Page 101 of My Pleasure

He carefully rolled her to his side and kissed her forehead. “I’ll find something for us,” he said, then began looking through the camping tote.

He came back with a rueful expression. “Ryuu packed cloth napkins and water bottles,” he admitted, sheepishly.

“Gods all love that man,” she said, reaching for the water.

He opened the bottle, poured some on the cloth, and handed her the rest. She was about to take a sip when she yelped.

“Sorry! I know it’s a bit cold,” he said, wiping her clean.

Not wanting to drown herself, she waited until he was done, then took a long drink.

She closed her eyes and stretched. Moments later, he joined her and pulled her into his arms. “Not bad?” he asked.

“I think I am now a huge fan of that position.”

“Everything… okay?”

She threw a leg over him and snuggled close. “Honestly, that was way better than I thought it’d go.”

He sighed in relief. “It will get better,” he promised.

She shivered as tremors worked down her body. “I’m the luckiest woman on Earth.”

“Only the best for my baby.”

“Round two in the morning,” she promised, then closed her eyes.

She felt him cover them with the blankets and the next thing she knew, she was asleep.

*****

Kiera poured a handful of Skittles in her mouth and took a bite out of the chocolate bar. Hunter woke her up early for round two, and she was only just now cleaned, dressed and watching him re-pack their tent.

She reached for more sugar to replenish the energy she swore he stole from her. “We could just burn it and leave it here,” she suggested.

He growled. “Don’t tempt me. I would, but it’s not mine. Zev got it when he went camping in the Redwood.” He gave another small growl, then twisted a piece, before sliding it into the bag. “There! Damn that thing is a pain in the ass.” He had finally finagled the thing back into the case.

He looked over and saw her, Skittles in one hand and chocolate in the other. “We need to get you some real food.”

She looked down at her watch. “We have two hours until we have to go before the Elder Council and I want a shower.”

He held out his hand to help her stand.

She stuffed the Skittles in her pocket and grabbed his hand.

Once again, he picked up everything and they made their way back to the Nu estate.

Hunter left everything by the back door and they walked inside. The smell of bacon lured them into the kitchen.

“They live,” Caiden teased.

Kiera sat next to a barely awake Meryn and exhaled. “It was a close call.”

Meryn peeled one eye open. “Fucking huge right?”

Kiera nodded before she realized what she was doing, then her head swung around to look at Meryn. “You too?”

Meryn yawned. “Maybe it’s a bear thing.”