Page 47 of Lawless
"Huh!"
He jerked awake at my touch, sitting straight up immediately.
"Uh, hi," I said meekly.
He looked at me and only then did his expression relax. "Morning, Mariposa," he sighed while rubbing his temples.
"You all right?"
"Yeah, yeah." He shot me a sheepish grin. "I'm not an easy sleeper, that's all. Didn't mean to scare you."
"Can I ask what you're doing in Gunner's tent?"
The hand resting on my thigh wrapped around my waist in reply.
"I asked him to come," Gunner murmured sleepily at my back. "I didn't want to leave you alone during my patrol shift. But when I came back, the fucker wouldn't leave."
"You had your head on my chest. It was the sweetest thing," Jandro teased. "No way was I gonna move and disturb you."
"Wow." I drew my knees up to my chest. The cozy warmth of their bodies turning into a stifling heat all over me. "I must have been really out of it."
"Riding is exhausting if you're not used to it." Jandro's eyes brightened. "And you get to do it all over again today."
"Great," I grumbled, stretching my arms and legs out. I felt a little soreness in my limbs but nothing too bad.
"Aw, you'll be fine." Gunner sat up and kissed the back of my head before I could react. "We'll get some coffee and breakfast in you, then you'll be right as rain, baby girl."
He rose to his feet and exited the tent, leaving me to stare wide-eyed at Jandro.
"All you're missing's a kiss from Shadow now, huh?" He laughed as my eyes surely doubled in size. "Relax, you don't have to worry. He's not really the kissy type."
"So, uh..." Eager to focus on something else, I pulled a rubber band off my wrist and started tying my hair up. "How is he this morning?"
"Fine," Jandro shrugged. "Probably up early and packed before all of us. He doesn't get hangovers and never sleeps more than he has to."
"Really?"
"Yeah. I'm jealous, to be honest," he chuckled before going quiet. "You riding with golden boy again today?"
"I'm not sure," I admitted. "He hasn't asked me yet."
Jandro's eyes brightened. "Want to ride with me?"
"Um, sure."
"It's a comfortable ride, I promise," he winked. "My baby's made for long distance. And I know her down to every gear. No rattles, no bumps. Just smooth sailing."
"Sounds good." A smile came to my mouth and he returned it.
"Great. I'll see you at breakfast." He made a sudden movement toward me, then stopped, hesitated, then turned and left the tent.
I was alone. Just me and my racing heartbeat. I thought for a moment he was leaning in to hug or kiss me.
What would you have done?
Five days ago, I would have fought tooth and nail to get away from him. Now I slept between two of these men with no fear, and I wasn't so sure if I'd refuse him.
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