Page 27 of Endless
“She was so grossed out, it was hilarious.” Gunner raised his index finger in the air. “But my point is, that bird is a literal shithead, and he’s better off on a dinner plate.”
“Not saying I disagree, but I’m going to see if anyone wants him alive first.” I set my empty whiskey glass down and slid it across the counter to Reaper. “Linda down the street mentioned wanting a rooster, so I’ll head over there now.”
“What’s wrong with her husband’s cock?” Gunner’s face lit up with the question like he’d been waiting for the perfect time to say it.
“Jesus, shut up,” Reaper grumbled.
“Aw fuck off, you’re no fun.” Gunner turned away, looking out to the yard. “What are the boys playing?”
“Pirates, last I checked.”
“Ooh, I want to be the sea monster!”
“Not the pretty mermaid?” Shadow cracked.
Gunner headed outside, pointing both middle fingers back at us until he grabbed the side of the playhouse with a roar.
A sense of relief fell over me as the others went to join him. It had been a tense few moments, but the kids were safe. We were all still here. Trading a rooster for a llama was miles better than a bloody shootout.
I’d take days like this over potentially losing any of them in a heartbeat.
Eleven
GUNNER
Icame home like any other day, whistling a cheerful tune as I closed the front door behind me. The last thing I expected was a very naked Jandroleapingdown the stairs toward me.
"Dude, what—"
He clapped a hand over my mouth, the other hand holding a finger to his lips. I noticed he was panting slightly, the skin on his palm felt warm, and his junk swung stiffly at half-mast.
It's not like I was offended by his nudity. Obviously we all shared a wife and a bedroom. Over the years, us guys had become comfortable to the point where catching each other in various states of undress no longer fazed us.
Still, we weren't exactly in the habit of greeting each other at the front door in our birthday suits.
"Don't say a word," Jandro whispered, glancing over his shoulder toward the bedroom. "I don't think she heard you. But we were just talking about this, and she wants to play a guessing game. You in?"
At my confused expression, he carefully lifted his palm from my mouth. "It's better if you just see her. But remember, not a word. Not even a sound."
I nodded and made theokaysign with my hand. Clearly, it was some kind of bedroom game with Mari. She had to be blindfolded or something and that just got my pulse racing with anticipation.
Jandro pressed his finger to his lips once more, and I nodded eagerly while making a shooing motion toward the stairs. He headed that way and I followed right on his heels, just as excited as the kids on Christmas morning.
A scent hit me halfway up the stairs—citrusy, fresh, and warm. My eager smile grew when I realized it was one of those candles Mari loved, the one she said smelled like me.
Jandro and I reached the bedroom and the sight before me was...holy fuck. I couldn't have made a sound if I tried, I was that blown away.
Candles flickered on the nightstands, and through the slats of the headboard, Mari's wrists were tied with a soft length of rope. My gaze trailed lower, insistent on not missing any detail. Her arms extended above her were relaxed, a soft bend in her elbows. Mari's dark hair spilled out on the pillows propping up her head and neck for comfort. A black sleep mask covered her eyes, contrasting with the pink flush in her cheeks and lips.
Mari's head rolled from side to side at the sound of our footsteps, her arms tugging lightly at her restraints as her body shifted.
"Jandro? Who came home?" she asked in a tight, breathless voice.
Oh fuck me, did he leave her hanging when he came downstairs? I wanted to slide a glance at him but couldn't take my eyes off of her.
"You're gonna have to guess." Jandro rounded the bed, moving toys and bottles of massage oil out of the way so he could lie next to her. "Isn't that what you wanted?"
Mari's torso stretched out long on the bed, arched with every beautiful, mouthwatering curve on display. Her skin was dewy and flushed, red marks around her waist and breasts as evidence to Jandro's handling.
