Thank you,” Link said around a bite of peanut butter sandwich.
She'd never had peanut butter with coffee. But if he liked it, who was she to judge? He finished his sandwich, then gave her a quick kiss before taking off.
She watched him leave, wondering if she would have this empty feeling every time he took off for work.
It was odd staying at home. She hadn't experienced what would become a typical day for her since leaving the military.
Today was the first day of work. She only had two hours of teaching scheduled for today.
She had to prepare, but it wouldn't take her long.
The curriculum was already set, so it wasn't like she had to do too much to get ready.
The online classes went well. Both sets of students were happy to get started learning. She liked their hope and excitement.
After teaching, she stretched out for a nap. When she was almost asleep, her phone pinged. She checked the text, seeing it was from Ryan Lane.
I met with Pete, and he's still pushing the narrative that you killed his brother. He isn't willing to back down, even when I confronted him with the fact that his video was faked. He said it was worth it to fake the video just to get back at you.
Ansley didn’t know what to think. Pete hated her. She was okay with that, but he was manipulating the public, trying to get them to turn against her with lies. She replied to his text.
Thank you. Is he still being held?
She worried about what he would do if he came to North Carolina and found her. She didn't think he would find her here in Fayetteville, but someone had spotted her at the beach. If they lived there, they would just keep looking for her. Another text came in from Ryan.
He is still in custody. They are charging him with fraud and making threats. It’s not much, but hopefully it will get him to stop posting stuff online. We’re asking the judge to give you a protection order.
She was impressed that Ryan was helping her so much. He didn’t have to. He wasn’t her personal lawyer, so he didn’t have to do all that he’d taken on. It was very helpful, though. She could get through this because she had help.
Thank you so much. I know your help will keep me safe.
With Pete being charged, she had a chance of not being harassed by him. If the podcast was forced to be taken down and an apology issued, maybe people would realize he’d lied.
Of course, like most rumors that got started by irresponsible podcasters, the lie would stick for a while. At least Link knew the truth. If he didn't believe her, she didn't know what she would do.