Chapter Eleven
Gunnar
C ountry music drifts through the late summer night as Ellie and I relax in the bed of my truck in front of Heart Mountain, enjoying views most people wish they could experience just once in their lifetime.
Typically, I prefer rock music, but listening to Ellie softly sing Lainey Wilson’s “Things A Man Oughta Know” while leaning against the cab, petting Bear, and reading the baby book I bought her, I decide I will gladly listen to anything as long as it’s with her.
The lyrics she sings remind me of her. By looks, Ellie is as feminine as they come, but there are a few things she can do that a man oughta know. Sometimes even better, and I love that about her. It’s one of the reasons we became friends so quickly when we were younger, and she filled that best friend role better than any guy ever could.
Little did I know back then that one day we would end up here, but I’m damn glad we have because this past week with her has been the best of my entire existence.
Most evenings were spent with us in bed, losing ourselves in each other, and as much as I have loved every second of it, I know she deserves more. Which is why I decided to bring her here tonight.
The radiant smile I was rewarded with when we pulled up to her favorite mountain was worth all the last-minute running around. She was especially excited when she spotted the empty glass jars I brought with me, knowing what they would be used for.
After spreading out the blankets and cushions in the bed of my truck, Bear led the way as Ellie and I went on the hunt for fireflies, a favorite pastime of hers.
It didn’t take long before we were back at the truck, settled into the cushions, and eating from the picnic basket I had the local bakery pack for us.
The glow from the lightning bugs and the full moon above us illuminate the high mountaintops and lush spruce trees, creating a picture-perfect landscape. Add in the fresh, crisp air and the beautiful girl next to me, and I am convinced there is nothing better happening in the world right now than this.
“What do you think about the name Elliot for a boy?” she asks, looking up from the book she has in her hand. “That might be cute.”
I grunt my disagreement.
“What’s wrong with it?” she asks, affronted.
“Nothing, if you want him to get his ass kicked every day.”
A subtle gasp parts her lips before anger sparks in her eyes. “You listen to me, Gunnar Brooks.” She points at me. “No one will ever hurt our child. If they even attempt it, we’ll both be throwing hands. Got it?”
Her fiery outburst draws a chuckle from me. “Don’t worry, he’ll know how to take care of himself, I’ll make sure of it,” I promise. “But that doesn’t mean we’re going to make life hard for him by giving him a wimpy name like Elliot.”
She rolls her eyes. “Fine, what names do you like?”
Dropping to my back, I slip my hands behind my head and stare up at the star-covered sky. “I don’t know. Something badass. Like, Madden or Axel.”
“Or Snake.” She giggles, laughing at her own joke, something she does often. No one finds Ellie as funny as she does.
“What about Lily for a girl?” she asks, moving on. “I love that name.”
“That’s nice,” I agree. “But if I’m being honest, Elle, the thought of having a girl makes me nervous as hell.”
It’s nerve-wracking either way, but even more so when I think about having a daughter.
She tilts her head at the confession. “Really, why?”
“Because I can teach a boy all sorts of shit,” I explain. “What the hell am I going to teach a girl?”
“All the same things,” she counters, making it sound simple. “Look at everything you and Paw taught me. If not for you two, I wouldn’t know how to change a tire, check my oil, or fish…”
She has a point, but what she fails to realize is I would still rather do them for her. I only showed her how to do those things in case there was ever a time when I couldn’t be there to do it.
“If we do have a girl,” she continues softly, “I hope she finds a boy best friend like I did.”
Considering she is now fucking that best friend, I hope not, but I decide to keep that to myself, not wanting to ruin the moment she’s trying to have.
Looking over, I find myself captivated by her beauty.
Despite my suggestion to dress casually, she chose a long, brown maxi skirt, and I’m not mad about it. The fabric drapes elegantly around her legs as she sits with one knee raised, revealing a delicate anklet and a few toe rings. The white crop top she paired with it offers teasing glimpses of her bare midriff, testing every ounce of my self-control .
What I love most about her attire though, is the white magnolia tucked in the loose waves of her golden hair. A gentle breeze sends those tendrils dancing across her face, proving no one else on this earth is as beautiful as my best friend.
A knowing smile curves her lips as if she just heard my every thought.
