Chapter Fourteen
Gunner held Rachel’s hand as they walked into Nelson’s Honkytonk Saloon & Bar for the party. Since Broken Hearts Brewing had a huge Valentine’s event planned, Bluff Creek had decided to have a night out in Dodge City two weeks before their grand opening.
The kids were having a huge sleepover at the gym with Baron, Regina, Hope, Locks, Meg, Rascal, and Clara overseeing the party.
Since the kids from Nelson’s were attending too, Hennessy and Ellie’s older kids were helping babysit along with Deborah.
They had a bounce house, movie marathon, and crafts planned.
Gunner planned on using this time to dance with Rachel and see if she was ready for more.
They’d spent this week much like last week—working together and spending evenings as a family.
The only dark spot on the horizon was that none of the Saint’s Outlaws had been able to find Maynard to deliver Gunner’s Get Well delivery. Scoop said he wasn’t using credit cards.
“Over here,” Jesse yelled from a group of tables pushed together.
Gunner was ready to sit back and enjoy time with his woman. Good food and drink plus some up close and personal time on the dance floor.
Although he adored Rachel’s overalls, tonight she’d dressed in tight jeans, boots, and a leather jacket for the ride. Standing by the table, he waited for Rachel to take off the jacket.
Oh Friggin’ fudgesicles. The front of her shirt was silky with a high neck, but it was the back that was going to kill him.
The silky fabric trailed down to the top of her butt, which would be fine if there wasn’t a huge diamond opening in the back with no hint of a bra strap. Was his woman bare beneath her shirt?
How was he supposed to concentrate tonight wondering if anything was underneath her top?
“Oh, the top looks perfect on you,” Beth said as they settled in their seats.
“Thank you. I appreciate you loaning it to me,” Rachel said.
“Anytime you want to try something different, let me know. I have a whole room full of clothes for surveillance,” Beth said, passing plates, forks, and a tray of appetizers their way.
Gunner listened to the conversation, enjoying being here with Rachel. He couldn’t wait to open Broken Hearts Brewing, but tonight, where he and Rachel weren’t in charge of providing the food and service, was just what they both needed to recharge.
“Hey, Gunner, you guys have all your positions filled at the coffee shop?” Hennessy asked.
“We have a start but we’re waiting to see how many we’ll need on some of the shifts. For now, some of the workers from the diner are going to help out during heavy times. Why?” Gunner asked.
“Elijah and Morgan are interested in part-time jobs. We’re letting them learn at the oil office but both of them wanted some experience in the food industry. We can’t have them working here since we serve liquor. I didn’t know if you might need extra help on the weekends,” Hennessy said.
“Let Rachel and I check the schedule but as long as it hasn’t been promised to someone already, I’d love to have them working on the weekends. I have a feeling the smash room will be busy,” Gunner replied.
“Thanks, man,” Hennessy said.
Gunner ate some of the appetizers and refilled Rachel’s plate when it was empty. Seeing her eyes light up and her grin gave him such a sense of satisfaction.
A slow song came on the jukebox. Gunner leaned close to Rachel. “Would you like to dance?” he asked.
“Yes,” she said, grasping his hand.
Leading her onto the dance floor was a good thing because he couldn’t see the deep V of bare flesh but when she turned toward him to dance, he realized the error in his thinking.
He pulled her close to dance. His hand was on bare skin. He swallowed, reminding himself he had all night.
“Just in case you’re wondering, the top has a built-in bra,” Rachel said, smirking up at him. He wanted to pick her up, let her wrap her legs around him, and kiss her until they forgot their names.
“Seems like you’re feeling a little sassy. I like seeing this side of you,” Gunner said.
Rachel followed his lead. He hadn’t realized how much he needed to hold her and be in the moment.
“Since this is your first time at Nelson’s, I should probably warn you. The Nelson cousins are a tad wild. I’ve yet to be here that some type of excitement hasn’t happened,” Gunner said, breathing in the light, fresh fragrance Rachel wore.
“Umm, what type of excitement?” she asked.
“Usually someone doesn’t treat an employee or customer nicely and they boot them from the bar. It’s always interesting to see which brother wins on doing the honors,” Gunner said.
“I think I’m going to like this place,” Rachel said, leaning her head against his chest as the song segued into a slow song.
