I followed without a word like a lost puppy, the two of us slipping out the door and into the beautiful backyard. The night air was cool on my heated skin as we walked hand in hand across the grass and towards an outdoor seating area that was lit with hundreds of tiny fairy lights. The tall wooden gazebo had a projector screen and was decorated with pillows, plants and a large intricate rug on the floor.
“Do you like it?” Gunner asked as he helped me sit down on a big soft body pillow.
I slipped my shoes off and got comfortable wondering what he had in mind. He sat down next to me so close our knees touched. Without warning he leaned across to me and I startledand flinched out of instinct. He sat back with a brow raised and a remote in his hand.
“You alright, lil baby?” he asked, with concern in his voice.
“Yes, just startled me a bit,” I mumbled.
“Bitch this ain’t that fuck nigga Taye, relax.”
“You’re safe with me. You know that right?” He asked.
As much as I wanted to believe him, I couldn’t honestly say that I could fully trust anyone. I had been hurt by the very people who were supposed to love me. And when I did trust another person, they failed me too.
“I’ll try,” I said. It was the best I could do until he proved untrustworthy.
“I’ll take that.” He smirked, turning on a movie on the screen in front of us. “I heard you like horror movies.” He said as the 2018 Halloween remake came on the screen and a genuine smile spread across my face. I liked that he took the time to learn what I like, it was nice. As the movie started, he handed me a blanket to drape around my shoulders and a box of milk duds, my favorite movie treat. We sat in a comfortable silence as we watched Micheal Myers hunt down his victims and wreak havoc in Hadenfield.
“I never understood why they call itHalloweenwhen he does most of his killing on November 1st.” I said to no one in particular. Gunner didn't say anything, he just looked then let out a deep laugh and stared at me like I was the most interesting person he had ever seen, before taking my hand and placing a tender kiss on it. With anyone else the sensation of being touched would have been overwhelming but with Gunner it just felt right. So instead of pulling away I leaned into him and crashed my lips into his incredible soft ones. I couldn’t help the moan that escaped me when he lifted me onto his lap, deepening the kiss.
His hands were all over me as soon as my thighs straddled him. His fingers pressed into my hips as he held me against the growing bulge in his shorts. Before we got carried away, I pulled back from the kiss. Heat coursed through my body ending up right between my legs.
“That’s what I’m talkin’ about bitch, take what's ours.”
Nyx was screaming for me to pounce on Gunner and as much as I wanted to, I didn’t want to rush into anything. Clearly reading my mind he spoke against my lips.
“Your beautiful. You know that right?” He said, running his finger across the scar on my cheek. I instinctually turned away a little self-conscious about it. We don’t have to do anything that you're not comfortable with. We can go as fast or as slow as you want, lil baby.”
He helped me back to the spot next to him on the pillow to finish watching the movie. I tried to stay focused on the screen but thoughts of having Gunners hands on me again had me stealing glances at him every other minute. When he realized I was watching him more than the movie he went back to asking questions.
“What made you pick Brookview other than you being friends with my cousin?” Gunner asked.
I knew this was coming. Getting to know each other meant him attempting to dig into my past. “Brookview’s had one of the best programs in the country, so the choice was simple. Char being great was an added bonus. There’s nothing for me back home.” I said, looking him in the eyes.
“Where’s back home? Your accent ain’t as country as ours but I can tell you not from up north either.”
“A small town in Maryland.” I told him glad when he dropped that line of questioning to ask me about other things. Him even knowing what town I was from could mean trouble, so I answered his other questions with a little more enthusiasm untilthe others finally joined us looking like they had been having the time of their lives, everyone except Missy. We ended up playing spades and getting to know each other more as the night progressed. Liam and Miko were really nice to me and even Nyx said she wouldn’t mind hanging with them again. Even Missy’s sister was cool and seemed to just be here to have a good time but we both were getting bad vibes from Missy.
“Just so you know Gunner and I have history.” An obnoxious voice said behind me as I fixed myself another drink.
I had gotten up for a drink when Gunner stepped away for a bathroom break only to run into Missy.
“Bitch did she really just say that shit out loud? Oh please, let me have her. I would love to skin her face clean off.”
I turned and faced her, tilting my head to the side as I took in her appearance. She was a really pretty girl who I’m sure could have any man she wanted. She had beautiful dark skin and an exotic look that told me she was probably mixed with something. But underneath all that beauty was an insecure woman who thought she could warn me off from a man that didn’t want her.
“Are you and Gunner in a relationship?” I asked her.
“Excuse me?” She blinked.
“Answer the question.”
“No, but that….”
“Then why are you telling me about the so-called history that you and Gunner have? Anything that was going on with you and Gunner is not my business. So, if you’re not his girlfriend then what are you saying?”
“If I were you, I would watch myself. I’m not the type to take kindly to people trying to take what’s mine.”