Setting her book aside, she crawls over to straddle me. Her skirt shifts to the tops of her thighs, inviting my hands, and the feel of her naked skin has my cock roaring to life.
Bear leaps through the open window, instinctively aware of what’s about to unfold because he’s smart like that.
“Do you remember our secret handshake?” she asks, her voice as soft as her smile.
“Yeah, I remember.”
Personally, I thought the idea of a secret handshake was stupid, but Elle was insistent we have one. She said it would keep our friendship sacred. I wasn’t sure I believed that, but I also wasn’t going to risk being wrong because a life without Ellie would be unlivable.
She extends her hand, waiting for me to prove it.
Lifting mine, we slap our open hands from side to side, then close them into fists, knocking them up and down before finishing with a fist bump and finger wave.
“We need to drop the finger dance,” I grumble. “It’s girly as shit.”
She throws her head back on a laugh, not the least bit offended.
“Okay. How about something like this instead?” A coy smile teases her lips before she slips off her crop top, revealing a slender frame and perky tits adorned in lace .
“That’s a hell of an idea,” I growl, the soft rumble blending with the melody of her laughter.
That laugh soon fades into a sweet little moan when I lift into a sitting position and bury my face into the soft skin of her chest.
Her arms find home around my neck as my lips cherish the tops of her small round globes.
She thinks they are too small, but I think they are perfectly proportionate and complement the rest of her. Besides, she doesn’t need to compensate for anything, not when she has a face like hers.
Dropping my mouth lower, I find a candy-pink nipple straining against the confining lace and nip at it gently, tugging at it with my teeth.
The sexy fucking whimper that escapes her throat sets fire to the blood beneath my skin.
Her hands eagerly slide down my back, tugging at my shirt. “Take this off,” she breathes, each word laced with urgency.
Leaning back, I help her pull it over my head. Before I can resume my position once again, she places a hand on my chest, halting me.
“Not yet. I want to try something,” she whispers, a hint of shyness creeping into her tone.
Intrigued, I allow her to push me to my back. The position brings the heat of her pussy in direct line with my raging cock.
I thrust up at the contact, drawing a heated gasp from her.
It’s instinct now, an innate pulse that’s been ingrained into me forever, my body always fighting to be one with hers.
I don’t get the chance to do it again before she leans over top of me, the angle lifting her bottom from my lap. I’d be disappointed if it wasn’t for the feel of her warm lips raining hot kisses down my chest .
This is the first time she has taken the initiative. Usually, I’m the one exploring her body for hours before sinking myself balls deep, which I’m perfectly content with. It’s actually become my favorite thing to do, but I can’t deny how good it feels to be on the receiving end right now.
Every muscle in my body strains as she sinks lower. Her hands move toward my belt with purpose, fingers deftly undoing the buckle and sliding into my jeans to wrap around my stiff cock.
A sharp hiss escapes my clenched teeth, punctuating the air as I pump myself into the firm grip.
Her gaze floats up to mine in a moment of desire and uncertainty. “I want to taste you,” she says, her voice draped in innocence. “I want to make you feel good, but I don’t want to do it wrong, so I need you to help me, okay?”
If it wasn’t for the sincerity reflected in every feature of her face, I’d laugh at the unnecessary concern.
“I’ll help you, Elle, but considering I’m about to fire off like a fucking rocket from just your hand, I don’t think you’re going to need it.”
A pretty smile sweeps across her face, instilling her with a little more confidence. “Well, in that case…” She lets that sentence trail off and drops down, taking me into the heat of her mouth.
“Fuck me.” The words shred my throat on a groan as I become engulfed in fiery pleasure.
Her mouth is hesitant and cautious as she tries to navigate through the unknown. My fingers lace in her golden strands, offering guidance that she graciously accepts.
“Hollow your cheeks a little more, baby,” I instruct, my voice hoarse and raw.
She sucks a little harder as she glides back up to the top, bathing me in sweet, hot perfection .
“Good girl,” I rasp. “Just like that.”
Encouraged by the praise, she takes me deeper with each motion, her confidence growing.
Propping myself up on one elbow, I hold her hair back, mesmerized by the sight of my cock disappearing between her lips, her face a picture of concentrated desire.
“Look at you,” I growl. “So goddamn pretty sucking my cock.”