Feeling Rachel against him had him fighting his body’s response. Every time he placed a little space between them to try to regain control of his pulse-pounding dick, she shifted closer.
He glanced down at her face. Her lips were tilted up in a smirk.
“Are you teasing me on purpose? I’m trying to be a gentleman on the dance floor when every move you make is making me harder than steel,” Gunner whispered in her ear, enjoying her tremble at his words.
“Of course,” she said.
Gunner paused on the dance floor. She nudged him.
“Keep dancing,” she whispered. He danced with her, thinking about how far she’d come and how comfortable she’d sounded saying she was teasing him.
“Yo, keep moving. No sex on the dance floor,” Halligan said as he danced by with a woman Gunner didn’t recognize.
“If you think that’s what sex is, I feel really sorry for your dates, Halligan,” Rachel replied.
Yep, she was feeling sassy tonight, and he adored this side of her. She always had a smile on her face, but she wasn’t putting on a brave face. She truly was happy.
Rachel walked into her house with Gunner. His touches on the dance floor, then being on the bike with him, had every part of Rachel hungering for Gunner.
She paused by the closet, taking off her jacket and hanging it up. She’d only been with Maynard. She wasn’t sure how to move them from here to being closer.
Gunner’s finger traced along her spine, sliding down her back. He moved her hair away from her neck. His warm breath on the side of her neck had her leaning back against him. His arms wrapped around her. His hand slid under her shirt, resting above her waistband.
“We can just sit and watch a movie or do some heavy petting on the couch. I don’t want to rush you,” Gunner said softly.
She thought about since she’d come to Bluff Creek a little over three weeks ago. Each day, Gunner had shared a little more of himself until she couldn’t deny how she felt for him.
It was more than like and so much more than just an infatuation. Her situation wasn’t resolved, but as far as she was concerned, the papers granting her a divorce were a formality. She and Maynard had ceased to be a couple when he left her and the kids the first time.
Gunner needed the words because she didn’t want any miscommunication between them.
“You aren’t rushing me,” she said, turning toward him and looking into his eyes. “You are who I want. Will you take me to bed and make me yours?” she whispered.
She barely had time to see the smile spreading across Gunner’s face before he picked her up and carried her toward the bedroom.
“I will because I can’t get you off my mind,” Gunner said, pausing at the foot of the bed. He claimed her lips, the warm, familiar touch and taste of Gunner giving her the feeling of home she’d been looking for her whole life.
Gunner divested them of their clothes while kissing each part of her he uncovered. Somewhere during that, he took his clothes off until she could feel the roughness of his leg hair rasping against her thighs.
He paused, notched at her entrance. “I have to say this because I don’t want you to think it’s part of that after-sex glow.
I love you. I’ve loved you since you smiled and introduced your kids.
I know people say it can’t happen that fast, but it did.
I fell for you, and it’s only deepened over the time we’re together.
I love you and I’m making you mine,” Gunner said.
Rachel was trying to formulate a reply when Gunner breached her opening. His eyes screamed everything he felt for her as he made her his. She so wanted to tell him she loved him too, but with every touch and thrust he was making her forget her own name.
All she could think of was touching him as she let him drive her higher until her legs were wrapped around his waist and she was screaming his name. His lips claimed hers as he followed her over.
She basked in the moment of being one with the man she’d fallen for before she gave him the words.
“The first time I started opening my heart to you was when you took us to the diner for breakfast and made sure the kids had fun. Then you put your own wants aside to make sure Marcus could get the help he needed by telling me what Maynard had said. Holding me as I broke down and had snot all over my face, I knew that you were someone I could trust. Each time we talked or spent time with the kids, you showed me the man you are. I love you. It wasn’t a flash bang, but it was a slow build until every part of my life is filled with the love you give me.
This isn’t a sex afterglow. This is me telling the man who just made love to me that I love you too,” Rachel said, her voice quivering.
Gunner cupped her face. “I love you so much. I’m so thankful you came to Bluff Creek. Let me take care of this condom then I want to fix you a dessert. We’ll need fuel for the next round,” he said.
So he not only worshipped her in bed, but he also wanted to cook for her to refuel. Yes, she’d found a keeper.