She moans around my hard flesh, the dirty words fueling her efforts as she takes me as far as she can go.
My hips flex in a quick thrust, earning me another heated whimper.
“Good?” I grit, waiting for permission.
She hums her response, the needy sound practically begging for it.
I pump up again, this time hitting the back of her throat. When I get the same reaction, I set a pace, fucking her mouth the same way I do her body and it drives her as fucking wild as it does me.
Her bottom drops down on my leg, the heat of her pussy shamelessly sliding against it in an attempt to seek relief and it’s the hottest goddamn thing I’ve ever seen.
The motions of her mouth eventually fall in rhythm with her hips, pushing me closer to the steep edge.
Fire builds at the base of my spine, threatening to erupt like a volcano. “Pull back, baby.”
She doesn’t follow the order.
“Elle,” I say in warning, “If you don’t pull back now, I’m going to come down your throat.”
She renews her efforts, sucking me harder and faster and it sends me firing off like a loaded gun .
“Fuck.” I drop to my back and come on a roar, intense pleasure searing me from the inside out.
She swallows every last drop, then gracefully pushes into a sitting position, her ass resting on the leg she had been fucking moments ago.
I watch as she wipes around her mouth with a single finger, removing any remnants before sucking it clean.
My nostrils flare in response.
“So that’s what it tastes like,” she murmurs, her lips curling into a playful smile that stokes the fire she’s ignited.
“Your turn,” I growl, sitting up with a surge of determination.
The promise of retribution propels her forward, our mouths colliding in a fiery clash of passion.
Her hands tangle in my hair while mine move to the clasp between her tits, freeing the supple flesh.
She cries out against my lips as I thumb her hard nipples. I pinch and pull on the stiff peaks before dropping down to take one into my mouth.
“Oh god!” Her nails bite into my shoulders as she grinds down on my still-hard cock.
“Jesus, you’re soaked,” I groan, feeling the heat of her arousal seeping through the thin lace.
“I know, I came on your leg already,” she confesses shamelessly. “Sorry, I couldn’t hold off.”
I chuckle at her honesty. “All good, Elle. There’s always room for more, but this time, let’s have you come on my cock.”
“Yes,” she breathes. “I want that so badly.” Hiking her skirt higher, she tries to remove her panties while still straddling me, but it proves futile.
Not wanting to waste any time, I tear the delicate lace from her hips, drawing a sharp gasp from her lips. My hands caress the supple flesh of her ass, lifting her effortlessly to align with my throbbing cock.
She doesn’t hesitate to slide down the thick length, immersing me in liquid fire, and it rocks my entire being like a seismic earthquake, rattling the world around us.
Her forehead falls to my shoulder on a heated moan. “God, I love the way you feel inside me,” she murmurs, deepening the moment.
“It’s the best goddamn feeling in the world,” I agree.
Sex is something I have always enjoyed, but it’s never felt the way it has with Elle. It’s more than pleasure.
It’s home.
After pressing a gentle kiss to the soft skin of her shoulder, I lie back, seating myself even deeper inside of her.
She moans at the change in position, her hands splaying on my hard stomach for balance.
My jaw locks as I give her time to adjust.
It doesn’t matter how many times I have taken her this week, she’s still as tight as that first time.
Her hips move in an uneven rhythm as she pushes through the snugness, each motion fueled with determination. My hands span her waist, guiding her until she finds a cadence she eventually claims as her own. Slowly, her body begins to accept mine, adapting and molding to every inch.
“There you go,” I croon, my voice low and soothing. “Feel good?”
“Amazing,” she breathes.
Damn straight it is, and the view is even better. The moonlight embraces her, casting a silvery glow across her flawless skin that enhances the golden waves of her hair, her swollen lips, and her cheeks hued with unmistakable desire .
“Jesus, you should see yourself from my angle.” I barely manage the words, struggling to speak past the chokehold she has on me. “You are a fucking sight.”
One that will forever be ingrained in my memory, stored away in a place that belongs only to her.
The sweet smile that overtakes her face only adds to the intoxicating image. “Good, because I like feeling you this way.”
I like feeling her every damn way.
She picks up momentum, taking me a little faster and a little deeper with each movement.
“That’s it, baby,” I groan, urging her on. “Ride my cock. Show me how good it feels.”
Her body responds to my words, moving with a newfound confidence and fervor. Each thrust draws me deeper, her tits bouncing with every bump and grind. I palm the soft flesh, delivering another tug and roll of her hard nipples.
“Gunnar,” she whimpers, my name nothing more than a desperate plea.
“Give it to me, Elle. One more time.” Dropping a hand between us, I slip my finger through her wet folds, stroking the throbbing bud, and that’s all it takes for her to unravel.
Her head falls back on a cry that shatters the stillness of the night, the sound reverberating off the Rocky Mountains surrounding us.
I take in the beautiful sight of her, framed by Heart Mountain, as it looms in the background. It overshadows the moment, taunting me with its legend and the secret I have held since childhood—one I have never revealed to anyone, including the woman above me.
The rhythmic pulsation of her body around my engorged cock triggers my own release. I fill her with all that I have, planting my seed as deep as it will go, wanting more than anything to give her the baby she wants—a baby that I long for just as badly.
Spent, she collapses on top of me, her body trembling with aftershocks. I encompass her in my arms, holding her close, feeling the rush of her warm breath against my skin.
A cool breeze sweeps over us, eliciting goosebumps across her sweat-dampened flesh.
“Here, sit up for a minute,” I murmur into her hair. “I’ll grab another blanket.”
As she complies, I pull my jeans back in place, realizing I never fully removed them in our haste, then reach for another blanket from the cab. After draping it around her shoulders, I settle her between my legs, leaning us back against the cab of my truck. My hands rub up and down her arms, coaxing warmth back into her body.
She relaxes into me, her shivering form settling beneath my touch. “Better?” I ask.
She tilts her head back, looking up at me beneath her lashes with a contented smile. “Much. Thank you.”
I drop a kiss on the tip of her nose, unable to resist. It’s as cute and delicate as the rest of her.
Silence envelops the night as we take in the breathtaking view, the vast expanse of the Rockies illuminated by the soft glow of the moon. The world almost seems to pause, holding its breath in reverence for us and this moment.
“It’s been a long time since we’ve been out here, huh?” she muses softly.
“Yeah, it has,” I agree, my mind drifting back to those carefree days.
The last time was probably in high school. This is where most of us would come to party during the summer. At least until Sheriff Riley would show up and shut us down.
“It’s kinda ironic to think about how we shared our first kiss here all those years ago, and now here we are tonight, trying to have a baby together,” she continues, voicing where my thoughts just were only minutes ago.
Instead of admitting that to her, I reveal something else. “Guess what I found out the other day?”
She turns in my arms, peering up at me. “What?”
“Ryland knows about us sneaking out that night.”
She pushes against my chest, bolting upright. “You’re lying!”
I chuckle at her reaction. “Nope. Dead serious.”
Shock grips her expression. “How did he find out?”
I shrug, feeling a smirk tug at my lips. “Guess we weren’t as sneaky as we thought.”
Her eyes flare suddenly, a flicker of concern shadowing their depths. “Do you think Paw knew?”
I shake my head, rejecting the thought immediately. “No way. He would have had my ass for it.”
“He would have had both our asses,” she retorts with a laugh.
I disagree. He would have been upset with Ellie, but he would have been angrier at me. He made it clear on more than one occasion that I was to always watch out for her, to never do anything that might put her in harm’s way. He would have seen that night as a betrayal. But I don’t because I would have never let anything happen to her. I’d have died for her then, and I still would now.
Promise or no promise.
“I really miss him,” she whispers, her voice growing heavy with sorrow.
My arms hug her closer. “Me too. ”
She nestles back into my embrace, her face pressing against my chest in an effort to hide the tears forming in her eyes. I hold her through it, just as I did in the months after he passed.
Losing Paw was hard on us all, but our grief paled in comparison to Ellie’s. She completely fell apart and it tore me up inside. I felt helpless, knowing there was nothing I could do, but hold her through it.
“Can we sleep here?” she asks moments later. “I’m not ready for tonight to end.”
The vulnerability in that confession strikes hard. “Yeah, Elle. We can stay. In the morning, we’ll head to Main Street for breakfast. How’s that sound?”
“Like heaven,” she returns softly, a smile in her voice.
My idea of heaven was holding her just like this, and the thought of it lasting forever.